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.

Explanation : 

Aryadeva – Incorrect Scholar Pairing

The pair of Aryadeva as a Jaina scholar is incorrectly matched. Aryadeva was actually a Buddhist philosopher and a disciple of the famous Indian Buddhist Nagarjuna. He is renowned for his contributions to the Madhyamaka (Middle Way) philosophy within Buddhism.

Dignaga – Correct Buddhist Scholar

Dignaga is correctly identified as a Buddhist scholar. He was a significant Indian Buddhist logician and philosopher, known for his work on logic, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. His work greatly influenced the development of Buddhist philosophy in India.

Nathamuni – Correct Vaishnava Scholar

Nathamuni is rightly matched as a Vaishnava scholar. He was a theologian in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism and is credited with reviving the Divya Prabandham, a collection of Tamil hymns sung by the Alvars, who were Vaishnava saints.

Explanation : 

Official Answer is 2 & 3 only

Explanation : 

Impact of US Federal Reserve’s Tight Monetary Policy

The US Federal Reserve’s approach to a tight monetary policy can have significant implications for global capital flows. An increase in interest rates can make dollar-denominated assets more attractive, potentially leading to capital flight from other nations as investors seek higher returns in the United States.

Consequences of Capital Flight on External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)

When capital flight occurs, it can have a direct impact on firms with existing External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs). As capital leaves a country, the domestic currency may depreciate, increasing the cost of servicing foreign-denominated debt. This depreciation means that firms will face higher interest costs for their ECBs, as they require more local currency to meet their debt obligations.

Devaluation of Domestic Currency and Currency Risk

Contrary to reducing risk, the devaluation of a domestic currency actually escalates the currency risk associated with ECBs. A weaker domestic currency means that borrowers will have to exchange more of their currency to acquire the foreign currency needed for debt repayment, thus increasing the financial burden on firms with ECBs.

Explanation : 

Cripps Mission to India in 1942

The Cripps Mission was sent to India in 1942 by the British government with the aim of securing Indian cooperation and support for their efforts in World War II. Sir Stafford Cripps, a member of the War Cabinet, led the mission and proposed a draft declaration of the British government’s intentions for the future of India.

Analysis of the Cripps Mission Proposals

1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States.

This statement is incorrect. The Cripps Mission proposed that the Constituent Assembly would be composed of members elected by the Provincial Assemblies and representatives of the Princely States. However, the members from the Provincial Assemblies would be elected based on the principle of proportional representation, not nominated.

2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status.

This statement is correct. One of the key proposals of the Cripps Mission was to allow any province not willing to accept the new constitution the option to retain its current constitutional position or to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. This was intended to address the concerns of Muslim-majority areas, where the Muslim League was demanding a separate nation (which would later become Pakistan).

Therefore, the correct answer is “2 only,” as the second statement accurately reflects the proposals of the Cripps Mission.

Explanation : 

Nitrogen Fixation in Plants

Nitrogen fixation is a process by which certain plants, often in a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, convert atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) into a form that can be used by living organisms (usually ammonia or related compounds). This process is critical for replenishing soil nitrogen levels, which is essential for plant growth.

Known Nitrogen-Fixing Plants

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a well-known nitrogen-fixing plant. It forms a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria within its root nodules, which fix atmospheric nitrogen into a form that the plant can use.

Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is not a nitrogen-fixing plant. It does not form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and thus does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) are legumes that also fix nitrogen. They have root nodules that house rhizobia bacteria, which perform the nitrogen fixation process.

Clover (Trifolium spp.) is another legume that fixes nitrogen. Like alfalfa and chickpeas, clover plants have root nodules with rhizobia bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for the plant.

Purslane (Kulfa) (Portulaca oleracea) is not a nitrogen-fixing plant. It is known for its ability to grow in poor soil conditions, but it does not have the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is also not a nitrogen-fixing plant. It requires nitrogen in the soil to grow but does not contribute to soil nitrogen levels through fixation.

Based on this information, the correct answer to the question is “1, 3 and 4 only.” Alfalfa, chickpea, and clover are the only plants on the list that are known to fix nitrogen.

Explanation : 

Golden Mahseer

The Golden Mahseer (Tor putitora) is not a bird; it is actually a type of fish. This freshwater fish is found in rivers and streams across South and Southeast Asia. It is highly regarded among anglers for its size and the challenge it presents in sport fishing. The Golden Mahseer is known for its beautiful golden coloration and is considered an important species in riverine ecosystems.

Other Avian Species

On the other hand, the other options listed are indeed birds:

The Indian Nightjar

The Indian Nightjar (Caprimulgus asiaticus) is a bird species found in the Indian subcontinent. It is a nocturnal bird, with cryptic plumage that helps it blend into its surroundings during the day.

Spoonbills

The Spoonbill is a group of large, long-legged wading birds, which includes several species such as the Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia). They are named for their distinctive spoon-shaped bills, which they use to sift through mud to find food in wetlands.

The White Ibis

The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) is a species of bird found in the Americas, particularly the southeastern United States and parts of Central and South America. It is easily recognizable by its all-white plumage, black-tipped wings, and long, down-curved bill.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is the Golden Mahseer, as it is the only option that is not a bird.