1.With reference to the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), consider the following statements:
It was launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
It subsumed the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC).
The State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC) is implemented by the Central Government directly through District Collectors.
The scheme promotes the concepts of ‘Ageing with Dignity’ and ‘Ageing at Place’.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct
AVYAY was launched in 2021 under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
It aims to improve the quality of life of senior citizens through welfare and support services.
Statement 2 – Correct
AVYAY subsumed the National Action Plan for Senior Citizens (NAPSrC).
It provides an integrated framework for elderly welfare and active ageing.
Statement 3 – Incorrect
State Governments and Union Territories prepare and implement welfare plans under the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC).
District Committees, chaired by District Collectors/Magistrates, identify beneficiaries and monitor senior citizen homes.
Therefore, SAPSrC is not implemented directly by the Central Government through District Collectors.
Statement 4 – Correct
Ageing with Dignity: Ensuring respectful care, protection and a dignified life for elderly people.
Ageing at Place: Enabling senior citizens to live safely and independently in their own homes and communities.
2.With reference to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), consider the following statements:
GRAP was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) was initially responsible for implementing GRAP.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) replaced the EPCA in 2021.
The directions issued by CAQM under GRAP are advisory in nature and State Governments are free to ignore them.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct
GRAP was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It was introduced following directions of the Supreme Court to implement graded measures according to different levels of air pollution.
Statement 2 – Correct
Initially, GRAP was implemented by the Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA).
EPCA was constituted by the Supreme Court in 1998 to address air pollution issues in Delhi-NCR.
However, it lacked statutory backing.
Statement 3 – Correct
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) replaced EPCA in 2021.
CAQM is responsible for coordinating and implementing measures to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas.
Statement 4 – Incorrect
Directions issued by CAQM are binding on the concerned State Governments and authorities.
States are required to implement the directions.
CAQM has the authority to initiate legal action against officials for non-compliance.
3.With reference to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), consider the following statements:
GLOFs occur due to the sudden release of water from a glacial lake following the failure of its natural dam.
Glacial lakes are generally formed by the accumulation of meltwater from glaciers.
Moraine dams consist primarily of consolidated bedrock and are generally highly resistant to failure.
Avalanches and earthquakes can trigger GLOFs by destabilising natural dams or displacing lake water.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct
GLOF refers to the sudden release of a large volume of water from a glacial lake due to the failure or breaching of its natural dam.
It can cause catastrophic downstream flooding, erosion and destruction of infrastructure.
Statement 2 – Correct
Glacial lakes generally form due to the accumulation of meltwater from glaciers.
They may develop in depressions created by glaciers or behind natural barriers.
Statement 3 – Incorrect
Moraine dams are primarily composed of unconsolidated glacial debris, including rocks, sediments and soil.
They are often unstable and vulnerable to erosion, seepage and sudden collapse.
Statement 4 – Correct
Avalanches can generate displacement waves by pushing large quantities of ice, snow or rocks into glacial lakes.
Earthquakes can destabilise moraine dams and surrounding slopes, triggering sudden water release.
4.With reference to Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), consider the following statements:
It is observed every year on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel served as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and first Home Minister.
Patel played a significant role in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.
The Statue of Unity, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is located in Rajasthan.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed annually on October 31.
It commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
In 2026, it marks his 151st birth anniversary (born on October 31, 1875).
Statement 2 – Correct
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was India's first Deputy Prime Minister and first Home Minister.
He served in these positions from 1947 to 1950.
Statement 3 – Correct
Patel played a crucial role in integrating more than 560 princely states into the Indian Union after independence.
He worked closely with V.P. Menon in this process.
He is popularly known as the Iron Man of India.
Statement 4 – Incorrect
The Statue of Unity is located at Ekta Nagar (Kevadia), Gujarat, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
It is the world's tallest statue, standing at 182 metres.
5.With reference to Mayon Volcano, consider the following statements:
Mayon Volcano is located in the Philippines.
It is famous for its nearly symmetrical conical shape.
It is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
It is a shield volcano formed primarily by fluid basaltic lava.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 – Correct
- Mayon Volcano is located in Albay Province, Bicol Region, on Luzon Island in the Philippines.
Mayon+1
Statement 2 – Correct
It is renowned for its almost perfect symmetrical cone-shaped structure.
It is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
Mayon+1
Statement 3 – Correct
- It lies in the Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc, associated with tectonic activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Mayon+1
Statement 4 – Incorrect
Mayon is a Composite or Stratovolcano, not a shield volcano.
Stratovolcanoes are generally steep-sided and formed through successive layers of lava, ash and other volcanic materials.
