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  • MCQ Maze 16

    Q1. Consider the following statements:

    1. Azolla is a water fern that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in association with Blue Green Algae.
    2. It is used as a bio-fertiliser as well as a cattle feed.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q2. Which of the following is/are among the factors affecting the direction of the wind?

    1. Earth’s Rotation
    2. Earth’s Revolution
    3. Pressure gradient

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    (a) 3 only
    (b) 1 and 3 only
    (c) 1 and 2 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q3. Which of the following statement is correct about Hand-in-Hand exercise?

    (a) It is a joint military exercise between Indian and France
    (b) It is a joint naval exercise between Indian and Japan
    (c) It is a joint counter terrorism exercise between Indian and China
    (d) It is a joint military exercise between Indian and USA

    Q4. The Global Competitiveness Index is brought out by

    (a) UNCTAD
    (b) World Trade Organisation
    (c) International Monetary Fund
    (d) World Economic Forum

    Q5. Consider the following statements about the Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) established by RBI:

    1. FIF will support the developmental activities covered under the financial inclusion initiatives.
    2. Contribution to FIF shall be from the cess collected by the Union government.
    3. It shall be maintained by RBI.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only
    (b) 1 only
    (c) 2 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    _____

  • [E&B Bodies #5] Central Water Commission

    • Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources
    • It is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India

    Mission Statement:

    To promote integrated and sustainable development and management of India’s Water Resources by using state-of-art technology and competency and coordinating all stake holders.

    Organisation:

    • CWC is headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India
    • The work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings:
    1. Designs and Research (D&R) Wing
    2. River Management (RM) Wing
    3. Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing
    • A separate Human Resources Management Unit headed by a Chief Engineer, deals with Human Resources Management or Development, Financial Management, Training and Administrative matters of the CWC
    • National Water Academy, Pune is responsible for training of Central and State in-service engineers and it functions directly under the guidance of Chairman

    Responsibilities:

    • The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country
    • It is done in consultation of the State Governments concerned & for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development
    • It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required
    • The Commission, if so required, can undertake the construction and execution of any such scheme

    Functions:

    • To carry out Techno-economic appraisal of Irrigation, flood control & multipurpose projects proposed by the State Governments
    • To collect, compile, publish and analyze the hydrological and hydrological data relating to major rivers in the country, consisting of rainfall, runoff and temperature, etc. and to act as the central bureau of information in respect of these matters
    • To collect, maintain and publish statistical data relating to water resources and its utilization including quality of water throughout India and to act as the central bureau of information relating to water resources
    • To provide flood forecasting services to all major flood prone inter-state river basins of India through a network of 175 flood forecasting stations
    • Monitoring of selected major and medium irrigation projects, to ensure the achievement of physical and financial targets. Monitoring of projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), and Command Development (CAD) programme has also been included in its field of activities
    • To advise the Government of India and the concerned State Governments basin-wise development of water resources
    • To undertake necessary surveys and investigations as and when so required prepare designs and schemes for the development of river valleys in respect of power generation, irrigation by gravity flow or lift, flood management and erosion control, anti-water logging measures, drainage and drinking water supply
    • To undertake construction work of any river valley development scheme on behalf of the Government of India or State Government concerned
    • To advise and assist, when so required, the State Governments (Commissions, Corporations or Boards that are set up) in the investigation, surve1 preparation of river valley and power development schemes for particular and regions
    • To advise the Government of India in respect of Water Resources Development regarding rights and disputes between different States which affect any i for the conservation and utilization and any matter that may be referred Commission in connection with river valley development
    • To impart training to in-service engineers from Central and State Organizations in various aspects of water resource development
    • To initiate studies on socio-agro-economic and ecological aspects of irrigation projects for the sustained development of irrigation
    • To conduct and coordinate research on the various aspects of river development schemes such as flood management, irrigation, navigation, power development, etc., and the connected structural and design features
    • To promote modern data collection techniques such as remote sensing technology for water resources development, flood forecasting and development of related computer software
    • To conduct studies on dam safety aspects for the existing dams and stand related instrumentation for dam safety measures
    • To carry out morphological studies to assess river behavior, bank erosion/coastal erosion problems and advise the Central and State Governments on all such matters
    • To promote and create mass awareness regarding the progress and achievements made by the country in the water resources development, use and conservation
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • [E&B Bodies #4] Forest Survey of India

    • Forest Survey of India (FSI), is a premier national organization under the union Ministry of Environment and Forests
    • It is responsible for assessment and monitoring of the forest resources of the country regularly
    • In addition, it is also engaged in providing the services of training, research and extension

    Background:

    • Established on June 1,1981, the Forest Survey of India succeeded the ‘Pre-investment Survey of Forest Resources‘ (PISFR)
    • PISFR is a project initiated in 1965 by Government of India with the sponsorship of FAO and UNDP
    • The main objective of PISFR was to ascertain the availability of raw material for establishment of wood based industries in selected areas of the country
    • In its report in 1976, the National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) recommended for the creation of a National Forest Survey Organization for a regular, periodic and comprehensive forest resources survey of the country leading to creation of FSI
    • After a critical review of activities undertaken by FSI, Government of India redefined the mandate of FSI in 1986 in order to make it more relevant to the rapidly changing needs and aspirations of the country

    Objectives:

    • To prepare State of Forest Report biennially, providing assessment of latest forest cover in the country and monitoring changes in these
    • To conduct inventory in forest and non-forest areas and develop database on forest tree resources
    • To prepare thematic maps on 1:50,000 scale, using aerial photographs
    • To function as a nodal agency for collection, compilation, storage and dissemination of spatial database on forest resources
    • To conduct training of forestry personnel in application of technologies related to resources survey, remote sensing, GIS, etc
    • To strengthen research & development infrastructure in FSI and to conduct research on applied forest survey techniques
    • To support State/UT Forest Departments (SFD) in forest resources survey, mapping and inventory
    • To undertake forestry related special studies/consultancies and custom made training courses for SFD’s and other organisations on project basis

    Organisation:

    • FSI is headed by a Director General supported by two Joint Directors and eight Deputy Directors at headquarters
    • Each Zonal office is headed by a Regional Director and supported by one or two Deputy Directors
    • The Joint Directors at the headquarters head two units namely National Forest Data Management Centre (NFDMC) and Training & Forest Inventory (TFI)
    • NFDMC conducts assessment of forest cover, thematic mapping, production of maps, etc
    • TFI unit is concerned with inventory of tree resources inside and outside the forests, conducting of training courses, extension works, publication of reports, maintenance of library, etc
    • The total sanctioned strength ofthe organisation is 436, which includes members of the Indian Forest Service and Indian Statistical Service on deputation

    Major Activities:

    • Forest Cover Assessment
    • Inventory of Forest areas
    • Thematic Maps
    • Inventory of Trees Outside Forests (Rural & Urban)
    • Inventory data processing
    • Methodology Design
    • Training and Extension
    • Projects and Consultancies
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

  • Solutions for Maze 15

    Find the pdf below:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxdqUlW1zhMsOXZnMzl4dzBDUDQ/view

  • IAS Prelims 2016 Alert: 5 (Do’s) + 2 (Don’ts) = 7 Tips for 7th August

    Here are few tips that you can follow through the coming days to make the best out of them!

    The 5 DOs:

    #1. Read the NCERTs and the basic books again. Believe it or not many trap questions are framed from such books

    For example, remember this seemingly innocuous question?

    Q4. Steppes are dry lands principally because of

    (a) presence of mountain barriers across the paths of the prevailing winds

    (b) subsiding air masses of the sub-tropical anticyclones

    (c) their location in the deep interior of the large land masses

    (d) desiccating effect of cold oceanic currents

    While providing the solution I mentioned a paragraph from where the question was picked. The paragraph in fact mentions option (a), (b) and (c) in different contexts while adding that option (c) is the primary reason. The ones who have just read the NCERT in a cursory fashion would have tripped at this or gotten confused. So read these books again. They are VERY IMPORTANT.

    #2. Practice Last year question papers. UPSC sometimes picks up information from last year MCQs to frame new MCQs. Solving these MCQs also acts like a confidence booster

    While attempting MCQs identify the areas from where more questions are asked or where you make more mistakes. Revise those portions again.

    #3. Keep reading the newspaper. Revise the current affairs at least from August 2015 onwards.

    Do not fret over if you should read newspaper till June or July. Anyway you cannot miss it as the Mains shall be soon approaching. If you want a compilation of Civilsdaily’s news in a rich and easy to read .pdf – buy your e-copy from this link.

    Use your travelling time productively! Read and revise news from Civilsdaily

    #4. Make a study group of serious aspirants. Discuss topics, clarify doubts, ask questions especially from current affairs.

    You would see that the forum has quite a healthy participation of aspirants who are helping each other out to the best of their abilities. The more you help, the more you revise and retain!

    #5. Keep practicing the MCQs posted on the forum or from the quality test series you might have joined. Click here to access them

     

    The 2 Don’ts

    #1. Stay clear of the BSc (Bakar-Sutta-Chai) friends. Join them on 7th evening. You may feel otherwise but they won’t abandon you if you avoid them till the exam. Another type to avoid is the PDs (Perpetual Daydreamers). Those types who suddenly exclaim , “Bhai ek baar IAS ban gaya, teri kasam bhai, dot dot dot…………..”

     

    #2. Refrain from studying new books whose study is inescapable to clear Prelims suggested by just any senior /junior /chaiwala /rikshawala /paanwala…………..

    We hope these nifty tips will keep you on good stead for your run up to the PRELIMS Prep! Whether you have been writing test series elsewhere or not, tell us your expectations on a good test schedule.

    • Should we go for book wise tests OR subject wise?
    • Should we push more questions which are current affairs focussed?
    • Should we grill and make you revisit the factoids which have been important this year?

    Please pour in your suggestions as they will help us fine tune the strategy for IAS Prelims 2016.

     

    Published with inputs from Unbounded Wisdom.

  • MCQ Maze 15

    Q1. Consider the following statements about the River Information System (RIS) launched by the Union government:

    1. RIS shall be implemented by Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change.
    2. Its first phase shall cover a stretch along the Brahmaputra River.
    3. The main aim of the system is to provide the flood forecast.

    Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 1 and 3 only
    (c) 2 and 3 only
    (d) None

    Q2. Which of the following is/are not among the member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement?

    1. Mexico
    2. Chile
    3. Argentina
    4. China
    5. Japan
    6. Singapore

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 5 and 6
    (b) 3 and 4
    (c) 3, 4, 5 and 6
    (d) 1, 3 and 4

    Q3. Scientists from National University of Singapore have succeeded in converting paper waste into green cellulose aerogels. What are the possible applications of these ‘green aerogels’?

    1. They can be used in cleaning oil spills.
    2. They can serve as heat insulation materials for buildings.
    3. They can be used for making biodegradable packaging material.

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    (a) 2 and 3 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) 1 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q4. Which of the following are among the pollutants whose concentration is monitored under National Air Quality Index?

    1. Carbon Dioxide
    2. Nitrogen Dioxide
    3. Surface Ozone
    4. Carbon Monoxide
    5. Sulphur Dioxide

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 and 3
    (b) 1, 2, 4 and 5
    (c) 2, 4 and 5
    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

    Q5. Consider the following statements:
    1. ARIES is the Asia’s largest optical telescope developed through a collaboration of India and Russia.
    2. It is located in Ladakh.

    Which of the above statement(s) is/are not correct?
    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    _____

  • Query

    Can’t read news on sunday? any problem?

  • Solutions to Maze 11 to 14

    Find the solution pdf below:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxdqUlW1zhMsMzBkbE4xQzVHNUE/view

    Maze 15 tomorrow.

  • MCQ Maze 14

    Q1. Consider the following statements about ‘Bank Mitras’:

    1. They are Self Help groups which act as agents of banks in ‘un-banked’ areas.
    2. They identify the potential customers and help them open their bank accounts.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q2. Nitrogen fixation is an important method by which atmospheric nitrogen enters into the terrestrial environment. Which of the following is/are among the processes that lead to fixation of atmospheric nitrogen?

    1. Volcanic explosions
    2. Lightning
    3. Microbial action

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 only
    (b) 3 only
    (c) 2 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q3. Who of the following is credited with popularising the slogan of “Satyameva Jayate’ which was later adopted as the national motto?

    (a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

    (b) Lal Bahadur Shashtri

    (c) Sardar Ballabhbhai Patel

    (d) Madan Mohan Malaviya

    Q4. With reference to the global climate change, what is ‘carbon budget’?

    (a) It is sum of all exchanges (inflow and outflows) of carbon compounds by a country

    (b) It is the estimated amount of carbon dioxide the world can emit still having a likely chance of limiting global temperature rise to 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

    (c) It is the amount of carbon dioxide that an individual country can still emit as per the quota agreed at CoP-21

    (d) It is the amount of carbon dioxide that the world has emitted into the atmosphere since the beginning of industrial revolution.

    Q5. Consider the following statements about the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile:

    1. AAD is an indigenously developed interceptor missile.
    2. It has been developed by DRDO in collaboration with ISRO.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q6. Consider the following statements:

    1. Biodiversity decreases from Eastern Himalayas towards the Western Himalayas.
    2. Biodiversity increases from poles towards the equator.

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2 only
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q7. Which of the following activities is/are completely prohibited in the Eco Sensitive Zones?

    1. Felling of trees
    2. Establishment of Hotels and Resorts
    3. Rain water harvesting

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 3 only

    (c) 2 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Q8. Consider the following statements:

    1. No bill restricting inter-state trade can be introduced in a state legislature without previous sanction of the Governor.
    2. The Governor may reserve any bill, except a money bill, for the consideration of the President.

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) Both 1 and 2
    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q9. The Plate Tectonic Theory is based on the concept of

    1. Sea Floor Spreading

    2. Continental Drift

    Choose the correct alternative using the codes given below.

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2 only

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

    Q10. ‘Aditya-1’ is the proposed

    (a) supercomputer built completely using the indigenous technology

    (b) mission to the sun to study the solar storms

    (c) weather forecasting satellite in collaboration with France

    (d) fleet of indigenously built war ships

    ____

  • [E&B Bodies #3] Central Zoo Authority

     

    • Central Zoo Authority is an autonomous statutory body
    • It regulates the functioning of zoos
    • It has been constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act
    • Organisation: The Authority consists of a Chairman, ten members and a Member Secretary
    • Main objective: To complement the national effort in conservation of wild life

    Recognition of Zoo Rules, 1992:

    • Standards and norms for housing, upkeep, health care and overall management of animals in zoos
    • Every zoo in the country is required to obtain recognition from the Authority for its operation
    • The Authority evaluates the zoos with reference to the parameters prescribed under the Rules and grants recognition accordingly
    • Zoos which have no potential to come up to the prescribed standards and norms may be refused recognition and asked to close down

    Roles & Functions:

    • The Authority’s role is more of a facilitator than a regulator
    • It, therefore, provides technical and financial assistance to such zoos which have the potential to attain the desired standard in animal management
    • Primary function– grant of recognition and release of financial assistance
    • It also regulates the exchange of animals of endangered category Listed under Schedule-I and II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act among zoos
    • Exchange of animals between Indian and foreign zoos is also approved by the Authority before the requisite clearances under EXIM Policy and the CITES permits are issued by the competent authority
    • The Authority also coordinates and implements programmes on capacity building of zoo personnel, planned breeding programmes and ex-situ research including biotechnological intervention for conservation of species for complementing in-situ conservation efforts in the country

    Some major initiatives:

    • Establishment of Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species at Hyderabad for carrying out research in biotechnology, planned breeding of Red Panda and its restocking into the wild
    • Upgradation of diagnostic facilities for disease diagnosis at selected veterinary institutions and their networking with zoos on regional basis for better health care of animals
    Published with inputs from Swapnil

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