IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 11, 2015

1)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Price Stabilization Fund?

1. It is Central Sector Scheme with corpus of Rs.500 crores.
2. It will control the prices of perishable agri-horticultural commodities.


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

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Price Stabilization Fund will intervene the market for controlling the prices of perishable agri-horticultural commodities.
- It will be used to advance interest free loan to State Governments and Central agencies to support their working capital and other expenses on procurement and distribution.
- States will set up a fund to which Center and State will contribute equally (50:50). The ratio of Center-State contribution to the State level corpus in respect of North East States will be 75:25.
- Initially the fund is proposed to be used for onion and potato only.
Now after approval from CCEA, fund will be used for pulses also.


2)   The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are situated in -

a. Satpura hills
b. Vindya hills
c. Gandhamardhan hills
d. Chota Nagpur Plateau
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: Vindya hills

Explanation:
- The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are in the foothills of the Vindhyan Mountains on the southern edge of the central Indian plateau.
- UNESCO.
- It shows earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent.
- The caves also deliver early evidence of dance.
- It is located in Madhya Pradesh inside the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary.


3)   What was the goal of Tara expedition 2009?

a. To study Artic ice
b. To study glaciers in Himalaya
c. To study solar stroms
d. To study marine microorganisms
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: To study marine microorganisms

Explanation:
- Tara expedition 2009 was to study marine microorganisms.
- Tara sailed 30,000 km across the world's oceans, with researchers collecting 35,000 samples, taking them from the very top layers of the ocean down to 1,000m below the waves.
- An international team of scientists took part in expeditions onboard the Tara schooner between 2009 and 2013.
- It travelled around the world to study CO2 captured by marine microorganisms such as plankton.


4)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about 'Target Olympic Podium Scheme' (TOPS)?

1. It is aimed towards medal prospects identified for 2020 Tokyo Olympic.
2. It is given in case where athlete is not provided with any assistance from the regular scheme.


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

ANSWER: None

Explanation:
- It is a Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports new scheme called ‘Target Podium Scheme’ (TOPS)
- It is aimed towards medal prospects identified for 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
- Under the scheme, chosen athletes are provided financial assistance for customized training as per their allocation over and above normal assistance provided from the regular scheme.
- Pro-active identification of medal prospects through a body of experts has been done for the first time for Rio Olympics, 2016.


5)   Arrange the following tributaries of Ganges from north to south as they meet Ganges.

1. Ghagra
2. Son
3. Gandak
4. Kosi


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

ANSWER: 1,2,3,4

Explanation:
1. Ghagra - Confluence with the Ganges at Doriganj in Bihar.
2. Son - Join the Ganges just above Patna.
3. Gandak - Confluence with the Ganges at Sonepur, Bihar.
4. Kosi - Joins the Ganga River 30 km west of Manihari, Bihar.


6)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill?

1. It paves the way for establishment of one or more ‘Real Estate Regulatory Authority' for one or two or more states.
2. The law makes it compulsory registration of real estate projects and real estate agents.


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

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Real estate agents to sell properties registered with the Authority and have to maintain books of accounts, records and documents.
- Real Estate Regulatory Authority is to act as the nodal agency to co-ordinate efforts regarding development of the real estate sector and render necessary advice to the appropriate Government to ensure the growth and promotion of a transparent, efficient and competitive real estate sector.


7)   Katchatheevu is a uninhabited island administered by -

a. SriLanka
b. India
c. Maldives
d. Seychelles
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: SriLanka

Explanation:
- Katchatheevu is a uninhabited island administered by Sri Lanka.
- In 1974, India recognized Sri Lankan ownership of the island on a conditional agreement.
- It has a Catholic shrine and has been declared a sacred area by the government of Sri Lanka.


8)   Which of the following statements is/ are correct about GSLV-D6?

1. GSLV- D6 carried GSAT-6 which has the largest satellite antenna realized by ISRO.
2. It uses solid rocket propellant only.


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

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- It uses indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS).
- GSLV-D6 is the ninth flight of India's Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
- The GSLV is a three-stage rocket. The core of first stage is fired with solid fuel while the four strap-on motors by liquid fuel. The second is the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic engine.