IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Jan 27, 2016

ANSWER: Raagam

Explanation:
All India Radio launched a twenty four into seven music channel, Raagam, at a function in Bengaluru. With the new channel AIR is going to serve a global audience by expanding its horizons. 'RAAGAM’ will be in Public Domain round the clock with Mobile App, ’All India Radio Live which is available in Android I OS and Windows. It is also available in the website www.allindiaradio.gov.in and www.airbengaluru.com. It will broadcast both Hindustani and Carnatic classical music.

ANSWER: Alstom

Explanation:
Under the ‘Make in India’ banner, India and France signed a deal that will allow French industrial major Alstom to make 800 high horse power locomotives in India. The locomotives are expected to be made in the electric locomotives factory in Madhepura, Bihar.

ANSWER: 1 and 2

Explanation:
The government unveiled two initiatives to expedite clearances and ensure greater ease of doing business in the country. The Corporate Affairs Ministry, on Monday, announced Central Registration Centre (CRC) and Government Process Re-engineering (GPR) for ensuring faster clearances to incorporate companies and improve the ease of doing business. These initiatives are also meant for uniformity in application of rules and removing discretion, according to a statement from the Ministry. It will be supplemented by intensive monitoring aimed at providing timely approvals. These services are in line with best international practices. The GPR involves a three-pronged approach of further automating some of the approval processes by utilising advanced software tools, rationalising and modifying certain rules and engaging professionals to expedite the process of manual scrutiny. In the first phase, the CRC will process applications for name availability (INC-1 e-forms), submitted online across the country and endeavour to process them by the end of the next working day. Operations of the CRC will formally commence from January 27 and more services rolled out progressively, the ministry said. The ministry had said following several measures taken by it as part of the government’s ‘ease-of-doing business’ initiative, the average number of days taken for incorporation of a company had come down significantly — by nearly 50 per cent — from 9.57 days in December 2014 to 4.51 days in November 2015. Steps are being planned to further reduce the time taken for all approvals regarding a company’s incorporation to one-two days in normal cases, the ministry said. The introduction of an integrated incorporation Form INC29 and tighter monitoring of Registrar of Companies’ performance had resulted in faster approvals and lower number of clarifications being sought from the stakeholders, it said.
New Form INC29 - The Ministry said it would soon introduce a new version of Form INC29 incorporating suggestions received from the stakeholders allowing up to five directors to be appointed and greater flexibility in proposing a name for a company. This will allow a wider use of this integrated Form, which is already gaining popularity, it said. The rules relating to reserving and approving names for companies are also being simplified, it said.

ANSWER: Identify the sectors susceptible to money laundering

Explanation:
Government agencies have launched a massive National Risk Assessment (NRA) exercise to identify the sectors that are susceptible to money laundering and terror funding, and plug the loopholes. This is in line with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. While India has met its obligation of mutual evaluation with FATF, it is now required to make a risk assessment and put necessary mechanisms in place. FATF is an inter-government body that sets the standards for measures to counter terror financing, money laundering and other threats to international financial system. As part of the process, the World Bank had earlier this month made a customizable excel-based self-assessment software tool available to Indian agencies. It focusses on all vital aspects of money laundering, including terror financing risks, and helps identify threats and vulnerabilities in different sectors. Real-estate emerged as one of the sectors requiring urgent intervention. The NRA exercise generally takes about a year. It begins with the collection of data on sectors that are prone to money laundering in high, medium and lower categories at the national level. The country then has to prepare an action plan based on the level of risk.

ANSWER: Inclusive and Qualitative Participation

Explanation:
Election Commission of India is celebrating 6th National Voters’ Day (NVD) across the country on 25th January. The theme for the 6th National Voters’ Day is ‘Inclusive and Qualitative Participation’. Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Nasim Zaidi released the book titled, ‘Belief in the Ballot’. 25th January is also the foundation day of the Commission, which came into being on this day in 1950. The Commission’s objective through NVD is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones. The National Voters’ Day is also utilised to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process. State level function is organised by the Chief Electoral Officers of the State concerned. After the completion of the NVD National function, the Commission will inaugurate the construction of India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) campus at sector-22Dwarka, New Delhi.

ANSWER: Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

Explanation:
A ‘solitary bee’ species was recently discovered in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. The 6.2-mm-long bee, named Braunsapis chandrai , is black in colour and has punctured legs. What makes it distinct from other species of solitary bees is the different patterns of the marks on its face and frontal region. The 96 species of bees of the genus Braunsapis do not make combs as common honeybees do. Solitary in nature, they nest in stems and twigs independently. Scientists have collected the specimen of the species, a holotype male from Dabanki in the Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve. The new species plays a significant role in pollination.

ANSWER: Tripura

Explanation:
The Centre has sanctioned funds to create infrastructure for ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony here at Agartala-Akhaura border with Bangladesh, similar to that at Wagah in Punjab. “Of the Rs. 99 crore sanctioned by the Centre to develop tourist spots in Tripura, Rs. 18 crore has been earmarked to create infrastructure at the Agartala-Akhaura border for Wagah-like Beating Retreat ceremony,” State Tourism Minister said. The money was sanctioned by the Union Tourism Ministry under the ‘Swadesh Darshan scheme’ for building a mini stadium and roads among others. Work on developing the infrastructure will begin soon. The Agartala-Akhaura check post is an integrated one, which is also the second largest trading centre with Bangladesh after Benapole and Petrapole in West Bengal. The Beating Retreat ceremony is performed at Wagah during closing of the border every evening by the BSF and its Pakistani counterpart Pakistan Rangers since 1959 and is a major tourist attraction. The Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah is performed by the BSF and the Rangers in a bit aggressive manner. But it would be done in a friendlier atmosphere at Akhaura check post because India’s ties with Bangladesh and BSF’s relation with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) are very cordial.

ANSWER: Geocement

Explanation:
Kiran Global Chems Ltd. has introduced its indigenously-developed eco-friendly Geocement which, the company claims, will play a role in cutting carbon emission levels while being stronger than Portland cement. Geocement will have a direct impact on bringing down the emissions levels significantly. For every tonne of cement production, there will be about 800 kg of CO2 emission. Though some countries have been engaged in development and piloting of green cement, Kiran Global Chems are the first one to come out with green cement for commercial use. Geocement, which is made out of industrial wastes, comes in two-part packing - 35 kg Geocement powder and 15 kg Geobinder liquid. Both can be mixed at construction sites like normal cement.

ANSWER: All of the Above

Explanation:
Among those conferred with Padma Vibhushan Honours include:

• Yamini Krishnamurthi: Art - Classical Dance
• Rajnikanth: Art - Cinema
• Girija Devi: Art - Classical Vocal
• Ramoji Rao: Literature and Education - Journalism
• Dr. Viswanathan Shanta: Medicine - Oncology
• Shri Shri Ravi Shankar: Spiritualism
• Jagmohan: Public Affairs
• Dr.Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre: Science & Engineering
• Avinash Dixit: Literature and Education
• Late Dhirubhai Ambani: Trade &Industry