Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Art (Music)

In News

• Rezwana Choudhary Bannya received the Padma Shri 2024 for her contributions to Bangladeshi classical music.

Key Points

• Awarded in the Art category for her excellence in Rabindra Sangeet and Nazrul Geeti.
• One of the few Bangladeshi nationals to receive India’s Padma Shri.
• Recognized for promoting cultural ties between India and Bangladesh through music.
• Padma Awards 2024 included 132 recipients (5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, 110 Padma Shri).

Additional Information

• Rezwana Choudhary Bannya:
• Renowned exponent of Tagore’s and Kazi Nazrul Islam’s compositions.
• Founder of Surer Dhara, a music school in Dhaka.
• Padma Awards:
• India’s highest civilian honors after Bharat Ratna.
• 2024 saw 9 posthumous awardees and 30 women recipients.

The correct answer is Kalam-250

In News

• Skyroot Aerospace tested Stage 2 of Vikram-1 rocket engine "Kalam-250" at ISRO’s SDSC (March 2024).

Key Points

• The Stage 2 engine of Vikram-1 is named "Kalam-250", honoring Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
• Test conducted at ISRO’s Propulsion Complex, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
• Kalam-250 is a high-thrust cryogenic engine using liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LoX).
• Vikram-1 is India’s first private orbital launch vehicle, capable of carrying 300 kg payloads to LEO.

Additional Information

• Skyroot Aerospace:
• India’s first private space company to launch a rocket (Vikram-S, November 2022).
• Founded in 2018; headquartered in Hyderabad.
• Vikram-1:
• Three-stage launch vehicle with carbon-fiber structure.
• Maiden flight expected in 2024.
• ISRO Collaboration:
• Skyroot leverages ISRO’s facilities under IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre).

The correct answer is Rajasthan.

In News

• NABARD supported the GI certification for five traditional artworks from Rajasthan including Jodhpur Bandhej, Koftagiri Metal Craft, Nathdwara Pichhwai, Bikaner Usta Kala, and Hand embroidery art of Bikaner.
• The project aims to preserve disappearing traditional crafts and empower local communities by increasing their income levels.

Key Points

• GI certification was granted for five traditional Rajasthan crafts to protect cultural heritage.
• NABARD’s support aims at rural off-farm development through product differentiation and brand building.
• The initiative enhances local employment, market access, and safeguards traditional knowledge.
• During FY 2022-23, NABARD disbursed Rs. 31.04 crore for developmental interventions in Rajasthan.
• The project helps promote regional branding, tourism, and biodiversity conservation.

Additional Information

• Geographical Indications (GI) Tag
• GI tag protects unique products linked to a specific geographic region.
• It helps in legal recognition and prevents unauthorized use.
• NABARD Initiatives in Rajasthan
• Skill development, watershed and wadi development for tribal communities.
• Promotion of farm and off-farm producer organizations.
• Traditional Crafts in Rajasthan
• Jodhpur Bandhej: Traditional tie and dye textile.
• Koftagiri Metal Craft: Metal engraving from Udaipur.
• Nathdwara Pichhwai: Religious textile art.
• Bikaner Usta Kala: Intricate art using gold and silver.

The correct answer is World Economic Forum (WEF)

In News

• The Global Risk Report 2024 was released during the 54^th WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.

Key Points

• The Global Risk Report (including the Risk Index) is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
• It assesses economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological risks over short/long terms.
• 2024 report highlights misinformation, climate change, and geopolitical conflicts as top risks.
• Based on surveys of 1,400+ global experts and leaders.

Additional Information

• WEF's 54^th Annual Meeting (2024):
• Theme: "Rebuilding Trust".
• Held in Davos, Switzerland (15–19 January 2024).
• Other WEF Reports:
• Global Gender Gap Report, Global Competitiveness Report.
• Top 2024 Risks:
• Climate change, AI-driven misinformation, and economic volatility.

The correct answer is 2 only.

In News

• MHI extended the PLI-Auto Scheme till FY28 with amendments for flexibility.

Key Points

• Statement 2 is correct: Companies missing annual sales thresholds lose incentives for that year but regain eligibility if they achieve 10% YoY growth subsequently.
• Statement 1 is incorrect: Incentives are disbursed in the subsequent financial year (e.g., FY24 production → FY25 disbursement).
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme mandates 50% (not 30%) domestic value addition for AAT products.

Additional Information

• Amended PLI-Auto Scheme:
• Duration: FY24–FY28 (extended by 1 year).
• Budget: ₹25,938 crore (approved in 2021).
• Objective:
• Boost manufacturing of Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products like EVs and hydrogen fuel cells.
• Approval Body:
• Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS).

The correct answer is Artisans

In News

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana (PMVY) supports traditional artisans, including coir weavers.

Key Points

• Coir weavers are classified as Artisans under PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
• PMVY is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of MSME in 2023.
• Provides skill training, toolkits, and subsidized loans (up to ₹2 lakh at 5% interest).
• Targets 18 traditional crafts, including cobblers, potters, and coir weavers.

Additional Information

• Coir Industry:
• India produces ~80% of global coir, primarily in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
• PMVY Benefits:
• ₹15,000 for skill training + ₹500/day stipend during training.
• ₹1 lakh first-tranche loan with credit guarantee.
• Other Covered Artisans:
• Blacksmiths, carpenters, goldsmiths, and boat makers.

The correct answer is District & State Cooperative Banks, RRBs

In News

• NABARD and RBIH partnered to digitize agri-lending via e-KCC integration (April 2024).

Key Points

• The integration will benefit District & State Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
• Aims to streamline credit flow to farmers through paperless e-KCC processing.
• Leverages RBIH’s digital infrastructure for real-time loan approval and disbursal.
• Part of RBI’s broader agenda to achieve 100% digital KCC coverage by 2025.

Additional Information

• e-Kisan Credit Card (e-KCC):
• Provides farmers with flexible credit (up to ₹3 lakh at 4% interest under PM-KISAN).
• NABARD’s Role:
• Refinances cooperative banks and RRBs to enhance rural credit accessibility.
• RBI Innovation Hub (RBIH):
• Promotes fintech solutions for financial inclusion (e.g., UPI for rural areas).

The correct answer is Hindustan Zinc

In News

• World Silver Survey 2024 ranked Hindustan Zinc as the third-largest silver producer globally.

Key Points

• Hindustan Zinc became the third-largest silver producer globally as per the World Silver Survey 2024.
• The survey is published annually by The Silver Institute, USA.
• Hindustan Zinc produced ~746 metric tonnes of silver in 2023.
• The company is a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources and India's largest integrated zinc producer.

Additional Information

• Top Global Silver Producers (2024):
• 1^st: Fresnillo plc (Mexico)
• 2^nd: KGHM Polska Miedź (Poland)
• Hindustan Zinc:
• Headquartered in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
• Operates the world's largest zinc mine (Rampura Agucha).
• India's Silver Market:
• India is the world's sixth-largest silver producer (2023).

The correct answer is Shah Alam, Malaysia.

In News

• The 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships were held from 13 to 18 February 2024 at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

Key Points

• The tournament was the fifth edition of the Badminton Asia Team Championships.
• It was held at the Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
• Organised by Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Malaysia.
• Sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Additional Information

• The championships acted as qualifiers for the 2024 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals to be held in Chengdu, China.
• Four semi-finalist teams from both men's and women's categories secured qualification to the Finals.
• The tournament also contributed ranking points for the Race to Paris 2024 Olympic qualification.
• India won its first-ever women’s team title in the event.
• Malaysia and Indonesia were defending champions in the men's and women's categories respectively.

The correct answer is 1 and 3 only

In News

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is the flagship program under the Ministry of Rural Development aimed at poverty reduction through institutional support to the poor, especially women.

Key Points

• DAY-NRLM was renamed from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on March 29, 2016.
• It is a restructured version of Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY).
• The program follows a demand-driven approach, allowing states to formulate their own action plans.
• It targets coverage of 7 crore rural poor households across 600 districts, 6000 blocks, 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats and 6 lakh villages.

Additional Information

• Intensive vs Non-Intensive Blocks
• All components of DAY-NRLM are implemented in intensive blocks and districts through SRLMs or NGOs.
• Other regions are categorized as non-intensive.
• Objective
• Build self-managed SHGs and federated institutions.
• Enable the poor to access rights, entitlements, public services, and finance.
• Core Focus
• Empower women and marginalized groups
• Strengthen livelihood collectives