സിവില്‍ സര്‍വ്വീസ് പരീക്ഷ: 'പൈത്തൺ 5' മിസൈലിനെ കുറിച്ച് എന്തൊക്കെ അറിയാം ?

Answer (b)

The government initiated a variety of policies to tackle economic crisis issues, which fall under three heads viz., liberalization, privatization, and globalization. Some of the important measurements under these reforms were
•    Industrial licensing was abolished for almost all but product categories — alcohol, cigarettes, hazardous chemicals industrial explosives, electronics, aerospace and drugs, and pharmaceuticals. (This is the impact of the NEP that as of now just 2 sectors of national importance are reserved for the public enterprises. These sectors are atomic energy and railway operations.). Hence statement 1 is not correct.
•    The government reduced the role of RBI from the regulator to facilitator of the financial sector. This means that the financial sector may be allowed to take decisions on many matters without consulting the RBI.
•    Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) such as merchant bankers, mutual funds, and pension funds are now allowed to invest in Indian financial markets. Hence statement 2 is correct.
•    Since 1991, there has been a continuous reduction in the taxes on individual incomes as it was felt that high rates of income tax were an important reason for tax evasion. It is now widely accepted that moderate rates of income tax encourage savings and voluntary disclosure of income.
•    The rate of corporation tax, which was very high earlier, has been gradually reduced. Efforts have also been made to reform the indirect taxes, taxes levied on commodities, in order to facilitate the establishment of a common national market for goods and commodities.
•    In 1991, as an immediate measure to resolve the balance of payments crisis, the rupee was devalued against foreign currencies. This led to an increase in the inflow of foreign exchange. It also set the tone to free the determination of rupee value in the foreign exchange market from government control. Hence statement 3 is correct.
•    The government has also made attempts to improve the efficiency of PSUs by giving them autonomy in taking managerial decisions. For instance, some PSUs have been granted special status as navaratnas and miniratnas. Hence statement 4 is correct.

Answer (d)

The Constitution of India has granted the right to equality to all citizens.

Statement 1 is correct. The concept of equality is enshrined in Article 14-18 of Part-III (Fundamental rights). The Right to equality means the absence of legal discrimination only on grounds of caste, race, religion, sex, and place of birth and ensures equal rights to all citizens.

Statement 2 is correct. Article 51-A(e) states that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India “to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India and respect religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities”.

Statement 3 is correct. Universal suffrage (also called universal franchise, general suffrage, and common suffrage of the common man) gives the right to vote to all adult citizens, regardless of wealth, income, gender, social status, race, ethnicity, political stance, or any other restriction, subject only to relatively minor exceptions. This gives a sense that all are equal in democracy.

Statement 4 is correct. Article 39 directs the state to:
•    Equitable distribution of material resources of the community for the common good.
•    Prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production.
•    Equal pay for equal work for men and women.

Answer (a)

•    NITI Aayog first launched and conceptualized the Composite Water Management Index in 2018 as a tool to instil the sense of cooperative and competitive federalism among the states. This was a first-ever attempt at creating a pan-India set of metrics that measured different dimensions of water management and use across the lifecycle of water. 
•    The report was widely acknowledged and provided actionable guidance to States on where they were doing well absolutely and relatively and what they needed to focus on to secure their water future.

Answer (a)

Statement 1 is correct. Python-5 is a fifth-generation air-to-air missile (AAM) manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is the newest member in the range of Python AAMs.

Statement 2 is not correct. The missile can engage enemy aircraft from very short ranges and near beyond visual range. Python-5 is the most accurate and reliable AAM of the Israeli Air Force and one of the most sophisticated guided missiles in the world.
Recently Tejas, India's indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, added the 5th generation Python-5 Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) in its air-to-air weapons capability.

Answer (b)

Statement 1 is not correct. Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are areas within 10 km around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
ESZs are notified by MoEFCC, Government of India under Environment Protection Act 1986.

Statement 2 is correct. Deepor Beel is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Assam and the State’s only Ramsar site besides being an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.

Answer (d)

1. Bering Strait
    Joins: Bering Sea and Chuksi Sea
    Location: Alaska (US)-Russia
 
2. Gibraltar Strait
    Joins: Mediterranean Sea & Atlantic Ocean
    Location: Spain-Morocco
 
3. Bosporus Strait   
    Joins: Black Sea and Marmara Sea
    Location: Turkey
 
4. Taiwan Strait (Formosa Strait)      
     Joins: South China Sea & East China Sea
     Location: China-Taiwan
 

Answer (d)

•    Lost Wax Technique or Cire Perdue is the process by which a duplicate metal sculpture (often silver, gold, brass or bronze) is cast from an original sculpture. 
•    Dependent on the sculptor's skills, intricate works can be achieved by this method. In this technique, molten metal is poured into a mould that has been created by means of the wax model. 
•    Once the mould is made, the wax model is melted and drained away. Bronze casting was practiced on a wide scale under Harappan art.

Answer (c)

Causes for the rise of Magadha

Geographical factors
•    Magadha was located in the upper and lower parts of the Gangetic valley.
•    It was located on the mainland route between west and east India.
•    The area had fertile soil. It also received enough rainfall.
•    Magadha was encircled by rivers on three sides, the Ganga, Son and Gandak making the region impregnable to enemies.
•    Both Rajgir and Pataliputra were located in strategic positions.

Economic factors
•    Magadha had huge copper and iron deposits.
•    Because of its location, it could easily control trade.
•    Had a large population which could be used for agriculture, mining, building cities and in the army.
•    The general prosperity of the people and the rulers.
•    The mastery over Ganga meant economic hegemony. Ganga was important for trade in North India.
•    With the annexation of Anga by Bimbisara, river Champa was added to the Magadha Empire. Champa was important in the trade with South-East Asia, Sri Lanka and South India.

Cultural factors
•    Magadhan society had an unorthodox character.
•    It had a good mix of Aryan and non-Aryan peoples.
•    The emergence of Jainism and Buddhism led to a revolution in terms of philosophy and thought. They enhanced liberal traditions.
•    Society was not so much dominated by the Brahmanas and many kings of Magadha were ‘low’ in origins.

Political factors
•    Magadha was lucky to have many powerful and ambitious rulers.
•    They had strong standing armies.
•    Availability of iron enabled them to develop advanced weaponry.
•    They were also the first kings to use elephants in the army.
•    The major kings also developed a good administrative system.
•    Magadha didn’t have a seaport in its capital. Hence, Statement 5 is not correct.

Answer (d)

Statement 1 is correct. The judicial system under the British became more and more complicated and expensive because the rich could manipulate the system. 

Statement 2 is correct. The concept of Rule of Law was propounded by A.V.Dicey, a British jurist and it is believed that it was introduced into India by the British, which was a well-accepted doctrine in Europe.

Statement 3 is correct. A Law Commission was set up under Macaulay or codification of Indian laws. As a result, a Civil Procedure Code (1859), an Indian Penal Code (1860), and a Criminal. Procedure Code (1861) was prepared.

Answer (b)

•    The "Berlin committee for Indian independence" was established in 1915 by VirendraNathChattopadhya, including BhupendraNathDutt and LalaHardayal under "Zimmerman plan" with the full backing of German foreign office.