[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 27 February 2024

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• By definition, cooperatives are organizations formed at the grassroots level by people to harness the power of collective bargaining towards a common goal.
• The history of cooperative societies dates back to the pre-Independence era, in response to the agrarian distress and overall indebtedness.
• In agriculture, cooperative dairies, sugar mills, spinning mills etc are formed with the pooled resources of farmers who wish to process their produce. In banking and finance, cooperative institutions are spread across rural and urban areas. There are also cooperative marketing societies in rural areas and cooperative housing societies in urban areas.
• Amul is a successful example of a dairy cooperative society.
• Agriculture and cooperation are in the state list, which means state governments can govern them. A majority of the cooperative societies are governed by laws in their respective states.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/cooperative-sector-and-its-role-in-indian-farming/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Cooperatives are organisations formed at the grassroots level by people to harness the power of collective bargaining in the marketplace. This can mean different kinds of arrangements, such as using a common resource or sharing capital, to derive a common gain that would otherwise be difficult for an individual producer to get.
• In agriculture, cooperative dairies, sugar mills, spinning mills etc. are formed with the pooled resources of farmers who wish to process their produce.
• Cooperatives are a state subject under the Constitution, meaning they come under the state governments’ jurisdiction, but there are many societies whose members and areas of operation are spread across more than one state.
• Cooperatives of more than one state are registered under the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act (MSCS) of 2002. Their board of directors has representation from all states they operate in. Administrative and financial control of these societies is with the central registrar, with the law making it clear that no state government official can wield any control over them.
• Through the 97th constitutional amendment, Part IXB (The Co-Operative Societies) was inserted into the Constitution. The right to form cooperative societies was included as Right to Freedom under article 19 (1), Part-3 of the Constitution.
• In addition to this, Article 43-B (Promotion of Cooperation societies) was also inserted as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy under Part 4 of the Constitution of India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/cooperative-sector-and-its-role-in-indian-farming/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• A progressive taxation system is designed to tax individuals with higher incomes at a higher rate and individuals with lower incomes at a lower rate. This is achieved by implementing tax brackets where the tax rate increases as income levels rise. The rationale behind this system is to redistribute wealth and promote income equality by placing a greater burden on those with the ability to pay more taxes, while providing relief to those with lower incomes. Option C accurately describes this characteristic of a progressive taxation system, making it the correct answer.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/accordion-tax/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The G-33, a coalition of developing countries with India as a key member, called for progress on agricultural trade negotiations ahead of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi.
• The G-33 (Friends of Special Products in Agriculture) is a coalition of developing countries that was established before the 2003 Cancun ministerial summit.
• The G-33 has 47 member nations, including India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines, Turkey, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Korea.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/g-33/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The joint delegation of eight Nordic-Baltic countries, known as NB8, visited India to emphasize the importance of trust, dialogue, and cooperation in global affairs, particularly in light of geopolitical shifts and conflicts like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• The NB8 countries share deep historical, economic, and cultural ties and are committed to democracy, human rights, and multilateralism
• The Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8) is a regional cooperation format that was founded in 1992. It includes five Nordic countries and three Baltic countries:
• Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/nordic-baltic-cooperation-nb8/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• S2: The Nordic model is known for its high taxation rates and extensive social welfare programs, which provide universal healthcare, education, and social security. It is not characterized by low taxation and minimal social welfare.
• S3: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are in the Schengen area but are not EU member states.
• S4; The Nordic Council is a regional intergovernmental forum for cooperation among the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden). It does not include Baltic states like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/nordic-baltic-cooperation-nb8/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The full moon on February 24, 2024, is known by various names such as “Snow Moon,” “Hunger Moon,” and “Minimoon.”
  • It occurs when the Moon is directly opposite the Earth from the sun.
  • This particular full moon is called a “minimoon” because it happens a little over a day before apogee when the Moon is farthest from the Earth in its orbit.
  • The term “Snow Moon” originates from the 1930s Maine Farmers’ Almanac, referring to the heavy snows typical of February.
  • Additionally, it is termed the “Hunger Moon” due to the challenges faced by tribes in the northeastern US in hunting during this snowy season.
• In option C, the statement accurately describes the positioning of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a full moon and a half moon. During a full moon, the Moon is positioned between the Earth and the Sun, allowing the sunlight to fully illuminate the face of the Moon visible from Earth. On the other hand, during a half moon, the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, resulting in only half of the Moon’s illuminated side being visible from Earth. This explanation aligns with the astronomical phenomena associated with full and half moons.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/hunger-moon/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/military-exercises-in-news-3/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Sudarshan Setu, a cable-stayed bridge connecting Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat.
• The bridge, spanning 2.32 km, is India’s longest cable-stayed bridge. Featuring a unique design with verses from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and images of Lord Krishna, the Sudarshan Setu also incorporates solar panels generating one megawatt of electricity. The bridge aims to enhance transportation and reduce travel time for devotees visiting Dwarka and Beyt-Dwarka, replacing the reliance on boat transport.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/02/27/sudarshan-setu/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1: During the early 1900s, Gandhi was instrumental in getting the indentured labour system abolished in the British Empire. See https://www.mkgandhi.org/articles/mauritius&mg.htm
• S2: He supported it. Pasting this section from B.R. Nanda’s book:
  • See https://tinyurl.com/yxroyhnd
• S3: This is quite well known.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019