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The correct answer is Kalibangan.

Key Points

• Kalibangan is a prominent Harappan site located in present-day Rajasthan, India.
• It is unique among Harappan sites for providing evidence of ploughed agricultural fields.
• The ploughed field marks at Kalibangan are indicative of early agricultural practices in the Indus Valley Civilization.
• These field impressions were discovered near the southern part of the site, showing furrows aligned in two directions, suggesting advanced farming techniques.
• The discovery highlights the significance of agriculture in the economy of the Harappan civilization.

Additional Information

• Indus Valley Civilization:
• It is one of the world's earliest urban civilizations, dating back to 2500 BCE.
• Major sites include Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira, Lothal, and Kalibangan.
• Known for advanced town planning, drainage systems, and standardized weights and measures.
• Kalibangan’s Historical Significance:
• Kalibangan is divided into two parts: the citadel (western mound) and the lower town (eastern mound).
• The site shows evidence of fire altars, indicating ritualistic practices.
• It also provides evidence of mud-brick structures typical of Harappan architecture.
• Ploughed Fields in Archaeology:
• Ploughed field impressions are rare in archaeology and provide insights into ancient agricultural practices.
• Such discoveries help reconstruct the methods of crop cultivation used by early civilizations.
• Agriculture in the Harappan Civilization:
• Major crops included wheat, barley, sesame, mustard, and cotton.
• Advanced irrigation techniques and seasonal cultivation were practiced.
• Kalibangan’s evidence of ploughed fields complements the broader understanding of Harappan agriculture.

The correct answer is Buy affordable property through credible developers.

Key Points

• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the ‘CREDAI Awaas’ mobile app recently.
• The app is designed to facilitate the purchase of affordable property.
• It connects buyers with credible developers ensuring transparency and reliability in the real estate sector.
• The app aims to address the housing needs of people by providing access to verified and affordable housing options.
• It is a step towards fulfilling the government’s mission of ‘Housing for All’.
• CREDAI, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India, is a key player in the real estate industry in India.

 Additional Information

• Redressal of Consumer Grievance
• This option refers to platforms or mechanisms designed to address and resolve complaints and issues raised by consumers.
• Such platforms are crucial for ensuring consumer protection and enhancing customer service.
• Geo-tagging of Residential properties
• Geo-tagging involves adding geographical identification data to various media such as photos, videos, or websites.
• This technology is often used in property management to track and map the locations of properties.
• Lease property without brokers
• This refers to platforms or services that allow individuals to lease properties directly without involving intermediaries or brokers.
• Such services can reduce costs and facilitate direct communication between landlords and tenants.

The correct answer is Jammu and Kashmir

In News

• The Anji Khad Rail Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

• Part of the Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, the bridge aims to boost regional connectivity, economic development, and tourism.
• Key Specifications:
• Total length: 725.5 metres.
• Main pylon height: 193 metres above the foundation.
• Connects Katra and Reasi, easing travel between these locations.
• Engineering Challenges:
• The region's geological features, including faults, folds, and seismic activity, posed significant construction challenges.
• IIT Roorkee and Delhi conducted detailed investigations, leading to a hybrid foundation at the Katra end for stability.
• Structural Details:
• Consists of four sections:
• 120-metre ancillary viaduct on Reasi side.
• 38-metre approach bridge on Katra end.
• 473.25-metre main cable-stayed portion.
• 94.25-metre central embankment.
• Deck width: 15 metres, accommodating a single railway line, a service road, and footpaths.
• Advanced Construction Techniques:
• DOKA Jump form shuttering and pump concreting systems sped up construction by 30%.
• A state-of-the-art tower crane from Spain was used for high-altitude work up to 193 metres.
• Safety Features:
• Equipped with an integrated monitoring system using sensors to ensure structural health.
• Designed to withstand wind speeds up to 213 km/h.

The correct answer is Arundhati Roy.

Key Points

• The God of Small Things won the Man Booker Prize in 1997. It was written by Arundhati Roy.
• She has received the Lannan Cultural Freedom Award in 2002, the Sydney Peace Prize in 2004, and the Sahitya Akademi Award from the Indian Academy of Letters in 2006.
• The other important works of Arundhati Roy include - The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017), Walking with the Comrades (2011), The end of Imagination (1998).

Important Points

• Booker Prize is a literary prize awarded each year for the best novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
• The winners of the Man Booker Prize from India are:
• V.S. Naipaul - In a Free State (1971)
• Salman Rushdie - Midnight's Children (1981)
• Arundhati Roy - The God of Small Things (1997)
• Kiran Desai - The Inheritance of Loss (2006)
• Aravind Adiga - The White Tiger (2008)

Additional Information

• Salman Rushdie won the Booker Award in 1981 with Midnight's Children and made the shortlist again in 1983, 1988, and, 1995.
• Midnight's Children was also judged to be the "Booker of Bookers" in 1993 and "Best of the Booker" in 2008.

The correct answer is Article 39 A.

Key Points

• Article 39A of the Indian Constitution directs the State to ensure that justice is not denied to any citizen due to economic or other disabilities.
• It mandates the provision of free legal aid to the poor through suitable legislation or schemes.
• Article 39A was added to the Constitution by the 42^nd Amendment Act, 1976.
• It forms part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which are non-justiciable but act as guidelines for governance.
• The implementation of Article 39A is carried out through schemes like the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and various State Legal Services Authorities.

Additional Information

• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
• DPSPs are guidelines for the State to frame policies and laws aimed at establishing social and economic democracy.
• They are mentioned in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) of the Indian Constitution.
• Though non-enforceable in court, they are considered fundamental to the governance of the country.
• 42^nd Amendment Act, 1976:
• Known as the "Mini Constitution," this amendment introduced various changes to the Indian Constitution.
• It added new DPSPs, including Article 39A, and emphasized the goal of achieving justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• National Legal Services Authority (NALSA):
• Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
• Its primary function is to provide free legal aid to weaker sections of society and ensure access to justice for all.
• NALSA organizes Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
• Free Legal Aid:
• The concept of free legal aid is rooted in the idea of equal justice for all, irrespective of economic status.
• Legal aid includes providing legal representation, advice, and assistance to those unable to afford it.
• It is a critical measure to uphold the right to equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.

The correct answer is Season.

Key Points

• The word 'monsoon' is derived from the Arabic word 'Mausim', which means 'season' or 'period'.
• It refers to the seasonal winds and rains that occur in certain regions, particularly in South Asia, which are characterized by a distinct wet and dry period.
• The term 'Mausim' was used by Arabic traders to describe the changing seasonal winds that influenced maritime travel in the Indian Ocean.

The correct answer is Subsidies.

Key Points

• Subsidies are classified as revenue expenditure and not capital expenditure.
• Capital expenditure is incurred to acquire or create assets that provide long-term benefits, such as land, buildings, machinery, etc.
• Subsidies involve financial support provided by the government to individuals or entities to reduce the cost of products or services, and they do not result in the creation of tangible assets.
• Examples of subsidies include agricultural subsidies, fuel subsidies, and food subsidies provided to support specific sectors or groups in the economy.

Additional Information

• Capital Expenditure: Refers to spending that leads to the creation of assets or infrastructure, contributing to the long-term growth of the economy.
• Revenue Expenditure: Refers to spending incurred for the day-to-day operations of the government, including salaries, interest payments, and subsidies.
• Examples of Capital Expenditure: Acquisition of land, construction of buildings, investment in machinery, and loans to state governments for asset creation.
• Budget Classification: Government budgets classify expenditures into capital and revenue expenditures to ensure proper allocation and economic planning.
• Impact of Subsidies: While subsidies provide immediate relief to beneficiaries, excessive reliance on them can strain government finances and reduce funds available for capital expenditure projects.

The correct answer is When people are not able to find jobs during some months of the year.

Key Points

• Seasonal unemployment occurs when people are unable to find jobs during certain months of the year.
• This type of unemployment is common in industries that are dependent on seasonal activities, such as agriculture, tourism, and construction.
• For example, agricultural workers may be unemployed between planting and harvesting seasons.
• It reflects the fluctuations in labor demand that are tied to the seasonal patterns of certain industries.

Additional Information

• Other types of unemployment include structural, frictional, and cyclical unemployment.
• Structural unemployment occurs when there is a mismatch between workers' skills and the demands of the job market.
• Frictional unemployment happens when people are temporarily between jobs or are searching for new ones.
• Cyclical unemployment is related to the cyclical trends in the economy, where unemployment rises during economic downturns and falls when the economy improves.
• Understanding the different types of unemployment helps in formulating targeted policies to address them effectively.

The correct answer is 1969.

Key Points

• The nationalization of 14 major commercial banks in India occurred on 19^th July 1969.
• The decision was taken under the leadership of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to bring banking to rural areas and ensure credit availability for agriculture, small industries, and exports.
• These banks controlled 85% of the total deposits in the country at the time of nationalization.
• The move aimed to align the banking sector with the socialistic pattern of governance and promote financial inclusion.
• The 14 banks included prominent names like Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Bank of India, and Central Bank of India.

Additional Information

• Nationalization Concept: Nationalization refers to the government taking control of private sector assets or industries to ensure public ownership and equitable distribution of resources.
• Banking Before Nationalization: Prior to 1969, the banking sector primarily served urban elites and large industrialists, leaving rural areas and small-scale sectors underserved.
• Second Wave of Nationalization: In 1980, six more banks were nationalized, further expanding the public sector's control over the banking system.
• Impact of Nationalization: The move significantly increased the number of bank branches, especially in rural areas, and helped channel credit into priority sectors like agriculture and small-scale industries.
• Legal Framework: The nationalization was carried out under the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Ordinance, 1969, which later became an Act of Parliament.

The correct answer is 4.

Key Points

• The RBI has 4 deputy governor - 2 are appointed from outside while the remaining 2 are promoted from within. The other 2 appointed from outside, one is commercial banker and the other is economist.
• The present 4 deputy governor of RBI are Shri Mahesh Kumar Jain, Dr. Michael Debabrata Patra, Shri M. Rajeshwar Rao, Shri T. Rabi Sankar.

Additional Information

• The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was initially established in Kolkata but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937.
• Shaktikanta Das is the twenty-fifth governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 12 December 2018.