8 June CA — ca quiz Current Affairs

The PM E-DRIVE Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

• This scheme aims to increase EV adoption across India — covering 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, electric buses, e-trucks, and electric ambulances.

• Originally set to complete in 2026, it has been extended to March 2028.

• Before PM E-DRIVE, the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme served a similar purpose.

• A common trap: students confuse this with the Ministry of Renewable Energy — remember, heavy vehicles = Heavy Industries Ministry.

PAI (Panchayat Advancement Index) is a flagship data-driven platform of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

• It ranks all Gram Panchayats across India on 150+ indicators.

• It is India's first comprehensive analytics and data-driven performance ranking system for rural governance.

• It evaluates indicators like healthy villages, poverty-free villages, child-friendly villages, and water sufficiency.

• The National Awards for e-Governance are given by DARPG in coordination with MeitY — started since 2003.

The National Awards for e-Governance are given by DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) in coordination with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• These awards have been given since 2003.

• They recognize the best e-governance initiatives across central and state government departments.

• DARPG is also the nodal agency for promoting good governance practices in India.

India revised the GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

• Base year revision helps capture structural changes in the economy more accurately.

• New data sources now included: GST collections, e-vehicle (VAHAN) data, Household Expenditure data, and Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

• India's expected GDP growth rate under recent data is 7.7%.

• GDP = Consumption + Investment + Government Expenditure + Net Exports (C+I+G+NX).

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched in 1995.

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with states.

• It has 5 sub-schemes: Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, National Family Benefit Scheme, and Annapurna Scheme.

• Under IGNOAPS, BPL beneficiaries above 60 years get ₹200/month (₹500 after 79 years).

• The monetary amount was last revised in 2007 — not updated since then despite inflation.

Both statements are correct. PM E-DRIVE was originally a flagship scheme scheduled to complete in 2026 but has been extended to March 2028.

• The scheme provides incentives for purchasing EVs to boost domestic adoption.

• It supports the building of charging infrastructure and battery swapping networks.

• India's heavy dependence on crude oil imports makes EV transition strategically important — EVs can directly reduce India's oil import bill.

Statement 1 is correct — the committee is headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navelkar, along with a Census Commissioner.

• Statement 2 is INCORRECT — the committee is required to submit its report within ONE year, not two years.

• The committee's objective is to study how illegal migration is changing demography, especially in border states.

• In the 2005 Supreme Court judgment, large-scale illegal migration into a state was termed 'external aggression'.

• Article 355 of the Indian Constitution places an affirmative duty on the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance.

Both statements are correct. The Ministry of Mines has identified northeastern states as repositories of strategic minerals with untapped potential.

• GSI conducted exploration in 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2025-26.

• Minerals found: Graphite, Vanadium, Lithium, Rare Earth Elements, Nickel, Cobalt, and Chromium.

• Manipur: rich in Nickel, Cobalt, and Chromium.

• These minerals are critical for batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy, defence systems, and space technology.

• India currently imports most of these critical minerals, making domestic exploration strategically vital.

Option C is INCORRECT. The pension amount (₹200/month) was last revised in 2007, NOT 2015.

• This is a key criticism — despite significant inflation since 2007, the amount has not been updated.

• Central share: ₹200/month (up to 79 years), ₹500/month (80 years and above).

• States add their own top-up, which is why pension varies across states (some states give ₹500–₹1000 total).

• This scheme is implemented by Ministry of Rural Development (NOT Panchayati Raj — a common confusion with PAI).

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is INCORRECT — Agriculture is actually identified as the biggest challenge and weakest growth area in the latest GDP data, not the strongest.

• Manufacturing sector and several service sectors showed strong and even double-digit growth.

• Private consumption and Gross Capital Formation also showed positive growth.

• Agriculture faces dual threats: (a) possible El Niño effect reducing monsoon adequacy, and (b) fertilizer supply disruption due to Middle East conflict affecting imports.

• New GDP computation data sources also include Household Expenditure Survey and PFMS (Public Financial Management System).