IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Jan 06, 2016

ANSWER: None

Explanation:
- Cortana is an intelligent personal assistant created by Microsoft for Windows.
- Siri is Speech Interpretation and Recognition Interface
- SIri is a part of Apple Inc.'s iOS, watchOS, and tvOS operating systems.
- Siri Inc. was acquired by Apple on April 28, 2010.
- Google Now is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Google.

ANSWER: Shyam Benegal

Explanation:
- The recommendations of the Committee are expected to provide a holistic framework and enable those tasked with the work of certification of films.
- During their deliberations, the Committee would be expected to take note of the best practices in various parts of the world
- The Committee would recommend broad guidelines / procedures under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act / Rules for the benefit of the chairperson and other members of the Screening Committee.
- The staffing pattern of CBFC would also be looked into in an effort to recommend a framework which would provide efficient / transparent user friendly services.
- The other Members of the Committee include Shri Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Shri Piyush Pandey, Ms. Bhawana Somaaya , Ms. Nina Lath Gupta and Joint Secretary (Films) as Member Convenor.

ANSWER: LPG subsisdy

Explanation:
- Domestic LPG is heavily subsidized by the Government of India which is a huge annual subsidy burden on the Government, draining precious resources which otherwise could have been used in developmental activities.
- Subsidy on domestic LPG instead of being universal needs to meet the needs of the truly needy citizens.
- Fortunately, many able and aware citizens are not in favor of subsidies and would rather pay the full price for the products and, thereby they also make a personal contribution towards nation-building.
- The Government has launched the ‘GiveItUp’ campaign which is aimed at motivating LPG users who can afford to pay the market price for LPG to voluntarily surrender their LPG subsidy.

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- MIKE is Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants.
- It is mandated by COP resolution of CITES.It was started in South Asia in 2003 with the following purpose:

1.To measure levels and trends in illegal hunting of elephants.
2.To determine changes in these trends overtime.
3.To determine the factors causing or associated with these changes and to try and assess in particular to what extent observed trends are a result of any decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties to CITES.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
- UDAY scheme shifts 75 per cent of power DISCOMs debt burden to states’ balance sheets.
- The scheme ensures the ease of financial crunch facing power distribution companies, or discoms, that has impaired their ability to buy electricity.
- State governments, which own the discoms, can take over 75 percent of their debt as of September 30 and pay back lenders by selling bonds.
- For the remaining 25 percent, discoms will issue bonds.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- World Nuclear Association and Australian government say that Australia ranks third in terms of production of uranium.
- Kazakhstan and Canada produce more than Australia.
- If Australia opens new mines, which it plans to, its production may increase, and it might become the top producer in a few years.
- Australia produces uranium basically to export as it does not operate nuclear power plants. So, Australia may become the most important uranium supplier to India.

ANSWER: Mynamar

Explanation:
- The Union Cabinet approved the construction of 69 bridges including approach roads on the Tamu-Kyigone-Kalewa (TKK) road section of the trilateral highway in Myanmar at a cost of Rs 371.58 crore.
- It will impart all weather usability to the TKK road section, which is also part of the route for the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service.
- It will improve connectivity between India and Myanmar and facilitate the movement of goods and traffic.