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The correct answer is Part -IX, Article 243(A) to 243(O).

Key Points

• Part IX of the Indian Constitution deals with the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Articles 243(A) to 243(O) specifically outline the provisions related to the structure, composition, and functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• The 73^rd Amendment Act of 1992 led to the inclusion of Part IX in the Constitution, emphasizing the role of local self-government in rural areas.
• The amendment aimed to provide a uniform structure for Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country, thereby ensuring democratic decentralization.

Additional Information

• 73^rd Amendment Act:
• It was enacted in 1992 and came into force on 24 April 1993.
• This amendment is a significant step towards decentralization, empowering rural local bodies.
• It mandates the establishment of Panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels.
• Gram Sabha:
• The Gram Sabha is the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system, consisting of all registered voters within the jurisdiction of a village Panchayat.
• It acts as a deliberative body that ensures accountability and transparency in the functioning of Panchayats.
• Three-tier system:
• The Panchayati Raj system operates on a three-tier structure, comprising the Village Panchayat, the Panchayat Samiti (Intermediate level), and the Zila Parishad (District level).
• This structure facilitates better governance and administration at the grassroots level.
• Reservation of Seats:
• The 73^rd Amendment provides for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women (not less than one-third) in Panchayats.
• This ensures inclusive participation and representation of marginalized communities in the decision-making process.

The correct answer is: 'Complete independence'.

Key Points

• Purna Swaraj was aimed to achieve complete independence for India.
• This goal was officially adopted by the Indian National Congress on 26 January 1930, declaring the objective of full independence from British rule.
• The term "Purna Swaraj" translates to "complete self-rule" and signified the determination to attain total sovereignty and self-governance.
• It marked a significant shift from earlier demands for Dominion Status to an outright call for full independence.

Incorrect Options

• Partial freedom
• This option is incorrect as "Purna Swaraj" explicitly aimed for complete independence, not partial freedom.
• Indian identity
• While the movement for Purna Swaraj was intertwined with the strengthening of Indian identity, the primary goal was full independence, not merely an assertion of identity.
• Partition
• The idea of partition was not a goal of the Purna Swaraj declaration. Partition of India came later as a result of different political developments.

Hence, the correct answer is complete independence, and other options do not align with the goal of Purna Swaraj.

Additional Information

• Purna Swaraj and its significance:
• The Purna Swaraj declaration was a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement, symbolizing a clear and unequivocal break from British colonial rule.
• It galvanized the Indian population and intensified the freedom struggle, leading to widespread civil disobedience and non-cooperation movements.
• Indian National Congress (INC) role:
• The INC played a central role in advocating for Purna Swaraj, leading mass mobilizations and negotiating with the British for independence.
• Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose were instrumental in championing the cause of complete independence.

The Correct Answer is Option 4 i.e  Both 1 and 3.

• Reserve Bank of India:
• The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935, in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• It acts as a Banker to the Government as well as banker to banks.
• Shaktikanta Das is the present Governor of RBI.
• The Reserve Bank of India was set up on the basis of the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission.
• RBI was nationalized on January 1, 1949. (This makes the statement 2 incorrect).

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. 356.

• President’s rule is mentioned in Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 345- Official language or languages of a State.
• Article 376- Conditions for appointment of Chief Justice of High court.
• Article 252- Power of Parliament to legislate for two or more States.

The correct answer is To store excess rainwater for future use.

Key Points

• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) was launched by the Government of India in 2019 as a time-bound, mission-mode campaign to promote water conservation and water security across the country.
• The primary role of rainwater harvesting in this initiative is to collect and store excess rainwater during the monsoon season, ensuring that this water is available for future use during dry periods and to recharge groundwater aquifers. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The mission aims to combat groundwater depletion by replenishing underground water tables through scientific conservation methods, rather than increasing the rate of depletion. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• While the campaign is implemented in both rural and urban areas, its core objective is water sustainability and ecological restoration, not the promotion of urbanization. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan actually supports and enhances agricultural activities by providing reliable water sources for irrigation through watershed development and water harvesting, rather than reducing them. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.

Additional Information

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti was established in May 2019 by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to provide a unified approach to water management.
• The Catch the Rain campaign, launched under the National Water Mission, uses the tagline Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls to encourage the creation of Rain Water Harvesting Structures (RWHS) suitable to the climatic conditions of various regions.
• The initiative initially targeted 256 water-stressed districts and 1,592 water-stressed blocks across India, focusing on urgent interventions to prevent a severe water crisis.
• Key intervention areas of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan include renovation of traditional water bodies (such as tanks and ponds), reuse and recharge structures, watershed development, and intensive afforestation.
• The campaign is designed as a Jan Andolan (People's Movement), emphasizing community participation and awareness to make water conservation a part of daily life for every citizen.

Important Points

• Rainwater harvesting techniques promoted under the mission include rooftop rainwater harvesting for buildings, percolation pits, check dams, and recharge wells to maximize the absorption of water into the soil.
• The mission leverages funds and labor from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to construct and maintain water conservation infrastructure in rural areas.
• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2024 campaign focuses on the theme Sustainablity of Ground Water Sources for Drinking Water, highlighting the critical need to protect drinking water sources.
• The Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) and Technical Officers from the Central Government visit districts to coordinate with District Collectors and ensure the effective implementation of water-saving measures.
• Data from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is used to identify priority areas where the water table has fallen significantly, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most needed.

The correct answer is Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

Key Points

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on 28 August 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The scheme focuses on providing universal access to banking services, including a basic savings bank account, financial literacy, insurance, and pension.
• PMJDY aims to ensure financial inclusion for all households in India by offering affordable financial services such as bank accounts, insurance, remittance, and credit facilities.
• Under PMJDY, beneficiaries receive a zero-balance savings account, a RuPay debit card, and an overdraft facility of up to Rs. 10,000 after six months of satisfactory operation.
• As of 2023, PMJDY has enrolled more than 48 crore beneficiaries, emphasizing its role in improving financial literacy and accessibility in rural and urban India.

Additional Information

• Features of PMJDY:
• Accounts under PMJDY can be opened with zero balance.
• Provides a Rs. 2 lakh accident insurance cover for RuPay cardholders.
• Offers an overdraft facility of Rs. 10,000 per account to eligible beneficiaries.
• Encourages direct benefit transfer (DBT) for government subsidies and welfare schemes.
• Introduced a mobile banking facility for account holders to access their accounts digitally.
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY):
• A government-backed life insurance scheme launched on 9 May 2015.
• Provides life insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh for an annual premium of Rs. 436.
• Available to individuals aged 18 to 50 years with a bank account.
• Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY):
• A government-backed accident insurance scheme launched on 9 May 2015.
• Provides accident cover of Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death and full disability, and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability.
• Available to individuals aged 18 to 70 years with a bank account.
• Stand-Up India Scheme:
• Launched on 5 April 2016, this scheme aims to promote entrepreneurship among women and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes.
• Provides bank loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for setting up greenfield enterprises.
• Focuses on industries such as manufacturing, services, and trading sectors.

Important Points

• Financial Inclusion Index (FI Index):
• Developed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to measure the extent of financial inclusion across the country.
• Incorporates parameters such as access, usage, and quality of financial services.
• The FI Index for 2023 showed significant improvement due to schemes like PMJDY.
• Impact of PMJDY:
• Has contributed significantly to reducing India's unbanked population.
• Improved financial literacy and inclusion in rural areas.
• Facilitated the implementation of welfare schemes through direct benefit transfer (DBT).

The correct answer is Fundamental Duties.

• The Amendment inserted Article 51A to create a new part called IV- A in the constitution.

Key Points

• In Article 51A prescribed the Fundamental duties to the citizens.
• The 42^nd Amendment of the constitution of India enacted in 1976, laid down the Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens to the nation.
• In 1976 Saran Singh committee recommended Fundamental duties to be added in the Constitution
• In article 51A of the Indian Constitution clearly specified the duty of citizens to protect the environment.

The correct answer is Ambica Charan Mazumdar

Key Points

• Ambica Charan Mazumdar was the congress president when Lucknow Pact was signed.
• The Lucknow Pact was an agreement that reached between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League.
• It was adopted by the Congress at its Lucknow session on December 29 and by the league on Dec. 31, 1916.
• The Muslim League was led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• According to Article-330 of the Constitution -
• Members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are represented in the Lok Sabha on the basis of population ratio.

Additional Information

• ​Article-331 gives the President the right that if the Anglo-Indian community is not adequately represented in the Lok Sabha,
• So he can nominate two representatives of the said community.
• Article-332 of the Constitution for the SC/ST category in the State Assemblies whereas
• Article-333 provides for reservations (Assembly) for the Anglo-Indian community.

The correct answer is - Integration of economies

Key Points

• Globalisation
• It refers to the process of rapid integration or interconnection between countries through the movement of goods, services, technology, and capital.
• The primary objective is the integration of economies, allowing national markets to interact within a larger global market.
• It involves the expansion of international trade and the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) across national borders.
• The process is facilitated by improvements in transportation and information technology, making communication and logistics more efficient.

Additional Information

• Liberalisation
• It is the process of removing trade barriers and restrictions set by the government, which is a key stepping stone toward globalisation.
• It allows private players to enter industries previously reserved for the public sector and encourages foreign competition.
• Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
• MNCs are companies that own or control production in more than one nation.
• They play a major role in globalisation by spreading production and services globally to take advantage of lower costs and proximity to markets.
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
• The WTO is an international body that deals with the global rules of trade between nations.
• Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible, promoting the goals of globalisation.
• Impact of Technology
• The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution has significantly accelerated globalisation by enabling real-time financial transactions and data sharing.
• Advancements in containerisation have reduced the cost of transporting goods over long distances, further boosting global trade.