Current Affairs Reverse Engineering – CARE (24-06-2024)
News at a Glance |
International Relations: India’s stand with respect to the G-7 |
Russia approves draft logistics agreement to be signed with India |
India shows interest in mega Teesta River conservation project |
Science and Technology: INDUS-X defence initiative between U.S., India marks first anniversary |
Polity and Governance: Act that punishes organised cheating in government exams comes into effect |
India’s stand with respect to the G-7
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)
Context: India has been invited to the G7 Meetings 11 times, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi attending it for the fifth time.
Why in News
Leaders of the Group of Seven, the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, Japan, the U.K. and Italy, met in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13-15, along with the European Union leadership, for a summit to discuss a host of issues.
What was the G-7 summit hoping to achieve?
- The agenda for G-7 leaders: –
- Bridging differences between the “West and the Rest”,
- finding new ways to fund support for the Ukraine war,
- investing in Africa and grappling with migration,
- climate change and artificial intelligence challenges
- G-7 Outreach Includes
- They agreed to make $50 billion more available for Ukraine,
- carving it out from frozen sovereign wealth funds of Russia,
- held a special “Energy for Growth in Africa” summit to spur investments in clean energy, attacked China for coercive trade practices, and
- met with leaders of 10 countries, including India, and multilateral organisations
- Apart from substantive issues, the G-7 grouping has also been trying to battle its own image, as a tired set of countries representing the old world of the ‘western elite’.
How important is India to the G-7 process?
- India has been an important part of the G-7 process for several years now, coming to the grouping’s attention in the 2000s for its steady growth figures during the global financial collapse.
- India is not only a key member of the Global South, and has hosted the “Voice of Global South” conference since 2023, it is also a member of the G-20 troika, along with Brazil and South Africa.
- Besides, Prime Minister Modi is a central figure at such outreaches, though India is not a member of the G-7.
- Other countries whose leaders attended the outreach were Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania, Tunisia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates, along with heads of the African Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations and the World Bank.
Is it an important platform for India?
- For India, the outreach session of the G-7 meeting, that follows a day after the main G-7 deliberations, has always been an important platform to showcase its achievements and outlook to the world.
- The importance of the event and India’s participation can be gauged from the fact that Ms. Meloni called Mr. Modi during the election campaign to ensure his participation, and he travelled to Italy just four days after his swearing-in and even before he had proven his majority in Parliament.
- During the outreach session, Mr. Modi spoke about the importance of the Indian elections and the importance of harnessing technology and artificial intelligence to bridge global inequality, as well as a roadmap to fight climate change.
- It was important to pay heed to the Global South’s concerns, as it bears “the brunt of global uncertainties and tension”, a reference to how the developing world looks at unilateral sanctions as well as food, fertilizer and energy security.
- Mr. Modi spent most of his time in bilateral meetings and held talks with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Ms. Meloni.
- He also met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was a special invitee, and after the photo-op with all the leaders, he spent a few minutes with U.S. President Biden.
What is the future of G-7
- The G-7 is increasingly under attack for being an elitist, non-inclusive group, that doesn’t include three of the world’s top 10 economies, China, India and Brazil, or representation from the rest of the world, like the G-20 does, for example.
- In addition, the G-7, which has not increased its membership (in fact, it decreased it, by dropping Russia in 2014), is increasingly being challenged by a grouping like BRICS, that has now doubled its size from the original Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa grouping to include other countries and energy majors like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iran, as well as Egypt and Ethiopia.
- The G-7 has been unable to change the course of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, or stop Israel’s devastating bombardment of Gaza, or deterred China from its inroads into global connectivity and infrastructure and economic influence, is raising more questions about its relevance.
- It remains to be seen how the G-7, which may have a different composition of leaders, given impending elections in the U.K. and the U.S., stands up to the challenge to re-invent itself as an effective grouping.
- It will next convene for the annual summit in Canada’s Alberta region in 2025; the question is whether India will continue to accept a spot on its margins.
50th G7 Summit in Italy
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- Promotion to G7 PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment):
- In the 50th G7 Summit, leaders decided to promote concrete G7 PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment) initiatives.
- This initiative was launched by the US and G7 allies at the 48th G 7 Summit in 2022 that aims to narrow the USD 40 trillion infrastructure gap in the developing world.
- It is a “values-driven, high-impact, and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet the enormous infrastructure needs of low and middle-income countries.
- Under this, G7 will mobilise USD 600 billion by 2027 to deliver infrastructure projects to developing and middle-income countries.
- Support and Promotion to India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
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- G-7 nations committed to promoting the IMEC.
- IMEC aims to create a comprehensive transportation network, comprising rail, road, and sea routes, connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe.
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- IMEC:
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- It was signed at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, in September 2023.
- This project forms part of the PGII.
- The proposed IMEC will consist of Railroad, Ship-to-Rail networks and Road transport routes extending across 2 corridors:
- East Corridor: Connecting India to the Arabian Gulf
- Northern Corridor: Connecting the Gulf to Europe.
What is G7?
- G-7 is a group of the most developed and advanced economies of the world. i.e. France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and Canada.
- The leaders of important international organisations like the European Union (EU), IMF, World Bank and the United Nations are also invited.
- Summits are held annually and hosted on a rotation basis by the group’s members.
Origin
- The G7 originated from the Oil crisis of 1973 and the resulting financial crisis, which forced the leaders of 6 major industrial nations to convene a meeting in 1975.
- The participating countries were the US, UK, France, West Germany, Japan, and Italy.
- Canada joined in 1976, leading to the formation of the G7.
- It was known as the ‘G8’ for several years after the original seven were joined by Russia in 1997, but it was renamed as G7 after Russia was expelled as a member in 2014 following its annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine.
CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q1. Which statement correctly describes the G7 PGII (Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment) initiative and its associated project, IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor)?
A. The G7 PGII initiative aims to mobilize USD 600 billion by 2027 for infrastructure projects in developing and middle-income countries; IMEC aims to create transportation networks connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe. B. The G7 PGII initiative was launched in 2022 to combat climate change; IMEC is a partnership for sustainable agriculture between G7 nations and developing countries. C. The G7 PGII initiative aims to promote cybersecurity measures among member nations; IMEC is a space exploration collaboration between NASA and G7 space agencies. D. The G7 PGII initiative focuses on global healthcare infrastructure; IMEC aims to enhance educational exchanges between G7 nations and Africa. |
Q. Consider the following statements about G-20: (2020)
1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues. Answer: (c) |
Answer 1- A
Explanation
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Russia approves draft logistics agreement to be signed with India
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 2 – India- Russia Relations, International Relations
Context: India-Russia mutual logistics agreement
Why in News
- After being held up for several years, the India-Russia mutual logistics agreement is ready for conclusion, with Russia approving the draft agreement over the past week.
About India-Russia Agreement
- An official order dated June 20 was published on Russia’s official legal information website, authorising the signing of the logistics agreement with India.
- The draft of the agreement was also published.
- It’s a Russian governmental decree that approves signing the agreement and makes relevant instruction to the [Ministry of Defence] MoD.
- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has instructed the MoD to hold negotiations with the Indian side on the draft document.
- The agreement will simplify military-to-military exchanges for exercises, training, port calls and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts.
- It is similar to a series of such agreements that India has signed with a number of countries, beginning with the United States in 2016.
Delayed agreement
- The conclusion of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) has been delayed for several years.
- Official sources said that this was the same agreement which has now been approved by the Russian side, and has to be signed by both sides before it can become effective.
- The agreement, as and when concluded, will be valid for five years and will be renewed automatically unless either party notifies the other of its desire to terminate it.
- Defence cooperation is a major pillar of the India-Russia strategic partnership and is guided by the agreement on military technical cooperation.
- The agreement for the decade from 2021 to 2031 was signed during the inaugural meeting of India-Russia 2+2 dialogue held in December 2021.
- The cooperation agreement involves interaction between troops, and also addresses issues of the supply and development of weapons and military equipment, the Russian Ministry of Defence explained.
- A Navy-to-Navy cooperation agreement along the same lines has also been in the works for some time.
Mutual benefits
- Among the three services, the Indian Navy has been the biggest beneficiary of these administrative arrangements signed with several countries, improving its operational turnaround and increasing interoperability on the high seas.
- The agreements have been a win-win for both the parties involved.
- For instance, the foundational agreements with the U.S., as well as the logistics agreements with Australia and Japan, have been especially beneficial as they also operate several common military platforms, along with India’s increasing share of U.S.-origin platforms.
- Similarly, the United Kingdom has been leveraging its agreement with India to expand maritime cooperation.
- In recent deployments, Royal Navy ships have received spare parts manufactured by Indian shipyards within a short notice period, showcasing the growing interoperability between the two navies, the U.K. High commission recently noted.
- Similarly, Royal Air Force flights travelling in the region have already benefitted twice from taking logistics halts in India.
Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS)
- The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement is a long-awaited administrative agreement that would enable the militaries of both the countries to access logistics and support facilities at each other’s bases and ports.
- It would facilitate the replenishment of fuel, rations, spare parts and berthing for troops, warships and aircrafts while operating away from home ports and bases during the war and peacetime missions.
- The agreement would enable maintenance facilities to warships and military aircraft at each other’s bases.
- RELOS would further ensure smooth use of the host nation’s existing logistics networks which would reduce the overall costs of the mission and provide a strategic edge to each other’s military operations.
Significance for India
- India has signed military logistics agreements with several countries in the past.
- This includes the India–US Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), India–Japan Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and India–Australia Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), demonstrating all the Quad countries.
- Apart from this, India maintains such military logistics agreements with France, Singapore and South Korea.
- It is currently in the process of finalising such an agreement with the UK and Vietnam.
- Signing RELOS with Russia would add to greater strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Economic and Geo-strategic Significance
- India’s interests in the Arctic region are increasing and it is keen to make investments particularly in the exploration of Russian oil, gas and other rare earth minerals in the near future.
- It is likely that these investments would increase further in future, therefore some kind of strategic security backing is required to safeguard India’s investments in the Arctic.
At present, India does not maintain any port facility or naval base in this region as a whole.
An agreement such as RELOS would enable Indian Navy to have greater operational reach in the Arctic.
It would provide logistics and other required facilities to Indian naval ships venturing through the region.
Further, in case of any hostile situation arising in the region, RELOS would enable greater coordination between the Indian and Russian Navy to respond appropriately in the region.
CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS):
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 only C. None D. Both |
Q. Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries? (2019)
Answer: (b) |
Answer 2– A
Explanation –
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India shows interest in mega Teesta River conservation project
Source: Indian Express
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS2- India and its neighbourhood, International Relations
Context: India’s Neighbourhood first policy, Act East Policy and Vision SAGAR
Why in news
- Major outcomes of talks between Indian and Bangladeshi Prime Ministers includes sending a technical team by India to Bangladesh for a mega project to conserve and manage Teesta River, moving ahead to start negotiations on a comprehensive trade pact and boosting defence ties.
Key Highlights
- The decision to send an Indian technical team to hold talks on the conservation of the Teesta River within Bangladesh assumes significance as China was keenly eyeing the estimated USD one billion project notwithstanding reservations by New Delhi.
- Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina is expected to travel to China next month.
- In reflection of growing intensity in their ties, India and Bangladesh also firmed up a “futuristic vision” to further facilitate transformative cooperation in their engagement.
Futuristic vision of India and Bangladesh
- Both sides also firmed up a “futuristic vision” for bringing transformative cooperation between the two “trusted” neighbours in a raft of new areas.
- A major focus of the talks between the two prime ministers was to explore ways to shore up India-Bangladesh cooperation in digital and energy connectivity even as both sides resolved to work towards peaceful management of borders between the two countries.
- In his remarks to the media, Modi, describing people-to-people contacts as the foundation of ties between the two nations, said India will launch an e-medical visa facility for people from Bangladesh coming to India for medical treatment.
- India has also decided to open a new assistant high commission in Rangpur.
- In the talks, Modi and Hasina also resolved to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation including in areas of defence production and modernisation of Bangladeshi armed forces and agreed to enhance engagement on countering terrorism and radicalisation.
- The issue of Rohingya refugees as well as the situation in Myanmar and boosting regional cooperation under the framework of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) grouping also figured in the talks.
Significance
- Bangladesh is situated at the confluence of our Neighbourhood First policy, Act East policy, Vision SAGAR and Indo-Pacific vision.
- India has been cooperating with the countries of the Indian Ocean region under the broader policy framework of SAGAR or Security and Growth for all in the Region.
- In the last 10 years, we have restored the connectivity that existed before 1965.
- This will give impetus to the economies of both countries.
- To take our economic relations to new heights, both sides have agreed to start negotiations on CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement).
Teesta river
- Teesta river is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna in Bangladesh), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
- It originates in the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim and flows to the south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
- Originally, the river continued southward to empty directly into the Padma River (main channel of Ganga in Bangladesh) but around 1787 the river changed its course to flow eastward to join the Jamuna river.
- The Teesta Barrage dam helps to provide irrigation for the plains between the upper Padma and the Jamuna.
- Teesta river water conflict is one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh.
CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q3. Consider the following statements:
Select the correct answer using the code given below A. 2 and 3 only B. 1 and 2 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 |
Q. With reference to river Teesta, consider the following statements (2017)
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Ans-b |
Answer 3 D
Explanation
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INDUS-X defence initiative between U.S., India marks first anniversary
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Relevance: GS 3– Science and Technology
Context: INDUS-X defence initiative between U.S., India
Why in News
- In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced US-India commitment to build a defense innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
What is INDUS-X?
- INDUS-X stands for enhanced strategic and defence partnership between India and the U.S.
- It was launched on June 21, 2023 by the U.S. Department of Defence and the Indian Ministry of Defence during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Washington, DC.
- In its first year, INDUS-X has advanced both countries’ commitment to build a defence innovation bridge under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
- The iCET was launched by Prime Minister Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the QUAD summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022.
- The third INDUS-X Summit will take place in Silicon Valley in September 2024 with a focus on harnessing private capital for defence innovation.
- The summit will be co-hosted by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and Stanford University.
- The India-U.S. defence and strategic ties have been on an upswing in the last few years.
Significance of INDUS-X
- INDUS-X has strengthened private sector cooperation between the United States and India by facilitating partnerships among defence technology companies, investors, and researchers.
- The India-U.S. Defence Acceleration Ecosystem has advanced the commitment of the two strategic partners to building a defence innovation bridge under the Critical and Emerging Technology Initiative.
Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)
- The two countries have inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 that allows their militaries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement)
- The two sides also signed COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018 which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and also provides for the sale of high-end technology from the U.S. to India.
BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement)
- In October 2020, India and the U.S. sealed the BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) pact to further boost bilateral defence ties.
- The pact provides for the sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between the two countries.
Important Development
- In December last year, India joined the international consortium and has committed to contribute a sum of Rs. 1,250 crores.
- In the ongoing construction phase, engineers and scientists from the SKA member countries are building prototypes of systems and technologies to perform tests and validation.
- The images have revealed a lot about the characteristic radio emission with the Milky Way in addition to the external galaxies like Centaurus A.
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
- Launched in 2018, iDEX is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Defence.
- It is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), established as a ‘not-for-profit’ company under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013.
- iDEX, aims to foster innovation and technology development in the Defence and Aerospace sector.
- It provides grants, funding, and other support to carry out research and development projects with potential for future adoption in Indian defence and aerospace needs.
- It is currently engaged with around 400+ Startups and MSMEs.
- Recognized as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem, iDEX has received the PM Award for Innovation in the defence sector.
- US-India Business Council: It aims to foster bilateral trade between India and the US, bridging industry and government for long-term commercial partnerships, job creation, and global economic growth.
- Society of India Defense Manufacturers: SIDM is India’s leading Defence Industry association, advocating policy reforms and facilitating collaboration with the government and Armed Forces.
CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q4. Match the following pairs:
Pair A:
Pair B:
Options: A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4 B. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1 C. A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2 D. A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4 |
Q. “The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft”. The experiment in question refers to (2020)
(a) Voyager (b) New Horizons (c) LISA Pathfinder (d) Evolved LISA Ans: (d) |
Answer 4 C
Explanation
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Act that punishes organised cheating in government exams comes into effect
Source: The Hindu
UPSC Syllabus Relevance: GS 2- Important Acts, Polity and Governance
Context: Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
Why in News
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 that has provision for up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹1 crore for malpractices and organised cheating in government recruitment exams was notified by the Union government to come into effect from June 21.
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- A notification issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.”
- The University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test 2024 (UGC-NET) examination that was cancelled on June 19 on grounds of being compromised and is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation will however not be covered by the newly enacted law.
Key Clauses
- The definition of “institution” in Section 2(1)(f) of the Act excludes the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is currently under scrutiny for its omissions and commissions.
- According to this provision, an “institution” refers to any agency, organisation, body, association of persons, business entity, company, partnership, or single proprietorship firm, by whatever name it may be called, excluding the public examination authority and the service provider engaged by such authority.
- The Act specifies unfair means to include unauthorised access to or leakage of question papers or answer keys, assisting a candidate, tampering with computer networks or resources, tampering with documents for shortlisting or finalizing merit lists or ranks, conducting fake examinations, and issuing fake admit cards or offer letters for monetary gain.
- It also prohibits disclosing exam-related confidential information prematurely and unauthorised entry into exam centres to create disruptions.
- The Act is perceived as harsh due to its stringent punitive clauses.
- Section 9 States that all offences under this Act shall be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
- Under Section 10(1), any person resorting to unfair means or committing offences under this Act shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than three years, which may extend to five years, and with a fine up to Rs.10 lakh.
- In case of default in payment of the fine, additional imprisonment shall be imposed, as per the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), likely to come into effect from July 1.
- Section 10(2) holds the service provider liable for a fine up to Rs.1 crore, and the proportionate cost of the examination shall also be recovered from the service provider. Also, the service provider will be barred from being assigned any responsibility for conducting public examinations for four years.
- The Act shifts the burden of proving innocence to the accused under Section 10(4), which states that a person shall not be liable for punishment if they can prove the offence was committed without their knowledge and that they exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of such an offence.
- The Act protects the chairperson, members, officers, and other employees of the public examination authority by designating them as ‘public servants’ within the meaning of the BNS.
- Section 14 of the Act states that no suit, prosecution, or other legal proceedings shall lie against any public servant for actions done in good faith or intended to be done in the discharge of their official functions or in the exercise of their powers.
List of offences
- The Act mentions punishments for “leakage of question paper or answer key”, “directly or indirectly assisting the candidate in any manner unauthorisedly in the public examination” and “tampering with the computer network or a computer resource or a computer system” as offences done by a person, group of persons or institutions.
- The creation of fake website to cheat or for monetary gain”, “conduct of fake examination, issuance of fake admit cards or offer letters to cheat or for monetary gain” and “manipulation in seating arrangements, allocation of dates and shifts for the candidates to facilitate adopting unfair means in examinations” are also among the offences punishable under the law.
- Any person or persons resorting to unfair means and offences under this Act shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than three years but which may extend to five years and with fine up to ₹10 lakh.
Service Provider
- A service provider, engaged by the public examination authority for conduct of examinations, shall also be liable to be punished with imposition of a fine up to ₹1 crore “and proportionate cost of examination shall also be recovered” from it, according to the Act.
- Such service providers shall also be barred from being assigned with any responsibility for the conduct of any public examination for a period of four years.
- The Act defines service provider as any agency, organisation, body, association of persons, business entity, company, partnership or single proprietorship firm, including its associates, sub-contractors and provider of support of any computer resource or any material, by whatever name it may be called.
CARE MCQ | UPSC PYQ |
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. Statements 1 and 2 only B. Statements 1 and 3 only C. Statements 2 and 3 only D. All of the above |
Q. At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (2021)
(a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climatic change. (b) Ministry of Panchayat Raj (c) Ministry of Rural Development (d) Ministry of Tribal Affairs Answer- (d) |
Answer 5 B
Explanation
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