IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Oct 03, 2016

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• With a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the “5^th International Buddhist Conclave (from 2^nd to 6^th October 2016)” in Varanasi-Sarnath in collaboration with the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
• This year’s International Buddhist Conclave is very special as ASEAN as a Guest of Honour partner and a large participation is expected from ASEAN Countries which are also major source markets for India in general and the Buddhist Heritage sites in particular.
• Participants in the Buddhist Conclave will include international Buddhist opinion makers, tour operators and media, as well as State Governments and domestic tour operators promoting pilgrimages to the Buddhist sites in the country.
• It is not organized every year.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has a very rich Buddhist Heritage, with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha which are essential pilgrimages for followers of Buddhism the world over.
• The International Buddhist Conclave is also one of the initiatives being taken by India as its commitment as the land of origin of Buddhism and to improve the experience of pilgrims as well as tourists wishing to savor the essence of Buddhist heritage, at the Buddhist sites of the country.
• The event will give the participants an opportunity to interact, promote, package and sell pilgrimage itineraries to the Buddhist sites in the country, for overseas visitors.
• International Buddhist Conclaves have earlier been organized in New Delhi and Bodhgaya (February 2004); Nalanda and Bodhgaya (February 2010), Varanasi and Bodh Gaya (September 2012) and Bodhgaya - Varanasi (2014).
• The Conclave will include presentations, panel discussion, business to business meetings between the international and domestic tour operators, an exhibition highlighting the Buddhist attractions in India, as well as visits to important Buddhist sites in and around Varanasi and Sarnath.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• ‘Advantage Health Care India 2016 (AHCI 2016)’ is an International Summit on Medical Value Travel with the aim of ‘Promoting Healthcare Services Exports from India’.
• AHCI is an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Service Export Promotion Council (SEPC).
• The event is being supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and NABH. Tourism Ministry supports it but it is initiative of Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• The medical value travel industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing segment of tourism industry despite the global economic downturn. India is emerging as a preferred healthcare destination for patients across the globe.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:
The objective of this international summit is to promote India as a Premier Global Healthcare Destination and to enable streamlined medical services exports from India. This underlying objective is a unique conglomeration of 5Ts, namely.

• Tradition – promoting AYUSH and wellness industry
• Technology – promoting technologically advanced medical treatment in India
• Tourism – encouraging people to travel to India for medical value reasons
• Talent – showcasing globally renowned Indian talent in healthcare sector
• Trade – creating unique B2B institutionalized linkages.

ANSWER: 1, 2, 4

Explanation:

• Under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014 the Government of India is extending special assistance to four districts of Rayalseema and three districts of North coastal Region of Andhra Pradesh.
• To further boost the industrial activities, the CBDT has notified these seven districts for availing tax incentives under section 32(1)(iia) and section 32AD of the Income-tax Act.
• Accordingly, any manufacturing undertaking set up during the period from 01.04.2015 to 31.03.2020 in these districts of Andhra Pradesh is eligible for 15% of higher additional depreciation and 15% of investment allowance on the cost of plant and machinery acquired by it during the said period.
• The 7 districts of Andhra Pradesh notified as backward areas vide Notification in S.O.3075 (E) dated 28.09.2016 are:

1. Anantapur
2. Chittoor
3. Cuddapah
4. Kurnool
5. Srikakulam
6. Vishakhapatnam
7. Vizianagaram

ANSWER: BRICS

Explanation:

• The BRICS nations have adopted the ‘New Delhi Declaration on Education’ to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all.
• The declaration was adopted at 4th Meeting of BRICS Education Ministers Conference held in New Delhi.
• It was attended by Ministers of Education and assigned representatives of BRICS nations viz. Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa.
• They met to discuss and coordinate areas of mutual interest and develop framework for future cooperation in the field of education.

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

Key features are -


• Reiterate our commitment to SDG4 which aims to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all” and the ‘Education 2030 Framework for Action’, which serve as the overall guiding framework for the implementation of the Education 2030 agenda;
• Initiate actions to formulate country-specific targets within the broader scope of the SDG4 and corresponding targets, taking into account the past gains and achievements in the education sector, emerging national development priorities, availability of resources, and institutional capacities; integrate the SDG4-related targets with the national and subnational-level education sector development plans/programmes; and build capacity at the national and subnational levels for measuring and monitoring progress towards SDG4 and corresponding targets using the indicators adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2016;
• Reaffirm the need for universal equal access to quality education, including secondary and higher education, technical and vocational education and training, and lifelong learning opportunities for all;