IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Sep 02, 2016

ANSWER: SAARCSTAT

Explanation:

• The proposal for establishing cooperation in Statistics received enthusiastic support of the SAARC Member States which got the approval at the Thirtieth Session of the Standing Committee of SAARC (Islamabad, 18-19 July 2004).
• India was chosen to host the First Meeting of the Heads of Statistical Organisations of SAARC Member States to examine the possibility of initiating cooperation in the field of statistics with a view to finalizing standard formats for exchange of statistical data in various economic and social fields.
• Accordingly, in order to pursue and concretize cooperation in the field of statistics, the Heads of SAARC Statistical Organisations in their Meeting at Kolkata, India on 26-27 May 2005 formed a permanent “SAARC Group on Statistics”, namely, SAARCSTAT.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:
Structure of SAARCSTAT -

• SAARCSTAT will comprise of secretaries/heads of statistical offices/organisations.
• The SAARCSTAT must meet at least once a year.
• Meetings shall be held in member states in alphabetical order.
• Each member state will have a designated officer as a focal point in SAARCSTAT.
• The SAARCSTAT will submit its report to Council of Ministers through the Committee of Economic Cooperation.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Objectives are -Support regional cooperation and initiatives in Statistics

Plan and undertake policy initiatives for comparable and timely Statistics

Harmonize classification concepts, definition;

Adopt international good practices

Promote improvement in the official statistics and

Promote human resource development

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Fa-Hien is also known as Fa-Hein. He visited during Chandrgupta-II. He took back with him Buddhist texts and images sacred to Buddhism.
• Yijing is also known as I-Tsing. He visited Nalanda University.
• Hsuan-Tsang or Xuanzang too visited Nalanda.
• Similar to Fa-Hien, Hsuan-Tsang narrated the Buddhist legends and miracles associated with the sites he visited and the Buddhist relics he saw. He explained the geography and climate, the measurement system, and the concept of time in India. He also narrated in detail the existing caste system, the educational requirements for the Brahmins, the teaching of Buddhist doctrines, the legal and economic practices, the social and cultural norms, the urban life and architecture, the eating habits of the natives, and the natural and manufactured products of India.
• The success of Hsuan-Tsang’s mission is evident not only from the 657 Buddhist texts he brought back with him, but also from the quality of translations he undertook.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The National Capital Region (NCR) is the designation for a conurbation or metropolitan area in India.

• It encompasses the entire National Capital Territory of Delhi, including New Delhi and urban areas surrounding it in neighbouring states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
Counter-magnet towns are identified as those that can be developed as alternative centres of growth and attract migrants to them rather than Delhi.

• Promoting growth of counter magnet towns are the principal components of the strategy to reduce both migration and population explosion in the Delhi metropolitan area.
• These towns are located in six states-Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, in addition to Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, which are already part of the national capital region.
• The criteria for selecting counter magnet towns are: that they can not be within 250km of Delhi; they should have their own established roots and potential of growth and should not be centres of religious, strategic or environmental importance.

ANSWER: Amar Chitra Katha

Explanation:
The Urban Development Ministry has signed a Memorandum of understanding with Amar Chitra Katha Magazine for bringing a special edition on Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2.

• The special magazine aims at taking the best practices involved in the mission to the children so that they inculcate these habits in their daily lives.

ANSWER: Silver

Explanation:

• Indian wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt's bronze medal in men's 60kg freestyle category from the London Olympics has been upgraded to silver.
• The silver medallist from the 2012 Games.
• deceased Besik Kudukhov of Russia - has been stripped off his medal for using banned substance.
• With silver medal in bag, Yogeshwar will now join fellow Haryana wrestler Sushil Kumar as the second Indian silver medalist from the 2012 Olympics.
• Before the Rio Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) re-tested Kudukhov's sample, which was collected during the 2012 London Games. Samples are now stored for up to 10 years to use advanced testing methods to catch dope-tainted athletes.

ANSWER: EXIM Bank

Explanation:

• The Union Cabinet has given its approval to create a Project Development Fund (PDF) with a corpus of Rs 500 Crore for catalysing Indian economic presence in the Cambodia, Laos Myanmar and Vietnam.
• The PDF shall be housed in Department of Commerce and operated through the EXIM Bank.
• CLMV countries namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have a unique position in the regional value chains and offer a gateway for market access to China/EU and other markets due to various trade agreements.
• The key advantage of positioning India on the regional value chains is securing on a long term basis, a dedicated market for Indian raw materials and intermediate goods besides a dedicated source for inputs and raw materials for Indian industry.
• While opportunities are a plenty in CLMV region, Indian entrepreneurs' endeavors in these countries have, thus far, been limited due to limited information, infrastructure and other contingent risks.
• The PDF shall benefit India's industrial community for business expansion, and to maintain cost competitive supply chains, besides integrating with global production networks.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has approved the scheme for grant of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors subject to the relevant conditions as specified in the FDI Policy notified by the Government from time to time.

• The scheme is expected to encourage foreign investment in India and facilitate Make in India Programme.
• Under the Scheme, suitable provisions will be incorporated in the Visa Manual to provide for the grant of PRS to foreign investors.
• The PRS will be granted for a period of 10 years with multiple entry. This can be reviewed for another 10 years if the PRS holder has not come to adverse notice.