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PSC Chronicles Team

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) โ€“ 23rd Foundation Day | Article 338A, Functions & Composition

Why in News?

The 23rd Foundation Day of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) was recently celebrated in New Delhi. It highlights the role of NCST in protecting the rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India.

national commission for scheduled tribes

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

  • NCST is a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Indian Constitution.
  • It works for the protection, welfare, and development of Scheduled Tribes.
  • Formed after the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.

Separation of Commissions (2003):

  • Earlier: A single body for SCs & STs
  • After Amendment:
    • National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) โ€“ Article 338
    • National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) โ€“ Article 338A
Composition of NCST:
  • Chairperson
  • Vice-Chairperson
  • 3 other Members
Appointment & Tenure:
  • Appointed by the President of India
  • Tenure: 3 years
Functions of NCST
  • Investigate and monitor safeguards for STs
  • Inquire into complaints regarding deprivation of rights
  • Advise on planning process for socio-economic development
  • Present reports to the President annually
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2230380&reg=3&lang=1: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) โ€“ 23rd Foundation Day | Article 338A, Functions & Composition

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Practice Questions on External Sector for UPSC, APPSC, TGPSC and other state PSC exams

Practice Questions on External Sector

Practice Questions on External Sector

1. Import cover of foreign exchange reserves measures:

 
 
 
 

2. India’s External Debt to GDP ratio of 19.2% indicates:

 
 
 
 

3. The Current Account of Balance of Payments includes:

 
 
 
 

4. Terms of Trade (ToT) refer to:

 
 
 
 

5. The top source country for FDI in India (cumulative) is:

 
 
 
 

6. India’s major export items include:

 
 
 
 

7. Which state received the highest FDI equity inflow in India?

 
 
 
 

8. Secondary Income (Transfers) in Balance of Payments includes:

 
 
 
 

9. India remained the world’s largest recipient of remittances with inflows of:

 
 
 
 

10. The 1991 Balance of Payments crisis in India was caused by:

 
 
 
 

11. FDI policy in India is formulated by:

 
 
 
 

12. India’s share in global merchandise exports is:

 
 
 
 

13. Union Budget 2025-26 proposed to increase FDI limit in insurance sector to:

 
 
 
 

14. India’s merchandise trade deficit in FY 2024-25 was approximately:

 
 
 
 

15. Foreign Exchange Reserves are held and managed by:

 
 
 
 

16. The highest ever monthly trade deficit in India was recorded in:

 
 
 
 

17. Balance of Payments (BoP) is defined as:

 
 
 
 

18. The components of Foreign Exchange Reserves are:

 
 
 
 

19. India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves as of January 2026 stood at:

 
 
 
 

20. The Balance of Trade (BoT) refers to:

 
 
 
 

21. India’s services exports are significant because:

 
 
 
 

22. Current Account Deficit (CAD) occurs when:

 
 
 
 

23. The Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows:

 
 
 
 

24. The Tarapore Committee was related to:

 
 
 
 

25. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is defined as:

 
 
 
 

26. India-US trade deal and India-EU FTA are significant for:

 
 
 
 

27. FDI in India can come through which routes?

 
 
 
 

28. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) are:

 
 
 
 

29. The concept of ‘Hot Money’ refers to:

 
 
 
 

30. India’s major import items include:

 
 
 
 

31. India’s cumulative FDI inflows from April 2000 to December 2025 crossed:

 
 
 
 

32. The Marshall-Lerner Condition states that:

 
 
 
 

33. The J-Curve effect in international trade suggests that:

 
 
 
 

34. A Balance of Payments crisis occurs when:

 
 
 
 

35. The sector attracting highest FDI equity inflow in India is:

 
 
 
 

36. The Capital and Financial Account of BoP includes:

 
 
 
 

37. Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) is characterized by:

 
 
 
 

38. Under FEMA, Current Account transactions are:

 
 
 
 

39. The Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) measures:

 
 
 
 

40. The Balance of Payments always balances because:

 
 
 
 

41. The key difference between FDI and FPI is:

 
 
 
 

42. The term ‘Twin Deficit’ refers to:

 
 
 
 

43. FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) was enacted in:

 
 
 
 

44. Invisibles in Balance of Payments refer to:

 
 
 
 

45. Primary Income in Balance of Payments includes:

 
 
 
 

46. Capital Account Convertibility means:

 
 
 
 

47. India’s External Debt as of September 2025 stood at:

 
 
 
 

48. External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) refer to:

 
 
 
 

49. Net International Investment Position (NIIP) measures:

 
 
 
 

50. India’s Current Account Deficit in H1 FY 2025-26 was:

 
 
 
 

Question 1 of 50

For practice Questions on Basic Economic concepts

external sector

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National Womenโ€™s Day: 13th February

Why in News?

National Womenโ€™s Day in India is observed annually on 13 February. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, a key figure in Indiaโ€™s freedom struggle and womenโ€™s empowerment.

national womenโ€™s day

Sarojini Naidu:

Sarojini Naidu is a vital figure representing the intersection of the Indian national movement, women’s empowerment, and literary excellence. Known as the “Nightingale of India” (Bharat Kokila).

Key Institutional Milestones

  • Indian National Congress (INC): She was theย first Indian womanย to be elected President of the INC at theย 1925 Kanpur Session. (Note: Annie Besant was the first woman President overall in 1917).
  • First Woman Governor: In 1947, she was appointed theย Governor of United Provincesย (now Uttar Pradesh), becoming the first woman to hold such a post in independent India.
  • Women’s Indian Association (WIA): She co-founded theย WIAย in 1917 alongside Annie Besant to advocate for women’s suffrage and education
Role in the Freedom Struggle
  • Non-Cooperation & Civil Disobedience: A staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi, she participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and theย Salt Satyagrahaย (1930).
  • Dharasana Satyagraha: After Gandhi’s arrest during the Salt March, she took command of the raid on theย Dharasana Salt Worksย on May 21, 1930, leading 2,500 volunteers.
Literary & Cultural Contributions

Her poetry is noted for its vivid imagery and themes of patriotism and Indian life. Key works include

  • The Golden Threshold (1905)
  • The Bird of Time (1912)
https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/national-womens-day-wishes-2025-celebrating-sarojini-naidus-birth-anniversary-and-her-legacy-9223105.html: National Womenโ€™s Day: 13th February

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AP Free Power Scheme for Weavers 2026 โ€“ Key Facts for APPSC exams

Why in News?

The Andhra Pradesh government announced the launch of a Free Power Scheme for Weavers from April 1, 2026. The scheme aims to provide financial relief and livelihood support to handloom and power loom workers.

ap free power scheme for weavers

AP Free Power Scheme:

  • Scheme Launch Date: April 1, 2026
  • Electricity Benefit:
    • Handloom weavers: Free power up to 200 units/month
    • Power loom weavers: Free power up to 500 units/month
  • Total Beneficiaries: 1,03,534 families
    • Handloom families: 93,000
    • Power loom families: 10,534

Additional Welfare Measures

  • Weaver Pension Enhancement:
    • Increased from โ‚น3,000 to โ‚น4,000 per month
    • Applicable for weavers aged 50 years and above
    • Beneficiaries: 87,280 individuals
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/andhra-pradesh-government-to-roll-out-free-electricity-scheme-for-weavers-from-april-1/articleshow/127807271.cms: AP Free Power Scheme for Weavers 2026 โ€“ Key Facts for APPSC exams

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Union Budget 2026: India to Establish New Telescopes (NLST & NLOT) โ€“ Key Facts for Exams:

Why in News?

Union Budget 2026 approved the establishment of two major telescopes to boost Indiaโ€™s capabilities in space and astrophysical research. The initiative focuses on studying the Sun and the origin of the universe.

national large telescope

Key Highlights

  • New Telescopes Approved:
    • National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) at Merak region near Pangong Tso (Ladakh)
    • National Large Opticalโ€“Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) at Hanle, Ladakh

Important Fact

  • NLST will become Indiaโ€™s 3rd ground-based solar observatory after:
    • Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (1899, Tamil Nadu)
    • Udaipur Solar Observatory (1975, Rajasthan)
https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=285551&reg=3&lang=2: Union Budget 2026: India to Establish New Telescopes (NLST & NLOT) โ€“ Key Facts for Exams:

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Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccine Launched in India โ€“ Key Facts for Exams

Why in News?

The Union Health Minister launched a Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccine programme. The initiative aims to strengthen protection against life-threatening infectious diseases in India.

tetanus and diphtheria vaccine launched

Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccineย isย a dual-protection shot that immunizes older children and adults against tetanus and diphtheria.

About Tetanus:

Tetanus isย a serious, sometimes fatal, disease caused byย Clostridium tetaniย bacteria, which produce a toxin causing severe, painful muscle spasms and “lockjaw”

  • Source: Soil, dust, animal manure.
  • Transmission: Enters body through cuts, wounds, or injuries

About Diphtheria:

Diphtheria is a serious, highly contagious bacterial infection caused by toxin-producing strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. While it typically affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, it can also impact the skin.

Cause: Bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Transmission: Spread through respiratory droplets.

Symptoms:

  • Sore throat, fever
  • Thick grey membrane (pseudomembrane) in throat
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2230793&reg=3&lang=1: Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccine Launched in India โ€“ Key Facts for Exams

Tetanus and Diphtheria Vaccine Launched in India โ€“ Key Facts for Exams Read More ยป