Ans: B

Exp:

Recently, the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy launched ‘Anna Chakra’, the Public Distribution System (PDS) Supply chain optimisation tool and SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal a significant step towards modernizing the Public Distribution System and subsidy claim mechanisms of the States.

• Statement 1 is correct: “Anna Chakra” PDS Supply Chain optimization is a landmark initiative to enhance the efficiency of the PDS logistics network across the country. It aims to improve foodgrain movement across the PDS using advanced algorithms.
  • An operation of this magnitude involves a complex supply chain, relying on multiple stakeholders starting from farmers to Fair Price Shops. 
  • This makes the initiative unique which helps improve the speed and efficiency of the world’s largest food security program providing food safety net to 81 Crore beneficiaries.
  • Besides improved efficiency and cost savings through the streamlined delivery routes reducing fuel consumption, time, and logistics costs, it also provides environmental benefits of lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation-related emissions.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The ‘Anna Chakra’ supply chain optimization tool is developed in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT-Delhi, the project leverages advanced algorithms to identify optimal routes and ensure seamless movement of food grains across supply chain nodes. 
  • The tool integrates with the Railways’ Freight Operations Information System and the PM Gati Shakti platform, marking a significant technological upgrade.
• Statement 3 is correct: The SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) portal is a single-window system designed to streamline food subsidy claims for states.
  • SCAN portal will provide for a single window submission of subsidy claims by states, claim scrutiny and approval by DFPD facilitating expeditious settlement process. The portal will ensure end-to-end workflow automation of all the processes for release and settlement of food subsidy using rule-based processing.

Ans: C

Exp:

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, is developing the National Legal Metrology Portal (eMaap).

• Statement 1 is correct: The Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, is developing the National Legal Metrology Portal (eMaap) to integrate State Legal Metrology Departments and their portals into a unified National System. 
• Statement 2 is correct: This initiative aims to streamline processes for issuing licenses, conducting verifications and managing enforcement and compliance. 
  • For traders and industries, it minimizes compliance burdens, reduces paperwork and ensures timely adherence to the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Rules made thereunder, creating a transparent and conducive business environment. The portal is also expected to significantly boost manufacturing growth by fostering efficiency and accountability.
  • For consumers, eMaap ensures that trade instruments are verified for accuracy, enhancing confidence in market transactions. It provides a transparent legal metrology system, allowing easy access to certificates and promoting awareness of rights and responsibilities. 
  • For Governments, the portal enables data-driven decision-making, streamlines enforcement activities, and facilitates policy formation, ensuring a robust and efficient regulatory framework.
• Statement 3 is correct: By creating a centralized database, eMaap eliminates the need for stakeholders to register on multiple State Portals, fostering ease of doing business and transparency in trade practices.
  • Presently, State Governments are using their own portals for registration of packaged commodities, issue of licenses and verification/stamping of weighing & measuring instruments.  

Ans: B

Exp:

Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed annually on December 6 to commemorate the death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, fondly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar, a revered leader, thinker, and reformer, dedicated his life to championing equality and eradicating caste-based discrimination.

• According to Buddhist texts, Lord Buddha’s death is considered to be Mahaparinirvan, the Sanskrit term for ‘nirvana after death’. Parinirvan is considered liberation from Samara, karma, and the cycle of death and birth. It is the most sacrosanct day in the Buddhist calendar.
• Statement 1 is correct: He established the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association) in 1923 to spread education, improve economic conditions, and address societal inequalities and uplift marginalized communities. 
• Statement 2 is incorrect: His leadership in historic movements such as the Mahad March (1927) for access to public water and the temple entry movement at Kalaram Temple (1930) challenged caste hierarchies and priestly dominance.
  • The Mahad March (1927) was a movement led by Dr. Ambedkar to demand Dalits’ access to public water resources, not temple entry.
• Statement 3 is correct: Ambedkar’s doctoral thesis inspired the establishment of the Finance Commission of India. At the same time, his ideas were instrumental in framing the guidelines for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934, and influencing the creation of the RBI itself. 
  • He was one of the founders of Employment Exchanges in India. He championed systemic advancements such as the foundation of Employment Exchanges, the establishment of the National Power Grid System, and pivotal projects like the Damodar Valley Project, Hirakud Dam Project, and Sone River Project, showcasing his foresight in infrastructure and resource management.

Ans: D

Exp:

According to the World Drought Atlas, around 75 per cent of the population will be affected by drought by 2050. 

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The World Drought Atlas was recently launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre.

• This publication comes as the UNCCD parties gather for their 16th meeting at Riyadh to build resilience against the harsh droughts in the near future.
• The atlas is co-produced with Cima Research Foundation (Italy), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and the UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security (Germany).

• Statement 2 is incorrect: International Drought Resilience Observatory, (not the World Drought Atlas) launched by International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) is the first global, AI-powered data platform for building drought resilience
  • The World Drought Atlas brings out the effect of droughts on energy, trade and agriculture. 
  • Drought is not just a climate extreme. Human factors associated with the use and management of land and water can exacerbate and amplify droughts and their impacts. 
  • Unsustainable water use, water competition among different sectors, poor land management and not properly accounting for water resources are some examples of these human factors.

Ans: C

Exp:

Flamingos are back at the Pulicat Lake near Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. With the onset of northeast monsoon, the lake is brimming, attracting flocks of migratory birds.

• • Statement 1 is correct: Greater flamingos are widespread across most parts of India, whereas lesser flamingos are largely restricted to western India.
  • Statement 2 is incorrect: Conservation Status for Greater flamingos: 
    • IUCN → Least Concern 
    • CITES → Appendix II
  • • Conservation Status for Lesser flamingos: 

• IUCN → Near Threatened 

• CITES → Appendix II

• • Statement 3 is incorrect: While Gujarat hosts both species, they are also found in other states like Rajasthan and Mumbai.

• Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus): 

• • • • Most widespread and the largest flamingo species. It is found in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and southern Europe. 
      • It is found almost all over India (except the high-altitude Himalayas, East and NE India).

• Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor):

• • • • Smallest species of flamingo.
      • They are restricted largely to western India’s brackish water places like Gujarat, Rajasthan and Mumbai.

• Statement 4 is incorrect: Greater flamingos are the state bird of Gujarat, not Rajasthan.