Ans: C

Exp:

58th Jnanpith Award for the year 2023 has been awarded to Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya ji for Sanskrit and Shri Gulzar for Urdu. This is the second time the award is being given for Sanskrit language and the fifth time for Urdu language.

Statement 1 is correct: The Jnanpith Award was established in 1944. It is given annually for outstanding contributions to Indian literature. The award is open for only Indian citizens. 

The award carries a prize money of Rs 21 lakh, a statue of Vagdevi and a citation.

The recipients for the award were decided by a selection committee chaired by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Rai.

Statement 2 is incorrect: From the 49th Jnanpith Award, English has been included in the language list along with other Indian languages for consideration of Jnanpith Award.

Statement 3 is correct:  The entire contributions of an author for Indian Literature are taken into account for the award.

Ans: D

Exp:

Tributes were paid to freedom fighter Vasudev Balwant Phadke on his death anniversary. 

Statement 1 is correct: He was inspired by the speeches of leaders like Dadabhai Nauroji and M G Ranade (the latter led the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha in the 1870s).

• Lectures by M G Ranade and Dadabhai Naoroji about the British draining India of its wealth and resources made a great impact on Phadke. 
• After listening to them and reading their lectures in newspapers, Vasudev was convinced that they needed to fight the British. An armed revolution was the only way forward

Statement 2 is correct: Phadke formed one of the first revolutionary armies of India. He was known as the ‘Father of the Indian Armed Rebellion’.

• • His aim was to create a well-organised band of activists to fight the British. 
  • Factors like the Deccan famine of the late 1870s, the government’s increased revenue demands, and failed relief measures that worsened the condition of the people further emboldened Phadke’s anti-colonial sentiments.

• It is believed that Phadke felt the need for an armed revolution after seeing the devastation caused by the famine.

Ans: A

Exp:

Fresh protests have erupted in Senegal  against the postponement of the presidential election that was scheduled for February 25.

• • Senegal is a country in West Africa, on the Atlantic Ocean coastline.
  •  Sudan and Ethiopia are located in East Africa. They don’t share borders with Senegal. 

• Senegal is bordered by:

• Mauritania to the north, 
• Mali to the east, 
• Guinea to the southeast and 
• Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

Shri Arun Haldar, Vice-Chairman (Chairman In-charge) submitted the Annual Report 2022-23 of the National Commission of Schedule Caste to the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• As per mandate given to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes under Article 338 of the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the Commission to present to the President annually and at other times as the Commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of the Constitutional Safeguards of the Scheduled Castes. 
• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) is a constitutional body set up under Article 338 of the Indian constitution. The main aim of forming NCSC was to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and to promote and protect their social, educational, economic, and cultural interests.

Ans: B

Exp:

Shivaji Maharaj had a Council of 8 ministers (Ashtapradhan Mandal) to look after the Kingdom efficiently. The Ashtapradhan Mandal served as an efficient administrative council in the Maratha Empire, comprising eight ministers i.e Peshwa, Amatya, Sachiv, Mantri, Senapati, Sumant, Nyayadhish and Pandit rao.

They were responsible for various aspects of governance, economy, defence, and culture. 

Pair 1 is correctly matched: The Amatya, also known as the finance minister, managed the empire’s finances, taxation, and economic stability. 

• They were responsible for resource allocation, revenue collection, and economic planning.

Pair 2  is incorrectly matched: Sumant was responsible for naval affairs, managed maritime strategies, coastal defence, and naval operations. They played a critical role in protecting maritime trade routes and ensuring the security of coastal regions.

• Sachiv maintained administrative records, official documents, and royal edicts.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: The Peshwa, served as the prime minister, oversaw governance, diplomacy, and was involved in strategic decision-making. 

• Peshwa  played a pivotal role in shaping policies, maintaining law and order, and representing the empire in diplomatic affairs.