Q1. Which of the following is/are known for its/their unique mass nesting called Arribada?
- Olive Ridley Turtle
- Indian Star Tortoise
- Kemp’s Ridley Turtle
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: c
Explanation:
Arribada is a Spanish word meaning “arrival by sea” and refers to the mass nesting behaviour exhibited by Kemp’s Ridley and Olive Ridley sea turtles.
It is the unique mass nesting of female olive ridley turtles and Kemps ridley turtles.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to star campaigners and choose the incorrect option:
- Any recognised political party can have 20 star campaigners.
- An unrecognised (but registered) political party cannot have any star campaigners.
- If a candidate or her election agent shares the stage with a star campaigner at a rally, then the entire expenditure on that rally other than the travel expenses of the star campaigner is added to the political party’s expenses.
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- None of the above
Answer: c
Explanation:
A recognised political party can have 40 star campaigners and an unrecognised (but registered) political party can have 20.
The list of star campaigners has to be communicated to the Chief Electoral Officer and Election Commission within a week from the date of notification of an election.
If a candidate or her election agent shares the stage with a star campaigner at a rally, then the entire expenditure on that rally other than the travel expenses of the star campaigner is added to the candidate’s expenses. Even if the candidate is not present at the star campaigner’s rally, but there are posters with her photographs or her name on display, then too, the entire expenditure will be added to the candidate’s account.
Q3. Consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- The Finance Commission is constituted by the Prime Minister under Article 280 of the Constitution.
- The 15th Finance Commission was constituted in the backdrop of the abolition of the Planning Commission.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 2 only
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: b
Explanation:
Finance Commission is a constitutional body for the purpose of allocation of certain revenue resources between the Union and the State Governments.
The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted in November 2017, by a Presidential Order against the backdrop of:
The abolition of the Planning Commission.
Abolition of the distinction between Plan and non-Plan expenditure.
Introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Q4: With reference to Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH), consider the following statements and choose the correct option:
- It is a programme undertaken by NITI Aayog.
- Odisha is one of the role model states selected by NITI Aayog for the project.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : c
Explanation
The Odisha government has identified around 8,000 schools in 15 districts which will
be merged with other schools due to low enrollment (less than 20 students). The merger is being carried out under the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Action for
Transforming Human Capital in Education (SATH-E) project, and has been termed Consolidation and Rationalisation of schools.
SATH-E Project:
Sustainable Action for Transforming Human Capital (SATH) focusses on two main sectors – Education and Health and to build three ‘Role Model’ States.
SATH-E aspires to be a ‘saathi’, to the educational system with the student and the teacher at its centre”.
In 2017, Odisha was among three role model states, along with Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, to be selected by NITI Aayog for the project.
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