GK Express of 03/03/2025

 Economic Coach

1) What is Viability Gap Funding?

VGF (Viability Gap Funding) is a financial support mechanism provided by the government to make infrastructure projects financially viable when they are not fully profitable for private investors. It is commonly used in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects to bridge the gap between project costs and expected revenues.

Key Points about VGF:

1. Purpose: Supports infrastructure projects that have high social value but low financial returns.

2. Funding Source: Provided by the central and state governments.

2) Who is considered as father of modern statistics in India ?

P.C Mahalanobis

3) How many members are there in Reserve Bank of India Central Board of Directors ?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Board of Directors consists of 21 members in total. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Official Directors (5 members)

Governor (1) – Head of RBI

Deputy Governors (4) – Assist the Governor in different functions

2. Non-Official Directors (16 members)

Nominated by the Government of India:

Ten Directors from various fields (finance, economics, law, etc.)

Two Government Officials (from the Ministry of Finance)

Four Directors from Local Boards (one from each regional board—North, South, East, and West)

4) Expand IMEC ?

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a planned economic corridor that aims to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Persian Gulf and Europe.The corridor is a proposed route from India to Europe through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Greece.

5) Who was the first Indian to receive Nobel prize in Economics ?

Amartya Sen was the first Indian economist to receive the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1998. He was awarded the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for his contributions to welfare economics, particularly his work on poverty, social choice theory, and economic justice. His research on famine, human development, and the capabilities approach has had a significant impact on economic policies worldwide.

GOVERNANCE 

1) What is Kayakalp initiative?

Kayakalp is a national program in India that aims to improve the cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control in public health facilities. The program was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

2) Which government portal facilitates e-tendering in India?

GeM( government e market place) is a short form of one stop Government e-Market Place hosted by DGS&D where common user goods and services can be procured. GeM is dynamic, self sustaining and user friendly portal for making procurement by Government officers.

3) Which is the world's largest health scheme ?

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the world's largest publicly funded health assurance scheme.

4) Which agency is responsible for anti-money laundering in India?

ED (Enforcement Directorate)

5)Which is the main intelligence agency of India?

RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) is India's foreign intelligence agency. It was established in 1968 and operates under the Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of India. RAW is primarily responsible for external intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and covert operations to safeguard India's national security and strategic interests. 

INDIAN ART & CULTURE 

1) Which is the largest museum in India?

Indian Museum, Kolkata.

2)Which Indian state is known for the Bihu dance?

Assam

3)Which temple is known for its erotic sculptures?

Khajuraho

4) Which temple is known as White Pagoda ?

The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha is known as the White Pagoda. 

5) Which festival marks the Sikh New Year?

Baisakhi