IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Aug 24, 2016

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Government of India, declares Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 24 crops before their sowing seasons.
• The MSP is fixed on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The CACP is a statutory body and submits separate reports recommending prices for Kharif and Rabi seasons.
• The Central Government after considering the report and views of the State Governments and also keeping in view the overall demand and supply situation in the country, takes the final decision.
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs finally approves it.

ANSWER: Transparent Electrodes

Explanation:

• TREASORES stands for transparent electrodes for large area large scale production of organic optoelectronic devices.
• A team of European scientists has developed new transparent electrodes and barrier materials which may power the next-generation light sources and solar cells.
• Researchers developed the new technology for use in the next generation of flexible optoelectronics as part of the TREASORES project of the European Union.
• Currently, Indium Tin oxide (ITO) is widely used as electrodes in opto-electrical devices.
• Transparent Organic Electrode -It uses electrodes made of organic polymers which are made of combination of molecules unlike ITO electrodes which are made of combination of two atoms.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Advantages of using Transparent Organic Electrodes

• Organic electrodes have their building blocks as molecules which being larger than atoms are easier to work with.
• Low cost
• Better mechanical flexibility
• Broad spectral usability
• Including TRANSPARENT BARRIERS would prevent moisture and oxygen entry from reaching sensitive organic electronic devices.
• Therefore a combination of transparent organic electrode and barrier could be a boon for solar industry in terms of cost and flexibility of devices.

ANSWER: Engage housewives for curbing crimes against women

Explanation:

• The Delhi Police are roping in housewives to serve as its ‘eyes and ears’ and report about domestic violence, suppressed cases of sexual abuse and street crimes.
• In the initiative called ‘Operation Veerangana’, the Central District police has decided to train dozens of housewives to spot and report crimes taking place in their immediate neighbourhood.
• The police are particularly targeting housewives because of their belief that these women are the “silent observers” and that their active involvement in “community-based exercises” will come handy.
• In Delhi, private detective agencies employ many housewives as detectives because of their ability to investigate without drawing attention.

ANSWER: Disaster management

Explanation:

• A two-day meeting of BRICS Ministers on Disaster Management ended in Udaipur, Rajasthan with the adoption of the Udaipur Declaration. The meeting laid bare the common thread of challenges on disaster issues faced by all the BRICS nations.
• The meeting adopted the Udaipur Declaration whereby all have resolved to set up a dedicated Joint Task Force for Disaster Risk Management for regular dialogue, exchange, mutual support and collaboration among BRICS Countries.
• The roadmap for implementation of the three-year Joint Action Plan (JAP) for BRICS emergency services (2016-18) was also finalised.
• The JAP was agreed upon at the first meeting of BRICS Ministers for Disaster Management at St. Petersburg in Russia in earlier 2016.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• The District Reserve Group (DRG), a locally raised force vested with the task to tackle Maoists has added muscle to the counter insurgency operations in south Chhattisgarh.
• Dubbed as “son of soil” because its personnel are recruited from among local youth and surrendered Naxals in Bastar division, the DRG earned accolades recently for its well-executed strikes in the Maoists’ self-proclaimed liberated zones like Abhujmad and south Sukma.
• They are well conversant with the inhospitable terrain and dense forests of Bastar.
• Those in the DRG are full police officers, with the same accountability as anyone else, and thus the state is fully responsible for their actions.

ANSWER: Indian Council for Fertilizer Research

Explanation:

• Government is planning to set up Indian Council for Fertilizers Research, on the lines of ICMR and ICAR.
• Research is very much required to discover and develop various means and ways of producing quality fertilizers, fortified fertilizers, hybrid fertilizers, nutrients and various combinations which are good for the soil.
• Research has a role to play in the all aspects of the fertilizer chain which includes production, transportation, storage, availability, application, etc.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• National Film Heritage Mission is the prestigious project of Government of India for digitization, restoration, preservation and conservation of Country’s rich filmic heritage.
• The mission is to be implemented till 2021.
• National Film Archive of India is the implementing agency for the mission.
• The mission would ensure not only the preservation of filmic heritage but also its dissemination and access to the last mile. This would enable awareness amongst youth and children about our rich cultural heritage.

ANSWER: Cow

Explanation:

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) initiated the mechanism for “Registration of Animal Germplasm” through National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
• Badri cattle are indigenous cattle available in hilly areas of Uttarakhand.
• Badri cattle are small in size having long legs and varied body colours – black, brown, red, white or grey.
• These are well adapted to the hilly terrain and climatic conditions and comparatively more resistant to diseases.

ANSWER: Sheep

Explanation:

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) initiated the mechanism for “Registration of Animal Germplasm” through National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
• Chevaadu sheep are found in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
• Animals are small to medium in size.
• Two colour variant viz. light brown and dark brown or tan are present.
• Adult body varies from 18 to 39kg.