IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Aug 20 & 21, 2016

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
A web enabled online system for evaluation of measures has been developed with the help of National Institute of Smart Governance (NISG), Hyderabad. The main advantages of the Star Rating of Mines will be:

• Comprehensive mitigation of environmental impacts on land, air and water by mining activities.
• Collation of various technical, environmental and social data of the mining sector at one platform by IBM, which would be utilised to enable better management and monitoring of the compliance of various conditions laid down by statutory authorities for mining.
• In addressing cumulative impacts in mining areas through coordinated and collective action in the long run by helping in formulation of Comprehensive Regional Plans’- a robust Environment & Social Management framework.
• Availability of the information on mining as well as the conservation activities in public domain to enable greater transparency to enable effective participation of stakeholder and speedy resolution of conflicts.
• Reduced delays in obtaining various clearances (environmental, forest, mining plan, etc.) for mines. Self-certification to be allowed for the approvals for scheme of mining.
• The progressive and final mine closures will be monitored to ensure that the lessee leaves the area after proper management of any adverse impact over the mined area.
• Encourage adoption of highest standards and sharing and good practices.

ANSWER: Urjit Patel

Explanation:

• Dr. Urjit R Patel has been appointed as the New Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a period of three years with effect from 4th September, 2016.
• He will replace the present RBI Governor Dr. Raghuram Rajan. Dr Patel is presently the Deputy Governor of RBI and is holding this assignment since 2013.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• A hallmark will be used to certify precious metal articles including silver, gold, platinum, and palladium or their alloys.
• The Bill allows the central government to notify certain goods, articles, etc. which will need to compulsorily carry a standard mark. For example goods or articles necessary for public interest, safety of the environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, national security etc.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The new Bill will repeal the existing Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.
• The Bill includes goods, services and systems. Under the 1986 Act, standardization, marking and certification processes applied to certain articles and processes only.
• The Bureau would be a licensing authority for quality standards.
• The Bureau will establish and maintain testing laboratories for quality assurance and conformity assessment of goods, articles, services, etc.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• While a number of minority educational institutions exist, there are issues with regard to minority universities.
• For incorporating any university, a statute is needed and thus it is done by the state.
• Those against minority status for universities say that since, university is established by law and not minorities, it is not a minority institution.
• But, those in support argue that establishment is different from incorporation and for incorporation of a university, law is needed irrespective of the fact that it was established by minorities.
• Jamia Millia Islamia was founded in 1920 during Khilafat and Non-cooperation Movement.

It became a Central University through the Jamia Millia Islamia Act, 1988.

It was declared a minority in 2011.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions was established in 2005.
• It ensures rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice as provided in the Article 30 of the Constitution of India.
• The linguistic minorities are outside the purview of the NCMEI Act.
• This Commission is a quasi-judicial body and has been endowed with the powers of a Civil Court.
• It is headed by a Chairman who has been a Judge of the Delhi High Court and two members to be nominated by Central Government.
• The Commission has 3 roles namely adjudicatory function, advisory function and recommendatory powers.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• Deendayal Upadhyay Swaniyojan Yojana (DUSY) will soon be launched by Ministry of Rural Development to promote rural entrepreneurship under Start Up India campaign.
• The main objective of Swaniyojan Yojana is to provide incentives such as financial assistance to the rural poor looking for self-employment options.
• The scheme will be integrated with MUDRA Bank Loan Yojana, innovative credit linkages and self-help groups.
• It will be funded by the existing National Rural Livelihood Mission.
• It will provide the basic skill set required for self-employment in fields like driving, plumbing, agriculture, dairy farming, grafting and horticulture among others.
• The Ministry will also coordinate with other government departments such as textile, animal husbandry, and food processing to help rural poor setup their own business in these fields.
DUSY is a rural avatar of Start Up India.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• The Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report, explored the energy architecture of 126 countries based on their ability to provide energy access across three dimensions of the “energy triangle” — affordability, environmental sustainability, security and access.
• The Energy Architecture Performance Index (EAPI), developed by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Accenture.
• The list was topped by Switzerland followed by Norway and Sweden in the second and third place, respectively.
• Among the BRIC nations, Brazil was the top performer as it was ranked at the 25th place, followed by Russia (52nd), India (90th), and China (94).
• India has been ranked at the 90th place in a list of 126 countries.
• The proportion of the population covered having grown over the past six years by 4 percentage points to 79 per cent.
• The report noted that India is facing a vast array of challenges in the power sector in order to meet its growth targets.

ANSWER: Appointment of Judges

Explanation:

• A Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by External Affairs Minister have finalized the new Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for appointment of Judges.
• After quashing the proposed National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench had asked the Centre to consult the CJI for drafting the new memorandum for appointments of judges to the higher judiciary.
• For the first time, it has been asked to include “merit and integrity” as “prime criteria” for appointment of judges to the higher judiciary.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• It proposes that for appointment of judges in the Supreme Court, the “prime criteria” should be “seniority as chief justice/ judge of the high court”.
• The MoP states that up to three judges in the Supreme Court need to be appointed from among the eminent members of the Bar and distinguished jurists with proven track record in their respective fields.
• A permanent secretariat to be set up in the Supreme Court for maintaining records of high court judges, scheduling meetings of the SC Collegium, receiving recommendations as well as complaints in matters related to appointments.