IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Nov 23 & 24, 2016

ANSWER: President

Explanation:
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz was a Cuban politician and revolutionary who governed the Republic of Cuba for 47 years as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2006 (de jure until 2008).

He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from 1961 until 2011.

He died recently.

Castro is a controversial and divisive world figure with critics as well as supporters.

ANSWER: Marxist-Leninist

Explanation:
Adopting a Marxist-Leninist ideology, Castro converted Cuba into a pro-Soviet, one-party, socialist state under Communist Party rule, the first and only in the Western Hemisphere.

Policies introducing central economic planning and expanding healthcare and education were accompanied by state control of the press and the suppression of internal dissent.

Abroad, Castro supported anti-imperialist revolutionary groups, backing the establishment of Marxist governments in Chile, Nicaragua, and Grenada, and sending troops to aid allies in the Yom Kippur War, Ogaden War, and Angolan Civil War.

These actions, coupled with Castro's leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1979 to 1983 and Cuba's medical internationalism increased Cuba's profile on the world stage.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
November 26 has been related to various events.

In 2008 there was a terrorist attack in Mumbai.

In 2014, all the dairy majors of the country along with Indian Dairy Association had resolved to observe November 26 as National Milk Day in the memory of Verghese Kurien, the doyen of co-operatives. It is birthday of Dr. Kurien.

The Government of India declared 26 November as Constitution Day in 2015, as on this day the Constitution of India was adopted in 1949.

Since 2015 is the 125th birth anniversary year of B. R. Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956), who is known as the architect of the Indian constitution, the government decided to celebrate this year "in a big way".

ANSWER: Only 2

Explanation:
Government launched e-pashuhaat portal (www.epashuhaat.gov.in) on the occasion of National Milk Day for connecting breeders and farmers regarding availability of bovine germplasm.

Through the portal breeders/farmers can sell and purchase breeding stock, information on all forms of germplasm including semen, embryos and live animals with all the agencies and stake holders in the country has been uploaded on the portal.

Through this portal, farmers will be aware about the availability of quality disease free bovine germplasm with different agencies in the country.

The portal will lead to propagation of high genetic merit germplasm.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
Shortcomings in Animals Trade Market:

• No authentic organized market
• Difficult to get quality- disease free high genetic merit germplasm.
• Misleading valuation due to lack of traceability and tracking.
• Other malpractices include Horns removed & Teeth filed to mislead for their age.

ANSWER: Only 1

Explanation:
India has the largest bovine population in the world. At 199m cattle it has 14% of the world cattle population and with 105m buffaloes it has 53% of the world buffalo population of which 79% of the cattle are Indigenous and 21% are Exotic and Crossbred varieties.

80% of the Indigenous cattle are Non-descript and 20% belong to 37 breeds recognised by National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) with 13 breeds of Water buffaloes.

The Indigenous bovine breeds are sturdy, endowed with the quality of heat tolerance, resistance to diseases and ticks with the ability to thrive under extreme climatic conditions and survive with low inputs.

However, most of the indigenous have low genetic potential for milk production and are suited for draught animal power. But, some breeds have potential to be highly productive under optimal nutrition and farm management conditions along with selective genetic breeding.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
It will connect farmers with breeders - Central, State, Co-operative, Milk Federations, and private agencies.

It will provide real time authentic certified information on availability of germplasm.

It provides 3 options in Germplasm marketplace – Live Animals, Frozen Semen and Embryos.

Targeted Outcomes For Farmers :

1. One stop portal for bovine breeders, sellers and buyers
2. Creating Farm Network
3. Making Farmers exchange local knowledge and resources
4. Availability of disease free germplasm with known genetic merit
5. Minimizes the involvement of middlemen
6. Increase in farmers’ incomes

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:
Out of the total State envelop available, 20% funds will be earmarked for flexible funds which can be spent on any of the items given below with the stipulation that not more than 5% of the envelop is spent on any of the components:

• AYUSH Wellness Centres including Yoga & Naturopathy
• Tele-medicine
• Sports Medicine through AYUSH.
• Innovations in AYUSH including Public Private Partnership.
• Interest subsidy component for Private AYUSH educational Institutions.
• Reimbursement of Testing charges.
• IEC activities
• Research & Development in areas related to Medicinal Plants.
• Voluntary certification scheme: Project based.
• Market Promotion, Market intelligence & buy back interventions.
• Crop Insurance for Medicinal Plants.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:
Mandatory Components under the NAM

• AYUSH Services
• AYUSH Educational Institutions
• Quality Control of ASU & H Drugs
• Medicinal Plants

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
The Government has taken following steps for accessibility and affordability of AYUSH system:

Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM), the Government of India provides financial assistance to State/UT Governments for co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) & District Hospitals (DHs), setting up of 50 bedded integrated AYUSH hospitals, upgradation of AYUSH Hospitals/ Dispensaries, supply of free essential AYUSH medicines to AYUSH hospitals/ dispensaries etc.

Further, National AYUSH Mission also provides financial assistance to States / UTs for cultivation of medicinal plants by adopting Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) so as to provide sustained supply of quality raw-materials at economical prices which in turn facilitate in making available affordable AYUSH Medicines to the public.