9th December 2024

Explanation: All four statements are correct. The NLTP Act was introduced in 1989 with support from the Church and the Naga Mothers' Association (Statement 1). The prohibition has its roots in the arrival of American Baptists in the 1870s, who introduced strict moral codes (Statement 2). Despite the Act, the traditional preparation and consumption of rice beer persist in Nagaland (Statement 3). The Nagaland government is indeed considering repealing the prohibition law due to its ineffectiveness, citing concerns over spurious alcohol, ongoing liquor smuggling, and potential excise revenue losses (Statement 4).

Explanation - NCVET was established in 2018 as a regulatory body under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). NCVET replaced the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) and the former National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT), not the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). NCVET is responsible for approving qualifications and establishing minimum standards for vocational education and training entities. NCVET monitors and disciplines entities such as Assessment Agencies and Skill Information Providers.

Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Hornbill Festival is indeed organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of Nagaland, and it is named after the hornbill, which is featured in the folklore of most Naga tribes. Statement 3 is incorrect as there are 14 recognized Naga tribes, not 16. Statement 4 is also incorrect, as the festival has not been consistently alcohol-free. In fact, there has been ongoing debate about alcohol consumption during the festival, with the government recently permitting the use of Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) within the festival venue.

Explanation - The project is a 1 GW run-of-the-river hydroelectric project located in the Wangdue Phodrang district of Bhutan. The project is funded by the Government of India with 30% as a grant and 70% as a loan, not fully as a grant. After commissioning, the project will be handed over to the Royal Government of Bhutan. The project involves a 91m-high dam and a diversion tunnel with a discharge capacity of 1118 cubic metres per second.

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the RBI has kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the eleventh consecutive time. Statement 2 is incorrect as the CRR was reduced to 4% in two tranches, not a single one. Statement 3 is incorrect as the RBI has actually lowered the GDP growth projection for FY25. Statement 4 is correct as the MPC decision was indeed unanimous in maintaining the policy stance.