Day 50 (5th January 2023) (Date : 05-01-2023)

Question 1:

Consider the following statements about Jyotirao Phule: 

His ideologies were based upon Libertarianism and Egalitarianism. 
He was the founder of Satyashodhak Samaj.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Jyotirao Phule was an Indian social activist, thinker, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. He is also known as Jyotiba Phule.
His Ideology was based on: Liberty; Egalitarianism; Socialism. Hence, statement 1 is correct. 
- Phule was influenced by Thomas Paine’s book titled The Rights of Man and believed that the only solution to combat the social evils was the enlightenment of women and members of the lower castes.
In 1848, Phule along with his followers formed Satyashodhak Samaj which meant ‘Seekers of Truth’ in order to attain equal social and economic benefits for the lower castes in Maharashtra. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 
He was bestowed with the title of Mahatma on 11^th May, 1888 by a Maharashtrian social activist Vithalrao Krishnaji Vandekar.

Question 2:

With reference to Social Service League, consider the following statements:

It was started by moderate leader of Congress Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
It aims to secure for the masses better and reasonable conditions of life and work

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

A follower of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Narayan Malhar Joshi founded the Social Service League in Bombay. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a liberal leader of the Indian National Congress, founded the Servants of India Society in 1905
It aimed to secure for the masses better and reasonable conditions of life and work. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
They organised many schools, libraries, reading rooms, day nurseries, and cooperative societies. Their activities also included police court agents’ work, legal aid and advice to the poor and illiterate, excursions for slum dwellers, facilities for gymnasia and theatrical performances, sanitary work, medical relief, and boys’ clubs and scout corps. Joshi also founded the All-India Trade Union Congress (1920).

Question 3:

With reference to Paramahansa Mandali, which of the following statements are correct:

Dadoba Pandurang was the founders of the Paramahansa Mandali.
It worked to reform Hindu religion and society in general and denounced any form of God worship.

Select the correct code from the below:

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

Paramahansa Mandali was founded in 1849 in Maharashtra. The founders of the Paramahansa Mandali—Dadoba Pandurang, Mehtaji Durgaram and others—began as a secret society that worked to reform Hindu religion and society in general. The ideology of the society was closely linked to that of the Manav Dharma Sabha. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
Besides believing that one God should be worshipped, the society also said real religion is based on love and moral conduct. Hence, statement 2 is not correct
Freedom of thought was encouraged as was rationality. The founders of the mandali were primarily interested in breaking caste rules.

Question 4:

Consider the following statements with reference to Indian Social Conference:

It was founded by M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao.
The conference advocated inter-caste marriages, opposed polygamy and kulinism.
It launched the ‘Pledge Movement’ to inspire people to take a pledge against widow remarriage.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

Indian Social Conference was founded by M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao, the Indian Social Conference met annually from its first session in Madras in 1887 at the same time and venue as the Indian National Congress. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
It focused attention on the social issues of importance; it could be called the social reform cell of the Indian National Congress, in fact, the conferences advocated inter-caste marriages, and opposed polygamy and kulinism. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
It launched the ‘Pledge Movement’ to inspire people to take a pledge against child marriage. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Question 5:

Regarding the Theosophical Movement, consider the following statements:

Annie Besant founded the movement in Adyar, on the outskirts of Madras.
It accepted the Hindu beliefs in reincarnation and karma.
It opposed child marriage and advocated the abolition of caste discrimination, uplift of and improvement in the condition of widows.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

A group of westerners led by Madame H.P. Blavatsky (1831– 91) and Colonel M.S. Olcott, who were inspired by Indian thought and culture, founded the Theosophical Society in New York City, United States in 1875. In 1882, they shifted their headquarters to Adyar, on the outskirts of Madras (at that time) in India. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
- the movement became somewhat popular with the election of Annie Besant (1847–1933) as its president after the death of Olcott in 1907
It accepted the Hindu beliefs in reincarnation and karma and drew inspiration from the philosophy of the Upanishads and samkhya, yoga, and Vedanta schools of thought. It aimed to work for universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or colour. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
It opposed child marriage and advocated the abolition of caste discrimination, uplift of and improvement in the condition of widows. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Question 6:

Consider the following statements regarding GOAL Program:

GOAL stands for “Going Online as Leaders”.
It aims at digital empowerment of tribal youth and women through the concept of mentor and mentee. 
The programme is fully funded by Government of India.
Phase 2 of this program will be open to all people from tribal communities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1, 2 and 3
1, 3 and 4
1, 2 and 4
2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

GOAL (Going Online as Leaders) was launched as a pilot project in May 2020 and it was completed by December 2021. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
It aims at digital empowerment of tribal youth and women through the concept of mentor and mentee. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
The programme is fully funded by Meta (Facebook India). Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
Goal 2.0 programme has been launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Meta (formerly Facebook).
- Goal 2 program will be open to all people from tribal communities. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Question 7:

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

C2+50 formula for the calculation of MSP is given by the Rangarajan Committee.
C2 represents the total cost of the crop's economic value which includes efforts of family members working on the farm, rent and other assets.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : B

Explanation

M S Swaminathan report had recommended that the MSP should be calculated by including all actual farm costs as C2 along with an additional 50% margin i.e C2+50 percent formula. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
The C2+50 method performs MSP calculations involving a wider range of inputs.
This includes, in addition to the factors used to calculate A2, the economic value of the efforts of family members working on the farm, and the value of other expenses, including rent and other assets (C2). Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Question 8:

With reference to the Digital Bank, consider the following statements:

It will be defined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
It shall have its own balance sheet and legal existence.
It will not be subject to prudential and liquidity norms on a par with existing commercial banks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

Digital Bank:

It will be defined in the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and shall have its own balance sheet and legal existence. Hence, statement 1 and 2 are correct.
It will be different from the 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs) -- announced by Finance Minister in Union Budget 2022-23 -- which are being set up to push digital payments, banking and fintech innovations in underserved areas.
A DBU is a specialised fixed point business unit or hub housing certain minimum digital infrastructure for delivering digital banking products and services as well as servicing existing financial products and services digitally in self-service mode at any time.
Digital banks will be subject to prudential and liquidity norms on a par with existing commercial banks. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Question 9:

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

Windfall tax is a tax that is imposed on companies when their profits rise above average.
Windfall tax on export of petrol has been removed by the government recently to counter fears of a global recession.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer : C

Explanation

A windfall tax is a higher tax rate imposed on a certain business or sector in the circumstances of unexpected large profits. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Indian government has cut the recently imposed cesses and levies on diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and removed the cess on exports of petrol amid fears of a global recession. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Additional excise duties equal to Rs 6 per litre on exports of petrol have been removed.

Question 10:

Which of the Central Armed police Force is called “Crown Representative Police”?

Central Reserve Police Force
Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Border Security Force
Central Industrial Security Force

Correct Answer : A

Explanation

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the premier central police force of the Union of India for internal security. Originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police on 27^th July 1939.
It became the Central Reserve Police Force on enactment of the CRPF Act on 28^th December 1949.
The Force has grown into a big organization with 246 battalions (Bns), (including 6 Mahila Bns, 15 RAF Bns, 10 CoBRA Bns, 5 Signal Bns and 1 Special Duty Group, 1 Parliament Duty Group).
The Parliament Duty Group is an elite CRPF unit tasked with providing armed protection to Parliament House.
The Special Duty Group is an elite battalion of the CRPF tasked with providing security for the outer cordon of the Prime Minister's official residence.
- Hence option A is correct.