IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Oct 19 & 20, 2015

ANSWER: Russia

Explanation:
- The 1,100 km pipeline with a capacity of 12.4 billion cubic metre per annum will connect Karachi’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals with those in Lahore - Russia will invest $2 billion in the project, the first phase of which is expected to conclude by December 2017.
- The North-South gas pipeline project would be built by Russian company RT Global Resources, a part of Russian state corporation Rostec.
- The project will be implemented in compliance with BOOT model (Build Own Operate Transfer). The pipeline will be owned and operated by the manufacturer for 25 years. After that the pipeline will be handed over to the Pakistan government.

ANSWER: All

Explanation:
The Supreme Court modified its order on the use of Aadhaar identity cards, bringing within its fold four additional social welfare benefit schemes:

1. Provident fund
2. Pension schemes
3. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
4. Jan Dhan Yojana.
Earlier its use is restricted to the Public Distribution System (PDS) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

ANSWER: 5%

Explanation:
- Ethanol blending first found mention in the Auto fuel policy of 2003. It suggested developing technologies for producing ethanol/ bio fuels from renewable energy sources and introducing vehicles to utilize these bio-fuels.
- Later, as per National Policy on Bio-fuels, announced in December 2009, oil companies were required to sell petrol blended with at least 5% of ethanol.
- It proposed that the blending level be increased to 20% by 2017.

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
- Nirbhay is two-stage missile. It is able to pick out a target and attack it among multiple targets.
- The missile has a loitering capability, i.e., it can go round a target and perform several manoeuvres and then re-engage it.
- The missile is capable of flying at different altitudes ranging from 500 m to 4 km above the ground and can also fly at low altitudes (like low tree level) to avoid detection by enemy radar.
- Nirbhay is being adapted for the Indo/Russian Su-30MKI.

ANSWER: 1 & 4

Explanation:
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is a project that will connect the eastern Indian seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Myanmar by sea.
- It will then link Sittwe seaport to Lashio in Myanmar via Kaladan river boat route
- Then from Lashio on to Mizoram in India by road transport.

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
FIF is created by merger of two funds- Financial Inclusion Fund and Financial Inclusion Technology Fund into a single Fund - Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF).
The fund shall not be utilized for normal business or banking activities
The objectives of the FIF :
1. To support 'developmental and promotional activities' including creating of FI infrastructure across the country
2. Capacity building of stakeholders
3. Creation of awareness to address demand side issues.
4. Enhanced investment in Green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution

ANSWER: Railway

Explanation:
The Rail Ministry has announced a new scheme, the Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme (ATAS), also called as VIKALP.
It would allow wait-listed passengers of a train to opt for confirmed accommodation in alternate trains.

ANSWER: Karnataka

Explanation:
Sannati or Sannathi is a small village, located on the banks of the Bhima River in Chitapur taluk of Gulbarga District of Northern Karnataka.
The only available sculpture of Emperor Ashoka, in a limestone relief along with his consort, was found here.
It was sculpted on the orders of the unnamed grandson of Ashoka.

ANSWER: Israeli Parliament

Explanation:
- Pranab Mukherjee became first Indian President to address Israeli Parliament Knesset.
- India established official relations with Israel in 1991, although informal ties had long existed previously.