GENERAL STUDIES PAPER - 1 PRELIMS MODEL TEST- 23 ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATION
1 C 11 B 21 A 31 B 41 B 51 D 61 D 71 A 81 B 91 B
2 A 12 A 22 B 32 D 42 A 52 A 62 B 72 D 82 B 92 C
3 D 13 A 23 C 33 A 43 D 53 B 63 C 73 B 83 A 93 B
4 C 14 D 24 C 34 B 44 D 54 D 64 A 74 A 84 B 94 C
5 A 15 A 25 D 35 B 45 D 55 B 65 C 75 D 85 D 95 A
6 B 16 B 26 C 36 B 46 C 56 D 66 D 76 C 86 D 96 B
7 B 17 A 27 A 37 C 47 A 57 C 67 C 77 D 87 D 97 D
8 C 18 B 28 A 38 D 48 C 58 D 68 C 78 D 88 D 98 C
9 A 19 B 29 C 39 C 49 B 59 C 69 A 79 D 89 D 99 A
10 D 20 A 30 D 40 B 50 A 60 A 70 D 80 A 90 B 100 C
1. Answer (c) Explanation The N.K. Singh panel to review India’s fiscal discipline rules has recommended a debt to GDP ratio of 38.7% for the Central Government, 20% for the State Governments together and a fiscaldeficit of 2.5% of GDP (gross domestic product), both by financial year 2022-23. The panel has recommended enacting a new Debt and Fiscal Responsibility Act after repealing the existing Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, and creating a fiscal council. The proposed three member fiscal council will prepare multiyear fiscal forecasts for the Central and State Governments (together called the General Government) and provide an independent assessment of the Central Government’s fiscal performance and compliance with targets set under the new law.The committee favours a debt to GDP ratio of 60% for the General Government by 2022-23, 40% (38.74%) for the Central Government and 20% for State Governments. Within the framework, the committee has recommended adopting fiscal deficit as the key operational target consistent with achieving the medium term debt ceiling, at 3% of GDP for three years, between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Revenue deficit to GDP ratio has been envisaged to decline steadily by 0.25 percentage points each year from 2.3% in 2016-17 to 0.8% in 2022-23. However, to deal with unforeseen events such as war, calamities of national proportion, collapse of agricultural activity, far reaching structural reforms, and sharp decline in real output growth of at least 3 percentage points, the committee has specified deviation in fiscal deficit target of not more than 0.5 percentage points. Similar to the escape clause, this buoyancy clause can be invoked by the government after formal consultations and advice of the fiscal council. If there is a sharp increase in real output growth of at least 3 percentage points above the average for the previous four quarters, fiscal deficit must fall by at least 0.5 percentage points below the target. NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 1 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 2. Answer (a) Explanation ‘Samavesh’ is a programme launched by the NITI Aayog to link together various lead Knowledge and Research Institutions to catalyse development processes, enhance institutional capacity development and enable a field level interface with the community for mutual enrichment. As part of this, NITI Aayog seeks to deepen and extend its institutional capacity through networking and partnerships with reputed knowledge & research institutions to create an ecosystem of evidence based policy research. This network will enable efficient knowledge sharing and information exchange among all partners to fulfil their role in transformative policy reform so as to achieve sustainable and more inclusive development in line with Sustainable Development Goals as well as the 15 year Vision, 7 year strategy and 3 year action plan being developed by the NITI Aayog. 3. Answer (d) Explanation Climate Change Finance Unit is set up under the Ministry of Finance in 2011. It is headed by Chief Economic Advisor. FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE FINANCING UNIT To serve as the nodal point on all climate change financing matters in the Finance Ministry. To represent Ministry of Finance in all climate change and related issues in all international and domestic fora. To prepare briefs and position papers for Government of India's position on climate financing. To provide guidance and inputs to MoEF&CC to feed into climate change negotiations as well as to develop capacity to analyze emerging issues Assess the submissions on 'climate change financing' from various national Governments who are Parties to the UN framework Convention on Climate Change Analyze the financial pledges of developed countries Provide inputs to the designing, operationalization and working of Green Climate Fund as per the Cancun agreement 4. Answer (c) Explanation DIPP has formulated a scheme for pedagogy and Research in IPRs for Holistic Education & Academia (SPRIHA) to encourage the study of, education in, research on Intellectual Property Rights, as well as to promote research on intellectual property matters. This scheme has been instituted to develop credit as well as specialised courses on IPR, organize seminars and workshops on IPR matter, develop inputs, research on IPR matters and inculcate a longstanding recognition and respect for one's IP and others IP in student’s minds. The objectives of the scheme are as under: • Introducing and promoting IPR education in Institutions Of Higher Learning/ universities, for which DIPP- IPR chairs may be appointed in eligible Institutions selected under the scheme; • Creation of an IPR knowledge database by compiling global best practices on all IPR matters; • Collaborations of Indian academic Institutions with the other universities/colleges/institutions across the world; • Develop, formulate and collate in inputs/ recommendations industry, practitioners and academia on IPR issues for policy makers; • Foster research in IPR and related matters and highlight the policy relevance thereof • Cooperation between IPR chairs to facilitate joint research shared lecture arrangements and students/academic exchanges • Dissemination of research and promoting discussion on IPR and facilities
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 2 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias • increase in domestic IPL filing 5. Answer (a) Explanation Open interest is the total number of outstanding contracts that are held by market participants at the end of each day. Open interest measures the total level of activity into the futures market. If both parties to the trade are initiating a new position (one new buyer and one new seller), open interest will increase by one contract. If both traders are closing an existing or old position (one old buyer and one old seller), open interest will decline by one contract. If one old trader passes off his position to a new trader (one old buyer sells to one new buyer), open interest will not change. Increasing open interest means that new money is flowing into the marketplace. The result will be that the present trend (up, down or sideways) will continue. Declining open interest means that the market is liquidating and implies that the prevailing price trend is coming to an end. Therefore, open interest provides a lead indication of an impending change of trend. To determine the total open interest for any given market, we only need to know the totals from one side or the other, buyers or sellers, and not the sum of both. 6. Answer (b) Explanation • The second statement is correct. • The Battle of Bedara was fought between the Dutch and the British and led to the decline of Dutch power in India. • The first French factory was setup in Surat in 1663 by Francois Caron. • The British setup the first factory by 1613 in Surat.
7. Answer (b) Explanation • The literary work of Padmavat was written by Malik Muhammed Jayisi during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. • It is one of the earliest examples of Awadhi literary works.
8. Answer (c) Explanation • All the pairs are correctly matched. • Futuhat-i-Alamgiri is a literary histoical work by Iswar Das Nagar during Aurangazeb's reign. • Padshah Nama is a biographical work on Shah Jahan by Abdul Hamid Lahori. • Kavirajamarga is a pioneering literary work by Amoghavrsha I on Kannada poetry and language. • Periyapuranam is an epic literature written during the reign of Imperial Cholas by Sekkilar.
9. Answer (a) Explanation • The first statement is the correct one • Microlithic tools were developed during the Mesolithic period. • Wheel was invented during the Neolithic period. 10. Answer (d) Explanation Tenure of Judges of Supreme Court: The Constitution has not fixed the tenure of a judge of Supreme Court. However, it makes the following three provisions in this regard:
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 3 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias . He holds office until he attains the age of 65 years. Any question regarding his age is to be determined by such authority and in such manner as provided by Parliament. . He can resign his office by writing to the President. . He can be removed from his office by the President on the recommendation of the Parliament Tenure of Judges of High Court: The Constitution has not fixed the tenure of a judge of a High Court. However, it makes the following four provisions in this regard: . He holds office until he attains the age of 62 years. Any questions regarding his age is to be decided by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the decision of the President is final. . He can resign his office by writing to the President. . He can be removed from his office by the President on the recommendation of the Parliament. . He vacates his office when he is appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court or when he is transferred to another High Court. 11. Answer (b) Explanation Under The Constitution (Seventy-fourth Amendment) Act, 1992 there shall be constituted a Wards committee, consisting of one or more wards, within the territorial area of a municipality having population of three lakh or more. District Planning Committee: . Under Article 243ZD, every state shall constitute at the district level, a District planning committee (DPC) to consolidate the plans prepared by panchayats and municipalities in the district, and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole. . The act lays down that four-fifths of the members of a DPC should be elected by the elected members of the district panchayat and municipalities in the district from amongst themselves. . The representation of these members in the committee should be in proportion to the ratio between the rural and urban populations in the district. . The chairperson of such committee shall forward the development plan to the state government The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave a constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies 12. Answer (a) Explanation Advisory jurisdiction : Article 143 authorizes the president to seek the opinion of Supreme Court in the matters . Any question of law or fact of public importance . On any dispute arising out of any pre-constitution treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement etc. Revisory jurisdiction: under Article 137, the Supreme Court enjoys revisory jurisdiction where it can revise its judgment, direction or order to remove any mistakes or error. Original jurisdiction: Under Article 131 of the Indian constitution, the Supreme Court decides the disputes between different units of the Indian Federation. That is, any dispute between: . the Centre and one or more states . the Centre and any state or states on one side and one or more states on the other . between two or more states Writ jurisdiction : under Article 32, the Supreme Court is empowered to issue writs including habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo-warranto and certiorari for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of an aggrieved citizen
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 4 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 13. Answer (a) Explanation Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution provides for tribal areas. The tribal areas are administered as autonomous districts. Each autonomous district has a district council consisting of 30 members of whom four are nominated by the governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise. They can make laws on certain specified matters like land, forests, canal water, shifting cultivation, village administration, inheritance of property, marriage and divorce, social customs etc. But all such laws require the assent of the governor. The district council can establish, construct or manage primary schools, dispensaries, markets, ferries, fisheries, roads and so on in the district. It can also make regulations for the control of money lending and trading by non-tribal. But, such regulations require the assent of the governor. The district and regional councils are empowered to assess and collect land revenue and to impose certain specified taxes. The acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply to autonomous districts and autonomous regions or apply with specified modifications and exceptions 14. Answer (d) Explanation • A tectonic plate (also called lithospheric plate) is a massive, irregularly-shaped slab of solid rock, generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithosphere. • Plates move horizontally over the asthenosphere as rigid units. • A plate may be referred to as the continental plate or oceanic plate depending on which of the two occupy a larger portion of the plate. Pacific plate is largely an oceanic plate whereas the Eurasian plate may be called a continental plate. • The theory of plate tectonics proposes that the earth’s lithosphere is divided into seven major and some minor plates. Young Fold Mountain ridges, trenches, and/or faults surround these major plates. • Divergent boundaries are where new crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other. • Convergent boundaries are where the crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another. The location where sinking of a plate occurs is called subduction zone. 15. Answer (a) Explanation • Ground water is the water that seeps through rocks and soil and is stored below the ground. The rocks in which ground water is stored are called aquifers. Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone or limestone. • The depth from the surface at which ground water is found is called the water table. The water table can be as shallow as a foot below the ground or it can be a few hundred meters deep. Heavy rains can cause the water table to rise and conversely, continuous extraction of ground water can cause the level to fall. • The presence and availability of groundwater varies greatly with changes in topography, subsurface geology and the prevailing climate in the region. • Due to the highly variable nature of the climate, groundwater has become a popular alternative for irrigation and domestic water use across India. • The dependence of irrigation on ground water increased with the onset of the Green Revolution, which depended on intensive use of inputs such as water and fertilizers to boost farm production. • In general, the mountainous and hilly regions in the north and west do not allow adequate infiltration and as a consequence, groundwater is mostly limited to valleys and other lower lying areas.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 5 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias • In the peninsular part of the country, the underlying geology limits the formation of large continuous aquifers. Groundwater is therefore scattered where fissures permit adequate storage or is found in shallow depressions near the surface. As a result, the overall yield potential in this region is low although some areas may see medium to high potential depending on the local hydrogeology. • Coastal regions are usually rich in groundwater owing to the largely alluvial terrain, but the aquifers risk being easily contaminated by saltwater ingress due to over-pumping. • The alluvial tract of the Gangetic plain, which extends over 2000 km across central and northern India has the best potential for groundwater extraction in the country. This large area possesses many favourable characteristics for groundwater storage and recharge, and the yield over most of the region has been estimated at moderate to high. 16. Answer (b) Explanation 1. Summer Solstice 21st June 2. Winter Solstice 22nd December 3. Vernal Equinox 21st March 4. Autumnal Equinox 23rd September
17. Answer (a) Explanation Within the tropics, as the midday sun varies very little from its vertical position at noon daily, the four seasons are almost indistinguishable. Days and nights are almost equal all the year round. 18. Answer (b) Explanation The trees check the flow of water; it’s an ecological function by trees. If timber is over- harvested, there won’t be the blocking of flowing water by the plants. So the surface run-off of water will increase. During the rainy season or during floods some rivers change their course and as a result the nutrients in the soil will solve in the water and it will carry to the sea along with the soil. There by lots of fertile soil will lost to the sea. Forest and wetland acts as water purifying system. 19. Answer (b) Explanation Ganga River rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand (Garhwal). Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi. At Devprayag, the Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda; hereafter, it is known as the Ganga.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 6 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias The Alaknanda has its source in the Satopanth glacier above Badrinath (Alakapuri-Tibet). The Alaknanda consists of the Dhauli and the Vishnu Ganga which meet at Joshimath or Vishnu Prayag. The other tributaries of Alaknanda such as the Pindar joins it at Karna Prayag while Mandakini or Kali Ganga meets it at Rudra Prayag. 20. Answer (a) Explanation Melanin, a dark biological pigment (biochrome) found in skin, hair, feathers, scales, eyes, and some internal membranes. Melanic pigmentation is advantageous in many ways: It is a barrier against the effects of the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. On exposure to sunlight, for example, the human epidermis undergoes gradual tanning as a result of an increase in melanin pigment. It is a mechanism for the absorption of heat from sunlight, a function that is especially important for cold-blooded animals. It affords concealment to certain animals that become active in twilight. It limits the incidence of beams of light entering the eye and absorbs scattered light within the eyeball, allowing greater visual acuity. It provides resistance to abrasion because of the molecular structure of the pigment. Many desert-dwelling birds, for example, have black plumage as an adaptation to their abrasive habitat. 21. Answer (a) Explanation An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment (ecosystem); how it meets its needs for food and shelter, how it survives, and how it reproduces. A species niche includes all of its interactions with the biotic and abiotic factors of its environment. The description of a niche may include descriptions of the organism's life history, habitat, and place in the food chain. More formally, the niche includes how a population responds to the abundance of its resources and enemies. The abiotic or physical environment is also part of the niche because it influences how populations affect, and are affected by, resources and enemies. 22. Answer (b) Explanation Statement 1 is incorrect as Chikungunya is a vector borne disease and is spread through mosquitoes. Vertical transmission (mother to child) or through Blood products and organ donation is not yet reported. Statement 2 and 3 are correct; they are blood to blood infectious and can be transmitted from person to person without any vector in between. AIDS is a blood communicable disease. Same is the case of Hepatitis B which is a chronic disease and is an STD just like AIDS.
23. Answer (c) Explanation • A virus is a small infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea; and can be cultured in any synthetic medium. It needs an organism to transmit human to human or through vectors • Human Papilloma Virus is a DNA virus of papilloma virus family. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and resolve spontaneously. • It can also cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Nearly all cervical cancer is due to HPV. • Between 60% and 90% of the other cancers are also linked to HPV.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 7 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias • Transmission method: intimate skin-to-skin contact (sexually transmitted - vaginal, anal, oral sex, etc). • Pap is a common test to detect cervical cancer where cells are gently scraped from the cervix area and sample is sent to a lab for examination.
24. Answer (c) Explanation • Ammonia is formed in the soil by two ways: nitrogen fixation and ammonification. • Nitrogen fixation : process of conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia • Ammonification: decomposition of organic nitrogen of dead plants and animals into ammonia. - • Nitrification: the above formed ammonia is first oxidized into nitrites (NO2 ) by the bacteria “Nitrosomonas” and “Nitrococcus”. The nitrite is further oxidized to nitrates - (NO3 ) by the help of “Nitrobacter”. The whole process is called nitrification. • These nitrifying bacteria are “Chemo-autotrophs”. • Assimilation: the absorption of nitrates by the plants. • Nitrate present in the soil is reduced to Nitrogen by the process of Denitrification which is carried out by “Pseudomonas” and “Thiobacillus” bacteria 25. Answer (d) Explanation • Option A: incorrect. It talks about the Peristalsis movement which is the successive waves of muscular contractions of the oesophagus. • Option B: incorrect. Skull movement doesn’t have any particular movement. The only moving part of the skull is the lower jaw. • Option C: incorrect. Cardiac cycle consists of “Lub”- closure of tricuspic and bicuspid valve and “Dub” closure of semi lunar valves. • Option D: correct answer; the mechanism of muscle contraction is initiated by the central nervous system and involves interaction between the two filaments of a muscle fiber- actin and myosin. • This whole mechanism makes up the sliding filament theory by which the muscle contraction takes place. 26. Answer (c) Explanation With as many as 163 IPOs, the year 2017 will go down as the year of IPOs. This was the largest number of IPOs launched in a single year in the past 20 years, shows data from Prime Database. In addition, the amount of ₹ 75,859 crore raised through IPOs in 2017, according to the data compiled by the ET Intelligence Group, was not only the highest ever but also larger than ₹56,896 crore that was collected between 2011 and 2016 cumulatively. 27. Answer (a) Explanation FRDI bill is meant to consolidate all the various regulatory laws covering India’s financial institutions. It also seeks to create a Resolution Corporation (RC) that will be in charge of winding down, reviving, or resolving in any other way an ailing financial company. As such, the Bill is to work in tandem with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. If a bank, a Non- Banking Finance Company (NBFC), an insurance company, a pension fund or a mutual fund run by an asset management company, fails, a quick solution is available to either sell that firm, merge it with another firm, or close it down, with the least disruption to the system, to the economy, and to investors and other stakeholders under the proposed bill. This was recommended by the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC) headed by Justice B N Sri Krishna.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 8 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias To do the resolution and associated processes, one of the tools the RC will be empowered with is a bail-in, in which a bank’s liabilities can be cancelled or modified to shore up its finances. This clause created a lot of alarm as many felt it would put depositors’ money in banks at risk. Later the government has finally clarified that the bail-in clause will not be used for public sector banks (PSBs).
28. Answer (a) Explanation Algorithmic trading (automated trading, black-box trading, or simply algo-trading) is the process of using computers programmed to follow a defined set of instructions for placing a trade in order to generate profits at a speed and frequency that is impossible for a human trader. The defined sets of rules are based on timing, price, quantity or any mathematical model. Apart from profit opportunities for the trader, algo-trading makes markets more liquid and makes trading more systematic by ruling out emotional human impacts on trading activities. The NSE is facing allegations that some brokers got preferential access to the trading system through the co-location facility (where brokers can buy “rack space” for their servers) at the stock exchange, early login and “dark fibre”, which can allow a trader split-second faster access to the data feed of the exchange. Even this split-second faster access is considered capable of bringing huge gains to a trader. The allegations of unfair access were first made by a whistleblower in January 2015. The whistleblower wrote to securities market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), alleging that a few brokers were able to log on to the NSE system with better hardware specifications while engaged in algorithmic trading, to their unfair advantage. 29. Answer (c) Explanation In December 1999, the Parliament had passed the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999. This Act seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India. The Act would be administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks- who is the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry would be located at Chennai. A geographical indication is a public property belonging to the producers of the concerned goods. It shall not be the subject matter of assignment, transmission, licensing, pledge, mortgage or such other agreement. However, when an authorised user dies, his right devolves on his successor in title. 30. Answer (d) Explanation The government has presented a lower cash-to-GDP ratio as a key achievement of demonetisation, and a measure of black money being checked. Economists, however, say reading the ratio in isolation could be misleading. Apart from a shift towards digital transactions, a lower ratio could be due to a combination of factors — lower currency supply, shrinkage in cash-dependent enterprises due to the note ban, and shortage of cash in pockets of the economy. 31. Answer (b) Explanation Refer Mahajanapadas map.
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32. Answer (d) Explanation Fahien visited India during the reign of Chandragupta II.
33. Answer (a) Explanation • The first and third statements are correct. • Priyadarshika is a literary work by Harshavardhana. • Harshavardhana also wrote Nagananda and Ratnavali. • Dandin wrote Dasakumaracharita. • Varahamihira also wrote Pancha Sidhantika, a work on the five astronomical systems.
34. Answer (b) Explanation • The question asks for which of the statements are incorrect. • It was Ramdas, who influenced Sivaji to overthrow Mughal rule that wrote Dasabodha. • Qutb Minar, which was completed by Iltumish is dedicated to the Sufi saint of Chisti order - Qutbuddin Bakthiyar Kaki. 35. Answer (b) Explanation Articles 371 to 371-J in Part XXI of the constitution contain special provisions for twelve states - Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Karnataka. The intention is to meet the aspirations of the people of backward regions of the states or to protect the cultural and economic interests of the tribal people of the states or to deal with the disturbed law and order condition in some parts of the states or to protect the interests of the local people of the states. Articles 371A to 371J were added to the Constitution through various amendments under Article 368.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 10 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 36. Answer (b) Explanation The nine-judge constitutional bench of Supreme Court upheld the Right to Privacy as one protected by Article 21 of the Constitution of India It includes • preservation of personal intimacies • sanctity of family life • marriage • procreation • the home and sexual orientation. Privacy connotes a right to be left alone. It safeguards individual autonomy and recognizes one’s ability to control vital aspects of his/her life. Privacy is not an absolute right, but any invasion must be based on legality, need and proportionality. 37. Answer (c) Explanation
38. Answer (d) Explanation The display of the National flag is governed by the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act, 1971. The Flag Code of India, 2002 brings together all such laws, conventions, practices and instructions for the guidance and benefit of all concerned. The flag shall not be used for commercial purposes in violation of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. It is clearly mentioned in the flag code that during the event of the death of dignitaries like the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice etc. the National flag shall be half-masted. Both the Flag code as well as the Constitution of India is silent on the states having their own flags, which implies they do not place any restrictions on the same. 39. Answer (c) Explanation • If there were no Himalayan ranges, much of the country would experience the cold waves from Siberia and thus, North Indian plain would have been much cooler in winter. • Monsoon rains take place in summer months due to its on-shore nature. • Mediterranean climate is experienced between 30o and 45o north and south of the equator. 40. Answer (b) Explanation • The high pressure would discourage precipitation. Thus, statement 4 is wrong. NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 11 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias • ‘Loo’ affects India during the summer months. • Winds blow outward from high pressure regions and this would create cold conditions in northern plains of India. 41. Answer (b) Explanation
42. Answer (a) Explanation
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 12 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 43. Answer (d) Explanation TROPICAL EVERGREEN RAIN FOREST/ EQUATORIAL FOREST. These forests are found in warm and humid areas. They are having a heavy rainy season, the annual precipitation is above 200 cm and the average temperature is about 20-250C. Normally, it extends between 100N and 100S latitude. While covering less than 6 percent of Earth's land surface, rain forests are home to more than 50 percent of the world's plant and animal species. There is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves, so they are appearing green all the year round. The topsoil of tropical rainforest is heavily leached due to the rain and so poor in nutrients. Due to this regeneration of the tree cover is difficult when it is cleared. Because of these poor nutrients (in the surface), rainforest trees have very shallow roots to get more nutrients and they are having buttressed trunks to support. The tropical evergreen forests are well stratified. They are having a multi-layered continuous canopy; growing in layers; 5 layers. The stratification results from competition between species for favourable locations for the sunlight. Tropical evergreen rain forest biome accounts for the largest number of plant species. 44. Answer (d) Explanation 1. Neora valley : West Bengal 2. Betla : Jharkhand 3. Kanha : Madhya Pradesh 4. Lakhari valley : Odisha 45. Answer (d) Explanation CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY This agreement, adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is part of a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development that is, meeting the needs of the current generation of human beings while ensuring a healthy and viable world for future generations. The convention sets three main goals: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of plant and animal species, and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. COP 10 was held at Aichi precinct district of Nagoya, Japan. By this meeting Nagoya protocol on Genetic Resources and the Aichi Targets for Genetic Resources were originated. Aichi Targets is a short term plan, a ten-year framework for action by all countries to save biodiversity, and is officially known as Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. It provides 20 ambitious yet achievable targets collectively known as Aichi Targets. These 20 targets are divided into 5 sections. COP 11 held on Oct 2012 in Hyderabad, India declared the current decade as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity and United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification. CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB), the first international regulatory framework for safe transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) was negotiated under the aegis of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The objective of the Protocol is to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specifically focusing on transboundary movements. The Protocol promotes biosafety by establishing rules and procedures for the safe transfer, handling, and use of LMOs. NAGOYA PROTOCOL ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING (ABS) The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is a
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 13 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol on ABS was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and entered into force on 12 October 2014, 90 days after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. Its objective is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. 46. Answer (c) Explanation Any of mammals that are characterized especially by advanced development of binocular vision resulting in stereoscopic depth perception, specialization of the hands and feet for grasping, and enlargement of the cerebral hemispheres and that include humans, apes, monkeys, and related forms (such as lemurs and tarsiers). Many primates are arboreal animals. Arboreal animals are that living in trees. Insects are found in all kinds of habitats. Insects live in just about every habitat on Earth, from the sands of hot deserts to cold snowy mountain streams. Most insects live on land, in fact about 97% do. Many insects spend all of their life on land, such as bees and caterpillars (which of course become moths or butterflies). However, some insects live in freshwater. Dragonflies begin life in water such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, but then take to the air as adults. And other insects, such as the diving beetle, spend most of their time in the water, but they must return repeatedly to the surface of the water to breathe air. Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates (vertebrates have backbones) that don’t have scales. They live part of their lives in water and part on land. Examples of amphibian are frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians. The world's amphibians are in crisis; populations of most of the world's 6200 species of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians are in decline and one in three amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Several species have become extinct in the last 20 years. The cause of this disastrous situation is human population growth and the destructive ecological 'footprint' that inevitably results from it. Natural habitats are destroyed and degraded as they are cleared for housing, agriculture and industry; surviving habitats become polluted; climate change alters natural environments, often making them hostile to their natural inhabitants. In the wake of an environment that human disturbances rapidly altered, ecologists have adopted amphibians as models for studying applied ecological issues such as habitat loss, pollution, disease, and global climate change. Some of the characteristics of amphibians that make them useful models for studying these environmental problems are highlighted, including their trophic importance, environmental sensitivity, research tractability, and impending extinction.
47. Answer (a) Explanation • Option A is correct: Monotremes: any member of the egg-laying mammalian order Monotremata, which includes the amphibious platypus and the terrestrial echidnas • Monotremata is the most ancient living order of mammals and are egg layers (oviparous) • Platypus is an example of monotremes • Option B : mammals that carry their young ones in a pouch eg: kangaroo • Option C : normal humans give birth to child with umbilical cord attached, these types are called placental 48. Answer (c) Explanation Grafting and budding are horticultural techniques used to join parts from two or more plants so that they appear to grow as a single plant. In grafting, the upper part (scion) of one plant
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 14 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias grows on the root system (rootstock) of another plant. In the budding process, a bud is taken from one plant and grown on another. • Budding: here a bud of one plant is grafted or attached to the rootstock/stem of another plant. For eg: jasmine/rose etc. Here any portion of the plant can be used to graft the bud of the other plant • Grafting:is the technique where the whole of the upper portion (scion) of a plant (Bud in the previous case) is grafted to the rootstock of the second plant or variety. • Here both the statements are correct: they form the definition of budding and grafting
49. Answer (b) Explanation • Conventional agricultural production of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits,etc., may not be able to meet the demand of food at the rate at which human and animal population is increasing • One of the alternate sources of proteins for animal and human nutrition is Single Cell Protein (SCP). Spirulina is one of the sources of Single Cell Protein • Microbes like Spirulina can be grown easily on materials like waste water from potato processing plants (containing starch), straw, molasses, animal manure and even sewage, to produce large quantities and can serve as food rich in protein, minerals, fats, carbohydrate and vitamins. • Options A and C are bio fertilizers used in various areas 50. Answer (a) Explanation • Plants, bacteria, fungi and animals whose genes have been altered by manipulation are called Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). GM plants have been useful in many ways. • Advantages: o Made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses (cold, drought, salt, heat). o Reduced reliance on chemical pesticides (pest-resistant crops). o Helped to reduce post harvest losses. o Increased efficiency of mineral usage by plants (this prevents early exhaustion of fertility of soil). o Enhanced nutritional value of food, e.g., Vitamin ‘A’ enriched rice. • Statements 1 and 2 are correct • Statement 3 is incorrect: Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are introduced into the ecosystem. There will be imbalances of ecological cycle. Some plants/organisms being resistant to a particular kind of an another crop/organism/pest results in the extinction of the latter and so on.
51. Answer (d) Explanation A tax haven is a country that offers foreign individuals and businesses a minimal tax liability in a politically and economically stable environment, with little or no financial information shared with foreign tax authorities. Tax havens do not require individuals to reside in or businesses to operate out of their countries to benefit from local tax policies. Tax haven status benefits the host country as well as the companies and individuals maintaining accounts in them. Tax haven countries benefit by drawing capital to their banks and financial institutions, which can form the foundation of a thriving financial sector. Individuals and corporations benefit through tax savings resulting from tax rates ranging from zero to the low single digits versus relatively high taxes in their countries of citizenship or domicile.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 15 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias The list of tax haven countries includes Andorra, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, the Cook Islands, Hong Kong, The Isle of Man, Mauritius, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Panama, and St. Kitts and Nevis. 52. Answer (a) Explanation
53. Answer (b) Explanation India’s foreign exchange reserves reached US$ 409.4 billion on end-December 2017. The import cover of India’s foreign exchange reserves was 11.1 months at end of September 2017 as compared with 11.3 months at end-March 2017. Within the major economies running current account deficit, India is among the largest foreign exchange reserve holder and sixth largest among all countries of the world. 54. Answer (d) Explanation To monitor the currency manipulating countries, the US Treasury has established thresholds for the three criteria specified in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 and the US Treasury under the new administration has kept the status quo in terms of the rules classifying foreign exchange manipulators. The first criterion is significant bilateral trade surplus with the United States (at least US$ 20 billion), while the second is Country’s current account balance as per cent of GDP (at least 3 percent of GDP) and the third is persistent one sided intervention in the foreign exchange market and a total of at least 2 percent of an economy’s GDP on a net of 8 over a 12 month period (US Treasury report April 2017). 55. Answer (b) Explanation The members of the CPTPP include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan. The accord will cover about 14% of global gross domestic product (considerably less than the 40% it would have covered had the U.S. stayed on board) and involve the livelihoods of about 500 million people. 56. Answer (d) Explanation • Both the statements are incorrect. NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 16 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias • Delhi was plundered by Ahmad Shah Abdali during the reign of Alamgir II. • Akbar II sent Ram Mohan Roy to England to seek rise in pension.
57. Answer (c) Explanation • The autonomous state was founded by Nawab Sadatullah Khan. • He was the Deputy Governor of Carnatic under the Nizam who freed himself. • Arcot was the capital of Carnatic state. • Anwaruddin, was an Arcot Nawab fought the French and was killed in Battle of Ambur. • Alivardi Khan was a Nawab of Bengal. • Asim-ud-Daula, Nawab of Arcot signed the subsidiary treaty with Lord Wellesley.
58. Answer (d) Explanation • The third pair is correctly matched. • The Indian Independence League was founded by Rash Behari Bose. • Hindustan Republican Association was founded by Y.C Chatterjee. • Hindustan Socialist Republican Association was founded by Chandra Sekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh.
59. Answer (c) Explanation • All the statements are correct. • The Muslim League supported the Congress during the movement. • Despite reservations from some people like C.R Das, there was boycott of Legislative Councils. • Those leaders also boycotted the November 1920 elections to the Councils and the majority of voters abstained too. • Mohammed Jinnah, Annie Besant, B.C Pal and G.S Kharpade left the Congress as they believed in a lawful and constitutional struggle.
60. Answer (a) Explanation Integrated Case Management Information System (ICMIS). Supreme Court’s first step towards becoming a paperless, digital court. The services provided are filing cases checking listing dates case status, online service of notice/summons office reports and overall tracking of progress of a case filed with the apex court registry 61. Answer (d) Explanation 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1985, (Anti-Defection law) provided for the disqualification of members of both Parliament and State Legislature on grounds of defection from a political party to another. In its current form, a member of a house, belonging to any political party, becomes disqualified if 1. He votes/abstains from voting in the house, contrary to the directions of the party, without prior permission 2. Voluntarily gives up the membership of the his party But, there are exceptions, wherein the provisions do not apply, such as 1. A nominated member within six months of taking his seat in the house joins any political party.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 17 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 2. A member walks out of the party, as a result of the merger of the party with another. (Merger – when two-thirds of the members of the party agree to it) 3. Member on being elected as the presiding officer voluntarily gives up the membership and rejoins back after he ceases to hold the office. 62. Answer (b) Explanation Table/Order of Precedence is the protocol list related to the ranks and order of the officials of the Union and State governments. 1. President 2. Vice-President 3. Prime Minister 4. Governors of the state within their respective states 5. Former Presidents 5A.Deputy Prime Minister 6. Chief Justice of India 7. Cabinet Ministers of the Union Chief Ministers of the state within the respective States Vice-Chairperson NITI Aayog Former Prime Ministers Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha 8. Governors of the states (Outside their respective states) 9. Judges of Supreme Court 10. Chairperson, UPSC Chief Election Commissioner CAG • Former PMs will take precedence over the cabinet Ministers of Union and the Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. • Similarly, Chief Ministers in their respective states will take precedence over the Union Cabinet Ministers, in their respective states. 63. Answer (c) Explanation • Important provisions dealt in Representation of People Act, 1950 are Allocation of seats in the House of the People and the State Legislatures Confer upon the President, the powers to delimit the constituencies for the purpose of elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures. Registration of electors for Parliamentary Constituencies, Legislative Assembly as well as Council Constituencies • Important provisions dealt in Representation of People Act, 1951 are Qualification and Disqualification for membership of Parliament and State Legislatures Notification of general elections Administrative machinery for conduct of elections Corrupt practices and electoral offences Registration of Political Parties Disputes regarding election
64. Answer (a) Explanation The only State that borders Meghalaya is Assam.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 18 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 65. Answer (c) Explanation • Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a technique designed to recover gas and oil from shale rock. • Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. • Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure which allows the gas to flow out to the head of the well. • Fracking allows drilling firms to access difficult-to-reach resources of oil and gas. • In the US it has significantly boosted domestic oil production and driven down gas prices. • Fracking uses huge amounts of water, which must be transported to the fracking site, at significant environmental cost. • There are also worries that the fracking process can cause small earth tremors. 66. Answer (d) Explanation • Methane is released as a direct result of the physical process of coal extraction. Coal is extracted through mining which in turn releases methane previously trapped within the coal seam into the air supply of the mine as layers of the coal face are removed, thus creating a potential safety hazard. • Glacial melting can release previously trapped methane contributing to global climate change. • The anaerobic conditions associated with rice cultivation/wetlands cause the emission of methane. • Animal husbandry is an important source of methane emission. 67. Answer (c) Explanation • Scanty rainfall doesn’t cause floods. • In regions with loose sandy soil with scanty vegetation, surface run-off will be higher. 68. Answer (c) Explanation The differences or variations are referred to as diversity. Usually three levels of biodiversity are discussed—genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Biodiversity commonly deals with the number, variety and variability of living organisms, of genetic material, of community and of an ecosystem. This includes diversity within species (genetic diversity), between species (organismal/species diversity) and ecosystem or community (ecological diversity). 69. Answer (a) Explanation Biogas is a clean renewable energy source. Biogas is a type of biofuel that is naturally produced from the decomposition of organic waste. When organic matter, such as food scraps and animal waste, break down in an anaerobic environment (an environment absent of oxygen) they release a blend of gases, primarily methane and carbon dioxide. Because this decomposition happens in an anaerobic environment, the process of producing biogas is also known as anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion is a natural form of waste-to-energy that uses the process of fermentation to breakdown organic matter.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 19 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 70. Answer (d) Explanation Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the threatened species of tiger in the country. Project Tiger is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Government of India which was launched on the 1st of April, 1973 for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in designated tiger reserves. First Tiger Reserve established in India is Jim Corbett National Park. There are 50 tiger reserves in India, which are governed by Project Tiger which is administrated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The role of Project Tiger / NTCA is to provide technical guidance and funding support. The State Government on recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority notify an area as a Tiger reserve. The strategy adopted for tiger conservation in Project Tiger involves exclusive tiger agenda in the core/critical tiger habitat, inclusive people-wildlife agenda in the outer buffer, besides fostering the latter agenda in the corridors. This strategy / roadmap is reflected in a tiger reserve specific Tiger Conservation Plan for each reserve prepared under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 71. Answer (a) Explanation India will be the Global Host for World Environment Day (WED) 2018 which is observed annually on 5 June. ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ will be the theme of this year’s event which would drive world-wide efforts to discourage use of hazardous plastic. Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed between India and UN Environment in New Delhi. A ‘Letter of Intent’ to host the WED in India was signed by the Union environment secretary and head of the United Nations Environment Programme. The World Environment Day (WED) 2018 will be celebrated across the country, involving all states and Union Territories. A week-long environmental awareness campaign and pollution mitigation activities are being planned in Delhi and other parts of the country from June 1-5. The theme for WED 2018, urges governments, industry, communities, and individuals to come together and explore sustainable alternatives and urgently reduce the production and excessive use of single-use plastic polluting our oceans, damaging marine life and threatening human health. 72. Answer (d) Explanation • Biotechnology deals with techniques of using live organisms or enzymes from organisms to produce products and processes useful to humans. • In biotechnology applications, the first step is the extraction and isolation of DNA from the parent cell, which is then substituted or modified to a new variety or replaced by the DNA of new ones with desired qualities • This isolation of DNA is carried out in different organisms using different enzymes depending on their outer cell wall/cell membrane. • Plant cells have an outer cell wall made of Cellulose; thus we use the enzyme cellullase to break down the wall • Fungi cells have cell wall made of Chitin; hence the enzyme Chitinase is used to break the wall and isolate the DNA • Bacteria cells have cell membrane which are breakdown by using the enzymes lysozymes.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 20 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 73. Answer (b) Explanation There are different instruments for the measurement of different solar characteristics which are required for the proper designing of radiation collecting devices (Eg: solar Wafers, panels and solar cells). Solar radiation that fills our sky is made up of two types of radiations in total: Direct radiation and diffuse radiation. Direct is the radiation or beam that reaches the earth surface. Diffuse radiation is the sunlight that has been scattered by molecules and particles and finally reaches the surface of the earth. • Option A: deals with beam radiation which is also called direct radiation or direct beam radiation. It is the solar radiation travelling in a straight line from the sun down to the earth. Pyrheliometer is used to measure this radiation • Option B: Solar irradiance is the output of light energy from the entire disc of the sun which is beam radiation long with all the reflected and scattered radiations together. Pyranometre is used to measure the solar irradiance on a flat surface. • Option C: Sunshine recorder is used to measure the brightest and dullest hour of the day. • Option D: Luminosity is the measure of light equivalent intensity of sunshine – lux meter is used to measure in terms of Candella/m2. .
74. Answer (a) Explanation There are many types of food additives such as thickeners, stabilizers, anti-oxidants, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, sweeteners etc. the given statements are different chemical coumpiunds used as food additives. • Vanillin: is a flavoring agent that gives the taste of Vanilla. Other examples are – Butyric acid, amyl acetate etc. • Aspartame is basically an artificial sweetener. They do not provide energy or take part in digestion. Other examples are saccharin, sucralose etc. • Benzoates: are preservatives used for increasing the shelf life of food products. Examples- Benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, sodium nitrite etc. • Antioxidants: are the chemical compounds that destroy the rancidity causing free radicals in the food products. Examples: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Butylated Hydroxy Anisole (BHA).
75. Answer (d) Explanation • The biological clock is generated by about 20,000 neurons that form a structure called the suprachiasmaticnucleus (SCN), which is found in the hypothalamus in the brain. These neurons receive signals from the eyes. • Circadian rhythms are synchronized with the earth’s rotation by daily adjustments in the timing of SCN, following the exposure to light which indicates the time of the day. When it’s dark at night, the eyes send a signal to the hypothalamus that it’s time to feel tired. The brain, in turn, sends a signal to your body to release melatonin hormone, which makes us feel drowsy. • The onset of secretion of melatonin is about two hours before natural sleep time and peaks during the middle of the night. That’s why the circadian rhythm tends to coincide with the cycle of daytime and night-time. • Irregular rhythms have been linked to various chronic health conditions, such as sleep disorders, obesity, diabetes, depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. • All the statements are correct: they form the definition of Circadian Cycle
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 21 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 76. Answer (c) Explanation Chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment that absorbs sunlight and uses its energy to synthesise carbohydrates from CO2 and water. In the structure of chlorophyll, the central atom is magnesium. Chlorophyll consists of a porphyrin head and a phytol tail. Porphyrin head is made up of 4 pyrrole rings. A plant requires magnesium for Chlorophyll synthesis. It is essential for the formation of chlorophyll in green plants. Mg is situated at the centre of porphyrin head. All four rings bind with metal atom magnesium (Mg++), which remain present at the center of chlorophyll molecule. Chlorophyll formula = C55H72O5N4Mg
77. Answer (d) Explanation Nameri is a Tiger Reserve in Assam Ranthambhore is a Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan Buxa is a Tiger Reserve in West Bengal Melghat is a Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra 78. Answer (d) Explanation 1. Umred Karhandla : Wainganga 2. Satkosia : Mahanadi 3. Panna : Ken 79. Answer (d) Explanation The Ganga rises in the Gangotri glacier near Gaumukh in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand (Garhwal). Here, it is known as the Bhagirathi. The main tributaries of Ganga are Ramganga, Gomti, Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda, Yamuna, Tons/Tamsa, Son, Punpun, etc 80. Answer (a) Explanation Bhils or Bheel are primarily an Adivasi people of West India. According to Census, 2011, Bhils were the largest tribal group in India. Bhils are listed as Adivasi residents of the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The Raji people are a community found in Uttarakhand, India. The tribe called Van Rawat or Van Raji, meaning ‘kings’ or ‘royal people of the forest’. It has a population of 1,295 members sparsely spread over 11 villages of Uttarakhand. There are 2,241 Rajis in Uttar
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 22 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias Pradesh as well. Because of their dwindling numbers, low literacy rate and unequal development, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has classified them as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). And their language, Raji, is considered by UNESCO as ‘severely endangered’. The Saora are a Munda ethnic group from Southern Odisha, north coastal Andhra Pradesh in India. They are also found in the hills of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. ‘Idital’ is a form of Saura painting associated with the Saura tribals. The painting lots are also exported regularly to Germany, France and the U.S. The paintings, which are pleasing to the eye and widely admired for their artistic excellence, now offer a sustainable source of livelihood. The Korku are an ethnic group predominantly found in the Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas near the Melghat Tiger Reserve of Maharashtra. They speak the Korku language, which is a member of the Munda languages and is written using Devanagari. They are classified as a Scheduled Tribe by the Indian government. The forest officials of the Tiger Reserve organise a volleyball tournament every year, which sees enthusiastic participation from as many as 100 teams from various tribes in the region. 81. Answer (b) Explanation When investors buy bonds, they essentially lend bond issuers money. In return, bond issuers agree to pay investors interest on bonds throughout their lifetime and to repay the face value of bonds upon maturity. The money that investors earn is called yield. Investors do not have to hold bonds to maturity. Instead, they may sell them for a higher or lower price to other investors, and if an investor makes money on the sale of a bond, that is also part of its yield. As bond prices increase, bond yields fall. For example, assume an investor purchases a bond with a 10% annual coupon rate and a par value of $1,000. Each year, the bond pays 10%, or $100, in interest. Its annual yield is the interest divided by its par value. As $100 divided by $1,000 is 10%, the bond's nominal yield is 10%, the same as its coupon rate. Eventually, the investor decides to sell the bond for $900. The new owner of the bond receives interest based on the face value of the bond, so he continues to receive $100 per year until the bond matures. However, because he only paid $900 for the bond, his rate of return is $100/$900 or 11.1%. If he sells the bond for a lower price, its yield increases again. If he sells for a higher price, its yield falls. 82. Answer (b) Explanation Country Index 1. Hong Kong - HSI 2. China - Shcomp 3. Japan - Nikkie 4. Taiwan - TWSE 5. Phillipines - PComp 6. Indonesia - JCI 7. Korea - Kospi 83. Answer (a) Explanation National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) is a major initiative by the Government of India to give fillip to Infrastructure sector and spur economic growth. Its creation was announced in the Union Budget 2015-16. The objective of NIIF would be to maximize economic impact mainly through infrastructure development in commercially viable projects, both greenfield and brownfield, including stalled projects. It could also consider other nationally important projects, for example, in manufacturing, if commercially viable.The proposed corpus of NIIF is ₹40,000 Crores (around USD 6 Billion). The initial authorized corpus of NIIF would be ₹20,000 crore, which may be raised from time to time, as
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 23 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias decided by Ministry of Finance. Government can provide upto ₹20000 crore per annum into these funds. Government's contribution/share in the corpus will be 49% in each entity set up as an alternate Investment Fund (AIF) and will neither be increased beyond, nor allowed to fall below, 49%. The whole of 49% would be contributed by Government directly. Rest is open for contribution from others. Governing Council of NIIF is an advisory body - chaired by the Finance Minister. It shall comprise of government representatives, eminent economists, professionals from the Infrastructure Sector and representatives from the non-government contributors. Government is in the process of setting up the two sub funds under the NIIF- one in clean energy fund and other in focus on highways projects. 84. Answer (b) Explanation The Inclusive Development Index (IDI) by World Economic Forum is an annual assessment of 103 countries’ economic performance that measures how countries perform on eleven dimensions of economic progress in addition to GDP. It has 3 pillars; growth and development; inclusion and; intergenerational equity – sustainable stewardship of natural and financial resources. India has been ranked 62 out of 74 emerging economies on a metric focussed on the living standards of people and future-proofing of economies by the WEF. Pakistan has been ranked 47, Sri Lanka is at 40, and Nepal at 22; Uganda (59) and Mali (60) are also higher on the index than India. The other major reports of WEF are • Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report • Global Energy Architecture report • Global Risks Report • Global Enabling Trade Report • Global Gender Gap report • Global Competitiveness Report • Global Information Technology Report 85. Answer (d) Explanation LIBOR or ICE LIBOR (previously BBA LIBOR) is a benchmark rate, which some of the world’s leading banks charge each other for short-term loans. It stands for Intercontinental Exchange London Interbank Offered Rate and serves as the first step to calculating interest rates on various loans throughout the world. LIBOR is administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA), and is based on five currencies: U.S. dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), Pound Sterling (GBP), Japanese Yen (JPY), and Swiss Franc (CHF). 86. Answer (d) Explanation The objectives of setting up of Small Finance Banks will be to further financial inclusion by (a) provision of savings vehicles, and (b) supply of credit to small business units; small and marginal farmers; micro and small industries; and other unorganised sector entities, through high technology-low cost operations. Resident individuals/professionals with 10 years of experience in banking and finance; and companies and societies owned and controlled by residents will be eligible to set up small finance banks. Existing Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs), and Local Area Banks (LABs) that are owned and controlled by residents can also opt for conversion into small finance banks.The Small Finance Bank shall primarily undertake basic banking activities of acceptance of deposits and lending to unserved and underserved sections including small business units, small and marginal farmers, micro and small industries and unorganised sector entities
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 24 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias The Small Finance Banks will be required to extend 75 per cent of its Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to the sectors eligible for classificationas priority sector lending (PSL) by the Reserve Bank. At least 50% of its loans should constitute loans and advances of up to Rs 25 lakh. SFBs will be subject to all prudential norms and regulations of the RBI as applicable to existing commercial banks. This will include maintaining cash reserve ratio (CRR) as well as the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). 87. Answer (d) Explanation A payments bank is like any other bank, but operating on a smaller scale without involving any credit risk. In simple words, it can carry out most banking operations but can’t advance loans or issue credit cards. It can accept demand deposits (up to Rs 1 lakh), offer remittance services, mobile payments/transfers/purchases and other banking services like ATM/debit cards, net banking and third party fund transfers. 88. Answer (d) Explanation • It is a statutory body formed under Right to Information Act, 2005 • State Information Commission consists of State Chief Information Commissioner and not more than 10 State Information Commissioners • They are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the committee consisting of Chief Minister (Chairperson), Leader of Opposition (Legislative Assembly) and a State Cabinet Minister (Nominated by CM) • They hold office for a term of 5 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. • They can be removed from the Office by the Governor if he/she Is adjudged an insolvent or Has been convicted in an offence which, in the opinion of governor involves moral turpitude Engages in paid employment, outside the office Unfit due to infirmity of mind or body Has acquired financial or other interest, likely to affect his/her official duties 89. Answer (d) Explanation • Lokayukta institution was already set up in many states, even before the enactment of the Lokpal and Loakayuktas Act, 2013. • However, their structures are not the same in all states • The Lokayuktas and Upalokayuktas are appointed by the Governor of the state. • In most states, while appointing, the Governor also consults The Chief Justice of State High Court The leader of opposition in the legislative assembly 90. Answer (b) Explanation The entry has been mentioned in the State List under Seventh Schedule of the Constitution 91. Answer (b) Explanation • Pressure groups are a group of people (smaller number) organised actively for promoting and protecting their common interest. • They exert pressure on the government through several means so as to bring about public policy suiting and promoting their interests. • However, they neither contest in elections, nor are interested in capturing power and taking stances in political issues.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 25 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias 92. Answer (c) Explanation • State Public Service Commission (SPSC), consists of a chairman and other members appointed by the Governor. • No qualifications mentioned except that half of the members should have held office for atleast 10 years under central or state government. • They hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 62 years. • They can also resign before the completion of their term by addressing their resignation letter to the Governor 93. Answer (b) Explanation The circulation of currents in the Indian Ocean is characteristically different from Atlantic and Pacific Oceans because the Indian Ocean is land locked in the North. The circulation pattern in the northern portion of the Indian Ocean changes its direction in response to seasonal rhythm of the monsoons. 94. Answer (c) Explanation SOME FAMOUS LOCAL STORMS OF HOT WEATHER SEASON (i) Mango Shower: Towards the end of summer, there are pre-monsoon showers which are a common phenomenon in Kerala and coastal areas of Karnataka. Locally, they are known as mango showers since they help in the early ripening of mangoes. (ii) Blossom Shower: With this shower, coffee flowers blossom in Kerala and nearby areas. (iii) Nor Westers: These are dreaded evening thunderstorms in Bengal and Assam. Their notorious nature can be understood from the local nomenclature of ‘Kalbaisakhi’, a calamity of the month of Baisakh. These showers are useful for tea, jute and rice cultivation. In Assam, these storms are known as “Bardoli Chheerha”. (iv) Loo: Hot, dry and oppressive winds blowing in the Northern plains from Punjab to Bihar with higher intensity between Delhi and Patna 95. Answer (a) Explanation • Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. • The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillusflavus and Aspergillusparasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world. • Exposure to aflatoxins is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.
96. Answer (b) Explanation • In railway signaling, an interlocking is an arrangement of signal apparatus that prevents conflicting movements through an arrangement of tracks such as junctions or crossings. • An interlocking is designed so that it is impossible to display a signal to proceed unless the route to be used is proven safe. • Electronic Interlocking is an advanced Interlocking system and alternative to the conventional Relay Interlocking system. • This will lead to reduction in use of copper cables which is not only unreliable, difficult to maintain, prone to theft; but also costly.
97. Answer (d) Explanation • The second and third statements are correct.
NEO IAS 0484-4030104, 9446331522, 9446334122 Page 26 www.neoias.com | www.youtube.com/neoias | www.facebook.com/neoias | www.twitter.com/neoias • Nehru report sought for dominion status or complete internal self government and not independence. • Muslim League and Mohammed Ali Jinnah supported the boycott of Simon Commission. • Poorna Swaraj declaration was passed in Lahore Session of 1929 in which Jawaharlal Nehru was the President.
98. Answer (c) Explanation • The Dickie Bird plan was proposed by Lord Mountbatten. • Wavell Plan was discussed at the Shimla conference. • The Poona Pact between Gandhi and Ambedkar was accepted as amendment to communal award.
99. Answer (a) Explanation DESAI -LIAQUAT PACT The Desai Liaquat pact was signed during the viceroyalty of Lord Wavell (1944-1947) It was to find a way out of the 1942-45 political deadlocks.Desai being the leader of the Congress in the Central Assembly and a friend of Liaquat Ali (Leader of Muslim League), met him in January 1945 gave him proposals for the formation of Interim Government at centre. After Desai’s declaration, Liaquat Ali published the list of an agreement which given below: Nomination of equal number of persons by both in the Central Executive. Representation of the minorities in particular of the Schedule caste and the Sikhs. The government was to be formed and was to function with the framework of the existing Government of India Act, 1935.But the proposal were not formally endorsed either by the Congress or the League.
100. Answer (c) Explanation • The first statement is correct. • The first Anglo Burmese war happened during reign of Lord Amherst. • Burma was annexed during the reign of Lord Dufferin. • The Pindari rebellion was put down by Lord Hastings. • The Thug suppression was done by Lord William Bentinck.
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