IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Jan 20, 2016

1)   The health ministry has approved establishment of two National Centers of Ageing. Where are their locations?

1) AIIMS, New Delhi
2) Madras Medical College, Chennai
3) AFMC, Pune


a. 2 and 3
b. None of the above
c. 1 and 2
d. 1 and 3
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 1 and 2

Explanation:
Government of India has approved establishment of two National Centres of Ageing-one each at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and Madras Medical College, Chennai under the tertiary level component of National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) during the 12th Five Year Plan Period. Both the National Centres of Ageing are expected to be Centres of Excellence in the field of Geriatric care in the country. The functions of the National Centres will be (i) Health care delivery; (ii) Training of health professionals; (iii) Research activities along with 200 bedded in-patient services.


2)   GARV mobile app is

a. To provide information about government schemes
b. To provide electrification data
c. To share inspirational stories of how the differently abled achieved success
d. To disseminate all information regarding India
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: To provide electrification data

Explanation:
For providing real time updated data of ongoing electrification process to all users and stakeholders, 'GARV' Mobile App was launched recently.


3)   Many government websites use CAPTCHA. What is it used for?

a. Prevent hacking of website
b. Distinguish between Humans and computers
c. Delay the user so that queuing of requests becomes easier
d. Determining the users IP address and track its location.
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Distinguish between Humans and computers

Explanation:
CAPTCHA is an acronym for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart. It’s a rapidly growing challenge-response Turing Test that is very much renowned and is adopted in the security purpose of the websites as well as users. It helps to detect whether an entity is human or not. Turing tests are used for this purpose. CAPTCHA is a form of a Turing test. CAPTCHA Tells Humans and Computers Apart Automatically. A CAPTCHA is a program that protects websites against attacks done by generating multiple automatic requests using scripting technology or other computer program. In general, a CAPTCHA is used to prevent abuse by automated scripts.


4)   The recently opened Shillong Geophysical Research Centre (SGRC) is a regional centre of

a. Geological Survey of India
b. Indian Institute of Geomagnetism
c. National Centre for Seismology
d. None. It’s a separate institute with no attachment to other institutes.
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Indian Institute of Geomagnetism

Explanation:
To understand better and possibly predict earthquakes, the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism has opened its third regional centre in Shillong, a region, which is highly prone to tremors. SGRC is expected to emerge as one of its kind in the world in unraveling the earthquake processes and generating a precursor model for earthquake predictions in the years to come. The focus of research at this newly formed centre at Shillong would be on deciphering the pre and co-seismic signatures in various atmospheric regions over the North-East using a variety of observational techniques aided by numerical modelling tools. Studies to be undertaken at SGRC will contribute to a better understanding of the earthquake sources and their generation mechanisms leading to an improved characterisation of earthquake occurrence and hazards in the North-East and assessment of threats they pose to the local population. The ultimate challenge is to develop an earthquake precursor model based on varied observations of the atmospheric and ionospheric response to earthquake occurrence in order to build an Integrated Earthquake Precursory Signal System (IEPSS).


5)   IIG stands for

a. Indian Institute of Geology
b. Indian Institute of Geophysics
c. Indian Institute of Geomagnetism
d. Geological Institute of India
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Indian Institute of Geomagnetism

Explanation:
Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) is a premier research organization under Department of Science and Technology and is involved in research on Geomagnetism and allied fields. Its Headquarters is located at New Panvel near Mumbai. It has two Regional Centres - Equatorial Geophysical Research Laboratory (EGRL), Tirunelveli and Dr. K.S. Krishnan Geomagnetic Research Laboratory (KSKGRL) Jhunsi Allahabad - and twelve magnetic observatories located across the length and breadth of the country. It had start working as a successor to the Colaba observatory which was established in 1826, which later in 1841 became the nation's first regular magnetic observatory research institute.


6)   In an endeavor to promote Indian Handicraft products and to showcase the rich heritage of India , Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIC) has organized an Exhibition cum Sale of exclusive handcrafted creations by National Awardees. The exhibition is called

a. Cottage Premium
b. Shresthkriti
c. Hastkala
d. Craft of Living
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Shresthkriti

Explanation:
Synonym with its name ‘SHRESTHKRITI’ the exhibition showcases unique artifacts, paintings, Wooden Panels, Antique Oil Lamps, Brass handicrafts, Marble Artefacts, Painted Wooden Artefacts , Dhokra ,Pottery, Papier machie, sarees ,shawls, and home linen. The highlight of the exhibition was the launch of “COTTAGE PREMIUM”- An exquisite collection of highly exclusive and very limited collection of handicraft and handloom products for the connoisseur of crafts. It is showcasing works of Master craft persons, Shilpgurus and National Award Winning Artisans, besides a few handpicked masterpieces.


7)   Which was the last state to join the North-East Council?

a. Sikkim
b. Nagaland
c. Meghalaya
d. Tripura
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Sikkim

Explanation:
A North-Eastern Council was created by a separate Act of Parliament—the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971. Its members include Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunchal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim. In 2002, Sikkim was added as the eighth member of the North-Eastern Council. Its functions are similar to those of the zonal councils, but with few additions. It has to formulate a unified and coordinated regional plan covering matters of common importance. It has to review from time to time the measures taken by the member states for the maintenance of security and public order in the region.


8)   Of what are these names - Cymbidium Sardar, Lycaste Deendayal and Cymbidium Namo?

a. Sugarcane Varieties
b. Lotus Varieties
c. Orchid Varieties
d. Wheat Varieties
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Orchid Varieties

Explanation:
Sikkim, India’s first completely organic state, developed 3 new varieties of orchid. PM named two Orchid varieties Cymbidium Sardar & Lycaste Deendayal in memory of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay. Sikkim CM named the 3rd one Cymbidium Namo after the PM Narendra Modi.


9)   Which of the following is/are constitutional bodies?

1) Inter-state Councils
2) Zonal Councils


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
Article 263 contemplates the establishment of an Inter-State Council to effect coordination between the states and between Centre and states. Thus, the President can establish such a council if at any time it appears to him that the public interest would be served by its establishment. Zonal Councils are the statutory and not the constitutional bodies. They are established by an Act of the Parliament, that is, States Reorganisation Act of 1956. The act divided the country into five zones (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western and Southern) and provided a zonal council for each zone. While forming these zones, several factors have been taken into account which include: the natural divisions of the country, the river systems and means of communication, the cultural and linguistic affinity and the requirements of economic development, security and law and order.


10)   The MUDRA Bank will initially come under

a. NABARD
b. SIDBI
c. HUDCO
d. CIDCO
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: SIDBI

Explanation:
Micro Units Development Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank will be set up soon, first as a wholly owned subsidiary of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), and then as a bank through an act of Parliament. The two credit guarantee funds setup will cater to loans disbursed under the Mudra Yojana and the Stand-Up India scheme, to support women entrepreneurs and those from backward classes. It will undertake refinancing operations.