IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - June 26 & 27, 2016

ANSWER: Silicon

Explanation:

• Analysing data from an X-ray diffraction instrument on the Curiosity rover that identifies minerals, scientists detected significant amounts of a silica mineral called tridymite.
• It is a high-temperature polymorph of silica found as thin hexagonal crystals in some igneous rocks and stony meteorites.
• The combination of high silica content and extremely high temperatures in the volcanoes creates tridymite.
• Tridymite is generally associated with silicic volcanism, which is known on Earth but was not thought to be important or even present on Mars.
• The discovery of tridymite might induce scientists to rethink the volcanic history of Mars, suggesting that the planet once had explosive volcanoes that led to the presence of the mineral.

ANSWER: Adding geographical identification metadata to various media

Explanation:

• Geotagging (also written as GeoTagging) is the process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media such as a geotagged photograph or video, websites, SMS messages, QR Codes or RSS feeds and is a form of geospatial metadata.
• This data usually consists of latitude and longitude coordinates, though they can also include altitude, bearing, distance, accuracy data, and place names.
• Geotagging can help users find a wide variety of location-specific information from a device.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• The Rules provide for payments to be made for registration of projects and real estate agents with the Regulatory Authority, documents and information to be furnished by developers, procedures to be followed for registration, extension and renewal of registration, procedures for filing and hearing of complaints and appeals, appointment and service conditions of the Chairpersons and Members of Real Estate Regulatory Authorities and Appellate Tribunals and their powers etc.
• Selection Committee headed by the Chief Justice of respective State/UT or his nominee with Housing and Law Secretaries as members will recommend names for appointment as Chairperson and Members of Real Estate Regulatory Authorities and Appellate Tribunals.
• Fee proposed for registration of projects with the Regulatory Authority is Rs.10 per sq.mt if the plot area is below 1,000 sq.mt and Rs.20 if the area for development is more than that for residential projects and Rs.50 and Rs.100 per sq.mt for commercial projects.

ANSWER: CAG

Explanation:

• CAG Institution in India has taken several initiatives towards use of latest data analytical tools for audit planning & analysis and is also fine tuning its methodology for audit of environmental issues for better impact.
• CAG has formulated a Big Data Management Policy and is in the process of establishing a Data Analytics Centre.

ANSWER: Fortnight cleanliness drive

Explanation:

• Seeking to give impetus to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan', all central government ministries and departments have been directed to carry out a drive to weed out old files and discarded furniture and vehicles.
• This also includes other cleanliness activities.
• The fortnight-long cleanliness drive 'Swachh Bharat Pakhwada' is being observed in many ministries.
• Union Urban Development Ministry has asked ministries to organise a series of activities like 'mass pledge on swacchta' by the employees, cleanliness drive, carrying out inspection and repair work of all sanitary facilities in office premises, weeding out of old files, disposal of old items including furniture, machines and vehicles, and conducting pest control, etc.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:

• Considering the seasonal nature of the industry, fixed term employment will be introduced for the garment sector.
• A fixed term workman will be considered at par with permanent workman in terms of working hours, wages, allowanced and other statutory dues.
• Overtime hours for workers not to exceed 8 hours per week in line with ILO norms.
• This shall lead to increased earnings for the workers.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:

• The CAG submits three audit reports to the President - audit report on appropriation accounts, audit report on finance accounts, and audit report on public undertakings.
• The President lays these reports before both the Houses of Parliament.
• After this, the Public Accounts Committee examines them and reports its findings to the Parliament.
• The appropriation accounts compare the actual expenditure with the expenditure sanctioned by the Parliament through the Appropriation Act.

ANSWER: Silicic Volcanism

Explanation:

• On Earth, tridymite is formed at high temperatures in an explosive process called silicic volcanism.
• Mount St Helens, the active volcano in Washington State, and the Satsuma-Iwojima volcano in Japan are examples of such volcanoes.
• Silicic Volcanism is characterized by the eruption of magma that is rich in lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminum, sodium, and potassium.
• Silicic volcanoes are associated with the melting of continental crust and often have explosive eruptions.