IAS Prelims GS Questions and Answers - May 15, 2015
1. Consider the following statements according to new urea policy 20151.The government is to give subsidy for transportation of potassium and phosphorus through rail.
2. The government had approved a gas pooling policy, under which all urea units would get gas at the same price.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both
d) None
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: c) Both
The New Urea Policy 2015 has twin objectives: maximising urea production and promoting energy efficiency in urea units. The policy outlines measures for boosting urea production by making plants more energy efficient and pooling of gas supplied to urea facilities, among others.
2.Consider the following statements related to Namami gange1. The program would be implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart organizations, that is, the State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
2. As a part of the program, government of India ordered the shut down of 48 industrial units around Ganga
3. NRI Community is to contribute towards the conservation of the river Ganga under the project Namami Gange
Which of the above statements are true?a) 1,2
b) 2,3
c) 1,3
d) All the above
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: d) All the above
The program has a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore for the next 5 years. The amount was a significant four-fold increase over the expenditure allocated to the task of cleaning the Ganga over the past 30 years
3. Consider the following statements related to child labor law1. It prohibits employment of children below 14 years in all occupations and processes. Including family business as well
2. Punishment has been increased for those employing children below the age of 14 years in violation of the law. They would face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for each offence under the new law
3. A new definition of adolescent has also been introduced in the Act and employment of adolescents (14-16 years of age) has been prohibited in hazardous occupations and processes.
Which of the above statements are not true?a) 1,2
b) 2,3
c) 1,3
d) All the above
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: d) All the above
In major changes to the child labour law, the Cabinet today approved allowing employment of children below 14 years in 'non-hazardous' family enterprises, entertainment industry and sporting events after school hours, while relaxing the penal action against the parents.
A new definition of adolescent has also been introduced in the Act and employment of adolescents (14-18 years of age) has been prohibited in hazardous occupations and processes.
4. Consider the following statements related to mines and minerals amendment 20151. A fixed percentage to the revenue of a mine will be allocated to development of the area around it, to be called a District Mineral Foundation.
2. It will introduce a system of auctions to allocate mining licenses.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both
d) None
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: c) Both
The bill seeks to introduce a system of auctions to allocate mining licenses. A fixed percentage to the revenue of a mine will be allocated to development of the area around it, to be called a District Mineral Foundation. The state government will set the rates and it will be in addition to the royalty. A National Mineral Exploration Trust will be set up to explore and promote non-coal minerals. It will have a starting fund of Rs 500 crore and will be funded by a 2% levy from mining license holders
5. Consider the following statements related to election commissioner1. The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1993 made the Election Commission a multi-member body.
2. The Election Commissioner of India can be removed from his office by Parliament with two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both
d) None
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) Only 1
The Chief Election Commissioner of India can be removed from his office by Parliament with two-thirds majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity. Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Achal Kumar Jyoti took over as the new Election Commissioner
6. According to the verdict passed by SC which of the following person's photographs are allowed to be published in newspapers and other media, including the Internet?1. Prime minister
2. Chief minister
3. President
4. Chief Justice of India
5. Governors
a) 1,3,4
b) 1,2,3
c) 1,2,3,5
d) All
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) 1,3,4
By publishing photographs in public advertisement politicians build personality cult which is antithesis to democracy as declared by SC. So from now on photographs of only the President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India can be published in newspapers and other media, including the Internet.
7. Consider the following statements related to mangrove 1. Often mangrove vegetation grows so thickly that little else can grow underneath them
2. Mangrove is used to refer both to the tree and to the ecosystem.
3. Mangrove tree grow only in salt water
Which of the above statements are true?a) 1,2
b) 2,3
c) 1,3
d) All the above
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) 1,2
Although mangrove trees are adapted to grow in salt water, they require regular flushing with freshwater. They will die if immersed in saltwater all the time.
8.Consider the following statements related to governor1. One person can be the Governor of two or more states.
2. He can be dismissal by the Prime Minister on the advice of the President of the country
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both
d) None
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: a) Only 1
The term of governor's office is normally 5 years but it can be terminated earlier by- 1.Dismissal by the president on the advice of the prime minister of the country, at whose pleasure the governor holds office 2. Resignation by the governor. There is no provision of impeachment, as it happens for the president.
9. Who built Kailash temple?a) Chalukyas
b) Rashtrakuta
c) Yadavs
d) Satvahana
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: b) Rashtrakuta
Kailas Temple or cave 16 is the opulent example of rock cut architecture in India build by rashtakuta king Krishna I.
10. Consider the following statements 1. Namaste Russia will be six month long festival
2. The festival is being hosted by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
3. Russian State Concert Company SODRUZHESTVO and Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre at the Embassy of India in Moscow are the organisers of the festival.
Which of the above statements are true?a) 1,2
b) 2,3
c) 1,3
d) All the above
View Answer / Hide Answer11.Consider the following statements 1. Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme is a state government scheme by Punjab
2. The SHC contains all basic and crop-wise recommendations of fertilizers or nutrients required for farms of different soil types.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both
d) None
View Answer / Hide AnswerANSWER: b) Only 2
SHC is a Union Government initiative for farmers. Punjab has become the first state in India to issue Soil Health Cards .Prime Minister Narendra Modi had formally launched the nationwide "Soil Health Card's Scheme in Februrary 2015 in Suratgarh, Rajasthan.