22nd November 2024

Explanation - The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is among Asia’s
most prominent film festivals. It is held annually, currently in the state of Goa. Since 2004,
starting from the 35th edition, the International Film Festival of India, became globally
competitive, and moved to its permanent venue Goa, and is being held during the months of
November and December of each year. The festival is conducted jointly by the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Directorate of Film Festivals and the Government of Goa. The
idea of the International Film Festival of India is to celebrate films, the stories they tell and the
people behind them.

Explanation - The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an autonomous body
established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It was set up in 2008 for the proper
monitoring of food hygiene and quality in India. It was functional from 2011 and ever since has
been responsible for managing food safety in our country. The organisation has been set up as
per the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, until which different acts and laws were being
administered under the various ministries of Government. It is responsible for protecting and
promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. It is headed by a
non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the
position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct; the ICA was founded in 1895 and represents cooperatives
globally. Statement 2 is incorrect; its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium. Statement 3 is
incorrect; ICA's members include both international and national cooperative organizations.
Statement 4 is correct; it has regional offices in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

Explanation - CARICOM was indeed established under the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973. While
most member and associate member states are island nations, Belize, Guyana, and Suriname are
not islands. CARICOM promotes economic integration through the Caribbean Single Market and
Economy (CSME).

Explanation - The PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme provides collateral-free and guarantor-free education
loans specifically for students admitted to top-quality Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) ranked
in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). This initiative is meant to ease access to
loans for students in highly ranked institutions without the financial burden of collateral or the
need for a guarantor. The scheme does not offer an interest subsidy to all students. Instead, the
interest subsidy is targeted at students from families with an annual income of up to ₹8 lakhs.
Additionally, this subsidy is not available to students who are already benefiting from other
government scholarships or interest subvention schemes, ensuring that only those who
genuinely
need this financial aid benefit from it. A 3% interest subvention is applied on loans up to ₹10
lakhs
during the moratorium period for eligible students. The scheme incorporates a unified digital
platform called the “PM Vidyalaxmi” portal, managed by the Department of Higher Education.
This platform allows for the streamlined and transparent application and management of
education loans. The platform also facilitates secure fund transfers through digital means, such
as
E-vouchers and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallets, to ensure efficient disbursement
and utilisation of funds.