12th February 2025

Consider the following pairs:

Schemes:

1. UK-India Young Professionals' Scheme
2. SAFTA
3. Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum

Purpose:

1. Promotes mutual trade and economic cooperation among SAARC countries by eliminating barriers to trade
2. Fostering global collaboration in sustainable, resilient, and economically viable fish production systems
3. Allows Indian citizens between 18 and 30 years old to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years

Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Assertion (A): The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is a crucial mechanism for protecting farmers from distress sales of perishable commodities.

Reason (R): The revised MIS guidelines increase the procurement/coverage limit of production quantity of crops from 20 percent to 25 percent, providing greater support to farmers during market downturns.

In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?

Consider the following statements regarding the Devolution Index Report released by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj:

1. 1. The Devolution Index assesses the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories based on six critical dimensions, including Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Building, and Accountability of the Panchayats.
   2. The index specifically examines the extent to which Panchayats are empowered to make and implement independent decisions, reflecting the true spirit of Article 243G of the Constitution, which mandates the devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats.
   3. The utility of the index extends to multiple stakeholders, providing citizens with transparency in tracking Panchayat functioning, elected representatives with data-driven insights for advocacy, and policymakers with a roadmap for implementing effective decentralization policies.
   4. The initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat, where Panchayats serve as the foundation for rural transformation, driving inclusive growth, and sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements regarding the concept of Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP) and its potential implementation in India:

1. 1. GDKP aims to provide a more holistic assessment of economic progress by capturing the contribution of knowledge-driven sectors, intellectual assets, and innovation, which are often inadequately reflected in traditional GDP measurements.
   2. The successful implementation of GDKP in India hinges on the development of robust methodologies for data collection and quantification of intangible assets, addressing the subjectivity inherent in defining and measuring knowledge parameters.
   3. The integration of GDKP with the existing GDP framework presents a significant challenge, requiring careful consideration to avoid duplication and ensure accurate reflection of knowledge contributions within the national accounts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?