Question Discussion & Solution

The correct answer is River Dolphin.

Important Points 

• River Dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India.
  • It represents the health of the rivers, particularly the Ganga.
  • The Union government declared River Dolphin as the national aquatic animal to save dolphins from extinction.
  • The ministry of environment and forests declared the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal in 2010.
  • The Ganges river dolphin was officially discovered in the year 1801.
  • The Ganges river dolphin can only live in freshwater.

Additional Information 

• Tiger is the national animal of India.
• Peacock is the national bird of India.
• Lotus is the national flower of India.
• Banyan tree is the national tree of India.
• River Ganges is the national river of India.

The correct answer is Mohan Lal Sukhadia.

Key Points

• Mohan Lal Sukhadia was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of the state of Rajasthan for 17 years from 1954 to 1971.
• He is also known as "Founder of Modern Rajasthan".
• He strongly opposed social evils like casteism and untouchability.
• He raised awareness for a progressive society in Rajasthan.
• He also served as the Governor of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
• He became the Chief Minister at the age of 38 and was responsible for bringing major reforms and development in Rajasthan.

Additional Information

• Jai Narayan Vyas
  • ​He was the third Chief Minister of Rajasthan from 1951 to 1952 and from 1952 to 1954.
• Tika Ram Paliwal
  • He was the fourth Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
  • Tika Ram Paliwal became the first democratically elected Chief Minister of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly after Jai Narayan Vyas lost in the elections.

The correct answer is 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

 Key Points

• The ECA was enacted in 1955.
• The act provides for the control of production, supply, distribution, trade, and commerce in any farm good deemed “essential” and “in the interest of the general public”.
• The list of items under the Act includes drugs, fertilizers, pulses, and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products.

 Important Points

• If the Centre finds that a certain commodity is in short supply and its price is spiking, it can notify stock-holding limits on it for a specified period.
• The States act on this notification to specify limits and take steps to ensure that these are adhered to.
• Anybody trading or dealing in a commodity, be it wholesalers, retailers, or even importers are prevented from stockpiling it beyond a certain quantity.

 Additional Information

•  The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is aimed at deregulating commodities such as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, edible oils, onion, and potatoes.

The correct answer is Alwar.

Key Points

• Sambar deer represents the Alwar district.
• To create awareness about animals and birds the Forest Department published district mascots of each district of Rajasthan in March 2016.

Important Points

Some important districts and Mascots:

The correct answer is 1 only.

Confusion Points

• The Northern Zonal Council, The Central Zonal Council, The Eastern Zonal Council, The Western Zonal Council and The Southern Zonal Council are established by an Act of the Parliament, that is, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. 
• In addition to the above Zonal Councils, a North-Eastern Council was created by a separate Act of Parliament i.e. the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971. Hence, statement 3 is NOT correct.

Key Points

• Zonal Councils:
  • The Zonal Councils are the statutory (and not the constitutional) bodies. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • They are established by an Act of the Parliament, that is, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. 
  • There are 5 five Zonal councils:
    • The Northern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, National Capital Territory of Delhi, and Union Territory of Chandigarh.
    • The Central Zonal Council, comprising the States of Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
    • The Eastern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and West Bengal.
    • The Western Zonal Council, comprising the States of Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
    • The Southern Zonal Council, comprising the States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
  • North-Eastern Council
    • In addition to the above Zonal Councils, a North-Eastern Council was created by a separate Act of Parliament i.e. the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971.
    • Its functions are similar to those of the zonal councils, but with few additions.
    • Its members include Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Sikkim.
  • While forming these zones, several factors have been taken into account which includes:
    • The natural divisions of the country, the river systems and means of communication, the cultural and linguistic affinity, and the requirements of economic development, security, and law and order.
    • They are only deliberative and advisory bodies.
• Composition:-
  • Chairman: The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these Councils. Hence, statement 2 is NOT correct.
  • Vice-Chairman: The Chief Ministers of the States included in each zone act as Vice-Chairman of the Zonal Council for that zone by rotation, each holding office for a period of one year at a time.
  • Members: Chief Minister and two other Ministers as nominated by the Governor from each of the States and two members from Union Territories included in the zone.
  • Advisers: One person nominated by the Planning Commission (which has been replaced by NITI Ayog now) for each of the Zonal Councils, Chief Secretaries, and another officer/Development Commissioner nominated by each of the States included in the Zone.
  • Union Ministers are also invited to participate in the meetings of Zonal Councils depending upon necessity.