Explanation :

• Pulicat Lagoon is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, after Chilika Lake. It is present in Coromondal Region i.e. Andhra Pradesh– Tamil Nadu Border but its major portion is present in Nellore District of AP. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal and is home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Statement 2 is also incorrect.
• The primary inflows to the Pulicat Lake are Arani, Kalangi and Swarnmukhi.

Purpose of the Question:

Pulicat Lake is in news due to the Cyclone Gaja. The cyclonic storm has proved to be a boon for the migratory birds have brought inflows to the lake.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

Purpose of the Question:

Today, India is home to nearly 70 percent of the world’s tiger population. It has grown from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,226 in 2014 and is expected to touch 3,000 in the next census which has started off this year. Also, tiger related issues have frequently been in news, currently because of tiger deaths. Hence it is always advisable to be aware of the tiger reserves.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

The Meena Tribe is not listed as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) and are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Mandana Art is a form of folk painting created by the Meena Tribe.

What is Mandana Art?

Mandana art are paintings created on walls and floors of houses, usually done by women. The wall is first coated with clay made of cow-dung and water. It is later beautified using white paint (khadiya–chalk solution) and red paint (geru–red clay). The central theme of Mandana involves religious and wildlife elements which comprises of gods, goddesses, flowers, plants, animals and birds.

Explanation :

ECI is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.

Appointment & Tenure:

The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. They have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

How to make ECI more Independent?

1. At present, the expenditure of ECI is not charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India. If it is charged upon CFI, it will bring in more autonomy. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

2. There is no qualification defined for the appointment of CEC and other Election Commissioners. This provides more freedom to the ruling party to oblige their retired bureaucrats. Hence, statement 2 is also incorrect.

3. CEC and other Election Commissioners are placed at same pedestal as the decision is taken by majority votes and CEC doesn’t have any power like Casting Vote or Veto (T.N Sheshan Vs. Union of India case). Therefore, statement 3 is also incorrect.

Note: ECs can be removed only after consulting the CEC. This provision has been provided to shield the ECs from executive whims and fancies.

Purpose of the Question:

Recently, assumed charge as the 23rd Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India succeeding Shri O.P.Rawat. Therefore facts related to the CEC have been covered.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

Moldova does not share a border with Black sea, but it does have access to Black sea via Danube River.

Black Sea Bordering Countries: Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania

Purpose of the Question:

Black sea region is in news due to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

Cryogenic Engine Advantages:

1. It has an excellent efficiency.

2. Its by-product is steam which is non-toxic.

Limitations of Cryogenic Engine:

1. It has liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This hydrogen may lead to Hydrogen Embrittlement leading to material failure (By process of fissure etc.)

2. Cryogenic means at extremely low temperature, so it becomes difficult to attain the combustion Temperature.

Purpose of the Question:

GSLV Rocket has an upper stage as cryogenic stage; hence students must have a clear understanding about the benefits and limitations of the cryogenic stage.

Source Name : ISRO website

Explanation :

• The scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism and is a Central Sector Scheme (100% centrally funded).
• Swadesh Darshan has been launched for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes whereas PRASAD Scheme aims on development and beautification of the identified pilgrimage destinations.

Therefore, both the statements are wrong.

Some Theme based Tourist Circuits as per Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

• Tribal Circuit
• Buddha Circuit
• Ramayana Circuit
• Coastal Circuit
• Spiritual Circuit
• Wildlife Circuit

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

The Hornbill festival, also known locally as the Festival of Festivals, is organized by the State Tourism and Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland to encourage inter-tribal harmony and promote colorful local culture. All the tribal groups of Nagaland take part in this festival i.e. it is not only restricted to Kuki and Regama. Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

Where is it held?

The festival is held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, located around 12 kilometers from the capital of the Nagaland, Kohima. It is celebrated annually during the first week of December, i.e. from December 1-10.

Source Name : TH, IE

Explanation :

Pangolin looks like reptiles but is a mammal which relies on ants and termites as food. It doesn’t have teeth and sucks the food by its tongue. It is the most trafficked mammal on the planet.

Indian Pangolin is listed as “Endangered” but Chinese Pangolin is listed as “Critically Endangered” as per IUCN. Chinese Pangolin is found in Northeastern states of India along with Southeastern countries.

Why is Pangolin in so much Demand?

It is used as delicacies in the country like Vietnam, China etc. and its scales are also considered to have medicinal properties, hence is high in demand.

In Africa, pangolins are hunted for bush meat, and in parts of Asia, are used in traditional medicine and eaten as a delicacy. Pangolin scales are made of the same material as fingernails but are claimed to help with lactation issues and other ailments; ornaments made of them are believed to have healing properties.

Explanation :

IIP is released monthly by the Central Stastics Office (CSO) and its base year has been changed form 2004-05 to 2011-12. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Earlier it used to cover 682 items but now it covers around 865 items with maximum weightage given to the manufacturing sector (77%). All the 865 items are being classified into three categories namely-

Purpose of the Question:

IIP has risen to 11-month high in the month of October and hence have been in the news recemtly.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme is one of the flagship schemes of the Ministry of Tourism for development of thematic circuits in the country in a planned and prioritized manner. This is a central sector scheme i.e. it is fully funded and implemented by the Central Government. Its funding varies from state to state.
• At present there are 13 Theme Based circuits like-Buddhist Circuits, Tribal Circuit etc.
• The 1st tribal circuit was made in the state of Chattisgarh and not Odisha.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

‘Mission 25 by 2022’ aims to achieve reduction in stunting from 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 25% by 2022. It is one of the aims of the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan).

Overall Aim of the National Nutrition Mission or POSHAN Abhiyaan:

POSHAN Abhiyaan is being implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development to address malnutrition through Convergence, Use of Technology and a Targeted approach. The Abhiyaan targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight by 2%, 2%, 3% and 2% per annum respectively.

Source Name : PIB

Explanation :

• Lothal is located between Bhogavo and Sabarmati River near the Gulf Of Khambat in Gujarat. Like Mohenjo-daro it also means ‘Mount of Dead.’ The city was divided into two parts- Upper Citadel and Lower Citadel.
• The presence of dockyard in Lothal provides the concrete evidence that maritime trade was practised by the people of Indus Valley civilization.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

The World Energy Outlook Report is an annual report released by the International Energy Agency which is a Paris based autonomous intergovernmental organization that was established in the wake of oil crisis of 1973. It was established by the OECD countries.

Explanation :

• Strait of Dover separates France from United Kingdom and is one of the shipping lanes that open into North Sea. Hence, statement 1 stands incorrect.
• Irish Sea separates Ireland from United Kingdom; hence, statement 2 also stands incorrect.
• Northern Ireland shares a land border with Republic of Ireland.
• It is also important to note here that United Kingdom has sovereignty over Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

RBI in consultation with the Government had made a six member committee to be headed by Bimal Jalan, a former RBI Governor. The committee has to submit its report within 90 days from the date of its first meeting.

Tasks of the Committee:

The committee will review best practices followed worldwide by the central banks in making assessment and provisions for risks.

The committee would also suggest an adequate level of risk provisioning that the RBI needs to maintain, and to determine whether it is holding provisions, reserves and buffers in surplus or deficit of the required level.

The committee will also propose a suitable profit sharing methodology between the government and RBI, taking into account all the likely situations of the RBI.

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

• Pava Kathakali is made from two words Pava+ Katahakali; Kathakali is a form of classical dance from Kerala.
• This glove puppetry dance originated in the state of Kerala after the ‘Kathakali’ dance. The puppets are dressed in fancy costumes and the themes of the puppetry dance are from the extracts of Mahabharata.
• Instruments used in Pava Kathakali are Cymabals, Shankh, Chenda (Drum) and Chengila (Gong).

Source Name : TH

Explanation :

• Indian Leather Industry is a labour intensive sector and India is the second largest exporter of leather garments and the 5^th largest exporter of leather goods.
• Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are major production and export centres of leather, leather products and footwear.
• European Union accounts for nearly 55% of the Leather Export of India and hence is the major export market destination of Indian Leather Goods.

Source Name : PIB