15th March 2025

Explanation - The SpaDeX mission is designed to demonstrate in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. In-space docking technology is essential for India's space aspirations, including missions such as Bharatiya Antariksh Station, lunar exploration, and sample return missions. India is not the first country to achieve this technology; it aims to become the fourth country in the world to do so2.

Explanation - NBWL is chaired by the Prime Minister. Its roles is "advisory" in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country

Explanation - The first two statements are incorrect. ASHA is a trained female community health activist recognised as a key component of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Selection criteria for ASHAs - In rural areas, ASHA must primarily be a woman resident of the village married/ widowed/ divorced, preferably in the age group of 25 to 45 years and literate preferably qualified up to 10th standard (formal education up to Class 8). In urban areas, ASHA must be a woman resident of the "slum/vulnerable clusters" and belong to that particular vulnerable group which have been identified by City/District Health Society for selection of ASHA and must have good communication and leadership skills.

Enrolment of ASHA - ASHA is chosen through a rigorous process of selection involving various community groups, self-help groups, Anganwadi Institutions, Block Nodal officer, District Nodal officer, the village Health Committee and the Gram Sabha.

Number across country - There are around 10.4 lakh ASHA workers across the country, with the largest workforces in states with high populations – Uttar Pradesh (1.63 lakh), Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Goa is the only state with no such workers, as per the latest National Health Mission data available from September 2019.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised India's 4 lakh ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers as 'Global Health Leaders' for their efforts in connecting the community to the government's health programmes and their work during Covid-19 pandemic.

ASHA received the Global Health Leaders Award-2022 in the backdrop of the on-going 75th World Health Assembly.

Explanation - The PMAY-G was launched in April 2016 and aims to provide a pucca house with basic amenities to all rural families who are homeless or living in kutcha or dilapidated houses by the end of March 2022. The target is construction of 2.95 crore houses with all basic amenities by March 2022. Beneficiaries are people belonging to SCs/STs, freed bonded labourers and non-SC/ST categories, widows or next-of-kin of defence personnel killed in action, ex-servicemen and retired members of the paramilitary forces, Disabled persons and Minorities. It is implemented in rural areas across the country except Delhi and Chandigarh. Beneficiaries of the rural houses are chosen according to data taken from the Socio-Economic Caste Census of 2011, subject to 13 point exclusion criteria, followed by Gram Sabha verification. The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) beyond March 2021 wherein financial assistance is to be provided for the construction of the remaining 155.75 lakh houses, as on 31st  March, 2021 under the scheme within total target of 2.95 crore houses.