IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Nov 11 & 12, 2015

ANSWER: 3,4,5,6

Explanation:
- The term Alpine states or Alpine countries refers to the territory of eight countries associated with the Alpine region, as defined by the Alpine Convention of 1991
- Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
- Alpine Convention: An international territorial treaty for the sustainable development of the Alps.
- Objectives: To protect the natural environment of the Alps while promoting its development.
- This Framework Convention involves the European Union and eight states (Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland).

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- GSAT-15 is an Indian communication satellite similar to GSAT-10 to augment the capacity of transponders to provided more bandwidth for Direct-to-Home television and VSAT services.
- The satellite will be the 10th one in the series of GSAT satellites.
- It is expected to launch on 10th Nov 2015 from Ariane 5 rocket along with ArabSat 6B satellite.
- Ariane 5 is a European heavy lift launch vehicle that is part of the Ariane rocket family, an expendable launch system used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) or low Earth orbit (LEO).

ANSWER: Corporate bankruptcy legal framework

Explanation:
Recommendations of T K Vishwanathan commission

1. Setting up an insolvency regulator to exercise regulatory oversight over insolvency professionals and agencies in a bid to ensure speedier winding up of insolvent companies and providing easier exit route to investors.
2. Bankruptcy and insolvency processes for individuals with annual gross income of less than Rs 60,000 and aggregate assets of not more than Rs 20,000. They can apply for a discharge from their debts which are liquidated and unsecured up to Rs 35,000.
The proposed Bankruptcy Code will replace over a century old archaic insolvency act -The Presidency Towns Insolvency Act, 1909 and ensure time-bound disposal of insolvency application.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
The world's top ethanol fuel producers in 2011 were the United States with 13.9 billion U.S. liquid gallons (bg) (52.6 billion liters) and Brazil with 5.6 bg (21.1 billion liters), accounting together for 87.1% of world production of 22.36 billion US gallons (84.6 billion liters).
- Gasoline sold in Brazil contains at least 25% anhydrous ethanol.
- The US uses Gasohol (max 10% ethanol) and E85 (85% ethanol) ethanol/gasoline mixtures.
- Ethanol may also be utilized as a rocket fuel, and is currently in lightweight rocket-powered racing aircraft.

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
The National Agroforestry Policy, which deals with the practice of integrating trees, crops and livestock on the same plot of land, was launched on the first day of the World Congress on Agroforestry.

Objectives of National Policy on Agroforestry.

1. Increase farm income
2. Reduce climate risk.
3. Provide raw material to wood based industries.
4. Rural employment

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- SAFAR is System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research. SAFAR was installed in Delhi, during Commonwealth games.
- The implementation of SAFAR is made possible with an active collaboration with local municipal corporations and various local educational institutions and governmental agencies in that Metro city.
- The ultimate objective of the project is to increase awareness among general public regarding the air quality in their city well in advance so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up for betterment of air quality and related health issues.
- It engineers awareness drive by educating public, prompting self-mitigation and also to help develop mitigation strategies for policy makers.

ANSWER: Ministry of Earth Sciences

Explanation:
- The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology or IITM is a scientific institution based in India for expanding research in meteorology of the tropics in general with special reference to monsoon meteorology of India.
- The headquarter is located in Pune.
- Till 1984, it worked under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. In 1985, it was taken by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- As per the notification in 2006, the Institute has been put under the control of the Ministry of Earth Sciences with effect from 12 July 2006.

ANSWER: Petrol and High Speed Diesel

Explanation:
- Central Road Fund (CRF) is a non-lapsable fund created under Section 6 of the Central Road Fund Act, 2000 out of a cess/tax imposed by the Union Government on the consumption of Petrol and High Speed Diesel.
- It will help to develop and maintain National Highways, State roads (particularly those of economic importance and which provides inter-state connectivity), rural roads, railway under/over bridges etc.
- A Railway Safety Fund has been set up primarily to channelise the Railways' share of the diesel cess and petrol cess, receivable under the Central Road Fund, for road related railway safety works such as construction of road over/under bridges, subways and for the improvement to level crossings including their manning, interlocking etc.

ANSWER: Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:
The Bene Ephraim also called Telugu Jews because they speak Telugu, are a small community living primarily in Kotha Reddy palem, a village outside Chebrolu, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India, near the delta of the River Krishna.
They purportedly claim to be descendants of the Tribe of Ephraim, of the Ten Lost Tribes, and since the 1980s have learned to practice Judaism.
Bnei Menashe are a small group within the indigenous people of India's North-Eastern border states of Manipur and Mizoram

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- The jute plants are usually harvested after they flower, before the flowers go to seed.
- The stalks are cut off close to the ground. The stalks are tied into bundles and soaked in water for about 20 days.
- This process softens the tissues and breaks the hard pectin bond between the bast and Jute hurd (inner woody fiber stick) and the process permits the fibres to be separated.
- The fibres are then stripped from the stalks in long strands and washed in clear, running water.
- Then they are hung up or spread on thatched roofs to dry. After 2–3 days of drying, the fibres are tied into bundles.

ANSWER: Mimosa pudica

Explanation:
- Mimosa pudica is a creeping annual or perennial herb of the pea family Fabaceae often grown for its curiosity value: the compound leaves fold inward and droop when touched or shaken, defending themselves from harm, and re-open a few minutes later.
- The species is native to South America and Central America, but is now a pantropical weed. It can also be found in Asia in countries such as Thailand.
- It grows mostly in shady areas, under trees or shrubs.

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
- Vinegar is a liquid consisting mainly of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and water. The acetic acid is produced by the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria.
- Vinegar is now mainly used as a cooking ingredient.
- Vinegar can be used as a herbicide.Acetic acid is not absorbed into root systems; the vinegar will kill top growth, but perennial plants may reshoot.

ANSWER: Ashok Chakra & Mahatama Gandhi

Explanation:
- The government's move comes on the hope that Indians, with their obsession for the yellow metal, will prefer the national coin over imported ones.
- Government launched three gold related schemes- Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS), Gold Sovereign Bond Scheme and the Gold Coin and Bullion Scheme.
- The Indian gold coin & bullion is a part of the Gold Monetisation Programme. The coin will be the first ever national gold coin minted in India and will have the National Emblem of Ashok Chakra engraved on one side and Mahatma Gandhi on the other side .
- Initially the coins will be available in denominations of 5 and 10 grams. A 20 gram bullion will also be available.