11. With reference to the historical accounts of Islamic scholars, consider the following statements:
- Alberuni traveled extensively throughout India and documented various cultural practices.
- The Taj ul Maasir was written during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1]
Notes:- Alberuni’s travels (Correct): Alberuni traveled extensively throughout India, documenting cultural practices, scientific knowledge, and social customs, which provided a comprehensive view of Indian society during his time.
- Taj ul Maasir’s timeline (Incorrect): The Taj ul Maasir was written by Hasan Nizami at the behest of the sadr of Delhi, not during the reign of Akbar, but rather earlier, focusing on the Ghurid conquerors.
12. Consider the following statements:
- Alexander’s campaign was documented solely by Indian sources.
- Chandragupta Maurya is identified with Sandrocottas in Greek accounts.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2]
Notes:- Alexander’s campaign was not documented solely by Indian sources. The primary accounts of Alexander’s campaign in India come from Greek and Roman sources, while no Indian sources mention it, making the first statement incorrect.
- Chandragupta Maurya is identified with Sandrocottas in Greek accounts. Historians have established a chronological connection to Indian history by matching Sandrocottas or Androcottas in Greek texts with Chandragupta Maurya. This makes the second statement correct.
13. Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), as of 2023, what is the total number of accounts opened since inception?
[A] Over 10 crore
[B] Over 25 crore
[C] Over 40 crore
[D] Over 50 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Over 50 crore]
Notes:
As of 2023, over 50 crore bank accounts have been opened under PMJDY, promoting financial inclusion across the country.
14. Which of the following statements about Parliamentary Committees in India is / are correct?
- The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigates particular issues and has members from both houses of Parliament.
- The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines government expenditures to ensure they align with Parliament’s decisions.
- The Estimates Committee reviews reports and performance of public sector enterprises, ensuring accountability.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2, and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigates specific issues and includes members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) checks if government expenditures are in line with Parliament’s decisions. The Estimates Committee does not review public sector enterprises; this is done by the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU). Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
15. With reference to digital payment systems in India, consider the following statements:
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched by the Reserve Bank of India in 2016.
- Paytm was the first app to implement UPI in India.
- UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched by the Reserve Bank of India in 2016: This is correct. UPI was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and launched in April 2016.
- Paytm was the first app to implement UPI in India: This is incorrect. The first app to implement UPI was actually BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money), launched by NPCI.
- UPI allows users to link multiple bank accounts to a single mobile application: This is correct. Users can link multiple bank accounts to a single UPI-enabled app, facilitating easy fund transfers.
Thus, two statements are correct.
16. What term is used for innocent victims who are duped by fraudsters into laundering stolen or illegal money via their bank accounts?
[A] Money Launderers
[B] Money Mules
[C] Fraud Victims
[D] Bank Scammers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Money Mules]
Notes:
“Money mules” refers to innocent individuals manipulated by fraudsters to transfer illegally obtained funds, often without realizing they are participating in money laundering schemes, leading to potential legal consequences for them.
17. How do fraudsters use skimming devices to steal money from bank accounts?
[A] By sending fake emails to trick users into sharing credentials
[B] By installing skimming devices in ATMs to steal card data and capture PINs
[C] By creating fake apps to gain unauthorized access to bank accounts
[D] By posing as bank officials to extract sensitive information
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [By installing skimming devices in ATMs to steal card data and capture PINs]
Notes:
Fraudsters install skimming devices on ATMs to capture card data and PINs, enabling them to create cloned cards for unauthorized withdrawals. Users should always check ATMs for tampering signs and cover keypads when entering PINs.
18. Which of the following types of accounts are aggregated for insurance coverage up to ₹ 5 lakhs when held by the same individual in the same capacity?
[A] Fixed Deposit accounts only
[B] Savings and Current accounts only
[C] All types of deposit accounts
[D] Joint accounts only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All types of deposit accounts]
Notes:
According to the guidelines stated, if an individual opens multiple deposit accounts—such as savings, current, fixed, or recurring deposit accounts—within the same bank and in the same capacity, the balances in all these accounts are aggregated. This means that the total amount across these accounts is considered for insurance coverage, which is capped at ₹ 5 lakhs.
19. Which institution has launched MuleHunter.AI to help financial institutions detect mule bank accounts?
[A] Indian Institute of Finance (IIF)
[B] Department of Economic Affairs
[C] Economic Council of India (ECI)
[D] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched MuleHunter.AI to help financial institutions detect mule bank accounts and combat digital fraud. Mule accounts are used by criminals for money laundering and are often opened by unsuspecting individuals for a fee. MuleHunter.AI, developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), uses AI and machine learning to identify suspected mule accounts. It provides near-real-time monitoring to detect such accounts efficiently, helping to curb illicit activities in the banking system.
20. Which ministry released the 7th consecutive issue of the publication “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts”?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]
Notes:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the 7th issue of “EnviStats India 2024: Environment Accounts.” EnviStats covers information on natural resources, environmental degradation, and government efforts for management. It follows the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework for compiling environmental accounts. Coverage of mangroves increased by about 8% from 2013 to 2021. There has been a 72% increase in the number and a 16% increase in the area of protected lands from 2000 to 2023. This edition introduces Ocean Accounts for environmental reporting. The report also updates the Soil Nutrient Index using Soil Health Card data for 2023-24.
