General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is Finance Commission.

Key Points

• The Finance Commission is a constitutional body established by the President of India under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
• Its primary mandate is to define the financial relations between the Central Government and the State Governments, ensuring a balanced distribution of resources.
• The commission provides critical recommendations on the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the States, a process known as vertical devolution.
• It also determines the principles for horizontal devolution, which is the allocation of tax proceeds among the various State Governments based on specific criteria like population, area, and fiscal capacity.
• Furthermore, it specifies the principles governing grants-in-aid to the States from the Consolidated Fund of India under Article 275.
• The First Finance Commission was constituted in 1951 under the chairmanship of K.C. Neogy, and typically, a new commission is formed every five years.

 Additional Information

• NITI Aayog:
• Established on January 1, 2015, it replaced the erstwhile Planning Commission.
• It serves as the premier policy think-tank of the Government of India, fostering cooperative federalism through a bottom-up approach.
• Unlike the Finance Commission, it does not possess the power to allocate or distribute funds to state governments.
• Planning Commission:
• Formed in 1950 as a non-constitutional and non-statutory body to formulate Five-Year Plans.
• It was responsible for central planning and resource allocation before being dissolved in 2014.
• Parliament:
• The supreme legislative body of India, comprising the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
• It holds the authority to enact laws and pass the Union Budget, but it relies on the technical recommendations of the Finance Commission for tax sharing mechanisms.

The correct answer is President.

Key Points

• The Finance Commission is a quasi-judicial and constitutional body established by the President of India under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
• According to Article 280(1), the President is responsible for constituting the commission every five years or at such earlier time as he or she considers necessary.
• The commission consists of a Chairman and four other members, all of whom are officially appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
• The Chairman must be a person having experience in public affairs, while the other members are selected from among people who are High Court judges, have specialized knowledge of finance and accounts, or have wide experience in financial matters and economics.
• The primary function of the body is to provide recommendations to the President regarding the distribution of tax proceeds between the Union and the States and the principles governing grants-in-aid.

 Additional Information

• Parliamentary Role:
• While the President appoints the members, Article 280(2) grants Parliament the power to determine the qualifications and the manner of selection of the members.
• This led to the enactment of the Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, which defines the eligibility criteria for the Chairman and members.
• Historical Context:
• The First Finance Commission was established in 1951 under the chairmanship of K.C. Neogy.
• The 15^th Finance Commission was chaired by N.K. Singh, and its recommendations cover the period up to 2025-26.
• The 16^th Finance Commission has recently been constituted with Arvind Panagariya as its Chairman.
• Reporting Mechanism:
• Under Article 281, the President must lay the recommendations of the Finance Commission, along with an explanatory memorandum on the action taken, before each House of Parliament.

The correct answer is Holi.

Key Points

• The Gaur dance is a world-renowned tribal folk dance performed by the Bison Horn Maria tribe, who primarily reside in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
• This dance is predominantly performed during the spring festival of Holi (also known as Phagun) to celebrate the bounty of nature and the community's hunting traditions.
• The name of the dance is derived from the Gaur (Indian Bison), which is considered a symbol of strength and vitality by the tribe.
• Male performers wear a magnificent headdress made of bison horns, decorated with tufts of feathers and cowrie shells, mimicking the movements and spirit of a charging bull.
• The dance is characterized by energetic movements, rhythmic footwork, and the thunderous sound of large Dhol drums, which represent the heartbeat of the forest.

 Additional Information

• Maria Tribe:
• They are a major sub-group of the Gond community and are known for their distinct Ghotul system and rich artistic heritage.
• The Bison Horn Maria are specifically distinguished by their unique ritualistic use of animal horns in ceremonies.
• Significance of Other Festivals:
• Diwali: Known as the festival of lights, it is a pan-Indian festival but is not the primary occasion for the traditional Gaur dance.
• Navratri: This nine-night festival is dedicated to the Goddess Durga and is more famous for the Garba and Dandiya dances in Gujarat.
• Baisakhi: It is a major harvest and religious festival celebrated in Punjab and Haryana, marking the formation of the Khalsa Panth in 1699.
• Cultural Instruments: The performance relies heavily on traditional instruments like the Mandri, Tirududi (musical sticks), and brass flutes to maintain a high-energy tempo throughout the night.

The correct answer is Guru Granth Sahib.

Key Points

• Hola Mohalla is a prominent Sikh festival celebrated annually, typically in the month of March, one day after the Hindu festival of Holi.
• The festival was initiated by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1701 at Anandpur Sahib to transform the peaceful celebration of Holi into a display of martial spirit and military prowess.
• The Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism, is the focal point of the celebrations; its verses are recited through Akhand Path (continuous reading) and Kirtan (devotional singing) throughout the event.
• During the festivities, Nihang Sikhs perform traditional martial arts known as Gatka, engage in mock battles, and demonstrate equestrian skills, all while maintaining the spiritual atmosphere through the recitation of Gurbani.

 Additional Information

• Guru Granth Sahib:
• It was first compiled as the Adi Granth by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev, in 1604 and later finalized by Guru Gobind Singh, who designated it as the eternal Guru.
• It contains 1,430 pages (Angs) and includes the teachings of six Sikh Gurus and various medieval saints like Kabir and Baba Farid.
• Bhagavad Gita:
• A sacred Hindu scripture consisting of 700 verses, it forms a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata and features a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna.
• Quran:
• The central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the verbatim word of God (Allah) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
• Bible:
• The holy scripture of Christianity, comprised of the Old Testament and the New Testament, detailing the history of the faith and the life of Jesus Christ.

The correct answer is When it is in the direction of velocity.

Key Points

• Acceleration is defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it possesses both magnitude and direction.
• The standard unit for measuring acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
• Acceleration is considered positive when the change in velocity occurs in the same direction as the motion of the object. This typically results in the object speeding up.
• Mathematically, if the final velocity (v) is greater than the initial velocity (u) over a time period (t), the acceleration (a = (v − u) / t) yields a positive value.
• When the acceleration vector and the velocity vector point in the same direction, the magnitude of the velocity increases, confirming a positive acceleration relative to the direction of travel.

 Additional Information

• Negative Acceleration (Retardation):
• This occurs when the acceleration acts in the opposite direction to the velocity of the object.
• In such cases, the object slows down or undergoes deceleration. For example, applying brakes to a moving car produces negative acceleration.
• Zero Acceleration:
• An object has zero acceleration when it is at rest or moving with a constant velocity in a straight line.
• If there is no change in speed or direction, the acceleration is null.
• Directional Sign Conventions:
• The sign of acceleration (+ or −) depends on the chosen coordinate system.
• An object moving in a negative direction (e.g., left) that is slowing down actually has positive acceleration because the acceleration vector points in the positive direction (right) to oppose the motion.

The correct answer is Mary Shelley.

Key Points

• Mary Shelley was an English novelist who wrote the iconic novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, which was first published in 1818.
• The novel is frequently categorized as a masterpiece of Gothic horror and is widely regarded by scholars as the first true work of science fiction.
• The story was famously conceived during a competition to write ghost stories in 1816 at Villa Diodati in Switzerland, where Mary was staying with Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron.
• The plot centers on Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who animates a creature made from scavenged body parts, leading to an exploration of scientific responsibility and existential despair.

 Additional Information

• Bram Stoker
• An Irish author celebrated for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula, which significantly shaped the modern vampire mythology in literature and film.
• H.G. Wells
• An English writer known as one of the 'fathers of science fiction' for his visionary works including The Time Machine (1895), The Invisible Man (1897), and The War of the Worlds (1898).
• Robert Louis Stevenson
• A Scottish novelist and poet famous for his psychological thriller Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) and the adventure classic Treasure Island (1883).

The correct answer is Efficiency of the judicial system in resolving commercial disputes.

Key Points

• The Enforcing Contracts indicator is a core component of the World Bank Group's Ease of Doing Business (EODB) index, which evaluates the efficiency of the judicial system in handling commercial litigation.
• It measures the time and cost for resolving a commercial dispute through a local first-instance court, based on a standardized case study of a sales contract dispute between two domestic businesses.
• The Time metric calculates the duration in calendar days from the moment the plaintiff files the lawsuit until the final enforcement of judgment or actual payment.
• The Cost metric is expressed as a percentage of the claim value and includes court fees, attorney fees, and enforcement costs required to complete the litigation process.
• It also features a Quality of Judicial Processes Index, which uses a 0-18 scale to assess court structure, case management, court automation, and the availability of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
• A high ranking indicates that an economy has a transparent, predictable, and efficient legal framework, which reduces uncertainty and risks for entrepreneurs and investors.

 Additional Information

• Other key indicators within the Doing Business framework include:
• Paying Taxes: Measures the total tax rate, time taken to comply with tax laws, and the complexity of post-filing processes like audits or refunds.
• Labor Market Regulation: Analyzes the flexibility of employment contracts, including regulations on hiring, working hours, and severance pay.
• Resolving Insolvency: Focuses on the efficiency and outcome of bankruptcy proceedings, measuring recovery rates and the strength of the insolvency framework.
• Registering Property: Tracks the number of procedures, time, and cost involved in transferring a land title from one company to another.
• In 2021, the World Bank announced the discontinuation of the Doing Business report, replacing it with a more comprehensive project titled Business Ready (B-READY).

The correct answer is Helsinki, 1983.

Key Points

• The inaugural World Athletics Championships were held in Helsinki, Finland, between August 7 and August 14, 1983.
• The event was organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which is now known as World Athletics.
• The primary venue for the competition was the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, which had previously hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics.
• This championship marked a significant shift in track and field history, as it was the first time a standalone global competition was conducted independently of the Olympic Games.
• A total of 1,333 athletes from 153 nations participated, competing across 41 sports events, including 24 for men and 17 for women.
• The United States emerged as the most successful nation in terms of the medal tally, securing 24 medals, including 8 golds, with the Soviet Union and East Germany following closely.
• American sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis was the standout athlete of the meet, winning three gold medals in the 100 meters, long jump, and the 4×100 meters relay.

 Additional Information

• The World Athletics Championships followed a quadrennial cycle (every four years) until 1991, after which it transitioned to a biennial cycle (every two years).
• Rome, 1987:
• This was the second edition of the championships held at the Stadio Olimpico in Italy.
• It featured 43 events and saw the introduction of the 10,000 meters and 10 km walk for women.
• Tokyo, 1991:
• The third edition was hosted in Japan and is widely remembered for Mike Powell breaking Bob Beamon's long-standing long jump world record with a leap of 8.95 meters.
• Stuttgart, 1993:
• The fourth edition took place in Germany (the option mentions Berlin, but the 1993 event was actually in Stuttgart).
• It was the first championship where the biennial schedule was fully implemented.

The correct answer is 58 days.

Key Points

• To find the time taken for the journey, we use the fundamental kinematic formula: Time = Distance ÷ Speed.
• The distance to be covered is 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), which is defined as approximately 150,000,000 kilometers.
• The constant speed of the spacecraft is provided as 30 km/s.
• First, calculate the total time in seconds: 150,000,000 km ÷ 30 km/s = 5,000,000 seconds.
• To convert this duration into a more standard unit like days, we determine the number of seconds in one day: 24 hours × 60 minutes × 60 seconds = 86,400 seconds.
• Finally, divide the total seconds by the seconds per day: 5,000,000 ÷ 86,400 ≈ 57.87 days.
• When rounded to the nearest whole number, the duration equals 58 days.

 Additional Information

• Astronomical Unit (AU)
• It serves as a standard unit of measurement in astronomy to describe distances within the Solar System.
• It represents the mean distance between the center of the Earth and the center of the Sun, approximately 93 million miles.
• Relative Speeds in Space
• A speed of 30 km/s is comparable to the orbital velocity of Earth, which moves at about 29.78 km/s around the Sun.
• In comparison, light travels at 299,792 km/s, meaning it takes only about 8 minutes and 20 seconds for sunlight to reach Earth.
• Man-made probes like the Voyager 1 travel at roughly 17 km/s, whereas the Parker Solar Probe has reached record-breaking speeds exceeding 150 km/s during its solar approach.

The correct answer is 2021.

Key Points

• India officially assumed the BRICS Chairship from the Russian Federation on January 1, 2021.
• The year 2021 marked the third time India headed the group, after previously holding the presidency in 2012 and 2016.
• Under its chairship, India hosted the 13^th BRICS Summit on September 9, 2021, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a virtual format.
• The chairship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) rotates annually among the members in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S; thus, Russia handed over the baton to India.
• The primary theme selected by India for its 2021 tenure was 'BRICS @ 15: Intra-BRICS Cooperation for Continuity, Consolidation and Consensus'.

 Additional Information

• BRICS Formation and Evolution:
• The grouping was originally formed as BRIC following a meeting of the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006.
• It was expanded to BRICS in 2010 with the formal induction of South Africa during the Sanya Summit in China.
• The BRICS nations together represent about 41 percent of the global population, 24 percent of the global GDP, and over 16 percent of global trade share.
• One of the most significant achievements of the group is the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB), headquartered in Shanghai, which was formalized during the 6^th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (2014).
• The grouping serves as a platform for South-South cooperation and seeks to reform multilateral institutions like the United Nations and the IMF to reflect contemporary global realities.

The correct answer is They restricted economies of scale and technological upgrading.

Key Points

• The reservation policy for Small-Scale Industries (SSIs) was primarily designed to protect small producers from the competition of large-scale manufacturers and to promote employment generation.
• A significant drawback was the investment limit placed on plant and machinery; firms that expanded their capital beyond a specific threshold lost their SSI status and associated government incentives.
• This policy created a perverse incentive for entrepreneurs to keep their units small, which prevented them from achieving economies of scale, leading to higher marginal costs of production.
• Due to the fear of losing protection, these industries avoided technological upgrading and modernization, resulting in technological obsolescence and lower productivity compared to global standards.
• The lack of scale and modern technology eventually made these units uncompetitive in the international market, as they could not match the quality or price of goods produced by large-scale global firms.

 Additional Information

• Karve Committee (1955):
• Also known as the Village and Small-Scale Industries Committee, it first suggested using small-scale industries as a tool for rural development and social justice.
• Abed Hussain Committee:
• This committee later recommended the de-reservation of items, arguing that reservation hindered the export potential and growth of the manufacturing sector.
• Industrial Policy Resolution 1956:
• It laid the foundation for the Public Sector and provided various fiscal concessions, like lower excise duties and bank loans at lower interest rates, to the SSI sector.
• Post-1991 Reforms:
• Following Liberalization, the government began a phased de-reservation process to allow Market Competition to drive efficiency and innovation within the industry.

The correct answer is Harrod-Domar model.

Key Points

• The First Five-Year Plan was launched for the period of 1951 to 1956 under the leadership of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The plan was based on the Harrod-Domar model, which posits that economic growth depends on the level of savings and the capital-output ratio; specifically, it suggests that higher savings lead to higher investment and thus higher growth.
• The primary focus of this plan was the development of the primary sector, with a heavy emphasis on agriculture, irrigation, and power to address the food shortages caused by the partition of India.
• Significant investments were made in large-scale multipurpose projects, including the Bhakra-Nangal, Hirakud, and Damodar Valley dams, to improve irrigation and power generation.
• The plan was highly successful, achieving a growth rate of 3.6%, which significantly exceeded the target growth rate of 2.1%.

 Additional Information

• Mahalanobis Model
• Formulated by statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, this model served as the blueprint for the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-1961).
• It shifted the economic focus from agriculture to rapid industrialization, specifically emphasizing heavy and basic industries like steel and chemicals.
• Solow Model
• Developed by Robert Solow, this is an exogenous growth model that analyzes long-run economic growth by looking at capital accumulation, labor growth, and technological progress.
• Unlike the Harrod-Domar model, it accounts for diminishing returns to capital and emphasizes that technological change is the ultimate driver of growth.
• Keynesian Model
• Originating from John Maynard Keynes, this macroeconomic theory focuses on how aggregate demand (total spending) influences output and inflation.
• It advocates for government intervention through fiscal and monetary policies to manage economic cycles, particularly to mitigate recessions and unemployment.

The correct answer is 91.4 m.

Key Points

• A standard field hockey pitch is a rectangular playing surface with a specific length of 91.40 meters (equivalent to 100 yards) and a width of 55.00 meters (equivalent to 60 yards).
• The dimensions and markings are strictly regulated by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), which is the global governing body for the sport.
• The total area of a regulation field is approximately 5,027 square meters, and it is divided by a center line and two 23-meter lines (historically 25-yard lines).
• The pitch is marked with white lines that are 75 mm wide, and these lines are considered part of the playing area.

 Additional Information

• Specific Field Markings:
• Shooting Circle (D): A semi-circular area formed by two quarter-circles with a radius of 14.63 meters (16 yards) from the inner front corner of each goal post.
• Penalty Spot: A circular mark with a diameter of 150 mm, positioned 6.40 meters (7 yards) from the center of the goal line.
• Penalty Corner Markings: Markers are placed on the backline at 5 meters and 10 meters from the goal posts to facilitate set plays.
• Playing Surfaces:
• Modern high-level hockey is played almost exclusively on artificial turf, which provides a fast and consistent ball roll.
• Water-based pitches are the standard for Olympic Games and World Cups, requiring a layer of water to reduce friction and prevent player injury.
• Sand-dressed or sand-filled artificial grass is commonly used at club and school levels for durability.

The correct answer is Urban infrastructure and water supply.

Key Points

• The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in June 2015 to improve the quality of life in urban areas.
• The primary objective of the mission is to ensure that every household has access to a functional tap with an assured supply of water and a sewerage connection to manage waste effectively.
• It prioritizes the development of urban infrastructure, specifically focusing on stormwater drainage to reduce flooding and the promotion of non-motorized urban transport like cycling and walking.
• The mission aims to increase the amenity value of cities by developing and maintaining green spaces, parks, and well-designed open spaces, especially for children.
• AMRUT covers 500 cities across India, including those with a population of over one lakh, capital cities, and identified heritage cities or cities on the banks of main rivers.

 Additional Information

• AMRUT 2.0:
• Launched in October 2021, this subsequent phase aims to make Indian cities water secure and provide 100% coverage of water supply to all households in about 4,700 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
• It promotes the circular economy of water through the development of City Water Balance Plans focusing on recycle/reuse of treated sewage and rejuvenation of water bodies.
• Related Urban Schemes:
• Smart Cities Mission: Focused on driving economic growth and improving quality of life through local development and technology.
• Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban: Concentrates on making cities garbage-free and open defecation free (ODF).

The correct answer is EXIM Bank.

Key Points

• The Export-Import Bank of India, popularly known as EXIM Bank, is the premier export finance institution in India, established in 1982 under the Export-Import Bank of India Act, 1981.
• It was set up for the purpose of financing, facilitating, and promoting foreign trade in India and is the principal financial institution for coordinating the working of institutions engaged in financing export and import of goods and services.
• The bank is fully owned by the Government of India and plays a vital role in providing Lines of Credit (LOC) to overseas financial institutions and sovereign governments to encourage the purchase of Indian goods.
• It provides a wide range of financial products such as Buyer's Credit, Supplier's Credit, and Pre-shipment Credit to assist Indian exporters in operating in the competitive global market.
• Beyond financing, EXIM Bank offers value-added services including market research, advisory services, and technical assistance to help Indian companies establish a global footprint.

 Additional Information

• NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development):
• Established on July 12, 1982, based on the recommendations of the B. Sivaraman Committee.
• It is the apex development bank in India specifically for agriculture and rural development.
• SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India):
• Established on April 2, 1990, under an Act of Parliament to serve as the principal financial institution for the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector.
• It focuses on the promotion, financing, and development of small-scale industries and coordinates the functions of similar institutions.
• World Bank:
• An international financial organization established at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
• It consists of the IBRD and IDA, providing loans and grants to low and middle-income countries for capital projects and poverty reduction.

The correct answer is Jahangir.

Key Points

• Emperor Jahangir explicitly recorded the economic and logistical contributions of the Banjaras in his personal memoirs, titled Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri.
• He described how these trader-nomads transported grain on their bullocks from various regions to be sold in urban markets, highlighting their role in the Mughal trade network.
• The Banjaras were the most prominent nomadic community in medieval India, moving in large caravans known as tandas, which often comprised thousands of bullocks and entire families.
• During major military campaigns, the Mughal army depended on the Banjaras for food supplies; Jahangir noted that a single army could be accompanied by as many as 100,000 bullocks carrying grain.
• They functioned as a vital logistics chain, purchasing grain where it was plentiful and cheap and transporting it to areas where demand was high, thereby stabilizing food distribution across the empire.

 Additional Information

• Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri:
• This autobiography, written in Persian, provides comprehensive details on the administrative, social, and cultural aspects of 17^th-century India.
• It reflects Jahangir’s keen interest in the daily lives of his subjects and the practicalities of governance, including the movements of nomadic tribes.
• Babur:
• He authored the Baburnama (Tuzk-e-Babri) in Chaghatai Turkic, focusing on the flora, fauna, and geography of India, but it does not contain specific accounts of the Banjaras transporting grain.
• Sher Shah Suri:
• Although he is credited with the development of the Grand Trunk Road (Sadak-e-Azam) to facilitate trade and travel, he did not write personal memoirs documenting the Banjaras.
• Historical Precedence:
• While Alauddin Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate was the first ruler to systematically employ Banjaras for city grain supplies, Jahangir is the one who provided a first-hand account in his own memoirs.

The correct answer is Brahmachari.

Key Points

• The term Brahmachari identifies a student during the Brahmacharya stage, which is the first of the four Ashramas (stages of life) in ancient Hindu philosophy.
• This stage typically commenced between the ages of 8 and 12 following the Upanayana ceremony, which symbolized the initiation into formal Vedic education.
• A Brahmachari resided in a Gurukula (teacher's household), where they served the Guru and learned various subjects including the Vedas, philosophy, grammar, and ethics.
• The core values of this stage included strict celibacy, self-discipline, and the practice of Bhiksha (seeking alms) to cultivate a sense of humility and social equality.
• The duration of this stage was intended to prepare the individual for their future responsibilities in society by building a strong foundation of Dharma (righteousness).

 Additional Information

• The Ashrama system, or Chaturashrama, outlines the progression of human life toward spiritual liberation:
• Grihastha: The second stage (householder), where an individual marries, raises a family, and fulfills social and economic duties through Artha (wealth) and Kama (desire).
• Vanaprastha: The third stage (forest-dweller), which begins as one transitions from worldly attachments toward a more secluded, contemplative life of spiritual study.
• Sannyasin: The final stage of renunciation, where the individual abandons all material ties and social status to focus entirely on achieving Moksha (liberation from birth and death).

The correct answer is 12%.

Key Points

• A working paper titled 'Not Everyone is Migrating: Measuring Domestic Migration in India' was released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) in 2024.
• The report indicates that the internal migration rate in India witnessed a sharp decline from 33% in 2011 to 21% during the 2022-23 period.
• This absolute difference of 12% (33% − 21%) suggests that the overall propensity of the Indian population to migrate domestically has significantly lowered over the last decade.
• The study utilized data from the Census 2011 and compared it with the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data to track the movement of citizens across state and district boundaries.
• The findings challenge the common perception of mass distress migration and suggest that more people are finding livelihood opportunities within their home regions.

 Additional Information

• Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)
• It is a non-constitutional, non-permanent, and independent body constituted to provide economic advice to the Government of India.
• The council is currently chaired by Dr. Bibek Debroy, with members like Shamika Ravi who authored the migration study.
• Factors Contributing to the Decline
• The report attributes the lower migration rate to improved rural-urban connectivity and the saturation of basic amenities in rural areas.
• Government flagship schemes such as MGNREGA, PM-Kisan, and PMAY-G have played a crucial role in providing local employment and social security, reducing the need for forced migration.
• The COVID-19 pandemic also triggered a temporary reverse migration, which influenced the data collection period for the PLFS 2022-23.
• Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
• Conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the PLFS is the primary source of high-frequency data on employment, unemployment, and demographic shifts in the absence of a recent national census.

The correct answer is 1994.

Key Points

• The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in 1994 to provide for the prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception.
• The act aims to regulate the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques, such as ultrasound and amniocentesis, by restricting them to the detection of genetic abnormalities, metabolic disorders, or certain congenital malformations.
• The legislation was a critical response to the social menace of female foeticide and the rapidly declining child sex ratio in India, which was observed during the 1991 Census.
• It mandates that no person, including the specialist conducting the procedure, shall communicate the sex of the foetus to the pregnant woman or her relatives by words, signs, or any other method.

 Additional Information

• Evolution and Implementation:
• The Act officially came into force on January 1, 1996, and was later amended in 2003 to improve its implementation and encompass pre-conception sex selection techniques.
• It established the Central Supervisory Board (CSB), chaired by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, to advise the Central Government on policy matters.
• Under the Act, all Genetic Counselling Centres, Genetic Laboratories, and Genetic Clinics must be registered with the Appropriate Authority to operate legally.
• Non-compliance or violation of the provisions can result in imprisonment for a term up to 3 years and a fine up to 10,000 rupees for the first conviction.

The correct answer is Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Key Points

• On May 10, 1857, the rebellion began in Meerut when sepoys refused to use the new Enfield rifle cartridges, leading to a violent breakout against British officers.
• The rebel soldiers of the Meerut Regiment marched through the night and reached Delhi on the morning of May 11, 1857, crossing the Yamuna river.
• The soldiers gathered at the Red Fort and demanded to meet Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal Emperor, to seek his leadership and blessing for the uprising.
• Despite his initial hesitation due to his advanced age of 82 years and lack of resources, the Emperor was proclaimed Shahenshah-e-Hindustan (Emperor of India) by the sepoys.
• The choice of Bahadur Shah Zafar was symbolic, as the Mughal Dynasty still carried historical legitimacy across various regions and communities in India, serving as a unifying figure against the British East India Company.

 Additional Information

• Nana Saheb
• He was the adopted son of the late Peshwa Baji Rao II and led the rebellion in Kanpur.
• He declared himself Peshwa but notably acknowledged Bahadur Shah Zafar as the supreme Emperor of India.
• Rani Lakshmibai
• The Queen of Jhansi who joined the rebellion after her kingdom was annexed under the Doctrine of Lapse.
• She became one of the most formidable leaders of the revolt, fighting alongside Tantia Tope.
• Peshwa Baji Rao II
• The last Peshwa of the Maratha Empire who was exiled to Bithoor by the British after the Third Anglo-Maratha War.
• He passed away in 1851, several years before the Revolt of 1857 began.
• Consequences for the Emperor
• After the British recaptured Delhi in September 1857, the Emperor was tried for treason and exiled to Rangoon (Burma), where he died in 1862.