Answer is D

What is the news?

• Residents of the state are alarmed as lumpy skin disease (LSD) is spreading in the areas bordering Punjab, where the infection is growing at an alarming rate.
• A spike in the number of cases was witnessed in Una district today as 54 new cases were recorded from 20 more villages.
  A cattle head has succumbed to the infection in the district.

What is the Lumpy Skin Disease?

• According to a report by GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) disease is caused by a virus called the Capripoxvirus and is “an emerging threat to livestock worldwide”. It is genetically related to the goatpox and sheeppox virus family.
• LSD infects cattle and water buffalo mainly through vectors such as blood-feeding insects. Signs of infection include the appearance of circular, firm nodes on the animal’s hide or skin that look similar to lumps.
  Infected animals immediately start losing weight and may have fever and lesions in the mouth, along with a reduced milk yield. Other symptoms include excessive nasal and salivary secretion. Pregnant cows and buffaloes often suffer miscarriage and in some cases, diseased animals can die due to it as well.

Answer: B

• In India, fiscal policy is formulated by the Ministry of Finance through its budget proposals. RBI formulates monetary policy.

Answer is C

• All India Muslim League was founded under the leadership of the Aga Khan and Mohsin UL Mulk. In 1906 a group of Muslim leaders met in Dhaka to form the Muslim League.
• It was founded by the followers, admirers and companions of Aligarh Movement. Sir Agha Khan was appointed as the first Honourary President.

Answer is B

• Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, and the third most abundant element therein, after oxygen and silicon.
• It makes up about 8% by weight of the Earth's solid surface.
• Earth's crust occupies less than 1% of Earth's volume. Oxygen is 46.6% , Silicon 27.77%, Aluminum is 8.09% and Iron is 5% .

Answer is C

What is the news?

• Horticulture policy draft: Govt approves the draft horticulture policy.

Why important?

• Himachal Pradesh will become the first state in the country to formulate a horticulture policy.

Which world organization will provide infrastructure for fruit production?

• Under the policy, the Asian Development Bank will provide infrastructure for fruit production under the funded Shiva project.

How it will help?

• With the implementation of the horticulture policy, about 1.75 lakh families of the state associated with horticulture and the fruit industry of Rs 6000 crore will get a big gift.
• The policy, aimed at promoting the cultivation of various fruits, seeks to identify Himachal Pradesh as a fruit state on the world stage. At present, apple alone has a business of about 5000 crores in the state.

Answer is B

• Phulaich Festival, celebrated at Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh, is a festival of flowers.

Answer is A

• The Prime Minister of India is the ex officio Chairperson of the NITI Aayog.

What is the news?

• Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur attended the Governing Council meeting of Niti Aayog in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the meeting.

Topics for Discussion:

• Detailed discussions were held on achieving self sufficiency in agricultural production and crop diversification, implementation of national education policy and urban bodies administration.

About NITI Aayog Governing Council:

• The Governing Council of NITI Aayog comprises the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India; Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with the legislature; Lt Governors of other UTs; Ex-Officio Members; Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog; Full-Time Members, NITI Aayog; and Special Invitees.
• It is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national priorities and strategies, with the active involvement of the States, in shaping the developing narrative.
• The Governing Council, which embodies the objectives of cooperative federalism, presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to accelerate the implementation of the national development agenda.

Answer is C

1. The continental shelves of Lakshadweep are originated due to coral reefs.
2. The continental shelves of western coast are due to faulting and submergence.