IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - May 07 2016

ANSWER: Bundi

Explanation:

• Bundi in Rajasthan will be the first in the country to have minute digital mapping with comprehensive database of its demographical and geographical information, including small lanes, streets, trees, drains, electric poles and houses, besides monuments with detailed information.
• The digital mapping of the city has so far helped in identifying the encroachments.
• Once the digital mapping project is over, one can easily access the database to the exact location and dimension of a house or any other construction, its owner and occupants.
• Before issuance of any document or license, an official will be able to check and verify the details with the help of the minute digital mapping.
• After the complete digitisation, everyone in the city would be able to keep an eye over his/her property or assets.

ANSWER: Nagaland Police

Explanation:

• An SMS-based vehicle monitoring system of the Nagaland police has bagged the ‘National Award for Smart Policing’ instituted by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

ANSWER: Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

Explanation:

• The Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a joint project of NASA and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to construct and maintain an airborne observatory.
• SOFIA is based on a Boeing 747SP wide-body aircraft that has been modified to include a large door in the aft fuselage that can be opened in flight to allow a 2.5 m (8.2 ft) diameter reflecting telescope access to the sky.
• This telescope is designed for infrared astronomy observations in the stratosphere at altitudes of about 12 kilometres (41,000 ft).
• SOFIA's flight capability allows it to rise above almost all of the water vapor in the Earth's atmosphere, which blocks some infrared wavelengths from reaching the ground.
• At the aircraft's cruising altitude, 85% of the full infrared range will be available. The aircraft can also travel to almost any point on the Earth's surface, allowing observation from the northern and southern hemispheres.

ANSWER: Atomic Oxygen

Explanation:

• Scientists have detected atomic oxygen in the atmosphere of Mars for the first time since the last observation 40 years ago.
• These atoms were found in the upper layers of the Martian atmosphere known as the mesosphere. Atomic oxygen affects how other gases escape Mars and therefore has a significant impact on the planet’s atmosphere.
• An instrument on-board the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) detected only about half the amount of oxygen expected, which may be due to variations in the Martian atmosphere.
• To observe the far-infrared wavelengths needed to detect atomic oxygen, researchers must be above the majority of Earth’s atmosphere and use highly sensitive instruments, in this case a spectrometer. SOFIA provides both capabilities.

ANSWER: States

Explanation:

• The current system is that each state fixes minimum wages for different levels of skills, based on local conditions.
• At the macro-level since 1948, the minimum wages were always fixed by states looking at the cost of living in the state and demand-supply situation. Wage level varies for different industry segments and skill-sets.
• As per a study by the VV Giri National Labour Institute in 2011, there were 3.6 crore contract labourers in the country. The study also said that 30 per cent of all workers in private sector and around 32 per cent in the public sector are employed through contractors.
• Union govt. is planning to increase the minimum wage to Rs.10,000 per month regardless of the categorisation of skilled and unskilled workers. This becomes arbitrary. Many labour-intensive sectors such as apparel industry employ a lot of unskilled labour. If you take the minimum wage level to such a high level, the industry will then start looking at automation intensely.
• The move is seen as an encroachment on the states’ power.

ANSWER: Unique Business Identification Number

Explanation:

• Start-up enterprises will now get a unique identity that will help them to seamlessly interact with a host of government departments in another move towards ease of doing business in India.
• Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) has begun an exercise for issuance of UBIN for budding entrepreneurs to start their new businesses without any delay.
• The DIPP will issue the UBIN for the new entrepreneurs after the receipt of related applications.
• This number would automatically be moved on to MCA (ministry of corporate affairs) portal after it is issued to the intended beneficiary and subsequently sent on to the CBDT (central board of direct taxes) which would nomenclature it as PAN (permanent account number) for UBIN.

ANSWER: Rainwater harvesting

Explanation:

• Agrasen ki Baoli in Delhi, built-in pre-Lodhi era (14th century) by Raja Agrasen, to collect rainwater during the monsoon.
• It is designated a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Although there are no known historical records to prove who built Agrasen ki Baoli, it is believed that it was originally built by the legendary king Agrasen during the Mahabharat epic era and rebuilt in the 14th century by the Agrawal community which traces its origin to Maharaja Agrasen.

ANSWER: Systems of water harvesting

Explanation:

• Traditional systems of water harvesting are the bawari, jhalara, nadi, tanka, and khadin.
• Modern rainwater-saving techniques are the anicuts, percolation tanks, injection wells and subsurface barriers.

ANSWER: Orissa

Explanation:

• Chaau Dance is a local folk dance of Eastern India. Chhau originated in the villages of Odisha, Jharkhand and Bengal. It is widely popular there.
• Chhau a genre of Indian tribal martial dance has three subgenres, based on its places of origin and development: Seraikella chhau, Mayurbhanj chhau and Purulia chhau. The first two employ masks in their performance, extensively using the neck for expression.
• The basic stances in Chhau were created only after observing animals. For example, the ghoda dumka (horse-jump) and the baagh dumka (tiger-jump) are among the fundamental movements.
• Chhau’s choreographies most often depict stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Chhau has received the attention it deserves from international bodies. In 2010, UNESCO declared the art form as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.