IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 07, 2015

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- The Chairman of the NDMA is the Prime Minister.
- During ‘calamities of severe nature’, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected state.
- The aid include deployment of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at the State’s request.

ANSWER: Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Explanation:
- Efforts are under way for inclusion of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.
- To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one of 10 selection criteria.

ANSWER: Commercial borrowings

Explanation:
- Commercial borrowings is the largest component of external debt with a share of 38.4%, followed by NRI deposits (24.8%) and short-term trade credit (16.6%).
- The share of short-term debt in total debt witnessed a decline over the as FII investment in Government treasury bills was phased out.
- Across borrower categories, the outstanding debt of Government marginally declined whereas non-Government debt increased and their shares in total external debt were 18.5% and 81.5%, respectively, at end-June 2015.
- India's external debt at end-June 2015 witnessed an increase of 1.8%.
- External debt/GDP ratio stood at 24.0% at end-June 2015 up from 23.7% at end-March 2015.

ANSWER: All

Explanation:
- The National Security Council (NSC) of India is the apex agency looking into the country's political, economic, energy and strategic security concerns.
- It was established in 1998 with Brajesh Mishra as the first National Security Adviser.
- Ajit Doval is current National Security Adviser.

ANSWER: Only 3

Explanation:
- French state-controlled nuclear engineering firm Areva S.A. and Indian state-owned nuclear operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India signed agreement to build Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
- Cameco, Canada signed a uranium supply contract with India after the nuclear cooperation agreement between Canada and India came into force.
- Atomstroyexport JSC is Russian company which has successfully constructed Kudankulam NPP with two power units with reactor plants.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- It is a $500 million dollars initiative launched by World bank.
- It is a market-based scheme designed to help developing countries pay for emission reductions and combat climate change.
- Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland have jointly pledged an initial $250 million to get the Transformative Carbon Asset Facility (TCAF).
- The facility will contribute to helping countries implement their emission reduction plans - called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).

ANSWER: None

Explanation:
- State with largest total forest cover : Madhya Pradesh (77, 462 sq km)
- State having highest forest cover as % of its area : Mizoram (88.93%)

According to Indian state forest report 2015

- 21.34 percent of the total geographical area is covered by forest.
- Area with tree cover has been estimated at 92,000 sq km or 2.82 percent of the total geographical area.
- Increase in carbon sink is 103 million tonnes CO2 equivalent.
- State having highest forest cover as % of its area : Mizoram followed by Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur
- The data was based on data from the indigenous Resourcesat–II satellite.

ANSWER: Hubli

Explanation:
- South Western Railways (SWR) Zone has introduced biodiesel for trains, operating under its zone.
- Hubli, Mysore and Bangalore divisions come under South Western Railways.
- Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil or animal fat-based diesel fuel.