IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - Sep 11 & 12, 2016

ANSWER: Manganese nodules

Explanation:

• Polymetallic nodules (also known as manganese nodules) are potato-shaped, largely porous nodules found in abundance carpeting the sea floor of world oceans in deep sea.
• Besides manganese and iron, they contain nickel, copper, cobalt, lead, molybdenum, cadmium, vanadium, titanium, of which nickel, cobalt and copper are considered to be of economic and strategic importance.
• India signed a 15 year contract for exploration of Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) in Central Indian Ocean Basin with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) (an Institution set up under the Convention on Law of the Sea to which India is a Party) on 25th March, 2002 with the approval of Cabinet.
• India is presently having an area of 75,000 sq.km. located about 2000 km away from her southern tip for exploration of PMN.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of contract between Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India and the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exploration of Polymetallic Nodules for a further period of 5 years (2017-22). The earlier contract is expiring on 24th March 2017.

ANSWER: Bangkok Agreement

Explanation:

• The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), previously known as the Bangkok Agreement and renamed 2 November 2005, was signed in 1975.
• It is the oldest preferential trade agreement between countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Six Participating States- Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, South Korea, and Sri Lanka are the parties to the APTA.
• It is for trade expansion through exchange of tariff concessions among developing country members of the Asia Pacific Region.

ANSWER: Mongolia

Explanation:

• The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), previously known as the Bangkok Agreement was signed in 1975.
• It is the oldest preferential trade agreement between countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, South Korea, and Sri Lanka are the parties to the APTA.
• Mongolia successfully concluded negotiations with all participating States for its accession to the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).
• Soon the strength will be seven countries.
• Original members were - India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Lao PDR, Republic of Korea
• China acceded in 2001 and Mongolia in 2013.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP or ESCAP), located in Bangkok, Thailand, is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, under the administrative direction of the United Nations headquarters.
• It was established in 1947 (then as the UN Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East, ECAFE) to encourage economic cooperation among its member states.
• The name was changed to the current in 1974.
• ESCAP has 53 member States and nine Associate members. As well as countries in Asia and the Pacific, it includes France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, responsible for coordinating the economic, social, and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions. Regional Commissions are -
• United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
• United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)

ANSWER: 1924

Explanation:

• Ministry of Communications launched India Post Help Centre and a Toll Free Number 1924 to address the grievances of people in the Country related to Department of Posts.
• Help Centre has been launched in three languages -Hindi, English and Malayalam and gradually all regional languages will be included which are mentioned in the Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• The Help Centre will be functioning from 8 A.M to 8 P.M on all working days except holidays.
• Except in the case of policy decisions, all complaints related to postal services will be addressed within 24 Hours.
• Department of Posts is the 8th largest Department/Ministry in terms of numbers of complaints received.

ANSWER: Secretary (Revenue)

Explanation:
The Cabinet inter alia took decisions for the following:

• Creation of the GST Council as per Article 279A of the amended Constitution;
• Creation of the GST Council Secretariat, with its office at New Delhi;
• Appointment of the Secretary (Revenue) as the Ex-officio Secretary to the GST Council;
• Inclusion of the Chairperson, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), as a permanent invitee (non-voting) to all proceedings of the GST Council;

The Cabinet also decided to provide for adequate funds for meeting the recurring and non-recurring expenses of the GST Council Secretariat, the entire cost for which shall be borne by the Central Government. The GST Council Secretariat shall be manned by officers taken on deputation from both the Central and State Governments.

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

• The Union Cabinet, has approved the creation of the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) to give a major push for creation of high quality infrastructure in premier educational institutions.
• The HEFA would be formed as a SPV within a PSU Bank/ Government-owned-NBFC (Promoter).
• It would leverage the equity to raise up to Rs. 20,000 crore for funding projects for infrastructure and development of world class Labs in IITs/IIMs/NITs and such other institutions.
• The HEFA would also mobilise CSR funds from PSUs/Corporates, which would in turn be released for promoting research and innovation in these institutions on grant basis.
• The HEFA would finance the civil and lab infrastructure projects through a 10-year loan. The principal portion of the loan will be repaid through the ‘internal accruals’ (earned through the fee receipts, research earnings etc.) of the institutions. The Government would service the interest portion through the regular Plan assistance.

ANSWER: GST

Explanation:

• The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2016, for introduction of Goods and Services tax in the country was accorded assent by the President on 8th September, 2016, and the same has been notified as the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
• As per Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution, the GST Council has to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement of Article 279A.

ANSWER: 99

Explanation:

• The amendment provides for the formation of a National Judicial Appointments Commission.
• It was a proposed body which would have been responsible for the appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary in India.
• 16 State assemblies out of 29 States ratified the Central Legislation, enabling the President of India to give assent to the bill.
• The amendment was struck down by the Supreme Court on 16 October 2015.
• The SC upheld the Collegium System.