IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Feb 04, 2016

ANSWER: Nepal

Explanation:

• The President of India conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Indian Army on Prakhyata Trisahkati-Patta General Rajendra Chhetri, Chief of the Army Staff, Nepalese Army.
• It was for his commendable military prowess and immeasurable contribution to fostering Nepal’s long and friendly association with India.

ANSWER: Bharat Biotech

Explanation:

• Bharat Biotech International Limited claimed to have developed Zika vaccine.
• The reason they were working was because they have been working on Chikungunya vaccine. They have made a vaccine, which is under clinical trial. They have got two patterns. So, they thought if Chikungunya comes to India, then what is next. So, naturally the same mosquitoes, which transmit Chikungunya, are likely to bring Zika. That's how they started working on Zika vaccine.
• They have developed the vaccine and pro vaccine candidate. They filed a patent in July 2015.
• They want the Government help on the strategy, on the regulatory issues, and the clinical trial issue. If they can help, they can make the vaccine faster.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• Government has set up two new committees namely Tax Policy Research Unit and Tax Policy Council to streamline the taxation policy and administration.
• The TPRU, headed by Revenue Secretary, will carry out studies on various topics of fiscal and tax policies. The Research Unit will also assist the TPC in taking appropriate policy decisions.
• It will be a multi-disciplinary body comprising of officers from the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Excise and Customs as well as economists, statisticians, operational researchers and legal experts.
• The Tax Policy Council will help the government identifying key policy decisions for taxation. The council under the Finance Minister will look into all the research findings coming from TPRU and suggests broad policy measures for taxation.
• Chaired by the Union Finance Minister with nine other members including Minister of State for Finance, Niti Aayog Vice Chairman, Commerce and Industry Minister Revenue Secretary and the Chief Economic Advisor, it will also have Finance secretary, Commerce Secretary and Industry Secretary as members. The Council will be advisory in nature, which will help the Government in identifying key policy decisions for taxation.
• The decision to set up Committees has been taken in view of the reports of Tax Administration Reform Commission on taxation reform.

ANSWER: Drug

Explanation:

• The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research today launched the country's first anti-diabetic ayurvedic drug for type two Diabetes mellitus.
• Drug BGR-34 is developed jointly by National Botanical Research Institute and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants.
• Modern diabetes drugs are known for side-effects and toxicity, BGR-34 works by controlling blood sugar and limiting the harmful effects of other drugs.
• BGR-34, stands for Blood Glucost Regulator and it contains 34 identified active phyto-constitutes from herbal resources.

ANSWER: Energy

Explanation:

• Defense cooperation will provide both sides the institutional foundation for more collaborative work on maritime security and secure India’s energy lanes to Brunei.
• Brunei’s main port, Muara — one of the main ports in Southeast Asia through which the bulk of the country’s oil and gas exports to India take place — is in the South China Sea region and will become a major component of India’s growing maritime partnership with Brunei.
• Part of South China Sea that Brunei claims is largely “unexplored” and might contain hydrocarbon reserves vital for the country’s economy.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
Apart from its coastline with the South China Sea, the country is completely surrounded on the three sides by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. It lies on the Borneo Island. The Borneo Island is third largest island in the world and first in Asia. It has three countries in it - Parts of Malaysia and Indonesia and entire nation of Brunei along the northern part. Brunei has developed wealth from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. Brunei has the second-highest Human Development Index among the Southeast Asia nations, after Singapore, and is classified as a "developed country".

ANSWER: Mumbai

Explanation:

• The first Maritime India Summit (MIS), which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate in Mumbai and will showcase about 200 projects with an investment potential of US $6 billion
• The summit is an attempt by the central government to attract investment in the Indian Shipping and Maritime industry from both domestic as well as international players and is being partnered by South Korea which is known for its ship-building capacities.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• Boosting the 'Make in India' initiative, the Rifle Factory Ishapore, has indigenously developed country's lightest revolver 'Nidar' which weighs merely 250 grams, much lighter than 'Nirbheek' (500 grams), which was exclusively designed for women.
• The .22 caliber Nidar is capable of firing eight rounds loaded in a revolving chamber against Nirbheek which has only six rounds capacity.
• The Ishapore Rifle Factory is controlled by the Ordnance Factories Organization of India.