Prelims 2021 Current Flash Cards 19Th November 2020 by IAS Toppers | 2020-11-19 18:00:00

www.iastoppers.com

Prelims 2021 Current Flash Cards 19th November 2020 By IAS Toppers | 2020-11-19 18:00:00

# Question 1

The ruler ‘Nagabhata I’ belonged to which dynasty?

Answer:

Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty

Detailed Answer:

Enrich Your Learning:

Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty

The Gurjara-Pratiharas (8th century CE - 11th century CE) held their sway over western and northern India. This dynasty saw its fortunes rising under Nagabhata I (730–760 CE) who successfully defeated Arab invaders. Mihira Bhoja (c. 836-885 CE) was the most well-known king of this dynasty. The Pratiharas were known chiefly for their patronage of art, sculpture and temple-building, and for their continuous warfare with contemporary powers like the Palas (8th century CE - 12th century CE) of eastern India and the Rashtrakuta Dynasty (8th century CE - 10th century CE) of southern India. The Gurjaras are variously seen as a foreign people gradually assimilated into Indian society, or as the local people who belonged to the land called Gurjara (Gurjaradesha or Gurjaratra), or as being a tribal group. The Pratiharas, who derived their name from the word pratihara (Sanskrit: “doorkeeper”) are seen as a tribal group or a clan of the Gurjaras. Various other Gurjara families started out as local officials and eventually set up small principalities to the south and east of the area of Jodhpur in modern-day Rajasthan state.

After Bhoja, the military power of the Pratiharas declined, and they suffered defeat after defeat under successive kings. The Rashtrakutas dealt severe blows in the early 10th century CE when Indra III (915-928 CE) defeated Mahipala and completely devastated Kanyakubja and when Krishna III (939-967 CE) invaded again in 963 CE.

Popular Rulers:

Nagabhata I Mihira Bhoja Mahipala I

Mahendrapala I and II Devapala

Administration

Much of the Gupta Empire's (3rd century CE - 6th century CE) and Harshavardhana’s ideas and practices were retained. The king was supreme and was aided by a variety of ministers and officials. Many minor kings and dynasties pay a fixed tribute to the king, conclude matrimonial alliances with the royal family and supply troops when needed. Some areas were administered directly by the centre and were divided into provinces (bhukti) and districts (mandala or vishaya). They were, respectively, governed by a governor (uparika) and a district head (vishayapati), who were tasked with collecting land revenue and maintaining law and order with the help of the army units stationed in their areas. The village, as in earlier times, remained the basic unit of administration which was carried out by the headman and other officials, all paid through land grants.

# Question 2

The ‘Biotech –KISAN’ Programme is specially focused on empowering which segment of Indian farmers?

Answer:

Women Farmers

Detailed Answer:

Enrich Your Learning:

Biotech-KISAN Programme

Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) is a Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology initiative. It empowers farmers, especially women farmers. It aims to understand the problems of water, soil, seed and market faced by the farmers and provide simple solutions to them. The Scheme is Pan-India and has a hub-and spoke model and stimulates entrepreneurship and innovation in farmers.

Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) is being implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with the following objectives:

Linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the local

farmer and provide solutions to those problems. Working with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmer for better agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices in the Indian context.

The Programme will provide support for following three components:

1.The Hub:

Establishment of Biotech - KISAN Hub in each of 15 agro-climatic zones of the country. Each Hub will create a network by developing strong linkages with top quality scientific institutions / State Agri cultural Universities (SAUs) / Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) etc. in the region as well as linkages with leading international institutions / organizations. Biotech-KISAN Hub will have a tinkering laboratory. The Hub will get financial assistance for initially 2 years of Rs 60 lakhs per year and on the basis of a review for additional 3 years

2.Partnering Institutes: The activities of the partnering institute will include:

Conduct training programmes for farmers in laboratories of scientific research institutions. Training programmes for scientists in agricultural farms Budget for each collaborating institution / KVKs etc. is Rs 5.00 lakhs per year for each specific activity as defined in the application.

3.Research projects:

Scintists can submit the research project proposal to the Programme for additional funding. The proposal will be considered by the relevant Expert Committee and additional funds may be provided.

4.International Training:

Short - term Training (STT) Programmes will be developed by DBT in partnership with international organisations / universities. Selected groups will be sponsored by DBT for international STT. The current collaborating universities are Cambridge University, UK; Wageningen University, Netherlands and others are likely to be added.

# Question 3

What does Revenue deficit signify for the government?

Answer:

The government’s own earnings are not sufficient to meet the day-to-day operations.

Detailed Answer:

Enrich Your Learning:

Difference between Fiscal Deficit and Revenue Deficit

Fiscal Deficit

The difference between total revenue and total expenditure of the government is termed as fiscal deficit. It is an indication of the total borrowings needed by the government. While calculating the total revenue, borrowings are not included. Generally fiscal deficit takes place either due to revenue deficit or a major hike in capital expenditure. Capital expenditure is incurred to create long-term assets such as factories, buildings and other development. A deficit is usually financed through borrowing from either the central bank of the country or raising money from capital markets by issuing different instruments like treasury bills and bonds. Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) - the excess of total expenditure including loans net of recovery over revenue receipts (including external grants) and non-debt capital receipts. Net fiscal deficit - the gross fiscal deficit less net lending of the Central government.

Revenue Deficit

Revenue deficit arises when the government’s revenue expenditure exceeds the total revenue receipts. Revenue deficit includes those transactions that have a direct impact on a government’s current income and expenditure. This represents that the government’s own earnings are not sufficient to meet the day-to-day operations of its departments.

Revenue Deficit: Total revenue receipts – Total revenue expenditure

Revenue deficit turns into borrowings when the government spends more than what it earns and has to resort to the external borrowings.

It is further divided into two heads: Receipt from Tax (Direct Tax, Indirect Tax) Receipts from Non-Tax Revenue

# Question 4

The country ‘Belige’ was in news due to a hurricane named ‘Nana’. How was that hurricane originated?

Answer:

Nana originated from a tropical wave.

Detailed Answer:

# Question 5

Which tree is unbelievably having long life belonging to sub-Saharan Africa, storing water in its trunk?

Answer:

African Baobab Tree

Detailed Answer:

Enrich Your Learning:

African Baobab Tree

The African baobab, is the most widespread tree species of the genus Adansonia and is native to the

African continent. The long-lived pachycauls are typically found in dry, hot savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa, where they dominate the landscape. They reveal the presence of a watercourse from afar. Their growth rate is determined by ground water or rainfall. Their maximum age seems to be in the order of 1,500 years. They have traditionally been valued as sources of food, water, health remedies or places of shelter and are steeped in legend and superstition. It is a succulent, which means that during the rainy season it absorbs and stores water in its vast trunk, enabling it to produce a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season when all around is dry and arid. Baobab trees grow in 32 African countries. The bark can be turned into rope and clothing, the seeds can be used to make cosmetic oils, the leaves are edible, the trunks can store water and the fruit is extraordinarily rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Baobab is the only fruit in the world that dries naturally on its branch.