IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Jan 13 & 14, 2017

ANSWER: G.N. Lewis

Explanation:

• In 1916, G. N. Lewis introduced the electron pair bond.
• In chemistry, an electron pair or a Lewis pair consists of two electrons that occupy the same orbital but have opposite spins.
• He proposed that two atoms may share from one to six electrons forming single, double or triple bonds.
• He introduced the cubical atom and six postulates to understand their chemical behaviour.
• That chemical bond decides the properties of molecules such as colour, reactivity, solubility, etc. all of which decide their applications.
• Besides, it decides the physical properties of matter.
• We can now design the bond at will and get desired properties from the material so produced.
• Atoms can be assembled the way we want, to get the shapes we need.
• Many of these capabilities have inputs from several branches of science, but the underlying reason is the understanding of the chemical bond itself.
• Lewis wrote about the electron shell model and proposed that atoms acquire a configuration containing eight electrons in the process of forming chemical bonds.
• He introduced a symbolism for the bond — A:B, where the colon implies the existence of an electron pair bond involving the sharing of two electrons between atoms A and B.
• He symbolised this as A: B and A :B implying polar bonds, where electrons are closer to A and B, respectively.
• He had, models for different types of bonds such as covalent and ionic — in the former, electrons are shared and in the latter, an electron from one atom is transferred completely to the other.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• With digital e-wallet Toka Paisa, which also has a smart-card version Assam became the first state in eastern India to have its own e-wallet.
• Until now (15^th January 2017) only Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have their own e-wallets.
• The E-wallet has a local language interface, which was developed by techies from the state-owned Assam Electronics Development Corporation Limited (AMTRON).
• The state has many river islands and riverbanks which are isolated due to poor internet connectivity.
• The offline smart card which can be used in POS (point of sale) terminals will be able to serve those areas.
• But young entrepreneurs who have been opening up various hyper-local digital start-ups are sceptical as they feel that it is difficult to convince people to change their old ways in specifically the rural areas.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• A Mobile app named “SEZ India” has been launched
• The App would help the SEZ Units and Developers to find information easily and track their transactions on SEZ Online System.
• Now the SEZ Developers & Units can file all their transactions digitally through SEZ Online system and track the status on the go through the SEZ India mobile app.
• The app is available on Android Platform for use by SEZ Developers, Units, officials and others.
• The app has four sections i.e. SEZ Information, SEZ Online Transaction, Trade Information, and Contact details.
• SEZ INFORMATION - This is a compendium of the SEZ Act, 2005, SEZ Rules, 2006, MOCI Circulars, details of SEZs and Units etc.
• It gives up to date comprehensive details on all the above aspects.
• TRADE INFORMATION - This provision gives access to important information / tools such as Foreign Trade Policy, Hand Book of procedure, Duty Calculator, Customs & Excise Notification and MEIS Rates.
• CONTACT DETAILS - We see that the contact details of all Development Commissioners Office, DGFT, DG System, DGCI & S and SEZ online.
• SEZ online Transaction - This is a dynamic submenu that tracks the Bill of Entry / Shipping Bill processing status and also does verification.
• The app also helps the Importers / Exporters to track the status of 'Bill of Entry / Shipping Bill” integration and processing in the EDI system of the ICEGATE.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• Adoption Regulations, 2017 framed by ‘Central Adoption Resource Authority’ (CARA) as mandated under section 68 (c) of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has been notified.
• It would replace the Adoption Guidelines, 2015.
• The Adoption Regulations have been framed keeping in mind the issues and challenges faced by CARA and other stake holders including the Adoption Agencies & Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs).
• This will further strengthen adoption programme in the country by streamlining the adoption process.
• Transparency, early deinstitutionalisation of children, informed choice for the parents, ethical practices and strictly defined timelines in the adoption process are the salient aspects of the Adoption Regulations.
• Salient features of the Adoption Regulations, 2017 -
  1. Procedures related to adoption by relatives both within the country and abroad have been defined in the Regulations.
  2. Validity of Home Study Report has been increased from two to three years.
  3. The time period available to the domestic PAPs for matching and acceptance, after reserving the child referred, has been increased to twenty days from the existing fifteen days.
  4. District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) shall maintain a panel of professionally qualified or trained social workers.
  5. There are 32 Schedules annexed to the Regulations including model adoption applications to be filed in the Court and this would considerably address delays prevalent in obtaining the Court order.
  6. CARA shall be facilitating all adoptions under the JJ Act, 2015 through Child Adoption Resource Information & Guidance System (CARINGS)
  7. All kinds of adoptions, including adoptions by relatives shall be reported to CARA which would enable safeguards for all adopted children by maintaining their record and ensuring post adoption follow up.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Ministers shall not be called before the Committee either to give evidence or consultation in connection with the examination of estimates of accounts.
• However, [the] chairperson, when [it is] considered necessary but after its [committee’s] deliberations are concluded, may have an informal interaction with the Minister.
• The issue came up in a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, where chairperson and former Union Minister K.V. Thomas had declared that the PAC was within its rights to summon Mr. Modi as the committee was examining monetary policy and the issue of demonetisation.
• Public Accounts Committee was set up first in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919 and has since been in existence.
• At present, it consists of 22 members (15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha).