IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - June 21, 2016

ANSWER: Yoga

Explanation:

• Bhastrika is a unique concept to cleanse the body, prana (breath), and elevate the soul to different level of consciousness.
• It is sometimes treated as a kriya or 'cleansing action' along with kapalabhati to clear the airways in preparation for other pranayama techniques.
• Bhastrika involves a rapid and forceful inhalation and exhalation powered by the movement of the diaphragm. The movement of air is accompanied by an audible sound. One inhale and exhale equals one round of bhastrika and it may be repeated for many consecutive rounds.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• A committee for promotion of Yoga in Universities was setup by the Government under the chairpersonship of Prof. H.R. Nagendra, Chancellor, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anushandhana Samasthanam.
• As outcome of the receipt of the report the Government will ask the UGC to promote BSc(Yoga), MSc(Yoga) and PhD(Yoga) courses through Yoga Department in Universities in the country.
• The UGC will also consider starting NET in Yogic Sciences during 2016-17.
• Six Central Universities will have full-fledged Yoga departments from academic session 2016-17 viz. North: Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Uttarakhand; East: Visva Bharati, West Bengal; West: Central University of Rajasthan; South: Central University of Kerala; Central: The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madya Pradesh; & North East: Manipur University.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• Before the 20th century, history indicates the Indian yoga scene was dominated by the Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vasistha, texts attributed to Yajnavalkya and Hiranyagarbha, as well as literature on hatha yoga, tantric yoga and pashupata yoga rather than the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
• It made a comeback in late 19th century due to the efforts of Swami Vivekananda.
• There are two different authors having same name Patanjali. One wrote Mahabhasya and other wrote Yoga Sutras.

ANSWER: Jainism

Explanation:

• Yamas are ethical rules in Hinduism and can be thought of as moral imperatives. The five yamas listed by Patanjali in Yogasutra are – Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparihara.
• Jainism encourages spiritual development through cultivation of personal wisdom and self-control through five main vows. These are very similar to what Patanjali proposes - Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparihara.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• The eight component of the Yoga path as per the Yoga sutras of Patanjali are – Yamas, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyan and Samadhi.

ANSWER: Maharashtra

Explanation:

• The Karnala Bird Sanctuary is located in Panvel Taluka of Raigad District, outside Mumbai, India near Matheran and Karjat.
• The KBS is covered with moist mixed deciduous forest and falls in the Western Ghat bio-geographic zone.
• The sanctuary is particularly rich in climbers and as many as 11 species are recorded from KBS. Among mammals, three species of primates (Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque and Rhesus macaque) are occurring in the sanctuary.
• Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Jackals, Hyaena, Jungle Cat, Squirrel, Porcupine and Indian Hare are reported from the sanctuary.

ANSWER: Western Ghats

Explanation:

• Karnala Bird Sanctuary is particularly known for its rich avifauna and is home to over 146 species of resident and 37 species of migratory birds that visit during winter.
• Rare endemic birds of Western Ghats such as Malabar grey Hornbill, Ashy Minivet, three-toed Kingfisher and Malabar Trogon are reported from Sanctuary.
• Among other significant bird species the records of Malabar Whistling Thrush, long-billed Vulture, Indian Scimitar Babbler and Shaheen Falcon are significant.

ANSWER: Yoga

Explanation:

• A new programme called SATYAM-“Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation” has been launched to strengthen research in the areas of yoga and meditation.
• An objective of SATYAM is to harness knowledge obtained in academic institutions and other related agencies for finding Science & Technology -led solutions that would enable us to cope with stress and strain associated with fast changing social, economic, environmental and professional circumstances.
• Cutting-edge research under SATYAM will seek to identify various issues and challenges related to human well-being and address them.
• The programme will encourage research in two major thematic areas: (1) investigations on the effect of Yoga and meditation on physical and mental health, and (2) investigations on the effect of Yoga & meditation on the body, brain and mind in terms of basic processes occurring therein.

ANSWER: Jaipur

Explanation:

• India’s first Yoga OPD has been opened in the Sawai Mansingh hospital in Jaipur on the occasion of International Yoga Day.
• This will be helpful for the patients in fast recovering from their illness.