IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Oct 19 & 20, 2015

1)   The 1,100 km pipeline will connect Karachi’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals with those in Lahore with which of the following country's co-operation?

a. China
b. Saudi Arabia
c. Iran
d. Russia
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Russia

Explanation:
- The 1,100 km pipeline with a capacity of 12.4 billion cubic metre per annum will connect Karachi’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals with those in Lahore - Russia will invest $2 billion in the project, the first phase of which is expected to conclude by December 2017.
- The North-South gas pipeline project would be built by Russian company RT Global Resources, a part of Russian state corporation Rostec.
- The project will be implemented in compliance with BOOT model (Build Own Operate Transfer). The pipeline will be owned and operated by the manufacturer for 25 years. After that the pipeline will be handed over to the Pakistan government.


2)   For which of the following schemes Supreme court has allowed to use Aadhaar identity cards?

1. EPF
2. MGNREGS
3. PDS
4. LPG
5. Jan Dhan Yojna


a. 1,3,4
b. 2,3,4
c. 3,4,5
d. All
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: All

Explanation:
The Supreme Court modified its order on the use of Aadhaar identity cards, bringing within its fold four additional social welfare benefit schemes:

1. Provident fund
2. Pension schemes
3. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
4. Jan Dhan Yojana.
Earlier its use is restricted to the Public Distribution System (PDS) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).


3)   As per National Policy on Bio-fuels, announced in December 2009, oil companies were required to sell petrol blended with at least ______  of ethanol.

a. 2%
b. 5%
c. 7%
d. 10%
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 5%

Explanation:
- Ethanol blending first found mention in the Auto fuel policy of 2003. It suggested developing technologies for producing ethanol/ bio fuels from renewable energy sources and introducing vehicles to utilize these bio-fuels.
- Later, as per National Policy on Bio-fuels, announced in December 2009, oil companies were required to sell petrol blended with at least 5% of ethanol.
- It proposed that the blending level be increased to 20% by 2017.


4)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Nirbhay?

1. It is a long range, subsonic cruise missile.
2. The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Nirbhay is two-stage missile. It is able to pick out a target and attack it among multiple targets.
- The missile has a loitering capability, i.e., it can go round a target and perform several manoeuvres and then re-engage it.
- The missile is capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 m to 4 km above the ground and can also fly at low altitudes (like low tree level) to avoid detection by enemy radar.
- Nirbhay is being adapted for the Indo/Russian Su-30MKI.


5)   Which of the following countries will be involved in Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project?

1. India
2. Bangladesh
3. Nepal
4. Myanmar
5. Bhutan


a. 1 & 4
b. 1 & 5
c. 2 & 4
d. 1 & 3
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1 & 4

Explanation:
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a project that will connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea.
- It will then link Sittwe seaport to Lashio in Myanmar via Kaladan river boat route
- Then from Lashio on to Mizoram in India by road transport.


6)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF)?

1. It has a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore to support 'developmental and promotional activities' for expanding reach of banking services.
2. The new FIF will be administered by the reconstituted Advisory Board constituted by government and will be maintained by NABARD.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
FIF is created by merger of two funds- Financial Inclusion Fund and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund into a single Fund - Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF).
The fund shall not be utilized for normal business or banking activities
The objectives of the FIF :
1. To support 'developmental and promotional activities' including creating of FI infrastructure across the country
2. Capacity building of stakeholders
3. Creation of awareness to address demand side issues.
4. Enhanced investment in Green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution


7)   A new scheme, called VIKALP is related to -

a. Tree conservation
b. Water management
c. Tourism
d. Railway
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Railway

Explanation:
The Rail Ministry has announced a new scheme, the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS), also called as VIKALP.
It would allow wait-listed passengers of a train to opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.


8)   A sculpture dating back to the Ashokan period depicts the Raja Ashok surrounded by queens and courtesans which is the sole surviving portrait of Ashok was found at Sannati. Sannati is in -

a. Bihar
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Punjab province of Pakistan
d. Karnataka
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Karnataka

Explanation:
Sannati or Sannathi is a small village, located on the banks of the Bhima River in Chitapur taluk of Gulbarga District of Northern Karnataka.
The only available sculpture of Emperor Ashoka, in a limestone relief along with his consort, was found here.
It was sculpted on the orders of the unnamed grandson of Ashoka.


9)   Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Knesset. Knesset is

a. Belorussian Parliament
b. Palestinian Parliament
c. Vietnamese Parliament
d. Israeli Parliament
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Israeli Parliament

Explanation:
- Pranab Mukherjee became first Indian President to address Israeli Parliament Knesset.
- India established official relations with Israel in 1991, although informal ties had long existed previously.