Q 1: Which of the following statements is/are not correct regarding ‘Vitamin D’?
- It is produced endogenously in the body by ultraviolet rays from sunlight.
- It maintains adequate calcium and phosphate concentrations in blood.
- The deficiency of vitamin D is only limited to polar regions.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer : c
Explanation
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin which is naturally present in very few foods like fatty fish, and fish liver oils, beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks.
It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis.
Vitamin D maintains adequate calcium and phosphate concentrations in blood. It prevents weakening of bones. It has other roles in the body, including cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation.
India has a large population suffering from vitamin D deficiency among the public irrespective of their location (urban or rural), age or gender, or whether they are poor or even rich.
This is despite India being a tropical nation getting abundant sunshine, which is a precursor to Vitamin D formation in the body.
Q2: With reference to the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), consider the
following statements and choose the correct options :
- It covers the loans given to larger firms and self-employed people.
- The RBI provides the guarantee to the loans given under ECLGS scheme.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : a
Explanation
The government has expanded its Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) to cover loans given to larger firms as well as to self-employed people and professionals who have taken loans for business purposes.
The ECLGS provides for the Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) facility. The GECL is a loan for which 100% guarantee is provided by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) – banks, financial institutions and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
Q3: With reference to Dhole (wild carnivorous animal), consider the following statements and choose the correct options.
- It is founded in the Himalyan regions only.
- It is listed as an endangered species in the IUCN’s Red List.
- It acts as apex predators in forest ecosystems.
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer : 3
Explanation
Dhole (Cuon alpinus) is a wild carnivorous animal belonging to the canine family, found in Central, South, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. They are also known as Asian wild dogs.
In India it is found in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and other central Indian States.
It is placed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) ‘endangered’ category.
Apart from this, the species is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and under Appendix 2 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Dholes play an important role as apex predators in forest ecosystems. In India, the first conservation breeding centre for dhole was built at the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) in 2014.
Q4: Consider the following statements regarding food security schemes/acts and choose the correct options
- The National Food Security Act, 2013 legally entitles only rural populations to receive
subsidized food grains.
- One Nation-One Ration Card Scheme seeks to provide portability of food security
benefits all across the country.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : b
Explanation
The enactment of the National Food Security Act, (NFSA) 2013 marks a paradigm shift in the approach to food security from welfare to the rights-based approach.
The Act legally entitles up to 75% of the rural population and 50% of theurban population to receive subsidized foodgrains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.
One Nation-One Ration Card Scheme (ONORC) was started as an inter-State portability of ration cards in 2019.
It allows the migratory National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 beneficiaries to lift their entitled quota of food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country.
Q5: Which of the following themes of circuits are included in Swadesh Darshan Scheme, choose the correct options
- Himalayan Circuit
- Tirthankara Circuit
- Coastal Circuit
- Sufi Circuit
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer : d
Explanation
Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched in 2014-15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
Currently, there are 15 theme based circuits – Buddhist, Coastal, Desert, Eco, Heritage, Himalayan, Krishna, North-east, Ramayana, Rural, Spiritual, Sufi, Tirthankara, Tribal and Wildlife.
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