Finance Commission
1.Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays down that the modalities for setting up which institution?
Correct Answer: B [Finance Commission]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
The 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations, upon the acceptance by the government, would cover the period of five years commencing April 1, 2026. Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays down that the modalities for setting up of a Finance Commission. The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted in 2017, whose recommendations are valid up to the financial year 2025-26.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Terms of Reference for the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
The 16th Finance Commission’s recommendations, upon the acceptance by the government, would cover the period of five years commencing April 1, 2026. Article 280(1) of the Constitutions lays down that the modalities for setting up of a Finance Commission. The Fifteenth Finance Commission was constituted in 2017, whose recommendations are valid up to the financial year 2025-26.
2.Article 370 of the Constitution’, which was seen in the news, is associated with_?
Correct Answer: A [Special status to Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
The Supreme Court recently gave its verdict on the Union government’s 2019 move to amend Article 370 of the Constitution.
Article 370 of the Constitution of India provided the State of Jammu and Kashmir with a special constitutional status. The provision substantially limited Parliament’s power to legislate for the State compared to other states. The court held the Constitutional order that revoked Article 370 as valid. The background Governor’s Rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018, after the BJP withdrew support to the coalition government led by PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.
The Supreme Court recently gave its verdict on the Union government’s 2019 move to amend Article 370 of the Constitution.
Article 370 of the Constitution of India provided the State of Jammu and Kashmir with a special constitutional status. The provision substantially limited Parliament’s power to legislate for the State compared to other states. The court held the Constitutional order that revoked Article 370 as valid. The background Governor’s Rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018, after the BJP withdrew support to the coalition government led by PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti.
3.Which four states constitute the Eastern Zonal Council which met recently under Home Minister Amit Shah?
Correct Answer: A [Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha.]
Notes:
The Eastern Zonal Council comprises four states – Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. The 26th meeting of the council took place recently in Patna under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Ministers of all member states are part of the council which meets to discuss and reach mutually agreed decisions on inter-state issues. The meeting provided an opportunity for Centre-state and inter-state consultations at the highest level on important matters of socio-economic development in eastern region.
The Eastern Zonal Council comprises four states – Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha. The 26th meeting of the council took place recently in Patna under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Ministers of all member states are part of the council which meets to discuss and reach mutually agreed decisions on inter-state issues. The meeting provided an opportunity for Centre-state and inter-state consultations at the highest level on important matters of socio-economic development in eastern region.
4.Which state government recently approached the Supreme Court against capping of its borrowing limit by the Centre?
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Kerala government approached the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to cap its net borrowing limit, saying it obstructs the state’s financial autonomy protected under the Constitution. Kerala has said linking debt ceiling to central government schemes and withholding due state funds severely affects its economy and population welfare.
The Kerala government approached the Supreme Court against the Centre’s decision to cap its net borrowing limit, saying it obstructs the state’s financial autonomy protected under the Constitution. Kerala has said linking debt ceiling to central government schemes and withholding due state funds severely affects its economy and population welfare.
5.The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), that was recently in news, operates under which Ministry?
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change]
Notes:
The Supreme Court recently questioned the Centre about the oversight of court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) reports on the biosafety of genetically modified (GM) crops by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). GEAC, a statutory committee under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Responsible for approving large-scale hazardous microorganism use, it also assesses proposals for the release of genetically engineered organisms, including GM crops. GEAC, chaired by a MoEF&CC official, comprises 24 members and convenes monthly for reviews.
The Supreme Court recently questioned the Centre about the oversight of court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) reports on the biosafety of genetically modified (GM) crops by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). GEAC, a statutory committee under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Responsible for approving large-scale hazardous microorganism use, it also assesses proposals for the release of genetically engineered organisms, including GM crops. GEAC, chaired by a MoEF&CC official, comprises 24 members and convenes monthly for reviews.
6.Which mobile app, recently launched by the IMD, provides integrated GIS-based services for all weather-related information?
Correct Answer: B [Mausam]
Notes:
India Meteorological Department (IMD) launched MAUSAM, an integrated GIS-based mobile app offering weather services such as hourly forecasts, Rainfall, Humidity, Sunrise/Sunset, Moonrise/Moonset, Rain Alert, Lightning Alert, Cyclone Alert, and more. The app supports 12 Indian languages and introduces “mausamgram” accessible via the mobile app or IMD website. “mausamgram” enables users to view observations, forecasts, and warnings through a map or search function using place names, pincodes, or coordinates, aligning with the vision “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam.”
India Meteorological Department (IMD) launched MAUSAM, an integrated GIS-based mobile app offering weather services such as hourly forecasts, Rainfall, Humidity, Sunrise/Sunset, Moonrise/Moonset, Rain Alert, Lightning Alert, Cyclone Alert, and more. The app supports 12 Indian languages and introduces “mausamgram” accessible via the mobile app or IMD website. “mausamgram” enables users to view observations, forecasts, and warnings through a map or search function using place names, pincodes, or coordinates, aligning with the vision “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam.”
7.Recently, which two airports were awarded the ‘Best Airport of the Year’ at the Wings India Awards 2024?
Correct Answer: B [Bengaluru & Delhi]
Notes:
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were jointly awarded the “Best Airport of the Year” at the 2024 Wings India Awards. The award was presented by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia at an event in Hyderabad on January 18, 2024. The Mangaluru airport was also named the “best airport” in the under 5 million passenger category.
The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi were jointly awarded the “Best Airport of the Year” at the 2024 Wings India Awards. The award was presented by Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia at an event in Hyderabad on January 18, 2024. The Mangaluru airport was also named the “best airport” in the under 5 million passenger category.
8.Gir cattle breed, recently seen in the news, is native to which state of India?
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
India recently imported 40,000 doses of bull semen from Brazil to enhance milk production through artificial insemination of Gir and Kankrej cattle breeds, renowned for stress tolerance and resistance to tropical diseases. Gir, also called “Bhodali” or “Gujarati,” is an Indian-born dairy cattle breed originating from the Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar, Gujarat. The breed’s popularity extends globally, with countries like Brazil, the USA, Venezuela, and Mexico importing Gir cattle.
India recently imported 40,000 doses of bull semen from Brazil to enhance milk production through artificial insemination of Gir and Kankrej cattle breeds, renowned for stress tolerance and resistance to tropical diseases. Gir, also called “Bhodali” or “Gujarati,” is an Indian-born dairy cattle breed originating from the Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar, Gujarat. The breed’s popularity extends globally, with countries like Brazil, the USA, Venezuela, and Mexico importing Gir cattle.
9.Where was the biomass-based Compressed Biogas Plant inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh recently?
Correct Answer: D [Budaun]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Biomass-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant in Budaun. The event, attended by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and other dignitaries, aligns with India’s goal to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This initiative, part of the National Biofuel Policy 2018, contributes to the government’s aim of decreasing import dependency by 10%, focusing on second-generation biorefineries and Compressed Bio-Gas Plants.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Biomass-based Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant in Budaun. The event, attended by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and other dignitaries, aligns with India’s goal to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. This initiative, part of the National Biofuel Policy 2018, contributes to the government’s aim of decreasing import dependency by 10%, focusing on second-generation biorefineries and Compressed Bio-Gas Plants.
10.‘Operation Black Gold’, recently seen in the news, is related to which one of the following?
Correct Answer: B [Gold smuggling]
Notes:
Operation Black Gold is about the seizure of an alloy containing 16.67 kg of gold and 39.73 kg of silver in Delhi. The alloy was worth over Rs 10 crore and was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at FPO Delhi. The Revenue Intelligence Directorate (DRI) acted on intelligence to seize seven shipments of “electrical current/potential meters”. The meters were declared as “current guior machines”. According to preliminary investigations, a systematic syndicate was involved in the gold smuggling. The gold was coated with silver to change its color from yellow to white. The white mixture was then used to make electric meter covers, which were then painted black to avoid suspicion.
Operation Black Gold is about the seizure of an alloy containing 16.67 kg of gold and 39.73 kg of silver in Delhi. The alloy was worth over Rs 10 crore and was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at FPO Delhi. The Revenue Intelligence Directorate (DRI) acted on intelligence to seize seven shipments of “electrical current/potential meters”. The meters were declared as “current guior machines”. According to preliminary investigations, a systematic syndicate was involved in the gold smuggling. The gold was coated with silver to change its color from yellow to white. The white mixture was then used to make electric meter covers, which were then painted black to avoid suspicion.