Solution (a)

The G20 is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.

The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

It does not have any permanent secretariat or headquarters.

Solution (c)

A linguistic minority is a class of people whose mother tongue is different from that of the majority in the state or part of a state. the constitution provides for the protection of the interests of linguistic minorities.

Article 350-A imposes a duty on the states to Endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority. The president is authorized to issue such directions to any state, as he considers necessary or proper for securing the provisions of such facilities.

Article 347 provides for the use of majority language in the administration. If a demand is made in this behalf and the president is satisfied that a substantial proportion of the population of a state desire the use any language spoken by them to be recognized by the state, the president may direct that such language shall also be officially recognized throughout the state or any part of tire state for such purposes as he may specify.

Article 350 gives right to every person to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the union or a state in any of the language used in the union or a state, as the case may be.

Article 350-B empowers the president to appoint a special officer for linguistic minorities. It is the duty of the special officer to investigate all matters relating to the safeguards provided  for linguistic minorities under this constitution and report to the president  upon those matters at such intervals as the president may direct. The president shall cause reports to be laid before each house of parliament and send to the government of the state concerned.

Solution (c)

India mainly uses three types of thermal power plants- Coal, Gas and Liquid-fuel based. The electricity generated by these plants adds up to 62.2% of the total power generation in the country.

Solution (d)

Nord Stream 2 is a gas pipeline project.

• Its purpose is to bring Russian gas under the Baltic Sea direct to Germany.
• The decision to build Nord Steam 2 was based on the successful experience in building and operating the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
• So it is an expansion of the Russia’s existing Nord Stream gas pipeline.
• It will also ensure a highly reliable supply of Russian gas to Europe.

Solution (c)

Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)

• Foreign funding of voluntary organizations in India is regulated under FCRA act which is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The Acts ensures that the recipients of foreign contributions adhere to the stated purpose for which such contribution has been obtained.

Do you know?

• As per the FCRA Act 2010, all NGOs are required to be registered under the Act to receive foreign funding. 
• According to terms stipulated in the FCRA, an organisation cannot receive foreign funding unless it is registered under the 2010 Act, except when it gets government approval for a specific project. 
• Under the FCRA Act, registered NGOs can receive foreign contribution for five purposes — social, educational, religious, economic and cultural.