Question 1: Consider the following statements:

1. In India, social audits were begun by Tata Iron and Steel Company in 1979.
2. The MGNREGA Act has mandated a social audit of all works executed under the MGNREGA.
3. Assam became the first State India to pass social audit legislation.

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: A

Explanation

• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme called Information-Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit(I-MESA) in Financial Year 2021-22.
• Under this scheme, Social Audits are to be conducted for all schemes of the Department starting FY 2021-22. These social audits are done through Social Audit Units (SAU) of the States and National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.
• Social Audit is the examination and assessment of a program/ scheme conducted with the active involvement of people and comparing official records with actual ground realities.
• In India, social audits were begun by Tata Iron and Steel Company in 1979.
• Section 17 of the MGNREGA Act has mandated a social audit of all works executed under the MGNREGA.
• In April 2017, Meghalaya became the first State India to pass social audit legislation.

Question 2: Consider the following statements about East Asia Summit (EAS):

1. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of ASEAN. 
2. India has been participating in the EAS since its very inception.
3. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for strategic dialogue.

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

About East Asia Summit:

• EAS is an initiative of ASEAN and is based on the premise of the centrality of ASEAN.
• The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December 2005.
• India has been participating in the EAS since its very inception in 2005.
• The East Asia Summit (EAS) is the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for strategic dialogue. It is the only leader-led forum at which all key Indo-Pacific partners meet to discuss political, security and economic challenges facing the region, and has an important role to play in advancing closer regional cooperation.
• Australia participated, as a founding member, in the inaugural EAS held in Kuala Lumpur on 14 December 2005.

Question 3: Consider the following statements:

1. In India, the only GM crop officially under commercial cultivation today is Bt Cotton.
2. USA has the largest area under biotech crops cultivation.
3. In biotech crops, worldwide, soyabean has the largest sown area.

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

• We eat plenty of our own cotton seed (binola) oil, and about 95 per cent of our cotton is now GM. Cotton seed is also fed to cattle which gives the milk its fat Even poultry feed, such as soya and corn, is being imported. So, one thing is clear: GM food is already in our food chain and has been there for quite some time.
• As far as India goes, the only GM crop officially under commercial cultivation today is Bt cotton.

Question 4: The two Specialized Agencies; the Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) and the Fisheries Support Unit (FSU) are related with which of the following regional grouping:

1. ASEAN
2. GCC
3. IORA
4. RCEP

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

IORA has established two Specialized Agencies; the Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (RCSTT) based at Tehran, Iran and the Fisheries Support Unit (FSU) based at Oman. These two agencies play a special role in fostering close cooperation in their respective areas.

Question 5: Arrange the following sectors with respect to their employment share in the increasing order:

1. Mining<Construction<Manufacturing<Services
2. Manufacturing<Mining<Constriction<Agriculture
3. Mining<Manufacturing<Construction<Services
4. Mining<Construction<Manufacturing<Agriculture

Correct Answer: C

Explanation