Solution (a)

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) is an office within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India.

It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing. It strengthens security-related defence of the Indian Internet domain.

CERT-In is operational since January 2004. The constituency of CERT-In is the Indian Cyber Community. CERT-In is the national nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur.

CERT-In has been designated to serve as the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of cyber security:

• Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents.
• Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
• Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents
• Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
• Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
• Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.

Article Link: More than 6.07 lakh cyber security incidents observed till June 2021

Solution (a)

The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 1993-94.

The Scheme enables the Members of Parliament to recommend works for creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs to be taken up in their constituencies in the area of national priorities namely drinking water, education, public health, sanitation, roads etc.

Under this scheme,every MP is entitled to spend Rs 5 crore annually.

The Ministry of Rural Development initially administered the scheme. Since October 1994 it has been transferred to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Under this scheme each elected member of Lok Sabha suggests developmental works in his constituency. The elected member of Rajya Sabha can recommend works in any district of his State. A nominated member can suggest work in only one State of his choice.

Article Link: 50% funds allotted for ongoing MPLADS projects lapse

Solution (c)

Samagra Shiksha is an overarching programme for the school education sector extending from pre-school to class 12.

The scheme has been prepared with the broader goal of improving school effectiveness measured in terms of equal opportunities for schooling and equitable learning outcomes.

It subsumes the three Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE) and was launched in 2018.

The major objectives of the Scheme are:

• Provision of quality education and enhancing learning outcomes of students;
• Bridging Social and Gender Gaps in School Education;
• Ensuring equity and inclusion at all levels of school education;
• Ensuring minimum standards in schooling provisions;
• Promoting Vocationalisation of education;
• Support States in implementation of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009; and
• Strengthening and up-gradation of SCERTs/State Institutes of Education and DIET as a nodal agencies for teacher training.

Article Link: Cabinet approves continuation of Samagra Shiksha Scheme for next 5 years

Solution (b)

Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2 or Global Goal 2) aims to achieve “zero hunger”.

It aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

SDG 2 highlights the complex inter-linkages between food security, nutrition, rural transformation and sustainable agriculture.

According to the United Nations, there are around 690 million people who are hungry, which accounts for 10 percent of the world population.

One in every nine people goes to bed hungry each night, including 20 million people currently at risk of famine in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and Nigeria.

Article Link: Several trade-offs impede Zero Hunger goal. A UN report explains why, and how

Solution (d)

Article 161 of the Constitution of India is related to power of Governor to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases.

According to Article 161, the Governor of a State shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.

Article Link: Governors can pardon prisoners, including death row ones: Supreme Court