Ans: D

Exp:

The Finance Minister announced the expansion of the application of Nano DAP on various crops in all agro-climatic zones during the presentation of the interim budget.

Statement 1 is correct: Nano DAP is more efficient than its conventional Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), enabling the fertiliser to enter easily inside the seed surface or through stomata and other plant openings. Better assimilation of the fertiliser inside the plant system, in turn, leads to higher seed vigour, more chlorophyll, photosynthetic efficiency, better quality and an increase in crop yields.

Statement 2 is correct: Nano DAP is more pocket-friendly than di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). A 500 ml bottle of Nano DAP, equivalent to a 50-kg bag of conventional DAP, is priced at only Rs 600 (compared to Rs 1,350 for the bag). 

Since the government provides significant subsidies on DAP, the adoption of a more inexpensive fertiliser, i.e. Nano DAP, will likely be a significant relief to the government’s subsidy burden.

Ans: B

Exp:

A Green Propulsion System has been developed under the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Technology Development Fund. This technology has resulted in a non-toxic and environment-friendly propulsion system for low-orbit space.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Technology Development Fund (TDF) is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence executed by DRDO under the ‘Make in India’ initiative for funding innovation in defence and aerospace, especially to start-ups and MSMEs.

Statement 2 is correct: DRDO has partnered with Invest India to help with the implementation of the TDF Scheme and further facilitate MSME and startup facilitation. 

Invest India is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India, set up in 2009 as a non-profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Ans: C

Exp:

Cabinet approves Scheme of Sugar Subsidy for AAY Families under Public Distribution System.

Statement 1 is correct: The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. 

In view of the COVID crisis, the allocation of free food grains under PMGKAY was in addition to the regular allocation.

Statement 2 is correct: The Central Government had decided to provide food grains free of cost to NFSA beneficiaries, i.e. AAY households and PHH beneficiaries, initially for a period of one year beginning from 1st January 2023 under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). 

Statement 3 is correct: The PMGKAY Scheme ensures effective and uniform implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). 

Under the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), which is a successful initiative of portability of ration cards, any beneficiary can take delivery of food grains from any FPS at uniform NFSA entitlement and price across the country.

Ans: A

Exp:

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to be implemented under the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) for another three years up to 2025-26.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) is a central sector scheme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan with a stimulus package of Rs.15000 crore for incentivising investments in:

• Dairy processing and value-addition infrastructure
•  Meat processing and value-addition infrastructure 
•  Animal feed plant (however, Aqua feed is not eligible)
•  Breed Improvement Technology and Breed Multiplication Farm
•  Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agri Waste Management)
•  Setting up of Veterinary Vaccine and drug manufacturing facilities

Statement 2 is incorrect: The following entities will be eligible for support under AHIDF:

• • Farmer Producer Organization (FPO)
  • Private companies
  • Individual entrepreneurs
  • Section 8 companies

• Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

Statement 3 is correct: It will be implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.  The scheme will incentivise investments in Dairy processing and product diversification, Meat processing and product diversification, Animal Feed Plants, Breed multiplication farms, Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agri-waste management) and Veterinary vaccine and drug production facilities.

Ans: C

Exp:

The Interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lays emphasis on environment-friendly development through the promotion of ‘blue economy’.

Statement 1 is correct: The term ‘blue economy’ simply refers to economic activities related to the sea and the coasts. 

The World Bank says the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of the ocean ecosystem.”

Statement 2 is correct: Sustainable Development Goal 14 is related to the Life below Water / Blue Economy.

SDG 14 aims to protect and ensure the sustainable use of oceans. This includes reducing marine pollution and ocean acidification, ending overfishing and conserving marine and coastal ecosystems.