The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• A censure motion is moved to censure the council of ministers for policies and actions.
• It can be moved only in Lok Sabha. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect. 
• It should state the reasons for its adoption.
• It can be moved against an individual minister or a group of ministers or entire council of ministers.

Additional Information

Various Motions in Indian Parliament:

• Privilege motion 
  • It is moved by a member when he feels that a minister has committed a breach of privilege of house or one or more of it's members by withholding facts of a case or by giving wrong or distorted facts.
  • It's purpose is to censure the concerned minister.
  • It can be moved in both the houses.
• Call-Attention motion 
  • It is introduced in the parliament by a member to call the attention of a minister to a matter of urgent public importance and to seek an authoritative statement from him on that matter.
  • It can be moved in both houses.
• Adjournment motion 
  • It is introduced in Lok Sabha to draw the attention of the house to a definite matter of urgent public importance.
  • It involves a censure against the government.
  • It can be moved only in Lok Sabha.
• No-Confidence motion 
  • Article 75 of the constitution says that the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. 
  • Lok Sabha can remove the government from office by passing a no-confidence motion.
  • It needs support of 50 members.
  • It can be moved only in Lok Sabha.

The correct answer is the 102th Amendment Act.

Key Points

• The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 granted constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). This amendment inserted Article 338B into the Constitution, formally establishing the NCBC as a constitutional body.
• Previously, the NCBC was established through the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. However, this act did not provide it with the same level of independence and authority as a constitutional body.

The 102nd Amendment Act significantly enhanced the NCBC's powers and responsibilities. It allows the commission to:

• Examine the condition of socially and educationally backward classes (SEBCs) and recommend measures for their development.
• Investigate complaints of discrimination against SEBCs.
• Propose legislation to protect the rights of SEBCs.
• Monitor the implementation of policies and programs for SEBCs.

The correct answer is Article 343.

Key Points

• Article 343 of the Indian Constitution declares Hindi as the official language of India.
• However, it also allows for the use of English as an official language until a resolution is passed by the Parliament to replace it with Hindi.
• Hindi is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India.
• The Constitution also recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of the country.
• Apart from Hindi and English, many other languages are used for official purposes in different states and Union Territories of India.
• The Constitution also provides for the development of Hindi as a link language for the whole of India.

Additional Information

• Article 88
  • Article 88 of the Indian Constitution deals with the rights of the President to address either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together.
  • It does not deal with the official language of India.
• Article 123
  • Article 123 of the Indian Constitution deals with the power of the President to promulgate ordinances during the recess of Parliament.
  • It does not deal with the official language of India.
• Article 301
  • Article 301 of the Indian Constitution deals with the freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse throughout India.
  • It does not deal with the official language of India.

The correct answer is Granite.

Key Points 

• The Himalayan Mountains:
  • Himalayan mountains are stretched over the northern borders of India.
  • These mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra.
  • The Himalayas consists of 3 parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. 
  • The northernmost range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas or the Himadri.
    • It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 meters.
    • The folds of the Great Himalayas are asymmetrical in nature.
    • The core of this part of the Himalayas is composed of granite.
  • The range lying to the south of the Himadri forms the most rugged mountain system and is known as Himachal or lesser Himalaya.
    • Pir Panjal range forms the longest and the most important range.
  • The outermost range of the Himalayas is called the Shiwaliks. These ranges are composed of unconsolidated sediments. 
  • The longitudinal valley lying between the lesser Himalaya and the Shiwaliks are known as Duns.
    • Dehra Dun, Kotli Dun and Patli Dun are some of the wellknown Duns.
• The part of the Himalayas lying between Indus and Satluj has been traditionally known as Punjab Himalaya but it is also known regionally as Kashmir and Himachal Himalaya from west to east respectively.
• The part of the Himalayas lying between the Satluj and Kali rivers is known as Kumaon Himalayas.
• The Kali and Teesta rivers divide the Nepal Himalayas and the part lying between Teesta and Dihang rivers is known as Assam Himalayas.

The correct answer is A - 2, B - 4, C - 1, D - 3.

Key Points

• Lord Wellesley- Subsidiary Alliance
• Lord Dalhousie- Doctrine of Lapse
• Lord Cornwallis- Permanent Settlement
• Lord William Bentick- Abolition of Sati

Additional Information

The Correct Answer is To empower persons with disabilities.

In News

• President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate day long ‘Purple Fest’ at Amrit Udyaan in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Key Points

• President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a day long ‘Purple Fest’ at Amrit Udyaan in Rashtrapati Bhawan on 26th February 2024.
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is organizing the Purple Fest after the success of ‘International Purple Fest, 2024’ at Goa in January.
• More than ten thousand Divyangjan, accompanied by their escorts, will also converge at Amrit Udyan for the Fest.

The correct answer is Multilingual content and AI-enabled chatbot assistance

In News

• SWAYAM is an initiative by the Government of India launched to provide free online courses for students across the country.
• It offers a variety of courses from school level to post-graduate level in diverse subjects like arts, science, commerce, humanities, and more.
• The courses are developed by experienced faculty members from reputed institutions to ensure high-quality content delivery.
• SWAYAM courses are offered free of cost, making education accessible to all socio-economic backgrounds.
• The full form of SWAYAM is "Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds."

Correct Answer Manipuri

Key Points

• Manipuri dance originates from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur.
• It is known for its subtlety and grace.
• Compared to other Indian classical dance forms, Manipuri dance is more introverted and restrained.
• Dancers typically maintain a downcast gaze and rarely make direct eye contact with the audience.
• This unique aesthetic adds to the dance's distinctive charm.
• The dance form is deeply intertwined with the spiritual traditions of the region.
• It often depicts episodes from the life of Lord Krishna.

Additional Information:

The correct answer is Niacin.

Key Points

• Pellagra is a disease caused by a deficiency of Niacin, which is also known as vitamin B3.
• This deficiency can occur due to an insufficient diet that doesn't provide enough Niacin and tryptophan or by a poor ability to utilize the Niacin present in the diet.
• The cautionary symptoms of Pellagra include the 'three Ds': dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis.
• If left untreated, it can cause severe neurological issues and sometimes can be fatal.

Additional Information

• Thiamine (Vitamin B1):
  • ​This is a vital human nutrient that plays a critical role in energy metabolism.
  • A deficiency of Thiamine leads to a disorder termed Beriberi, characterized by weight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception, and heart failure.
• Calciferol (Vitamin D):
  • ​Called the "sunshine vitamin," Calciferol (Vitamin D) is produced by the body in response to skin being exposed to sunlight.
  • Deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to conditions like rickets and osteomalacia.
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2):
  • Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 is a vitamin found in food and used as a dietary supplement.
  • Its deficiency can cause ariboflavinosis, a disorder presenting as sore throat, redness, and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat, cracking of the lips (cheilosis), inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), and a greasy, scaly red inflammation of the skin (seborrheic dermatitis)

The Correct Answer is Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• The Saila dance is a folk danc and is performed during the post-harvest season.
• Saila is a stick dance that is famous among the people of Sarguja, Chhindwara, and Baitul districts of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Additional Information

• Other folk dances of Chattisgarh:
• Karma Dance
  • This dance form marks the end of the rainy season and the advent of spring.
• Sua Nacha
  • Usually called a parrot dance, it is performed during Goura’s wedding.
• Pandavani
  • Portray the account of Pandavas, the main characters of an epic battle.
• Panthi Dance
  •  It is a prominent custom of the Satnami community of Chhattisgarh.
  • The community celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Guru Ghasidas in Maghi Purnima.
• Rahas Dance
  • The Rahas dance is performed during festivals in Chhattisgarh.
  • It is an important folk dance performed in the Dhamtari district of the state.