IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Nov 06, 2015

ANSWER: 5, 1, 2, 4, 3

Explanation:
India's top 10 states on the ease of doing business ranking

1. Gujarat – 71.14%
2. Andhra Pradesh- 70.12%
3. Jharkhand- 63.09%
4. Chhattisgarh- 62.45%
5. Madhya Pradesh – 62%
6. Rajasthan -61.04%
7. Odisha- 52.12%
8. Maharashtra -49.43%
9. Karnataka -48.50%
10. Uttar Pradesh - 47.37%

World Bank has released a state-wise report on the ease of doing business - a report in which Gujarat has topped with a score of 71.14%.
India is 142nd on the list of 189 countries.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
- It is also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
- It is an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization (NGO)
- It was founded in France in 1971
- The International Council meets in Geneva,Switzerland, where the International Office, which coordinates international activities common to the operational centers, is also based.
- It received the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its members' continued efforts to provide medical care in acute crises, as well as raising international awareness of potential humanitarian disasters.

ANSWER: None

Explanation:
- The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 as a biennial recognition with monetary award to commemorate the success of the 24th Summer Olympic Games held in Seoul, Korea.
- The award for 2014 was given to Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel.

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Doctors of the World, is an international humanitarian non-profit organization that provides emergency and long-term medical care to vulnerable populations while advocating for equal access to healthcare worldwide.
- Founded in 1980 by a group of 15 doctors who helped co-found MSF branched off to establish Doctors of the World (MdM).
- Doctors of the World provides healthcare in both developing and developed countries long after emergencies disappear from the spotlight.
- MdM offers long-term healthcare solutions, with a focus on sustainability and bearing witness to suffering.

ANSWER: Grow Safe Food

Explanation:
- “Grow Safe food” Campaign has been initiated to create awareness about the safe and judicious use of pesticides among the various stakeholders.
- In addition to the above, DAC & FW has revised 68 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Packages of Practices for major crops giving impetus to ecological and cultural techniques of pest management.
- Under the Insecticide Act 1968, insecticides are registered after evaluating the safety of the product with respect to human health.
- The terms of registration also include instructions for farmers and users of pesticides on label and leaflets of containers on safe use of pesticides.
- If the pesticide is used as per the instructions on labels and leaflets, they are unlikely to leave behind unwanted residues in the agri-produce.

ANSWER: Sagarmala

Explanation:
- The Centre is going to implement a comprehensive plan to develop Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, for an integrated modernization of the region, under its 'Sagarmala' initiative.
- The plan is to develop these islands under the 'Swiss challenge system', where third parties make offers (challenges) for a project within a designated period to avoid exaggerated project costs.
DEVELOPMENT ROAD MAP
- Island development consultant to be appointed
- Islands with more than two square km of area to be considered for the project
- Phase I: Assessment, shortlisting of islands, creation of island clusters
- Phase II: Identification of development potential and opportunities for shortlisted clusters
- Phase III: Creation of detailed development plans and selection of implementation agency
- Phase IV: Project implementation monitoring

ANSWER: None

Explanation:
- Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structures secreted by corals.
- Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups.
- The polyps belong to a group of animals known as Cnidaria, which also includes sea anemones and jellyfish.
- Unlike sea anemones, corals secrete hard carbonate exoskeletons which support and protect the coral polyps.
- Reefs grow best in warm, shallow, clear, sunny and agitated waters.

ANSWER: 0.1%

Explanation:
- They are Often called "rainforests of the sea"
- Shallow coral reefs form some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
- They occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean surface, about half the area of France, yet they provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species,including fish, mollusks, worms, crustaceans, echinoderms, sponges, tunicates and other cnidarians.