Correct Answer: 1765

Solution : The correct answer is 1765.

On August 12, 1765, the Mughal emperor designated the East India Company as the Diwan of Bengal, granting it financial authority over the region. While serving as Diwan, the company focused on maximising revenue and obtaining products for trade. Despite its administrative role, the company retained its primary identity as a trader. It sought to increase revenue without establishing a systematic assessment, and collection process, aiming to procure fine cotton and silk cloth inexpensively.

Correct Answer: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa

Solution : Correct Answer is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa

The 5 BRICS countries. The BRICS countries are an association of the countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The abbreviation consists in each case of the first letters of the country names. It thus designates a group of 5 countries that are among the emerging economies.

Formed by the 2010 addition of South Africa to the predecessor BRIC,it holds an annual summit, which each state or government leader attends.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, as Chair of BRICS for 2023, will host BRICS leaders at the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg, Gauteng, from 22 – 24 August 2023.

Final Answer is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa

Correct Answer: Stock markets

Solution : The correct answer is (c) Stock markets.

SEBI is the regulatory body for the securities market in India. It was established in 1988 and plays a crucial role in regulating and overseeing the functioning of the stock exchanges, stockbrokers, and other market intermediaries. SEBI's primary objective is to protect the interests of investors and promote the development and regulation of the securities market, including the stock markets.

Correct Answer: The growth of the service sector and urbanization  
 

Solution : Post-independence, the class structure in India underwent changes due to the growth of the service sector and urbanization, which led to the emergence of new classes and the transformation of existing social and economic hierarchies.

Correct Answer: Political mobilization around religious identity

Solution : The rise of communalism in India can be attributed to political mobilization around religious identity, where political parties or groups use religion as a means to garner support and create divisions.

Correct Answer: Regulating and supervising the capital market
  

Solution : The correct answer is (a) Regulating and supervising the capital market.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body in India that is responsible for regulating and supervising the capital market. SEBI's primary objective is to protect the interests of investors and promote the development and regulation of the securities market in India. SEBI plays a crucial role in regulating various participants in the capital market, such as stock exchanges, brokers, merchant bankers, and other intermediaries. It formulates regulations and guidelines to ensure fair and transparent practices, prevent fraud and market manipulation, and promote investor education and awareness.

Correct Answer: Improve maternal and child health
    

Solution : The correct answer is (B) Improve maternal and child health

The main objective of the National Health Mission (NHM) in India is to improve the availability, accessibility, and quality of healthcare services, with a particular focus on maternal and child health. The NHM aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, prevent and control communicable diseases, strengthen healthcare infrastructure and human resources, and provide equitable and affordable healthcare services to all sections of the population. It does not specifically address air pollution, renewable energy sources, or transportation infrastructure.

Correct Answer: Repo rate

Solution : The correct option is the Repo rate.

The repo rate is when the central bank lends money to commercial banks against government securities. This is short-term borrowing in which banks sell government securities to the RBI. All this is done through an agreement that says the g-sec is repurchased.

Correct Answer: Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.

Solution : The correct answer is (a) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1.

Statement 1 is true. India generally has a higher literacy rate compared to China. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, India's literacy rate was around 77 %, while China's literacy rate was around 96 %, according to the World Bank data.

Statement 2 is also true. Government initiatives such as the National Literacy Mission have indeed contributed to increased literacy rates in India. The National Literacy Mission, launched in 1988, aimed to eradicate illiteracy and improve literacy rates across the country through various programs and campaigns. These initiatives focused on improving access to education, providing adult literacy programs, and promoting awareness about the importance of education.

Therefore, both statements are true, and Statement 2 is the correct explanation of Statement 1. Government initiatives such as the National Literacy Mission have played a significant role in increasing literacy rates in India, contributing to its higher literacy rate compared to China.

Correct Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

Solution : The correct answer is (a) Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

The Green Revolution did indeed play a significant role in increasing agricultural productivity in India. The introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, modern agricultural techniques, and better irrigation facilities were key components of the Green Revolution and contributed to increased food production.

During the 1960s and 1970s, India faced a severe food shortage and was heavily dependent on food imports. To address this challenge, the Indian government, with the help of agricultural scientists and researchers, implemented the Green Revolution. This initiative focused on developing and disseminating improved seeds, such as dwarf wheat and high-yielding rice varieties, that had higher yields and were more resistant to pests and diseases.

The reason provided in the assertion correctly explains how the introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, modern agricultural techniques, and better irrigation facilities contributed to increased agricultural productivity in India during the Green Revolution.