Ans: B

Exp:

India’s First Inland Waterways Development Council commits Rs 45,000 crore for the development of River Cruise Tourism.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The IWDC was organised by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency for inland waterways in India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India.

At the IWDC, a roadmap was chalked to enable capacity in an additional 26 waterways, fit for River Cruise tourism from the operational strength of 8 waterways. 

Statement 2 is correct: The Government, in alignment with its vision to enhance the role of Inland water transportation (IWT), initiated various measures, including the flagship Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for the development of the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system (NW 1). This project focused on cargo, Ro-Ro, and passenger ferry movement, along with the inclusion of small villages through community jetties. 

Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), also known as Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is celebrated on January 9 to mark the contribution and achievements of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day also commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, from South Africa to India in 1915, who led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was first celebrated in 2003. Its format was later revised in 2015 to celebrate the event once every two years and to hold theme-based conferences during the intervening period with participation from overseas diaspora experts, policy-makers, and stakeholders.

Statement 3 is correct: The theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is chosen to reflect the current priorities and concerns of the Indian diaspora. The theme of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2021 was “Contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat” and 2023 was “Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal”.

Statement 4 is correct: The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of India.

Ans: C

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: In a first, India is set to chair and host UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in New Delhi from 21st to 31st July 2024. 

Statement 2 is correct: The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Statement 3 is correct: The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected by their General Assembly.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was established under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 to regulate the securities markets in India. 

Statement 2 is correct: The objectives of the SEBI are to protect the interest of the investors and to regulate and promote the development of securities markets in India. The main functions of SEBI include registration, regulation and supervision of intermediaries operating in the securities market; promoting and regulating self-regulatory organisations; prohibiting fraudulent and unfair trade practices relating to securities markets; and calling from or furnishing to other authorities, whether in India or abroad, such information as may be necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions.

Ans: A

Exp:

The Manipur government has been asked by the Centre to examine a representation seeking deletion of the “Nomadic Chin-Kuki” from the list of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur.

Statement 1 is correct: The Kuki and Zomi tribes are two of the major ethnic communities in the Indian state of Manipur.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Kuki and Zomi tribes are recognised as scheduled tribes according to the Indian Constitution. They are not included in the list of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the state of Manipur.

The Manipur government has been asked by the Centre to examine a representation seeking deletion of the “Nomadic Chin-Kuki” from the list of Scheduled Tribes in Manipur. This is the first time a case is being made that Meiteis get ST status by excluding Kuki and Zomi tribes from the list.