Explanation : 

Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India is crucial for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in India. It provides a framework for protecting the rights and culture of indigenous tribal populations, excluding the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, which are covered by the Sixth Schedule.

Prevention of Land Transfer

A key aspect of the Fifth Schedule is the prevention of land transfers from tribal people to non-tribal people. The Governor has the authority to regulate land transactions to protect tribal interests and prevent exploitation.

Governance by Tribes Advisory Council

The establishment of a Tribes Advisory Council is mandated for advising on tribal welfare and advancement. This council is composed primarily of representatives from the Scheduled Tribes.

Governor’s Special Powers

The Governor is endowed with special powers to make regulations for maintaining peace and good governance within Scheduled Areas. These may include restrictions on the sale of products or regulation of money-lending.

Discretion of the Governor to Apply Laws

The Governor can decide whether any law applies to Scheduled Areas, allowing for modifications or exceptions to cater to the unique needs of these regions.

Report to the President

An annual report, or as needed, is submitted to the President of India concerning the administration of Scheduled Areas, keeping the central government informed.

Explanation : 

Roles of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO)

The Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Coal in the Government of India. It has several responsibilities related to the coal sector in India. Below is an explanation of its primary roles:

CCO as a Source of Coal Statistics

The CCO is the major source of coal statistics for the Government of India. It collects, compiles, and publishes statistics on various aspects of the coal industry, including production, dispatch, stock, price, import, export, and more.

Monitoring Development of Captive Coal/Lignite Blocks

The CCO is tasked with monitoring the progress of development of captive coal and lignite blocks. These blocks are allocated to private companies for their own consumption and are not meant for commercial sale. The CCO ensures that these blocks are developed according to stipulated conditions and timelines.

Hearing Objections to Coal-Bearing Area Acquisitions

When the government notifies an area for coal mining that may involve land acquisition, the CCO hears objections from affected parties. It plays a crucial role in the arbitration process, ensuring that the concerns of those impacted by the acquisition of coal-bearing areas are addressed.

Source:- chap2.pdf (coal.gov.in)

Press Information Bureau (pib.gov.in)

Explanation : 

Labour Bureau’s Role

The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, is responsible for compiling information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, and lay-offs in factories employing workers. The Labour Bureau collects, compiles, and disseminates a wide range of statistics related to labor, such as employment and unemployment, wages, industrial relations, working conditions, and other aspects of labor welfare.

The Labour Bureau conducts various surveys and publishes reports that provide insights into the state of labor in the country. These reports are essential for policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders who are interested in understanding and addressing labor issues in India.

Comparison with Other Government Offices

Central Statistics Office (CSO)

The CSO is responsible for the coordination of statistical activities in India and for evolving and maintaining statistical standards. It deals with macroeconomic data like national income, GDP, and economic censuses.

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

The DPIIT functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is responsible for the formulation and implementation of promotional and developmental measures for the growth of the industrial sector in India. It is not directly involved in labor statistics.

National Technical Manpower Information System (NTMIS)

The NTMIS was designed to collect and disseminate data on technical manpower in the country. It is not specifically focused on industrial disputes or labor issues.

Therefore, the correct answer is the Labour Bureau, which is the primary agency for compiling information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, and lay-offs in India.

Explanation : 

Reservoirs and Their Corresponding Indian States

The pairs given are reservoirs matched with Indian states. Let’s examine each pair to see if they are correctly matched:

Ghataprabha – Incorrect Match

The Ghataprabha River is actually a tributary of the Krishna River and the Ghataprabha Reservoir is located in the state of Karnataka, not Telangana. This pair is not correctly matched.

Gandhi Sagar – Correct Match

The Gandhi Sagar Dam is built on the Chambal River and is indeed located in Madhya Pradesh. This pair is correctly matched.

Indira Sagar – Incorrect Match

The Indira Sagar Dam is on the Narmada River, and it is situated in Madhya Pradesh, not Andhra Pradesh. This pair is not correctly matched.

Maithon – Incorrect Match

The Maithon Dam is built on the Barakar River and is located in Jharkhand, near the border with West Bengal, not in Chhattisgarh. This pair is not correctly matched.

Out of the four pairs, three are not correctly matched (pairs 1, 3, and 4). Therefore, the correct answer is: Only three pairs

Explanation : 

India’s Membership in International Organizations

India is indeed a member of all three organizations mentioned: the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

India is a founding member of the AIIB, which was established in 2016. The AIIB is a multilateral development bank that aims to support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. India is one of the largest shareholders and borrowers of the AIIB.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)

India joined the MTCR in June 2016. The MTCR is a voluntary association of countries that aims to prevent the proliferation of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle technology capable of carrying above 500 kg payload for more than 300 km. By joining the MTCR, India has strengthened its position as a responsible actor in the field of missile technology and non-proliferation.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

India became a full member of the SCO in June 2017, along with Pakistan. The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance that was established in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The organization focuses on regional security and various other areas of mutual cooperation.

Therefore, the correct answer is “1, 2 and 3,” as India is a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

Explanation : 

Vietnam’s Economic Growth

Vietnam has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world in recent years. The country has experienced rapid economic growth over the past few decades, being recognized for its significant economic expansion, with GDP growth rates consistently among the highest in the world.

Global Supply Chain Integration and Export Focus

Vietnam’s economic growth is closely linked to its integration with global supply chains and a strong focus on exports. The country has become a crucial manufacturing hub for electronics, textiles, and other goods, driving its economic growth.

Attracting Global Manufacturers

For an extended period, Vietnam’s low labor costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers. These factors have been key in enabling the country to attract foreign direct investment and integrate into global supply chains.

Political System and E-Service Sector

Contrary to a multi-party political system, Vietnam is led by a single-party state, with the Communist Party of Vietnam being the only legal party. Additionally, while Vietnam’s e-service sector is growing, it is not the most productive in the Indo-Pacific region when compared to countries like Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

Explanation : 

Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Controlling Inflation and Ensuring Economic Stability

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central banking institution of India, established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Its primary responsibility is maintaining price stability by controlling inflation, which is essential for sustainable economic growth. High inflation can erode consumer purchasing power and lead to economic instability.

Key Tools Used by the RBI to Control Inflation

To achieve its goal of price stability, the RBI uses various monetary policy tools, including:

• Repo Rate: Influences the cost of borrowing for commercial banks.
• Reverse Repo Rate: Affects the liquidity in the banking system.
• Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): Controls the amount of funds available for banks to lend.
• Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): Regulates the bank’s credit growth.
• Open Market Operations (OMOs): Manages the money supply through the trade of government securities.

The RBI aims to maintain inflation within a target range, currently set at 4% with a tolerance band of +/- 2%, meaning the acceptable range is 2% to 6%.

Explanation : 

European Powers and Their Trading Posts

The colonial history of India is marked by the presence of various European powers that established their trading posts and colonies. The influence of these European entities has left a lasting impact on the subcontinent’s historical and cultural landscape.

Dutch in India

Contrary to the belief that the Dutch were granted lands by the Gajapati rulers, they established their presence on the east coast of India through their own negotiations. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) set up factories, particularly in Pulicat, which was under the Vijayanagara Empire’s domain before coming under the Sultanate of Golconda.

Portuguese Conquest of Goa

Alfonso de Albuquerque played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Portuguese empire in India. In 1510, he captured Goa from the Bijapur Sultanate, establishing it as the center of Portuguese colonial rule in the East.

English East India Company in Madras

English East India Company was successful in establishing a factory at Madras (now Chennai) by leasing land from a local Nayak, who was a representative of the Vijayanagara Empire. This strategic move in 1639 led to the construction of Fort St. George and the development of the city of Madras.

In conclusion, statements “2 and 3 only” are correct regarding the establishment of European colonies in India.

Explanation : 

Significance of Kulah-Daran in Indian History

The term “Kulah-Daran” (wearer of the cap) refers to the Sayyids, who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad. The Sayyids were respected in Islamic societies for their religious and genealogical connection to the Prophet. They often wore a distinctive cap or turban as a symbol of their lineage, which is why they were sometimes referred to as “Kulah-Daran.”

The Sayyids arrived in different waves in the Indian subcontinent, with some coming as traders, scholars, and Sufi saints, while others arrived as part of the various Islamic invasions and establishments of sultanates. Due to their claimed ancestry, they were accorded high status in Muslim communities and often became influential in politics, religion, and society.

Roles of Sayyids in Indian Society

In the Indian subcontinent, Sayyids played important roles in the spread of Islam, the establishment of religious institutions, and the administration of Muslim dynasties. They were often granted land and titles by rulers, and some Sayyid families became powerful landowners and nobility in the region.

The term “Kulah-Daran” is thus a reference to the Sayyids’ practice of wearing a cap as a symbol of their noble lineage, and it highlights their esteemed position in the social and religious hierarchy of the time.

Explanation : 

First Mongol Invasion of India

The statement that the first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji is incorrect. The actual event took place during the rule of Iltutmish, the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, from 1211 to 1236 AD. Jalal-ud-din Khalji, the founder of the Khalji dynasty, reigned much later, from 1290 to 1296 AD. Although the Khalji period did see Mongol invasions, they were not the first.

Ala-ud-din Khalji’s Defense Against the Mongols

During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, who ruled from 1296 to 1316 AD, there was indeed a significant Mongol assault. The Mongols, led by Qutlugh Khwaja, marched up to Delhi and laid siege to the city in 1303. However, Ala-ud-din Khalji successfully defended the city, forcing the Mongols to retreat. This statement is correct and highlights a pivotal moment in the history of the Delhi Sultanate’s resistance against the Mongols.

Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq and the Mongol Threat

The claim that Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq lost parts of the north-west of his kingdom to the Mongols is incorrect. His reign, from 1325 to 1351 AD, was marked by various internal issues and ambitious projects, such as relocating the capital to Daulatabad (Deogiri). While he faced rebellions and administrative challenges, there is no historical evidence of him losing territory to the Mongols. The Mongol threat had diminished by the time of his rule.