Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Tamil was the first language to be declared a Classical Language of India in 2004. It is one of the oldest languages in the world and has a rich history of literary and cultural tradition.
• The correct name should be Odia. Odia is recognized as a Classical Language of India, receiving this status in 2014. Odia has a long literary history dating back over 2,000 years.
• Konkani does not have the status of a Classical Language in India. While it is an official language and has a rich cultural presence, it has not yet met the criteria for classical language status. (Option (c) is correct)
• Kannada was declared a Classical Language in 2008. Kannada literature has a long and rich history, with early inscriptions dating back to the 5th century.
• The Union Cabinet recently approved the conferment of classical language status to five new languages – Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/union-cabinet-decisions-marathi-assamese-bengali-pali-prakrit-get-classical-language-status/article68714789.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which translates to “The world is one family,” comes from the Maha Upanishad (Chapter 6, Verse 72). This verse reflects the idea of universal brotherhood and interconnectedness of all living beings. It is one of the most commonly quoted moral values in Indian philosophy, often used in the context of promoting global harmony and peace. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Isha Upanishad is a short text containing philosophical insights on the relationship between the self (Atman) and the world. It contains the famous verse “Ishavasyam idam sarvam” which means “All this is pervaded by the Supreme Being.” The focus of this Upanishad is on detachment, renunciation, and the realization of unity in diversity. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Katho Upanishad is famous for its dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama (the god of death). It contains the saying “Yama’s Teachings” on life, death, and immortality. One famous verse is “Uttishthata Jagrata” (Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached), encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and self-realization. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Chandogya Upanishad is a major text in the Samaveda tradition and contains discussions on the nature of reality, knowledge, and the self. It contains the famous saying “Tat Tvam Asi” (Thou art that), which is a key teaching of Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the identity of the individual soul (Atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman). (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-insight/international-affairs/the-power-of-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam-during-g20-101694785798100.html

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Uttar Pradesh is home to several prominent wildlife sanctuaries like –
  • Dudhwa National Park: Located in the Terai region, it’s renowned for its population of Bengal tigers, rhinoceroses, and swamp deer.
  • Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated in the Mirzapur district, it is known for its diverse flora and fauna, including leopards and various bird species.
  • Etawah Wildlife Sanctuary: Also known as Panna Tiger Reserve, it focuses on tiger conservation.
• Bihar, though smaller in area, hosts several important wildlife sanctuaries, like –
  • Valmiki National Park: Located in West Champaran, it’s Bihar’s largest national park, home to tigers, leopards, and various deer species.
  • Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated in East Champaran, it is known for its rich avian diversity and large populations of Indian bison and deer.
  • Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary: Extending into Bihar from Uttar Pradesh, it shares its name with the sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh but primarily lies in UP.
• Jharkhand boasts several wildlife sanctuaries, each with its unique ecosystem, like –
  • Betla National Park: Known for its tiger population, leopards, and Indian bison, it’s a major conservation area in Jharkhand.
  • Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary: Famous for its elephants, spotted deer, and a variety of bird species.
  • Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary: Part of the larger Hazaribagh National Park area, it is home to tigers, leopards, and various primates.
• Odisha is renowned for its rich biodiversity and numerous wildlife sanctuaries, including –
  • Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in the Sundargarh district, it is known for its teak forests and diverse wildlife, including elephants, deer, and various bird species.
  • Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated in the Sundargarh district as well, Kuldiha is famous for its scenic beauty, dense forests, and wildlife like tigers, leopards, elephants, and various primates.
  • Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Also in Sundargarh, Debrigarh is characterized by its hilly terrain, rich flora, and fauna, including leopards, wild boars, and numerous bird species.
• These sanctuaries are pivotal in Odisha’s conservation landscape, supporting a wide array of wildlife and serving as important habitats for endangered species. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/odishas-leopard-population-jumps-by-22-to-696/article68713587.ece#:~:text=In%20some%20good%20news%20for,leopard%20skins%20in%20the%20State.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) is a joint venture between the Government of India through the Ministry of Education (formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Canara Bank, not Indian Bank.
• HEFA was established in 2017 to finance infrastructure development and create capital assets in premier educational institutions like IITs, NITs, IISERs, and other such institutions. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• The core purpose of HEFA is to provide financing for the development of infrastructure and the creation of capital assets in premier educational institutions such as IITs, IIMs, NITs, and central universities.
• The financing provided by HEFA is aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of higher education institutions in India, with a focus on world-class facilities to improve education quality. (Statement 2 is correct)
• One of the objectives of HEFA is to encourage premier educational institutes to generate their internal resources more efficiently. Institutions are required to repay the loans taken for infrastructure development from their own internal accruals.
• This system encourages institutions to become financially more responsible and generate funds through innovative methods, such as research grants, consultancy projects, and student fees.
• HEFA’s model is structured in a way that pushes institutions to find ways to generate and enhance their own resources, ensuring that the repayment of loans is sustainable. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/an-obsession-with-ranking-is-harming-indias-universities/article68714692.ece & https://hefa.co.in/about-us/

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) aims to make India self-reliant in oilseeds production over a seven-year period from 2024-25 to 2030-31. The mission focuses on boosting domestic production of oilseeds like Rapeseed-Mustard, Groundnut, Soybean, and Sunflower to reduce dependency on imports. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The NMEO-Oilseeds mission will introduce the SATHI (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory) Portal. This portal will allow states to coordinate with stakeholders for timely availability of high-quality seeds and will facilitate advance tie-ups with seed-producing agencies such as FPOs, cooperatives, and private seed corporations. (Statement 2 is correct)

• The mission will leverage cutting-edge technologies, including genome editing, to develop high-quality seeds with higher oil content. This will help in achieving the target of increasing domestic oilseed production and improving overall productivity. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2061646 & https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-approves-2-agri-schemes-with-outlay-of-rs-1-lakh-cr/article68714704.ece#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20on%20Thursday,and%20Krishonnati%20Yojana%20(KY).