Ans: A

Exp: 

Context: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved health coverage to all the senior citizens aged 70 and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme:

• • Statement 1 is correct: The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme having a central sector component under the Ayushman Bharat Mission anchored in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). 

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides a defined benefit cover of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year. 

• • • Statement 2 is incorrect: ₹5 lakh free health insurance on a family basis for all senior citizens aged 70 and above.
    • Senior citizens belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover of ₹5 lakh, exclusive for them (not shared with younger family members).

• Statement 3 is incorrect: This Scheme includes both government and private hospitals that are empaneled under the scheme.

• This cover will take care of almost all secondary care and most of tertiary care procedures.

Ans: A

Exp: 

Context: The Union Cabinet recently approved the PM E-Drive Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for two years to boost adoption of electric vehicles in India, replacing the flagship FAME programme that ran for nine years till March this year.

About PM E-DRIVE scheme

• Statement 1 is correct: PM E-DRIVE scheme replaces the earlier Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME), which was introduced in 2015
• Statement 2 is correct:The PM E-DRIVE scheme aims to promote EVs to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and improve air quality. 
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will implement the scheme over a period of two years.

Ans: D

Exp: 

Context: Afghanistan said recently (September 11, 2024) work would begin on a $10 billion gas pipeline traversing South Asia.

About TAPI gas pipeline:

• It is a 1,814-kilometre pipeline that aims to transport 33 billion cubic metres of gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally, India.
• It is also called the ‘Peace Pipeline’.It will start from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan.
• It will then pass through Afghanistan and Pakistan to finally reach the Indian town of Fazilka (near the Indo-Pak border).
• Pakistan and India will each purchase 42% of the gas deliveries, and Afghanistan 16%, while Kabul will also benefit from lucrative transit fees of around $500 million per year.
• Progress on the TAPI pipeline has been repeatedly delayed because of security issues in conflict-ravaged Afghanistan.
• India’s commitment to the pipeline has also previously been questioned over its relationship with Pakistan and its already easy access to liquefied natural gas markets.

Ans: A

Exp:

Context: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, has been unanimously re-elected as the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language. 

About the Parliamentary Committee on Official Language:

• • The Parliamentary Committee on Official Language was constituted under the provisions of Section 4 of the Official Languages Act, 1963, in 1976. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • The committee comprises 30 members of Parliament, out of which 20 are from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. Hence statement 2 is correct.

• Role: In accordance with section 4 (3) of the Official Language Act, 1963, it is the duty of the Committee to review the progress made in the use of Hindi for the official purpose of the Union and to submit a report to the president making recommendations thereon.

• The Union Minister of Home Affairs from time to time (Shri Charan Singh, Shri H. M. Patel, Shri Zail Singh, Shri P.C. Sethi, Shri Buta Singh, Shri Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Shri S.B.Chavan, Shri Indrajit Gupta, Shri Lal Krishna Advani and Shri Shivraj Patil in succession) have by convention, been elected as the Chairmen of the Committee by its members. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

Ans: D

Exp:  

Context: The African Group considers public stock holding as a crucial food security tool for sustaining production and consumption support to meet critical food security objectives and is seeking a permanent solution for the problem at the WTO separate from the agriculture negotiations.

About Africa Group: 

• The Member States in the United Nations General Assembly are divided into various geographical groupings. These are the groupings through which elections are conducted into various UN bodies and agencies.
• The Africa Group at the United Nations is made up of the 54 African Union Member States at the United Nations. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The bloc coordinates its efforts on various topics, ranging from health and migration to issues of peace and security.
• Africa is allocated 3 non-permanent members of the Security Council, 14 members on ECOSOC, 13 Members on the Human Rights Council and the President of the General Assembly in years ending 4 and 9.  Hence statement 2 is correct.
• The group holds regular meetings to receive briefings from guests and UN officials and discuss UN resolutions and topics so a common African position can be reached. 
• The group is chaired by an Ambassador from a Member State, with the position rotating monthly. 
• The African Union Observer Mission serves as a coordinating secretariat for the group by arranging meetings, supporting the Chair, and generally providing logistical and administrative assistance where necessary.