Question 1: Consider the following with respect to NISHTHA:

1. It is a capacity building program for improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training.
2. It aims to build competencies among all the teachers and school principals at the elementary stage.
3. The Department of School Education and Literacy has launched it under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

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

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

• • The Department of School Education and Literacy has launched a National Mission to improve learning outcomes at the elementary level through an Integrated Teacher Training Program called NISHTHA under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagna Shiksha in 2109-20.
  • NISHTHA is a capacity building program for “Improving Quality of School Education through Integrated Teacher Training”.

• It aims to build competencies among all the teachers and school principals at the elementary stage.
• NISHTHA is the world’s largest teachers’ training program of its kind.
• The basic objective of this massive training program is to motivate and equip teachers to encourage and foster critical thinking in students.
• The initiative is first of its kind wherein standardized training modules are developed at national level for all States and UTs.
• During the pandemic, the massive teacher’s professional development program NISHTHA 1.0 (National Initiatives for School Heads and Teacher’s Holistic Advancement) for Elementary grades was launched online through NISHTHA 2.0 & 3.0 focus on Secondary and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. Apart from NISHTHA, several States/UTs have designed their own capacity building programs.

Question 2: The first State to offer medical education in Hindi language is:

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Madhya Pradesh
3. Bihar
4. Rajasthan

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

• Madhya Pradesh has become the first State to offer medical education in Hindi language with the launch of Hindi version of the MBBS Earlier, ten states have accepted regional languages as a medium of instruction for engineering courses.

Question 3: India’s first tiger reintroduction program happened at:

1. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
2. Sariska Tiger Reserve
3. Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
4. Namdapha Tiger Reserve

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

• India’s first tiger reintroduction program happened at the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) in 2008- after tigers disappeared from it in 2005.

Question 4: Consider the following with respect to Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) scheme:

1. Nehru Yuvak Kendras would be eligible to implement the Scheme.
2. For a person with disabilities to be eligible, should be an Indian citizen of any age.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

• The main objective of the Assistance to Disabled persons for purchasing / fitting of aids / appliances (ADIP) scheme is to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation, by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.

The following agencies would be eligible to implement the Scheme on behalf of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, subject to fulfillment of laid down terms and conditions:

• Societies, registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and their branches, if any, separately.
• Registered charitable trusts
• District Rural Development Agencies, Indian Red Cross Societies and other Autonomous Bodies headed by District Collector/Chief Executive Officer/District Development Officer of Zilla Parishad.
• National/Apex Institutes including ALIMCO functioning under administrative control of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment/Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• State Handicapped Development Corporations.
• Local Bodies- Zilla Parishad, Municipalities, District Autonomous Development Councils and Panchayat.
• Hospitals registered as separate entity, as recommended by state/central government
• Nehru Yuvak Kendras.

Eligibility Conditions:

A person with disabilities fulfilling following conditions would be eligible for assistance under ADIP Scheme through authorized agencies:

• He/she should be an Indian citizen of any age.
• Holds a 40% Disablement Certificate.
• Person who is employed/self-employed or getting pension and whose monthly income from all sources does not exceed 30,000/- per month.
• In case of dependents, the income of parents/guardians should not exceed Rs. 30,000/- per month.
• Persons who have not received assistance from the Government, local bodies and Non-Official Organizations during the last 3 years for the same purpose. However, for children below 12 years of age this limit would be 1 year.