DAY 20 (06-10-23)

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Cash Reserve Ratiois a minimum percentage of deposits that a commercial bank has to maintain in the form of liquid cash, gold or other securities.
2. Statutory Liquidity Ratioindicates the quantum of cash that banks are required to keep with the Reserve Bank as a proportion of their net demand and time liabilities.
3. Bank Rate is a rate at which RBI provides long term credit to commercial banks.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:Cash Reserve Ratio indicates the quantum of cash that banks are required to keep with the Reserve Bank as a proportion of their net demand and time liabilities. Banks do not get any interest on their holdings.

Statement 2 is incorrect:Statutory Liquidity Ratio or SLR is a minimum percentage of deposits that a commercial bank has to maintain in the form of liquid cash, gold or other securities. RBI can increase it to 40%. Banks get interest on it.

Statement 3 is correct:Bank Rate is a rate at which RBI provides long term credit to commercial banks.It is penal rate.

 

Q2. With reference to MQ 9Bunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) consider the following statements :

1. It is indigenously developed by India.
2. It has two versions SeaGuardian and SkyGuardian.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect:MQ-9B is a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial vehicle (UAV).It has been developed by US based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

Statement 2 is correct:The MQ-9B has two variants — SkyGuardian and its sibling SeaGuardian.The Indian Navy has been operating the MQ-9B Sea Guardian since 2020.

 

Q3. Consider the following statements :

1. Quantum communication is one of the safest ways of connecting two places.
2. India has recently achieved breakthrough demonstration of quantum communication.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Quantum communication is one of the safest ways of connecting two places with high levels of code and quantum cryptography that cannot be decrypted or broken by an external entity. If a hacker tries to crack the message in quantum communication, it changes its form in such a manner that would alert the sender and would cause the message to be altered or deleted.

Statement 2 is correct:In a major step forward towards satellite-based quantum communication, scientists from Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre and Physical Research Laboratory successfully demonstrated quantum entanglement. Using real-time Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), they conducted hack-proof communication between two places separated by 300 meters.

 

Q4. Consider the following pairs

1. Kathputli – Odisha
2. Kundhei – Rajasthan
3. Gombeyatta – Karnataka
4. Bommalattam – Tamil Nadu

Which of the following pairs are matched correctly?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 4

(d) 3 and 4

Answer: (d)

Explanation:

• The traditional string puppets of the Rajasthan area known as Kathputli, which derives its name from ‘kath’ meaning wood and ‘putli’ meaning doll.
• The string puppets of Odisha are known as Kundhei. They are made of light wood and are dressed in long skirts.
• Gombeyatta is the traditional puppet show of Karnataka. They are styled and designed on the various characters of the Yakshagana theatres.
• Bommalattam is the puppetry indigenous to the region of Tamil Nadu. It combines features of rod and string puppetry.

 

Q5. To obtain full benefits of demographic dividend, what should India do?

(a) Promoting skill development

(b) Introducing more social security schemes

(c) Reducing infant mortality rate

(d) Privatization of higher education

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• A country with both increasing numbers of young people and declining fertility has the potential to reap a ‘demographic dividend’ – a boost in economic productivity that occurs when there are growing numbers of people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents.
• To make the most of a demographic dividend, countries with falling fertility rates must undertake specific actions to empower young people to fulfil their potential. This includes encouraging decent employment, investing in education, skill development and ensuring access to adequate nutrition and health – including unrestricted and universal access to sexual and reproductive health care. If India does not create enough jobs, and its workers are not adequately prepared for those jobs, we may have a demographic liability within this capability trap