1.Read the following passages and answer the question, your answers to these items should be based on the passages only.

A majority of the TB infected in India are poor and lack sufficient nutrition, suitable housing and have little understanding of prevention. TB then devastates families, makes the poor poorer, particularly affects women and children, and leads to ostracisation and loss of employment. The truth is that even if TB does not kill them, hunger and poverty will. Another truth is that deep-seated stigma, lack of counselling, expensive treatment and lack of adequate support from providers and family, coupled with torturous side-effects demotivate patients to continue treatment - with disastrous health consequences.

Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the above passage? (UPSC 2019)

1. TB is not a curable disease in Indian circumstances.
2. Curing TB requires more than diagnosis and medical treatment.
3. Government's surveillance mechanism is deficient, and poor people have no access of treatment.
4. India will be free from diseases like TB only when its poverty alleviation programmes are effectively and successfully implemented.

• Launched in February 2019 by the Prime Minister, the PM-KISAN scheme is a central government initiative designed to support the financial needs of land-holding farmers. Through this scheme, farmers receive an annual benefit of ₹6,000, disbursed in three equal installments directly into their bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It is one of the world's largest DBT programs.
• A farmer-centric digital framework ensures that the benefits are delivered nationwide without intermediary involvement. With a focus on transparency in beneficiary registration and verification, the Government of India has distributed over ₹3.24 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers across 17 installments.
• The Government of India sets Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for 22 key agricultural crops based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP). These recommendations take into account factors such as demand-supply conditions, production costs, domestic and international prices, inter-crop price parity, and overall economic impact, ensuring a margin of at least 50% over production costs.
• To implement the MSP policy, price support for paddy and wheat is provided through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state agencies. The government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with procuring states to ensure that MSP and any bonuses are paid directly into farmers' bank accounts through an online system, ideally within 48 hours of purchase. This online system enhances transparency, accountability, and real-time monitoring.
• For oilseeds, pulses, and copra of Fair Average Quality (FAQ), the Price Support Scheme under the PMAASHA umbrella ensures procurement at MSP when market prices drop below the MSP. Payments are made to farmers' bank accounts via RTGS or NEFT within three days of receiving their produce.
• Cotton and jute are procured at MSP by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and Jute Corporation of India (JCI), respectively. CCI has implemented several measures to ensure timely payments to cotton farmers, including on-the-spot Aadhaar-based registration, the "Cott-Ally" mobile app, and 100% payments through the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) linked to Aadhaar. This system helps guarantee that benefits reach only legitimate cotton farmers and supports their continued engagement in cotton cultivation. Payments are generally made within seven days

• In a comprehensive address during today's Rajya Sabha session, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal provided an update on the government's strategies to boost cargo movement via National Waterways (NWs).
• He highlighted several key initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of India's inland water transport. Notably, under the Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP), which is supported by the World Bank, substantial fairway development is being undertaken. This includes achieving a Least Available Depth (LAD) of up to 3.0 meters on crucial segments of NW-1, with ongoing projects such as Haldia-Barh and Barh-Ghazipur. Efforts are also in progress on NW-97 in the Sunderbans and Indo-Bangladesh protocol routes to ensure year-round navigability.
• Shri Sonowal emphasized the expansion of Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax services across multiple routes and announced the identification and planned development of 26 new National Waterways. This expansion aims to provide alternative transportation options and improve connectivity across different regions of India.
• Digital innovations are also a focus, with the introduction of the CAR-D portal for managing cargo data and the PANI portal for comprehensive asset and navigation information. These platforms are intended to enhance stakeholder collaboration, streamline organizational operations, and promote transparency.
• Recent Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed to advance cargo and cruise services, including collaborations with Assam Tourism for riverine tourism, Bihar’s Department of Tourism for Ro-Pax vessel operations, and Numaligarh Refinery Limited for transporting petroleum products. Additionally, new National Waterways projects are being considered in states such as Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, as part of a broader effort to strengthen India's inland water transport network.
• Shri Sonowal also detailed significant investments under the Sagarmala Scheme for Tamil Nadu. In the last three years, 22 port-related projects totaling ₹1,225 crore have been sanctioned for port infrastructure, coastal berths, and fishing harbours.
• Furthermore, ₹410 crore has been allocated for four fishing harbour projects, with a focus on skill development and economic growth in coastal districts through inter-ministerial collaboration.
• The Minister confirmed that the government is exploring the possibility of increasing floating jetty projects in Tamil Nadu as part of a wider initiative to enhance coastal infrastructure and connectivity.
• Regarding port expansion and upgrades, Shri Sonowal highlighted notable developments, including the leasing of 500.82 acres of land at V.O. Chidambaram Port to various industries for the development of Green Hydrogen and ammonia plants, reflecting a commitment to sustainable energy and industrial advancement

1.Which of the following statements about the Sagarmala Project is/are correct?

1. The Sagarmala Project aims to enhance the capacity of ports and promote coastal shipping and inland water transport.
2. The project is solely funded by the World Bank and focuses exclusively on the development of container terminals.
3. Under the Sagarmala Project, significant investments are made in port connectivity, including the development of roads and rail links.
4. The project includes initiatives to develop coastal economic zones and promote coastal tourism.

Options:

A) 1 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 1, 3, and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4

1. It aims to promote port-led development in India.
2. The project was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Shipping.
3. It focuses solely on modernizing existing major ports.
4. The project includes development of Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 1, 2 and 4 only

c) 2, 3 and 4 only

d) 1, 3 and 4 only