IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Dec 19 & 20, 2016

ANSWER: NBFCs borrowing and lending money only between their members

Explanation:
A Nidhi Company, is one that belongs to the non-banking Indian Finance sector (NBFC) and is recognized under section 620A of the Companies Act, 2013.

Their core business is borrowing and lending money only between their members.

They are also known as Permanent Fund, Benefit Funds, Mutual Benefit Funds and Mutual Benefit Company.

It is regulated by Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Reserve Bank of India is empowered to issue directions to them in matters relating to their deposit acceptance activities, however, in recognition of the fact that these Nidhis deal with their shareholder-members only.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
As per Nidhi Rules, 2014 issued under section 406 of the Companies Act, 2013, a Nidhi company shall be a public company and shall have a minimum paid up equity share capital of five lakh rupees.

Nidhi companies shall not issue preference shares, debentures or any other debt instrument by any name or in any form whatsoever.

A Nidhi company shall not admit a body corporate or trust as a member.

Further, every Nidhi company shall, within a period of one year from the commencement of Nidhi Rules, 2014, ensure that it has not less than two hundred members and that it has Net Owned Funds of ten lakh rupees or such higher amount as the Central Government may specify.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
Nidhi Companies were existed even prior to the existence of companies Act 1913. The basic concept of Nidhi is "Principle of Mutuality" ("Paraspara Sahayata").

Thus Nidhis function for the common benefit advantage of all their Members/Shareholders. These companies are more popular in South India and 80% of Nidhi companies are located in Tamil Nadu.

Nidhi Company is governed by Nidhi Rules, 2014.

Nidhi companies are incorporated in the nature of Limited company and hence, they have to comply with two set of norms, one of Public limited company as per Companies Act, 2013 and another is for Nidhi Rules, 2014.

No RBI approval is necessary to register the Nidhi Company. RBI has specifically exempted this category of NBFC in India to comply with its core provisions such as registration with RBI, etc.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The following existing Schemes/ Programmes shall get merged in the Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK):

• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
• National Youth Corps (NYC)
• National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD)
• International Cooperation (IC)
• Youth Hostels (YH)
• Assistance to Scouting and Guiding Organisations
• National Discipline Scheme (NDS)
• National Young Leaders Programme (NYLP)

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:
The programme aims at developing leadership qualities among the youth to enable them to realize their full potential and in the process, to contribute to the nation-building process.

The objective of the Scheme is to motivate the youth to strive for excellence in their respective fields and to bring them to the forefront of the development process. It seeks to harness the immense youth energy for national – building.

The National Young Leaders Programme has the following five components :

1. Neighbourhood Youth Parliament
2. Youth for Development Programme
3. National Young Leaders Awards
4. National Youth Advisory Council
5. National Youth Development Fund

ANSWER: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Explanation:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare won gold in the Web Ratna category in the recently concluded Digital India awards, 2016, conferred by the Ministry of Electronics & IT to promote more innovative e-governance initiatives by the government entities.

Digital India awards, earlier known as the Web Ratna Awards, were instituted under the Ambit of National Portal of India.

The award acknowledges exemplary initiatives of various government entities in the realm of e-governance.

Web Ratna award felicitates a Ministry or Department of the Government of India which has a comprehensive web presence and display the level of accountability in terms of quantity, quality, spectrum of coverage, and innovation ascertaining user satisfaction.

Level of convenience provided to the citizen for availing the services, usability and accessibility are also assessed.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
Provisions have been made in the draft catering policy 2016 with respect to empanelment of SHGs by IRCTC for providing catering related services.

As IRCTC can outsource its backend operations, IRCTC has been enabled to use the services of Self Help Groups for support staff, service staff, cooks, transportation, packaging etc.

Indian Railways will provide support and access to IRCTC’s website. Customer can order any of the articles/products on the same website. IRCTC to provide link to this website at all of its various existing service websites.

IRCTC is tendering for installation and operation of Water Vending machines on platforms.

Pilot project has been launched at Sawantwadi Road Railway Station of the Konkan Railways in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• D and E class stations are being earmarked for Self Help Groups.
• SHGs have been made eligible to participate in the allotment process of General Minor Units (GMUs) at D, E & F category of stations.
• This will help in boosting morale by providing alternative source of earning to Self Help Groups.
• NABARD will ensure extensive e-marketing.
• NABARD will develop a website.
• All information of SHG’s and their products can be seen on this Website.

ANSWER: 4^th

Explanation:
The present wind power installed capacity in the country is around 28.28 GW.

Now, in terms of wind power installed capacity India is globally placed at 4th position after China, USA and Germany.

During the year 2015-16, wind power capacity addition of 3.42 GW was made, which is highest ever wind power capacity addition in the country during a single year.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
A target of 40 GW grid connected solar rooftops to be achieved by 2022 has been set.

So far, about 500 MW have been installed and about 3,000 MW has been sanctioned which is under installation.

All major sectors i.e. Railways, Airports, Hospitals, Educational Institutions; Government Buildings of Central/State/PSUs are being targeted besides, the private sector.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has tied up with ISRO for Geo tagging of all the Rooftop plants using ISRO’s VEDAS Portal.