IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 05 & 06, 2015

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- Article 124 deals with appointment of judges of supreme court of India and there is no special provision in constitution for appointment of CJI.

Eligibility for judge of SC:

- A citizen of India who has been a judge of one high court or more (continuously), for at least five years or an advocate there, for at least ten years, or a distinguished jurist, in the opinion of the president, is eligible to be recommended for appointment, a judge of the supreme court.
- A person who has retired as a Judge of the Supreme Court is debarred from practicing in any court of law or before any other authority in India.
- Senior-most Supreme Court judge Justice Tirath Singh Thakur was sworn in as 43rd Chief Justice of India.

ANSWER: Regulating Act of 1773

Explanation:
- India’s first Supreme Court was established at Fort William, Calcutta by Regulating act of 1773.
- It consisted a Chief Justice and three other regular judges or Puisne Judges.
- Sir Elijah Imphey was the first Chief Justice.
- The Supreme Court was the supreme judiciary over all British subjects including the provinces of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa.

ANSWER: Chief Justice of India

Explanation:
- Article 130 deals with Seat of Supreme Court.
- The Supreme Court shall sit in Delhi or in such other place or places, as the Chief Justice of India may, with the approval of the President, from time to time, appoint.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- India and Germany took a giant step towards clean energy collaboration with the creation of long-term 'Climate and Renewable Alliance'.
- Germany extended a lump sum assistance of 2 billion euros ($2.25 billion) for developing a clean energy corridor and solar projects.
- India has established a target of 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. This comprises 100 GW solar power, 60 GW wind power, 10 GW biomass-fired power and 5 GW small hydro power.

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Regional centre for biotechnology bill will provide a legal status to the Centre so as to function independently as an autonomous body and also an Institution of National Importance for education, training and research in the areas of biotechnology.
- The Centre has already been established by an executive order of the Government of India in November, 2008 after the approval by the Union Cabinet.

ANSWER: 1 and 5

Explanation:
- Israel wants to offer its expertise in water management and help the government with its ambitious Ganga cleaning project.
- Israel’s water management, desalination and recycling techniques helped Israel to overcome a water crisis in years of drought.
- The model has been emulated by several countries.
- Israel has also set a template for reusing wastewater for irrigation. It treats 80 percent of its domestic wastewater, which is recycled for agricultural use, and nearly 50 percent of the total water used for agriculture.
- India and Japan has come together to enhance the living environment in Varanasi and other neighboring cities along Ganga river through improved sanitation system.
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in partnership with Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Urban Development, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and Varanasi Nagar Nigam organized a seminar on enhancement of living environment in Varanasi through improved sanitation system.
- JICA has extended around Rs 580 crore for the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) project for improvement of water quality of Ganga river at Varanasi and improving the living environment for city residents, pilgrims and tourists.
Other projects supported by JICA : Yamuna Action Plan, abatement of pollution in Hussain Sagar Lake at Hyderabad through sewerage system development as well as sewerage system development at Amritsar, Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack and Guwahati.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
- Kutiyattam is a form of Sanskrit theater.
- It is performed in the Sanskrit language in Hindu temples.
- It is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
- Nangyar Koothu is an allied traditional art of Kutiyattam.
- It is performed traditionally by the women of the Ambalavasi Nambiar community of Kerala, known as Nangyaramma.
- Margi Sathi who died recently was among the finest practitioners of Koodiyattam, the 2000-year-old classical Sanskrit theatre, and Nangiarkoothu, a women-only offshoot of the former.

ANSWER: 75%

Explanation:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised the priority sector lending target for regional rural banks (RRBs) to 75% of total outstanding loans from 60% earlier, effective January 2016.
- Categories of the priority sector include, medium enterprises, social infrastructure and renewable energy, with a cap of 15% of total outstanding.
- Agriculture should constitute 18% of total outstanding; target of 8% of total outstanding for small and marginal farmers within agriculture.

ANSWER: Rajya Sabha

Explanation:
- The constitution under Article 312 provides for All India Civil Services branches to be set up by giving the power to the Rajya Sabha.
- It requires a two-thirds majority to establish new all-India services.
- The new 'Indian Skill Development Service' will be notified shortly to further intensify government's ambitious 'Skill India' programme.
- The service will be useful in creation of a dedicated skill development cadre.
- The 'Skill India' programme is targeted at enhancing existing skills of the citizens.