Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is PM SVANidhi.

In News

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment announced integration of the e-Shram portal with PM SVANidhi and other social security schemes to expand coverage for unorganised workers including street vendors.

Key Points

• e-Shram is a national database of unorganised workers capturing occupation, residence, and Aadhaar-linked details to streamline benefit delivery.
• Integration with PM SVANidhi enables the identification of eligible street vendors for collateral-free working capital loans.
• Linking databases reduces duplication, improves targeting, and ensures that vendor benefits reach genuine beneficiaries quickly.
• PM SVANidhi provides initial working capital loans of Rs 10,000, with enhanced limits on timely repayment and digital transactions.
• e-Shram is also being linked with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and PM Jeevan Jyoti/Suraksha Bima schemes for wider social security.
• The integrated approach supports urban livelihoods, especially those affected by economic disruptions.
• Data-driven convergence helps design future welfare schemes for informal and self-employed workers more effectively.

Additional Information

• PM SVANidhi (Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) was launched in June 2020.
• It targets street vendors in urban and peri-urban areas adversely impacted by COVID-19.
• e-Shram registration is voluntary but encouraged through awareness campaigns and the CSC network.
• Unorganised workers include construction workers, street vendors, domestic workers, and gig/platform workers.

The correct answer is March 31, 2028.

In News

• Union Cabinet approved a three-year extension of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) tenure beyond March 31, 2025, up to March 31, 2028.

Key Points

• National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK) mandate includes recommending welfare measures, monitoring the implementation of laws like the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act, 2013, and addressing grievances of Safai Karamcharis.
• The extension ensures continuity in monitoring schemes for rehabilitation, livelihood support, and social security of sanitation workers.
• Financial implication of Rs 50.91 crore for 2025-26 to 2027-28 covers salaries, allowances, and administrative expenses of the Commission.
• NCSK conducts visits, inspections, and inquiries into complaints regarding non-payment of wages, safety gear, and inhuman working conditions.
• The Commission advises Central and State Governments on policy corrections to fully eradicate manual scavenging.
• The extension reflects the government’s commitment to the dignity of labour and the elimination of hazardous cleaning practices.
• NCSK also coordinates with State-level commissions and departments to ensure convergence of welfare schemes.

Additional Information

• NCSK was initially constituted in 1994 and has since been extended periodically as a non-constitutional body.
• Safai Karamcharis include sanitation workers engaged in cleaning sewers, septic tanks, and solid waste handling.
• The 2013 Act prohibits manual scavenging and mandates mechanisation of sewer and septic tank cleaning.
• Rehabilitation measures include skill development, alternative employment, and financial assistance.

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only

In News

• RTGS (Real-Time Gross Settlement) is a system for continuous, real-time settlement of funds on an individual order basis, without netting debits and credits.

Key Points

• RTGS is used primarily for large-value transactions.
• The minimum transaction amount for RTGS is ₹2 lakh, and there is no maximum limit.
• From December 2020, RTGS is available round-the-clock (24x7) including holidays and weekends.
• Earlier, RTGS was available only during banking hours on working days (7 AM to 6 PM, excluding 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays).

Additional Information

• RTGS facilitates the instant and gross settlement of payments, making it crucial for high-value interbank transactions.

The correct answer is Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ).

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vizhinjam International Seaport developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) on May 2, 2025, in Kerala.

Key Points

• Vizhinjam Port operates under a landlord model with APSEZ as concessionaire through Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited since construction began in December 2015.
• The port achieved 110% capacity utilization handling 285 ships and 5.93 lakh TEUs even before official commissioning in trial operations from July 2024.
• Phase one cost Rs 8,800 crore with Adani Group planning Rs 9,500 crore investment for subsequent phases reaching 3 million TEUs capacity by 2028.
• Vizhinjam is India's first deep-water transhipment hub reducing dependence on foreign ports like Colombo and Singapore for cargo handling.
• The port features semi-automated operations with natural depth up to 20 meters enabling the largest container ships to dock directly.
• During February-March 2025, it topped cargo movements among south and west coast ports handling 1 lakh TEUs monthly.
• The project generates significant revenue sharing with the Centre receiving 60 paise per rupee customs duty collected.

Additional Information

• Transhipment ports transfer cargo between ships without ground handling, reducing transit time and costs for Indian trade.
• TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) measures container shipping capacity standard globally.
• Vizhinjam's location provides natural protection from cyclones and strategic proximity to international shipping routes.
• The landlord port model involves the private operation of facilities on government-owned land.

The correct answer is Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ).

In News

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Vizhinjam International Seaport developed by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) on May 2, 2025, in Kerala.

Key Points

• Vizhinjam Port operates under a landlord model with APSEZ as concessionaire through Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited since construction began in December 2015.
• The port achieved 110% capacity utilization handling 285 ships and 5.93 lakh TEUs even before official commissioning in trial operations from July 2024.
• Phase one cost Rs 8,800 crore with Adani Group planning Rs 9,500 crore investment for subsequent phases reaching 3 million TEUs capacity by 2028.
• Vizhinjam is India's first deep-water transhipment hub reducing dependence on foreign ports like Colombo and Singapore for cargo handling.
• The port features semi-automated operations with natural depth up to 20 meters enabling the largest container ships to dock directly.
• During February-March 2025, it topped cargo movements among south and west coast ports handling 1 lakh TEUs monthly.
• The project generates significant revenue sharing with the Centre receiving 60 paise per rupee customs duty collected.

Additional Information

• Transhipment ports transfer cargo between ships without ground handling, reducing transit time and costs for Indian trade.
• TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) measures container shipping capacity standard globally.
• Vizhinjam's location provides natural protection from cyclones and strategic proximity to international shipping routes.
• The landlord port model involves the private operation of facilities on government-owned land.

The correct answer is Nizamabad, Telangana.

In News

• National Turmeric Board was inaugurated at Nizamabad, Telangana by Piyush Goyal with Palle Ganga Reddy as chairman.

Key Points

• Nizamabad was selected as headquarters due to Telangana's significant turmeric production and processing infrastructure.
• The board promotes scientific cultivation, quality standards, and value-added turmeric products.
• Palle Ganga Reddy was appointed the first chairman, leveraging his agricultural and spice sector expertise.
• Initiative supports one district one product scheme positioning Nizamabad as a turmeric hub.
• Focus areas include export promotion, GI tagging, and farmer-centric development programs.
• India produces 75% of the global turmeric supply mainly from Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The board facilitates R&D for high-yielding varieties and sustainable farming practices adoption.

Additional Information

• Turmeric contains curcumin responsible for its medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties.
• National Turmeric Board is similar to the Spices Board India and the Coconut Development Board.
• ODOP scheme promotes regional economic specialisation through district-specific products.
• Turmeric exports reached record values driven by medicinal and nutraceutical demand.

The correct answer is Cotton lint.

In News

• The government removed 11% customs duty on cotton lint import to support the domestic textile industry in the February 2025 budget.

Key Points

• Cotton lint duty removal reduces raw material costs for spinning mills, enhancing price competitiveness.
• India major cotton producer but imports extra-long staple cotton for high-quality yarn production.
• Measure addresses domestic supply shortages during lean production periods supporting garment exports.
• The textile sector contributes 2% to India's GDP and employs over 45 million people directly/indirectly.
• Duty rationalisation aligns with the Production Linked Incentive scheme, boosting manufacturing capacity.
• Initiative supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in textiles while ensuring affordable input availability.
• Budget measures target increasing India's global textile export share from current 4% levels.

Additional Information

• Cotton lint is cleaned cotton fibre used as the primary raw material for yarn spinning.
• Extra-long staple cotton varieties are imported mainly from USA and Australia for premium fabrics.
• Textile export promotion councils coordinate sector growth and international market access.
• PLI scheme provides financial incentives for capacity expansion in textiles manufacturing.

The correct answer is Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.

In News

• Kaziranga Tiger Reserve achieved third third-highest tiger density globally at 18.65 tigers per 100 sq km.

Key Points

• Kaziranga recorded 148 tigers across 1,307.49 sq km area reflecting 27 tiger increase since 2022 estimation.
• Tiger density 18.65 per 100 sq km ranks third after Bandipur (19.83) and Corbett (19.56).
• First-time sampling in Biswanath Wildlife Division captured all 27 additional tigers boosting the population.
• Estimation used camera trap methodology with mark-recapture framework across three divisions from Dec 2023-Apr 2024.
• Habitat expansion by 200 sq km including encroachment-free areas enhanced tiger movement and breeding.
• Kaziranga primarily known for one-horned rhinos now recognized as critical tiger habitat.
• Success attributed to habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and connectivity improvements.

Additional Information

• NTCA coordinates tiger conservation across 53 tiger reserves in India under Project Tiger.
• Phase IV estimation uses advanced camera trapping and occupancy protocols for accurate population data.
• Tiger density measures tigers per 100 sq km indicating habitat carrying capacity.
• Global Tiger Day celebrated July 29 raises awareness for tiger conservation worldwide.

The correct answer is the Requirement to use only blue or green ink.

In News

• RBI clarified that no mandatory ink colour requirement exists for writing cheques under Cheque Truncation System guidelines.

Key Points

• RBI has not prescribed specific ink colours; viral claims about a black ink ban from January 2025 are false.
• Guidelines recommend image-friendly permanent ink ensuring legibility in the Cheque Truncation System (CTS).
• Using different coloured inks on the same cheque may render it invalid due to tampering concerns.
• CTS eliminates physical cheque movement by truncating images for clearing and settlement.
• Fact-checks by PIB and RBI confirm no colour-specific mandates exist in official guidelines.
• Public urged to rely on official RBI sources, avoiding misinformation about cheque writing norms.
• Cheque security depends on clear writing, signatures, and anti-fraud features not ink hue.

Additional Information

• Cheque Truncation System, operational since 2010 processes electronic cheque images, reducing clearing time.
• CTS-2010 grids ensure standardised cheque formats across participating banks.
• Permanent ink prevents fading crucial for long-term record keeping and legal validity.
• RBI FAQs provide comprehensive guidance on cheque usage and best practices.
• RBI
• Established in - 1935
• HQ - Mumbai
• Governor - Sanjay Malhotra

The correct answer is Cochin International Airport.

In News

• Cochin International Airport became world's first fully solar-powered airport and India's first PPP model airport.

Key Points

• Cochin Airport commissioned a 12 MWp solar power plant in 2015 making it the world's first fully solar-powered airport.
• The airport was constructed under a public-private partnership model involving government and private equity.
• Solar plant comprises 46,150 panels spread across 45 acres near the air cargo complex, generating all airport power needs.
• It handles over 5 million passengers annually as Kerala's largest and busiest airport.
• The Public-Private Partnership model demonstrated successful infrastructure development through private sector participation.
• Solar energy adoption reduced operational costs and carbon footprint significantly.
• The achievement positioned India as global leader in sustainable aviation infrastructure.

Additional Information

• PPP model shares risks and rewards between government and private investors for infrastructure projects.
• Solar power plant capacity measured in MWp (megawatt peak) indicates maximum power generation potential.
• Cochin Airport connects Kerala with major domestic and international destinations.
• Sustainable aviation initiatives support India's renewable energy targets in transport sector.