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Q 1. Bilateral exercises’ Udarashakti’ is between India and which of the following countries?
A. Malaysia
B. Indonesia
C. Thailand
D. Vietnam
Answer: (A)
Option (A) is correct: Recently, a contingent of the Indian Air Force left for Malaysia to participate in a bilateral exercise named ‘Udarashakti’. Harimau Shakti is a Joint military exercise which is held annually between the two countries. The Indian Air Force is participating in the air exercise with Su-30 MKI and C-17 aircraft while the Malaysian Air Force will be flying Su-30 MKM aircraft. The four days exercise will witness the conduct of various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces.
Q 2. Lake Garda was recently mentioned in the news. It is located in:
A. France
B. Austria
C. Rome
D. Italy
Answer: (D)
Option (D) is correct: Lake Garda is located in Northern Italy. It is largest lake in the country. Due to drought Lake Garda has reduced to nearly its lowest level ever recorded. It has exposed swaths of previously underwater rocks and warmed the water to temperatures that approach the average in the Caribbean Sea. Northern Italy saw significantly lower rainfall for months, and snowfall in 2022 was also down 70%, drying up important rivers like the Po, which flows across Italy’s agricultural and industrial heartland. The parched condition of the Po, Italy’s longest river, caused billions of euros in losses to farmers who normally rely on it to irrigate fields and rice paddies.
Q 3. With reference to the Aspirational Districts programme, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It aims to quickly and effectively transform all the under-developed districts across India.
It was launched in 2018 and essentially aimed at localizing Sustainable Development Goals.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (B)
Recently, The Prime Minister of India has expressed happiness after the success of the Aspirational Districts program on parameters such as health, nutrition, education and exports.
Statement 1 is not correct: The Aspirational Districts programme aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed districts across the country. The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central & State Schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level ‘Prabhari’ Officers & District Collectors), and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking; all driven by a mass movement.
Statement 2 is correct: It was launched in January 2018. The Aspirational Districts Programme essentially is aimed at localizing Sustainable Development Goals, leading to the progress of the nation. Another focus of the programme is to further dive into the progress at the block level within each district. The districts are encouraged to monitor the progress of the blocks that lead to the overall improvement of the district.
Q 4. Consider the following statements regarding the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL):
It is a prior art database of Indian traditional knowledge established in 2001.
The digital library currently contains information from existing literature related to Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Recently, the Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister of India has approved the “Widening access of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) database to users, besides patent offices”. The opening up of the TKDL database to users is an ambitious and forward-looking action by the Government of India. This will be a new dawn for Indian traditional knowledge, as the TKDL will drive research & development, and innovation based on India’s valued heritage across diverse fields. The opening up of the TKDL is also envisaged to inculcate thought and knowledge leadership through Bharatiya Gnana Parampara, under the New Education Policy 2020.
Statement 1 is correct: The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a prior art database of Indian traditional knowledge established in 2001, jointly by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H, now Ministry of AYUSH). The TKDL is a first of its kind globally and has been serving as an exemplary model to other nations.
Statement 2 is correct: The TKDL currently contains information from existing literature related to ISM such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga. The information is documented in a digitized format in five international languages which are English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish. TKDL provides information in languages and formats understandable by patent examiners at Patent Offices worldwide, so as to prevent the erroneous grant of patents. Until now, access to the complete TKDL database is restricted to 14 Patent Offices worldwide for the purposes of search and examination. This defensive protection through TKDL has been effective in safeguarding Indian traditional knowledge from misappropriation and is considered a global benchmark.
Q 5. In the context of the International Transport Forum (ITF), consider the following statements:
It is an inter-governmental organization within the OECD system.
It is the only global body that covers all transport modes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (C)
Recently, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India was apprised of the signing of a Contract between the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), France on behalf of the International Transport Forum and the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), India to support the International Transport Forum (ITF) activities on the Indian Transport Sector.
Statement 1 is correct: The International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD is an intergovernmental organisation with 64 member countries (Including India). It acts as a think tank for transport policy and organises the Annual Summit of transport ministers.
Statement 2 is correct: ITF is the only global body that covers all transport modes. The ITF is administratively integrated with the OECD, yet politically autonomous. Its Headquarters is located in Paris, France.
