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GS Paper: GS3

  • 27 Dec 2017 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions & [Tikdams]

    Dear student,

    One of these questions would have application of Tikdams. Tikdams are smart hacks which help you arrive at the right answer with basic knowledge. Broadly speaking, there are 2 types:

    1. Elimination Tikdams: Extrapolate your basic knowledge to eliminate options which appear out of context. Zero down on 2 choices and then mark the question as per your risk appetite
    2. Estimation Tikdams: Read the question well and work out the answer from within the options – Most of the times UPSC plays with words or embeds clues within the question. A smart aspirant figures them out!

    With strong basics and regular practice, you will be able to arrive at a very robust Tikdam framework of your own. To know more, read about this technique here, IAS 2016 by Dr. V & Tikdams 

    Note: Please comment your responses to questions in the comment section. It will help you in assessing yourself.

    Q.1) The Universal Immunization Programme(UIP) consists of vaccination for which of the following diseases?

    1. Tuberculosis

    2. Diphtheria

    3. Hepatitis B

    4. Malaria

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

    b) 1, 2 and 3 only

    c) 2, 3 and 4 only

    d) 1 and 4 only

    Inspired by: Govt to assess impact of Hepatitis B immunization drive

    Tikdam:

    Remembering the name of all 12 diseases is a tough task. However, using a bit of logic, you can easily solve this question. Only recently The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed a new anti-malaria vaccine which could potentially help countries such as India and those in Sub-Saharan Africa reduce deaths from the vector-borne disease. It has not yet been launched in India. Therefore, no way UIP would also cover vaccine for Malaria. Once we eliminate statement 4 we will automatically get the answer.

    Q.2) Which of the following expenditures comes under the category of Revenue expenditure

    1. salaries of government employees

    2. interest payment on loans taken by the government

    3. subsidies

    4. The defense expenditures which are needed for smooth operation of the standing armed forces

    Select the correct code:

    a)    1,2 and 3

    b)    All of the above

    c)    2,3 and 4

    d)    1,3 and 4

    Q.3) With reference to the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF), consider the following statements:

    1. Rapid Action Force(RAF) is a child agency of the CRPF.

    2. Its jurisdiction comes under the Ministry of Defence.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a) 1 only

    b) 2 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Inspired by: [op-ed snap] Tackling Maoism

    Q.4) With reference to the Condonation of Delay Scheme, recently seen in news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. It would be rolled out by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

    2. The scheme is related to defaulting companies.

    Select the correct ansswer using the codes given below.

    a) Neither 1 nor 2

    b) 1 only

    c) Both 1 and 2

    d) 2 only

    Inspired by: ‘Condonation of delay scheme only for bona fide directors’

    Q.5) With reference to the electronic-Human Resource Management System (e-HRMS), consider the following statements:

    1. The system has been launched for central government employees to access their service-related information.

    2. It is a platform built under the ‘Consolidated Model Conduct, Discipline and Appeal Rules’

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a) Both 1 and 2

    b) 1 only

    c) Neither 1 nor 2

    d) 2 only

    Inspired by: Online platform for employees to access all service details

    Q.6) What will follow if a Money Bill is substantially amended by the Rajya Sabha?

    a) The Lok Sabha may still proceed with the Bill, accepting or not accepting the recommendations of the Rajya Sabha

    b) The Lok Sabha cannot consider the Bill further

    c) The Lok Sabha may send the Bill to the Rajya Sabha for reconsideration

    d) The President may call a joint sitting for passing the Bill

    Q.7) Which one of the following statements is correct?

    a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time

    b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President

    c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post

    d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support

    Q.8) Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

    Geographical Feature : Region

    a) Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia

    b) Atlas Mountains : North­Western Africa

    c) Guiana Highlands : South­Western Africa

    d) Okavango Basin : Patagonia

    IMPORTANT STUFF: 

    1. Daily newscards have been enriched with back2basics and note2students – Make notes daily

    2. Liked Tikdams? Join our Flagship TS which helps you perfect this approach – Flagship Prelims for IAS 2018

    3. For attempting previous Prelims Daily Questions – Click here

    4. Click here for Solutions.

  • Blockchain Technology: Prospects and Challenges

  • Challenges faced by Livestock sector in India

    Challenges faced by Livestock sector in India

    1. Improving productivity of farm animals is one of the major challenges. The average annual milk yield of Indian cattle is 1172 kg which is only about 50% of the global average.
    2. The Frequent outbreaks of diseases like Food and Mouth Diseases, Black Quarter infection, Influenza etc. continue to affect Livestock health and lowers the productivity.
    3. India’s huge population of ruminants contributes to greenhouse gases emission adding to global warming. Reducing greenhouse gases through mitigation and adaptation strategies will be a major challenge.
    4. Crossbreeding of indigenous species with exotic stocks to enhance genetic potential of different species has been successful only to a limited extent.
    5. Limited Artificial Insemination services owing to a deficiency in quality germplasm, infrastructure and technical manpower coupled with poor conception rate following artificial insemination have been the major impediments. After more than three decades of crossbreeding, the crossbred population is only 16.6% in cattle, 21.5% in pigs and 5.2% in sheep.
    6. The sector will also come under significant adjustment pressure to the emerging market forces. Though globalization will create avenues for increased participation in international trade, stringent food safety and quality norms would be required.
    7. Livestock sector did not receive the policy and financial attention it deserved. The sector received only about 12% of the total public expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors, which is disproportionately lesser than its contribution to agricultural GDP.
    8. The sector has been neglected by the financial institutions. The share of livestock in the total agricultural credit has hardly ever exceeded 4% in the total (short-term, medium-term and long-term). The institutional mechanisms to protect animals against risk are not strong enough.
    9. Currently, only 6% of the animal heads (excluding poultry) are provided insurance cover. Livestock extension has remained grossly neglected in the past. Only about 5% of the farm households in India access information on livestock technology. These indicate an apathetic outreach of the financial and information delivery systems.
    10. Livestock derives a major part of their energy requirement from agricultural byproducts and residues. Hardly 5% of the cropped area is utilized to grow fodder. India is deficit in dry fodder by 11%, green fodder by 35% and concentrates feed by 28%. The common grazing lands too have been deteriorating quantitatively and qualitatively.
    11. Access to markets is critical to speed up commercialization of livestock production. Lack of access to markets may act as a disincentive to farmers to adopt improved technologies and quality inputs. Except for poultry products and to some extent for milk, markets for livestock and livestock products are underdeveloped, irregular, uncertain and lack transparency. Further, these are often dominated by informal market intermediaries who exploit the producers.
    12. Likewise, slaughtering facilities are too inadequate. About half of the total meat production comes from un-registered, make-shift slaughterhouses. Marketing and transaction costs of livestock products are high taking 15-20% of the sale price.
    13. Other Major Challenges faced by the sector are:
    • Inadequate availability of credit.
    • Poor accesses to organized markets deprive farmers of proper milk price.
    • Limited availability of quality breeding bulls.
    • Deficiency of vaccines and vaccination set-up.
    • Due to industrialization and Urbanization Majority of grazing lands are either degraded or encroached.
    • Diversion of feed and fodder ingredients for industrial use.

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