IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Nov 15 & 16, 2015

ANSWER: Quo warranto

Explanation:
- PJ Thomas was appointed as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner in September 2010, on the recommendation of a High Powered Committee (HPC) headed by the Prime Minister of India.
- The selection of the new CVC was marked by controversies, after Sushma Swaraj, who was part of three-member selection committee, objected to the choice of Thomas, citing the pending chargesheet against him.
- A public interest litigation was filed in the Supreme Court of India by Centre for Public Interest Litigation and India Rejuvenation Initiative.
- On March 3, 2011, the Supreme Court quashed the appointment of Thomas as the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, noting that the HPC did not consider the relevant materials on the pending chargesheet. Subsequently, Mr Thomas resigned.
- Mr Thomas was Telecom Secretary till he was made Central Vigilance Commissioner.
- The Supreme Court, which is also monitoring the CBI's investigation into the spectrum scam, suggested that it would be inappropriate for Mr Thomas to preside over an inquiry that could subject his own actions in the Telecom Ministry to scrutiny.

ANSWER: 4 and 5

Explanation:
Nine gems during the reign of Vikramaditya (Chandragupta II) of the Gupta Empire:
Kalidasa, Vetala Bhatta, Varahamihira,Vararuchi ,Amarasimha ,Dhanvantari, Kahapanak, Shanku ,Harisena
Nine courtiers of Emperor Akbar or Navratnas(Nine Jewels):
Birbal, Faizi, Todar Mal, Man Singh I, Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana ,Fakir Aziao-Din, Tansen, Mulla Do-Piyaza, Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak

ANSWER: Proto-Australoid

Explanation:
Dangaria Kandha is the local tribe of the region named as Niyamgiri, which is characterized by the presence of ecstatic Niyamgiri Hills.
Niyamgiri is the local place which falls under the Rayagada District in the south Western Region of the state of Odisha, India.
The tribe is a peace-loving tribe known for their simplicity in life . The people practice Horticulture and shifting cultivation.

ANSWER: Wrought iron

Explanation:
- Wrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon (less than 0.08%) content in contrast to cast iron (2.1% to 4%), and has fibrous inclusions known as slag up to 2% by weight.
- Wrought iron is tough, malleable, ductile, corrosion-resistant and easily welded. Before the development of effective methods of steel making and the availability of large quantities of steel, wrought iron was the most common form of malleable iron.

ANSWER: 2016

Explanation:
Recommendations of Nachiket Mor Committee on Comprehensive Financial Services for Small Businesses and Low-Income Households:
- Every resident should be issued a Universal Electronic Bank Account automatically at the time of receiving their Aadhaar number by a high quality, national, full-service bank.
- An instruction to open the bank account should be initiated by the Unique Identification Authority of India upon the issuance of an Aadhaar number to an individual over the age of 18.
- By January 1, 2016, the number and distribution of electronic payment access points would be such that every resident would be within a 15- minute walking distance from such a point anywhere in the country.

ANSWER: Ministry of Finance

Explanation:
- Enforcement Directorate is part of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
- It comprises officers of the Indian Revenue Service, Indian Police Service and the Indian Administrative Service.
- It was established on the 1st day of June, 2000 by the Central Govt. of India to investigate provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
- Amogha-1 is the name of India’s indigenously-developed second generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile.
- This is the first-ever design and developmental effort in respect of missiles by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad.