Answer: B

Explanation:

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) aims to achieve universal health coverage and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for the poor. The scheme is jointly funded by the Centre and states in a ratio of 60:40 (90:10 in North-East and hilly states). Government hospitals constitute 58% of all empanelled facilities under the scheme. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Over six years, 2.95 crore patients (54% of beneficiaries till December 2023) accessed the scheme. Private healthcare facilities received 67% of the total expenditure under the scheme since 2018. Southern states of India, with only 17% of Ayushman cards, accounted for 53% of total patients. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

AB-PMJAY offers up to Rs 5 lakh annually per family for hospitalizations in 27,000 empanelled secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. It covers nearly 2,000 procedures and provides critical illness coverage, including cancer and heart diseases. Private facilities saw a bulk of the 5.47 crore patients over five years. Rs 48,778.61 crore (66% of total expenditure) was spent on treatments at private facilities. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Answer: D

Explanation:

The Maharashtra government recently notified Mendha, a village in Gadchiroli district, as a separate Gram Panchayat under The Maharashtra Gramdan Act, 1964. Gramdan is an extension of the Bhoodan Movement initiated by Gandhian Vinoba Bhave in 1951, aiming for land redistribution to the landless. It empowers communities towards self-governance and equal rights over natural resources, promoting a collective approach in society. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Under Gramdan, entire villages put their land under a common trust, preventing its sale outside the community. At least 75% of landowners in a village must surrender land ownership to the community for Gramdan status, covering at least 60% of the village land. Seven states in India, including Maharashtra, have a total of 3,660 Gramdan villages, with the highest number in Odisha (1309). In September 2022, Assam repealed its Gramdan Acts to counter land encroachment issues. Mendha is known for securing community forest rights (CFR) and is the first village in India to achieve this following the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Answer: B

Explanation:

India has been bestowed with the prestigious measles and rubella champion award for its exemplary efforts in combating these diseases. The award was received by the ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare at American Red Cross Headquarters in Washington on March 6th. The measles and rubella partnership comprises a multi-agency planning committee, including the American Red Cross, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), UNICEF and World Health Organisation. All of these organisations are dedicated to reducing global measles deaths and preventing rubella illness. Hence, option (b) is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) data showed a significant surge in inflows to liquid funds, increasing by 69% from January to ₹83,642.33 crore in February. Liquid funds are a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term market instruments such as treasury bills, commercial papers and term deposits with a maturity period of up to 91 days. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

The primary objective of liquid funds is to provide investors with a safe and liquid investment option with minimal risk and stable returns in the short term. Liquid funds are characterized by high liquidity, low risk stemming from short-term investments in highly-rated debt instruments and a stable Net Asset Value (NAV) of ₹1 per unit, providing investors with capital preservation assurance. Liquid funds are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the Mutual Funds Regulations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A

Explanation:

Recently, protesters in Mexico broke down a door to the presidential palace during a demonstration demanding justice for 43 students who disappeared nearly a decade ago. Mexico, officially known as the United Mexican States is a country in the southern portion of North America. Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. Mexico shares its land borders with the United States (North), Guatemala and Belize (Southeast) and maritime borders with the Pacific Ocean (West), the Caribbean Sea (Southeast) and the Gulf of Mexico (East). The highest point in Mexico is the peak of Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltepetl. Mexico's major rivers include the Rio Grande, Usumacinta, Grijalva, Papaloapan, Balsas and Yaqui. The country has several deserts, with the most notable ones being the Sonoran Desert, Chihuahuan Desert and the Mexican portion of the Mojave Desert. Hence, option (a) is correct.