IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Mar 29, 2016

1)   Bommai versus Union of India (1994) case and judgment is related to which of the following aspects of the Indian Polity?

1) President’s Rule
2) Secularism
3) Federalism
4) Conflict between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs


a. 1, 3
b. 1, 3, 4
c. 2, 3, 4
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

  • In Bommai case (1994), the Supreme Court laid down that the Constitution is federal and characterised federalism as its ‘basic feature’.
  • In Bommai case (1994), propositions have been laid down by the Supreme Court on imposition of President’s Rule in a state under Article 356.
  • The Supreme Court in Bommai case (1994) enlisted the situations where the exercise of power under Article 356 could be proper or improper.


2)   In some countries there has been use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Which of the following are its uses as per its supporters?

1) Revive lost appetite
2) Treating sleep disorders
3) Manage headaches


a. 1, 3
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 2
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

  • It has long been known to revive lost appetite and to help in treating sleep disorders, anxiety and inflammation as per the advocates of medical marijuana.
  • There is limited evidence suggesting cannabis can be used to reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy, to improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS, and to treat chronic pain and muscle spasms and improving tics in Tourettes syndrome.
  • For the past 10 years its therapeutic use has not only been permitted but also encouraged in Israel. Recreational use is banned.
  • Entrepreneurs, investors and researchers are increasingly entering the business and searching for the holy grail of medicinal marijuana: a purified form of the drug with minimal side-effects and which can be administered in accurate doses.


3)   Auroras are a result of interaction of

a. Earth’s magnetic field and solar eruptions
b. Earth’s gravitational field and solar eruptions
c. Sunrays and earth’s atmosphere causing refraction
d. Solar Eruptions and Earth’s ozone layer
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Earth’s magnetic field and solar eruptions

Explanation:

  • Earth is often struck by solar eruptions, which comprise energetic particles that are hurled away from the Sun into space, where those directed towards the Earth encounter the magnetic field around our planet.
  • When these eruptions interact with the magnetic field, they cause beautiful auroras.
  • The lights are seen around the magnetic poles of the northern (aurora borealis) and southern hemispheres (aurora australis).


4)   Recently the National Film Awards were announced. The best actress award went to

a. Kangana Ranaut for ‘Tanu weds Manu returns’
b. Deepika Padukone for ‘Piku’
c. Priyanka Chopra for ‘Bajirao Mastani’
d. Deepika Padukone for ‘Bajirao Mastani’
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kangana Ranaut for ‘Tanu weds Manu returns’

Explanation:

  • Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali won the best director award for Bajirao Mastani, while SS Rajamouli's magnum opus “Baahubali” bagged the best picture award.
  • Star of mellennium, Amitabh Bachchan has been honoured with the best actor's award for 2015 for his film 'Piku'. Earlier, the legendary actor has won three national awards- in 1990 for 'Agneepath', in 2005 for 'black' and in 2009 for “Paa”.
  • Kangna Ranaut has been selected for best actress award for her stupendous performance in the film “Tanu weds Manu returns”. This is Kangna's third national award as an actress. Earlier, she bagged the coveted award for best actress for her film 'queen' in 2014 and best supporting actress for the film 'fashion' in 2008.


5)   Recently Rotavirus Vaccine was launched as a part of Universal Immunization Programme. In which of the following states has it been launched?

1) Odisha
2) Himachal Pradesh
3) Jharkhand


a. 1, 2
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

  • The vaccine is initially being introduced in four States which are Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha.
  • He also informed that it will be expanded to the entire country in a phased manner.


6)   Spectrum auctions are in news always. Spectrum is priced based on which of the following parameters?

1) Equipment available for spectrum’s usage
2) Spectrum’s efficiency to carry mobile signals
3) Population of the region the spectrum will cover


a. 1, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

  • Spectrum is priced on the basis of its efficiency to carry mobile signals and ecosystem of device and equipment available for its usage.
  • Lower the frequency band, the higher is its efficiency to carry long-distance signals.


7)   Spectrum harmonization is?

a. Using the same frequency band for different uses
b. Increasing the efficiency of the frequency bands used for commercial purposes
c. Uniform allocation of radio frequency bands across regions
d. Using frequency bands which are harmonics of each other for better outputs.
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Uniform allocation of radio frequency bands across regions

Explanation:

  • Spectrum harmonisation refers to uniform allocation of radio frequency bands across regions, especially in border areas, where the Defence holds the radio waves.
  • Harmonisation leads to usage of bands into contiguous blocks, leading to efficient utilisation of spectrum.


8)   Which of the following are the recommendations of the Report of the Committee led by R.D. Sharma for catering in Indian railways?

1) Catering services to be given back to Indian Railways from IRCTC
2) IRCTC now cannot completely license out catering to private players
3) Present private licensees can exit out of contract without liability


a. 1, 2
b. 2, 3
c. 1, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:
It has drawn attention to the present state of catering system in the country where, while on one hand, IRCTC is increasing its income earned by licensing out the catering services to private players, its departmental losses have ballooned, on the other hand.

Recommendations :

  • Catering services to be given back to IRCTC from the Indian Railways, in a bid to end licensing raj.
  • IRCTC to be prohibited from completely licensing out catering to private players and enhance revenue
  • IRCTC may outsource operations like support staff, service staff, cooks, transportation, packaging etc. but its managers will be on board to supervise services.
  • Present private licensees to be given out two options: Exit out contract without liability or accept new model of catering.


9)   Which of the following is/are true regarding?

1) The human waste in bio-toilets is degraded to give out only water and methane.
2) The biodegradation takes place by aerobic bacteria.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

  • The human waste in bio-toilets is biologically degraded by anaerobic bacteria.
  • It is converted to water, methane and carbon dioxide.
  • Bio toilets are designed by DRDO.
  • Psychrophile bacteria are used, which are invisible to the naked eye and originated in the uninhabitable climes of Antarctica.
  • Unlike traditional toilets which discharge waste on the tracks, bio-toilets treat the waste in a tank below the coaches where it is converted into water and harmless gases.
  • The leftover in the tank is free from harmful germs


10)   Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan is

a. Village Self Governance Campaign
b. Village Employment Campaign
c. Village Economic Development Campaign
d. Village Electrification Campaign
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Village Self Governance Campaign

Explanation:

  • Starting with Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s 125th Birth Anniversary on 14th April 2016 and culminating in Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April 2016, in the period between 14th April to 24th April 2016, the Central Government, in collaboration with States and Panchayats, will organize a ‘Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan’ (Village Self Governance Campaign).
  • The campaign aims to generate nation-wide efforts to increase social harmony across villages, strengthen Panchayati Raj, promote rural development, and foster farmers’ progress.


11)   The Swadhar Greh scheme is a combination of which of the following schemes?

1) Ujjawala Scheme
2) Swadhar
3) Short Stay Home Scheme


a. 1, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation  Related Ques

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:
The Women and Child Development Ministry under the Swadhar and Short Stay Home Scheme caters to the primary needs of shelter, food, clothing, medical treatment and care of the women in distress who are without social and economic support. The two schemes have been merged as Swadhar Greh w.e.f. 1st January 2016. The Ministry will launch the project of construction of a special Home for one thousand widows at Vrindavan, Mathura. The Foundation stone for the Home will be laid by the WCD Minister under the ‘Swadhar Greh Scheme’ of the WCD Ministry. This will be the largest ever Home for widows established or funded by the Government.