Question : The e-NAM (National Agricultural Market) platform was launched by the Indian government to facilitate:
Option 1: Online agricultural commodity trading
Option 2: Farmer producer organizations (FPOs)
Option 3: Crop insurance for farmers
Option 4: Rural electrification
Correct Answer: Online agricultural commodity trading
Solution : The correct answer is (a) Online agricultural commodity trading.
The e-NAM platform is an online platform that connects agricultural markets (mandis) across the country to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. It aims to provide farmers with a transparent and efficient system for selling their produce and enable buyers to access a wider range of agricultural commodities from different regions.
Through the e-NAM platform, farmers can register and upload details of their produce, including quantity and expected price, for sale. The platform provides transparent price discovery, eliminates middlemen, and enables farmers to receive fair prices for their produce. It also facilitates online bidding and allows buyers to purchase agricultural commodities directly from farmers.
The e-NAM platform promotes a competitive market environment, reduces transaction costs, enhances market access for farmers, and improves price realization for their agricultural produce. It aims to create a more efficient and integrated agricultural marketing system in the country.
Question : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is responsible for:
Option 1: Regulating and supervising the capital market
Option 2: Regulating and supervising the money market
Option 3: Regulating and supervising the insurance market
Option 4: Regulating and supervising the commodity market
Correct Answer: Regulating and supervising the capital market
Solution : The correct answer is (a) Regulating and supervising the capital market.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the regulatory body in India that is responsible for regulating and supervising the capital market. SEBI's primary objective is to protect the interests of investors and promote the development and regulation of the securities market in India. SEBI plays a crucial role in regulating various participants in the capital market, such as stock exchanges, brokers, merchant bankers, and other intermediaries. It formulates regulations and guidelines to ensure fair and transparent practices, prevent fraud and market manipulation, and promote investor education and awareness.
Question : In April 2022, the ‘SVANidhi se Samriddhi’ program was launched in an additional 126 cities. This program provides ________.
Option 1: insurance cover
Option 2: scholarships to students
Option 3: hospital facilities
Option 4: social security benefits
Correct Answer: social security benefits
Solution : The correct answer is social security benefits.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has extended the reach of the 'SVANidhi se Samriddhi programme' to 126 more cities in 14 states and Union Territories. The goal of the 'SVANidhi se Samriddhi initiative' is to give street vendors access to reasonably priced working capital loans.
Question : Which institution in India provides long-term credit to farmers for agricultural activities?
Option 1: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Option 2: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Option 3: Agricultural Insurance Corporation of India (AIC)
Option 4: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
Correct Answer: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Solution : The correct answer is (a) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
NABARD is a specialized development bank in India that focuses on the agricultural and rural sectors. It provides long-term credit to farmers for various agricultural activities, including crop production, land development, farm mechanization, irrigation, and other allied activities.
NABARD offers credit facilities to farmers through its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and other agricultural development programs. It provides loans to farmers through cooperative banks, regional rural banks (RRBs), and other financial institutions.
In addition to providing credit, NABARD also plays a crucial role in promoting rural development, rural infrastructure, agricultural research and development, and capacity building among farmers and rural communities.
While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India and plays a regulatory role in the overall banking system, including setting monetary policies, it is NABARD that specifically focuses on providing long-term credit to farmers and rural development.
Question : Which of the following controls the insurance business of India?
Option 1: RBI
Option 2: IDBI
Option 3: SEBI
Option 4: IRDAI
Correct Answer: IRDAI
Solution : The correct option is IRDAI.
The regulatory organization in charge of observing and controlling the insurance sector in India is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The protection of policyholder interests and the steady development of India's insurance industry are the responsibilities of IRDAI. It accomplishes this by establishing and enforcing rules and regulations for insurance providers, brokers, and other industry participants.
Question : The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana provides insurance coverage for which sector?
Option 1: Industrial workers
Option 2: Farmers
Option 3: Self-employed individuals
Option 4: Government employees
Correct Answer: Farmers
Solution : The correct answer is (b) farmers.
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a crop insurance scheme launched by the Government of India. It aims to provide financial protection to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, diseases, and other risks.
Under PMFBY, farmers are eligible to obtain insurance coverage for their crops by paying a nominal premium. The scheme covers all stages of the crop cycle, from sowing to post-harvest, and provides compensation to farmers in case of crop failure or yield losses.
The insurance coverage provided by PMFBY helps farmers mitigate the financial risks associated with agricultural activities. It provides them with a safety net and supports them in recovering from crop losses, thereby safeguarding their livelihoods and ensuring their economic stability.
Question : Statement 1: The Unemployment Insurance Scheme provides financial assistance to unemployed individuals in India.
Statement 2: The scheme is funded by contributions from both employers and employees.
Option 1: Both statements are true.
Option 2: Both statements are false.
Option 3: Statement 1 is true, statement 2 is false.
Option 4: Statement 1 is false, statement 2 is true.
Correct Answer: Statement 1 is true, statement 2 is false.
Solution : The correct answer is (c). Statement 1 is true, but statement 2 is false.
The Unemployment Insurance Scheme (UIS) is a government-run program that provides financial assistance to unemployed individuals in India. The UIS is funded by the central government, not by contributions from employers and employees.
The amount of the assistance is $50 \%$ of the individual's previous wage, and it is payable for a maximum period of two years. To be eligible for the UIS, individuals must have been employed for at least 12 months in the previous year. They must also be actively seeking employment.
The UIS is a valuable program that helps to protect unemployed individuals from financial hardship. The program is also a good investment for the government, as it helps to reduce social unrest and improve economic stability.
Question : Which of the following institutions regulates and supervises the functioning of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India?
Option 1: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Option 2: Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
Option 3: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Option 4: None of the above
Correct Answer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Solution : The correct answer is (a). Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The Reserve Bank of India is the regulatory authority responsible for regulating and supervising the functioning of non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in India. NBFCs are financial institutions that provide various financial services, such as loans, credit facilities, investments, and asset financing, but do not hold a full banking license. The RBI regulates and supervises NBFCs to ensure their stability, compliance with regulations, and protection of the interests of depositors and borrowers. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) regulates and supervises insurance companies, while the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) oversees the securities market in India.
Question : The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) is responsible for:
Option 1: Implementing crop insurance schemes
Option 2: Providing financial assistance to farmers
Option 3: Regulating agricultural marketing in specified areas
Option 4: Promoting organic farming practices
Correct Answer: Regulating agricultural marketing in specified areas
Solution : The correct answer is (c) Regulating agricultural marketing in specified areas.
APMC is a statutory body established by state governments in India to regulate and supervise the marketing of agricultural produce within designated market areas. The main objective of APMC is to ensure fair trade practices, protect the interests of farmers, and provide a transparent platform for buying and selling agricultural commodities.
The key functions of the APMC include:
1. Regulating market practices: APMCs regulate the buying, selling, and storage of agricultural produce in designated market yards or mandis. They enforce rules and regulations to prevent unfair practices, ensure transparency in transactions, and protect farmers from exploitation.
2. Setting up market infrastructure: APMCs establish and maintain market yards, auction platforms, warehouses, cold storage facilities, and other necessary infrastructure for the smooth functioning of agricultural markets.
3. Price discovery: APMCs facilitate price discovery mechanisms through transparent auctions, negotiations, and competitive bidding processes. They provide a platform where buyers and sellers can interact and determine fair prices for agricultural produce.
4. Quality control and grading: APMCs enforce quality standards for agricultural commodities and provide grading services to ensure consistency and reliability in the quality of produce traded in the markets.
5. Collection of market fees and charges: APMCs collect market fees, levies, and charges from buyers and sellers as per the state regulations. These fees contribute to the maintenance and development of market infrastructure.
Question : Which of the following is a regulatory authority for the Indian stock market?
Option 1: RBI (Reserve Bank of India)
Option 2: SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)
Option 3: IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)
Option 4: PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority)
Correct Answer: SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)
Solution : The correct answer is (b) SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) is the regulatory authority for the Indian stock market. It is an independent statutory regulatory body established in 1988 and operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. SEBI's primary objective is to protect the interests of investors and promote the development and regulation of the securities market in India.
SEBI plays a vital role in regulating various participants in the Indian securities market, including stock exchanges, brokers, merchant bankers, portfolio managers, and other market intermediaries.