DAY – 16 ( INSTA REVISION TEST)INSTA REVISION PLAN 3.0, 2020

Solution: B

75 tribal groups have been categorized by Ministry of Home Affairs as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)s. PVTGs reside in 18 States and UT of A&N Islands. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)” exclusively for them. Under the scheme, Conservation-cum-Development (CCD)/Annual Plans are to be prepared by each State/UT for their PVTGs based on their need assessment, which are then appraised and approved by the Project Appraisal Committee of the Ministry. Activities for development of PVTGs are undertaken in Sectors of Education, Health, Livelihood and Skill Development, Agricultural Development , Housing & Habitat, Conservation of Culture etc.

https://tribal.nic.in/pvtg.aspx

Solution: D

About ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)’:

PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups.

• They have declining or stagnant population, low level of literacy, pre-agricultural level of technology and are economically backward.
• They generally inhabit remote localities having poor infrastructure and administrative support.

Identification:

In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups, while in 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes, spread over 18 states and one Union Territory (A&N Islands) in the country (2011 census).

Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha (13), followed by Andhra Pradesh (12).

Scheme for development of PVTGs:

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of “Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)” exclusively for them.

• Under the scheme, Conservation-cum-Development (CCD)/Annual Plans are to be prepared by each State/UT for their PVTGs based on their need assessment, which are then appraised and approved by the Project Appraisal Committee of the Ministry.
• Priority is also assigned to PVTGs under the schemes of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Scheme(TSS), Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, Grants-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations working for the welfare of Schedule Tribes and Strengthening of Education among ST Girls in Low Literacy Districts.

The criteria followed for determination of PVTGs are as under:

1. A pre-agriculture level of technology.
2. A stagnant or declining population.
3. Extremely low literacy.
4. A subsistence level of economy.

Solution: A

Puducherry is a union territory which is governed by Article 239A of the Constitution.

NCT of Delhi, meanwhile, is governed by Article 239AA of the Constitution which imposes restrictions on the law-making power of the elected legislature of Delhi.

According to Article 239AA, the elected legislature of NCT of Delhi cannot enact laws relating to entries 1,2 and 18 of the state list.

It means that Delhi’s elected government cannot make laws concerning public order, police and land rights. This is not the case with Puducherry.

According to 239A which governs the administration of Puducherry, the administrator (LG) does not have power to promulgate any ordinance in Puducherry.

Even if LG does it, it will not stand if the Legislative Assembly decides to disapprove it. This emphasizes the supremacy of the legislature over the administrator in Puducherry, unlike the restrictions on the government of NCT Delhi.

According to Article 240, even the rights of the President of India is curtailed to the point that he/she cannot issue ordinances to suit their whims and fancies.

Solution: A

The Siddi are recognized as a scheduled tribe in 3 states and 1 union territory: Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka and Daman and Diu.

The Jennu Kurumba are spread out mainly along the border forests of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. They are also referred to by the names ‘Then Kurumba’ or ‘Kattu Naikar.’

Solution: C

Chitwan National Park is a preserved area in the Terai Lowlands of south-central Nepal, known for its biodiversity. Its dense forests and grassy plains are home to rare mammals like one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers. The park shelters numerous bird species, including the giant hornbill. Dugout canoes traverse the northern Rapti River, home to crocodiles. Inside the park is Balmiki Ashram, a Hindu pilgrimage site.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/no-indo-nepal-pact-on-tigers-yet/article26122318.ece

Solution: C

Solution: D

Context: The centre has signed a historic pact for permanent solution of Bru refugees’ issue.

The agreement is between Union Government, Governments of Tripura and Mizoram and Bru-Reang representatives to end the 23-year old Bru-Reang refugee crisis.

Highlights of the agreement:

1. Under the agreement, the centre has announced a package of Rs. 600 crores under this agreement.
2. As per the agreement the Bru tribes would be given land to reside in Tripura.
3. A fixed deposit of Rs. 4 lakh will be given to each family as an amount of government aid. They will be able to withdraw this amount after two years.
4. Each of the displaced families will be given 40×30 sq ft residential plots.
5. Apart from them, each family will be given Rs. 5,000 cash per month for two years.
6. The agreement highlights that each displaced family will also be given free ration for two years and aid of Rs. 1.5 lakh to build their houses.

Significance of the government:

This agreement will bring a permanent solution for the rehabilitation of thousands of Bru-Reang people in Tripura. The government believes that this agreement will bring a bright future for them. Bru-Reang people will be able to enjoy the benefits of all social-welfare schemes of governments.

Background:

More than 30,000 Bru tribes who fled Mizoram, are residing in Tripura’s refugee camps.

Who are Brus?

The Brus, also referred to as the Reangs, are spread across the northeastern states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram.

In Tripura, they are recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. In Mizoram, they have been targeted by groups that do not consider them indigenous to the state.

What’s the issue?

1. A bout of ethnic violence forced thousands of people from the Bru tribe to leave their homes in Mizoram.
2. The displaced Bru people from Mizoram have been living in various camps in Tripura since 1997. In 1997, the murder of a Mizo forest guard at the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram’s Mamit district allegedly by Bru militants led to a violent backlash against the community, forcing several thousand people to flee to neighbouring Tripura.
3. The Bru militancy was a reactionary movement against Mizo nationalist groups who had demanded in the mid-1990s that the Brus be left out of the state’s electoral rolls, contending that the tribe was not indigenous to Mizoram.

Solution: B

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

It was formally established in 1996.

The Ottawa Declaration defines these states as Members of the Arctic Council: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States.

India is an observer member of the council.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-re-election-observer-arctic-council-importance-5727126/

Solution: A

Eklavya Model Residential Schools 

In the context of establishing quality residential schools for the promotion of education, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for ST students are set up in States/UTs with provisioning of funds through “Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution”.

The establishing of EMRSs is based on demand of the concerned States/UTs with availability of land as an essential attribute.

As per the budget 2018-19, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by 2022. 

Background:

What is Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)?

EMRS is a Government of India scheme for model residential school for Indian tribals (Scheduled Tribes, ST) across India.

In the context of the trend of establishing quality residential schools for the promotion of education in all areas and habitations in the country, the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for ST students take their place among the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and the Kendriya Vidyalayas. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are set up in States/UTs with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India.

The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

Objectives of EMRS:

• Comprehensive physical, mental and socially relevant development of all students enrolled in each and every EMRS. Students will be empowered to be change agent, beginning in their school, in their homes, in their village and finally in a larger context.
• Focus differentially on the educational support to be made available to those in Standards XI and XII, and those in standards VI to X, so that their distinctive needs can be met,
• Support the annual running expenses in a manner that offers reasonable remuneration to the staff and upkeep of the facilities.
• Support the construction of infrastructure that provides education, physical, environmental and cultural needs of student life.

Solution: B

The Virashaiva movement was initiated by Basavanna and his companions like Allama Prabhu and Akkamahadevi. This movement began in Karnataka in the mid-twelfth century. The Virashaivas argued strongly for the equality of all human beings and against Brahmanical ideas about caste and the treatment of women. They were also against all forms of ritual and idol worship.

Solution: D

Context: The Government has promulgated various laws/regulations from time to time to ensure that the rights and well-being of the Sentinelese are safeguarded.

Steps taken to ensure the protection of Sentinelese:

1. The entire North Sentinel Island along with 5 km coastal sea from high water mark is notified as tribal reserve.
2. The Government respects their way of life style, therefore, has adopted an ‘eyes-on and hands-off’ practice to protect and safeguard the Sentinelese tribe.
3. A protocol of circumnavigation of the North Sentinel Island has been notified. The ships and aircrafts of Coast Guard and boats of Marine Police make sorties around North Sentinel to keep surveillance.

They have been protected under:

1. A &N Islands (PAT) Regulation 1956.
2. Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
3. Restrictions under Foreigner (Restricted Area) Orders, 1963.
4. Visa Manual Conditions/Passport Act 1920, Indian Forest Act, 1927 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Who are the Sentinelese?

The Sentinelese are a negrito tribe who live on the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans. The inhabitants are connected to the Jarawa on the basis of physical, as well as linguistic similarities. Their numbers are believed to be less than 150 and as low as 40.

Based on carbon dating of kitchen middens by the Anthropological Survey of India, Sentinelese presence was confirmed in the islands to 2,000 years ago. Genome studies indicate that the Andaman tribes could have been on the islands even 30,000 years ago.

Why are they said to be vulnerable?

• It is said they have made little to no advancement in the over 60,000 years and still live very primitive lives, surviving mainly on fish and coconuts.
• They are very vulnerable to germs since they have not had contact with the outside world. Even a common flu virus carried by a visitor could wipe out the entire tribe.
• Since the 1960s, there have been a handful of efforts to reach out to the tribe but all have largely failed. They have repeatedly, aggressively made it clear that they want to be isolated.

Conclusion:

Currently, there is a one-size-fits-all policy. For instance, the Sentinelese should be left alone. The rights and the desires of the Sentinelese need to be respected and nothing is to be achieved by escalating the conflict and tension.

Solution: C

Lakshadweep is Muslim majority state in India with approximately 96.58 % of state population following Islam as their religion. Hinduism is second most popular religion in state of Lakshadweep with approximately 2.77 % following it. In Lakshadweep state, Christianity is followed by 0.49 %, Jainism by 0.02 %, Buddhism by 0.02 % and Sikhism by 0.01 %. Around 0.01 % stated ‘Other Religion’, approximately 0.10 % stated ‘No Particular Religion’.

Literacy rate in Lakshadweep has seen upward trend and is 91.85 percent as per 2011 population census. Of that, male literacy stands at 95.56 percent while female literacy is at 87.95 percent. In 2001, literacy rate in Lakshadweep stood at 86.66 percent of which male and female were 92.53 percent and 80.47 percent literate respectively.

Total area of Lakshadweep is 30 sq. km. Density of Lakshadweep is 2,149 per sq km which is higher than national average 382 per sq km. In 2001, density of Lakshadweep was 1,895 per sq km, while nation average in 2001 was 324 per sq km.

The total population of Lakshadweep as per the 2001 Census is 60,650. Of this, 57,321 persons (94.5 per cent) are Scheduled Tribes (STs). Among the states/UTs Lakshadweep has the highest proportion of ST population besides Mizoram.

According to the 2011 Census, Lakshadweep has a population of 64429 persons.More than 93% of the population who are indigenous, are Muslims and majority of them belong to the Shafi School of the Sunni Sect. Malayalam is spoken in all the islands except Minicoy where people speak Mahl which is written in Divehi script and is spoken in Maldives also. The entire indigenous population has been classified as Scheduled Tribes because of their economic and social backwardness. According to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes list (modification orders), 1956, the inhabitants of Lakshadweep who and both of whose parents were born in these islands are treated as Scheduled Tribes. There are no Scheduled Castes in this Union Territory.

Solution: D

Trans fatty acids, more commonly called trans fats, are made by heating liquid vegetable oils in the presence of hydrogen gas and a catalyst, a process called hydrogenation.

Partially hydrogenating vegetable oils makes them more stable and less likely to become rancid. This process also converts the oil into a solid, which makes them function as margarine or shortening.

Partially hydrogenated oils can withstand repeated heating without breaking down, making them ideal for frying fast foods.

For these reasons, partially hydrogenated oils became a mainstay in restaurants and the food industry – for frying, baked goods, and processed snack foods and margarine.

Partially hydrogenated oil is not the only source of trans fats in our diets. Trans fats are also naturally found in beef fat and dairy fat in small amounts.

Trans fats are the worst type of fat for the heart, blood vessels, and rest of the body because they:

• Raise bad LDL (Bad cholesterol) and lower good HDL
• Create inflammation,– a reaction related to immunity – which has been implicated in heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic conditions
• Contribute to insulin resistance
• Can have harmful health effects even in small amounts – for each additional 2 percent of calories from trans fat consumed daily, the risk of coronary heart disease increases by 23 percent.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/who-for-eliminating-industrially-produced-trans-fats-by-2023/article27077068.ece

Solution: B

Solution: C

BIS is the National Standard Body of India established under the BIS Act 2016 for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BIS has been providing traceability and tangibility benefits to the national economy in a number of ways – providing safe reliable quality goods; minimizing health hazards to consumers; promoting exports and imports substitute; control over proliferation of varieties etc. through standardization, certification and testing.

It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.

Keeping in view, the interest of consumers as well as the industry, BIS is involved in various activities as given below:

• Standards Formulation
• Product Certification Scheme
• Compulsory Registration Scheme
• Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme
• Hall Marking Scheme
• Laboratory Services
• Laboratory Recognition Scheme
• Sale of Indian Standards
• Consumer Affairs Activities
• Promotional Activities
• Training Services, National & International level
• Information Services

Solution: A

Solution: D

The Tangams are a little-known community within the larger Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and reside in the hamlet of Kugging in Upper Siang district’s Paindem circle.

As per the UNESCO World Atlas of Endangered Languages (2009), Tangam — an oral language that belongs to the Tani group, under the greater Tibeto-Burman language family — is marked ‘critically endangered’.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/the-language-of-the-tangams-with-just-253-speakers-6503165/

Solution: C

The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.

Today, the WCO represents 183 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters and can rightly call itself the voice of the international Customs community.

The WCO’s governing body is the Council.

The WCO Secretariat, which is based in Brussels, Belgium, consists of more than 125 staffers from around the world and runs the WCO’s day-to-day operations under the leadership of a Secretary General.

Solution: B

The Gujarat government announced that a five-member commission will be formed to identify the members of Rabari, Bharvad and Charan communities, living in nesses (tiny, oval-shaped hutments made of mud) of Gir, Barda and Alech areas of the state, who are eligible to get the benefits of Schedule Tribe (ST) status.

The commission, which will be headed by a retired judge of the high court, comprises two district judges, one retired forest officer and one retired revenue officer.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gujarat-panel-to-be-formed-to-decide-on-tribal-status-of-3-communities-6497045/

Solution: A

Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa and is occasionally exported to other regions.

Monkeypox typically presents clinically with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.

Monkeypox virus is mostly transmitted to people from wild animals such as rodents and primates, but human-to-human transmission also occurs.

Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.

Typically, up to a tenth of persons ill with monkeypox may die, with most deaths occurring in younger age groups.

The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.

There is currently no specific treatment recommended for monkeypox. Vaccination against smallpox with vaccinia vaccine was demonstrated through several observational studies to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Thus, prior childhood smallpox vaccination may result in a milder disease course.

However at the present time, the original (first-generation) smallpox vaccines are no longer available to the general public. A newer vaccinia-based vaccine was approved for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in 2019 and is also not yet widely available in the public sector.

Solution: C

Katkari is one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, as per the classification by Ministry of Home Affairs. It is a primitive tribe found in Maharashtra (Pune, Raigad and Thane districts) and parts of Gujarat. Katkaris are also known as Kathodis because of their old occupation of making Katha (Catechu) the thickened sap from wood of Khair ( Acacia catechu).

They serve as agricultural labourers and sell firewood and some jungle fruits. They also take up fishing for domestic consumption, coal making and brick manufacturing. Poor literacy rates, health conditions and minimal livelihood opportunities are some of the issues faced by the tribal people.

https://vikaspedia.in/social-welfare/scheduled-tribes-welfare/the-story-of-shahapurs-katkari-tribe

Solution: B

Nuakhai or Navakhai is an agricultural festival mainly observed by people of Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh in India. Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-extends-greeting-to-farmers-on-nuakhai-juhar/story-4l9IcrPrkOJkhpfCMxEaML.html

Solution: D

Asiatic lions were once distributed upto the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India. At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the only abode of the Asiatic lion. The last surviving population of the Asiatic lions is a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Conservation Status:

• Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
• Appendix I of CITES
• Endangered on IUCN Red List

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/ccmb-scientists-sequence-asiatic-lion-genome/article27103990.ece

https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/priority_species/threatened_species/asiatic_lion/

Solution: D

Thisam Phanit is a cultural practice of celebrating the festival of the dead. It is one of the major festivals of the Tangkhuls and the Naga Tribes of Manipur, India. It is observed as an emotional farewell festival to the spirit of the dead, for 12 days at the end of January every year.

Baneshwar fair is an annual tribal fair held in Dungarpur district in Rajasthan state of India. The fair is held in the month of January or February at Baneshwar, near the confluence of the Som and Mahi rivers. This fair is a major fair in tribal culture and has been described as “the Kumbh mela for the tribals”. It is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of Bhils. They revere Baneshwar Mahadev as well as Mavji.

Myoko is a celebration of friendship and harmony between various Apatani villages. This is also the time when new paddy is sown in the terraced fields and the Apatani pray for a good crop.  The festival rotates between the eight Apatani villages in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Solution: D

The monthly Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a production volume index. ICI measures collective and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.

It is compiled and released by Office of the Economic Adviser (OEA), Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), and Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The inter-se weights of these eight industries are largely in alignment with the respective weight of these industries in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). The base year of the ICI has been revised to 2011-12 from 2004-05 in alignment with the new series of IIP. Combined weight of these eight core industries is 40.27 percent of IIP with base 2011-12.