PRELIMS 2017 REVISION TEST 21

• Solution: c)

  Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 9

  The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty whose capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal. It was eventually conquered by the Delhi Sultanate. The demise of Kakatiya dynasty resulted in confusion and anarchy under alien rulers for sometime. Three new fledgling kingdoms arose out of the ruins of the Kakatiya empire namely the Reddy kingdom, Padma Nayaka Velama kingdom and the great Vijayanagara Empire.

Solution: a)

Laxmikanth, Supreme Court

The fountain source of law in India is the Constitution which, in turn, gives due recognition to statutes, case law and customary law consistent with its dispensations. Statutes are enacted by Parliament, State Legislatures and Union Territory Legislatures. There is also a vast body of laws known as subordinate legislation in the form of rules, regulations as well as by-laws made by Central and State Governments and local authorities like Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, Gram Panchayats and other local bodies. This subordinate legislation is made under the authority conferred or delegated either by Parliament or State or Union Territory Legislature concerned. The decisions of the Supreme Court are binding on all Courts within the territory of India. As India is a land of diversities, local customs and conventions which are not against statute, morality, etc. are to a limited extent also recognised and taken into account by Courts while administering justice in certain spheres.

Solution: c)

Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 12

The Government has announced ‘Kamaladevi Chattopadhya National Awards’, a new category of awards specially for women handloom weavers and women handicraft artisans.  The awards are being instituted from this year, so that women weavers and artisans receive due recognition and economic benefits associated with the Awards.

Solution: b)

Laxmikanth, Supreme Court

On the 28th of January, 1950, two days after India became a Sovereign Democratic Republic, the Supreme Court came into being. The inauguration took place in the Chamber of Princes in the Parliament building.

The Supreme Court of India comprises the Chief Justice and not more than 30 other Judges appointed by the President of India. Supreme Court Judges retire upon attaining the age of 65 years. In order to be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court, a person must be a citizen of India and must have been, for atleast five years, a Judge of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession, or an Advocate of a High Court or of two or more such Courts in succession for at least 10 years or he must be, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist. Provisions exist for the appointment of a Judge of a High Court as an Ad-hoc Judge of the Supreme Court and for retired Judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts to sit and act as Judges of that Court.

The Constitution seeks to ensure the independence of Supreme Court Judges in various ways. A Judge of the Supreme Court cannot be removed from office except by an order of the President passed after an address in each House of Parliament supported by a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of members present and voting, and presented to the President in the same Session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. A person who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court is debarred from practising in any court of law or before any other authority in India.

The proceedings of the Supreme Court are conducted in English only. Supreme Court Rules, 1966 are framed under Article 145 of the Constitution to regulate the practice and procedure of the Supreme Court.

http://supremecourtofindia.nic.in/constitution.htm

Solution: b)

Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 14

Kurukh a member of the North Dravidian subfamily of Dravidian languages, spoken by some 1.8 million people of the Oraon tribes of the Chota Nagpur plateau of east-central India.  It is closely related to Sauria Paharia and Kumarbhag Paharia, which are often together referred to as Malto.  The script is called Tolong Siki.  The language is marked as being in a “vulnerable” state in UNESCO’s list of endangered languages.  Jharkhand has recognised Kurukh as a language.

Solution: d)

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Thirayattam is a ritual performing Ethnic art form of South Malabar region in Kerala state, India. It blend of dance, theatre, music, satire, facial and body painting, masking, martial art and ritualistic function. This vibrant art form has a great resemblance to the traditions and customs of the ancient civilization.

The number of recognized classical dances range from eight to more, depending on the source and scholar. The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognizes eight – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri and Mohiniyattam.

Solution: b)

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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, paid tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his death anniversary on 6th July.  Jagjivan Ram was a crusader of social justice and champion of depressed classes.  Jagjivan Ram had organized a number of Ravidas Sammelans and had celebrated Guru Ravidas Jayanti in different areas of Calcutta (Kolkata).  In 1934, he founded the Akhil Bhartiya Ravidas Mahasabha in Calcutta and the All India Depressed Classes League. Through these Organizations he involved the depressed classes in the freedom struggle.  In October 1935, Babuji appeared before the Hammond Commission at Ranchi and demanded, for the first time, voting rights for the Dalits.  Inspired by Gandhiji, he entrenched himself deeply into the Civil Disobedience Movement and Satyagraha. He actively participated in the Quit India Movement.  He has also served as the deputy prime minister of India.

Solution: c)

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Ramanuja (1017–1137 CE) was a Hindu theologian, philosopher, and one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism.  Rāmānuja is famous as the chief proponent of Vishishtadvaita subschool of Vedānta.  According to him, God, the soul, and the universe together formed one reality.  His Vishishtadvaita (qualified monism) philosophy has competed with the Dvaita (theistic dualism) philosophy of Madhvāchārya.

Solution: d)

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The Chenchus are Adivasi, a designated Scheduled Tribe in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha.[1] They are an aboriginal tribe whose traditional way of life has been based on hunting and gathering. The Chenchus speak the Chenchu language, a member of the Dravidian language family. In general, the Chenchu relationship to non-tribal people has been largely symbiotic. Some Chenchus have continued to specialize in collecting forest products for sale to non-tribal people. Many Chenchus live in the dense Nallamala forest of Andhra Pradesh.

Solution: d)

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Mahasthangarh  is one of the earliest urban archaeological sites so far discovered in Bangladesh. The village Mahasthan in Shibganj thana of Bogra District contains the remains of an ancient city which was called Pundranagara or Paundravardhanapura in the territory of Pundravardhana.[1][2][3] A limestone slab bearing six lines in Prakrit in Brahmi script, discovered in 1931, dates Mahasthangarh to at least the 3rd century BC.[4] The fortified area was in use till the 18th century AD.[2] Together with the ancient and medieval ruins, the mazhar (holy tomb) of Shah Sultan Balkhi Mahisawar built at the site of a Hindu temple is located at Mahasthangarh. He was a dervish (holy person devoted to Islam) of royal lineage who came to the Mahasthangarh area, with the objective of spreading Islam among non-Muslims. He converted the people of the area to Islam and settled there.

Solution: d)

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The Kanishka stupa was a monumental stupa established by the Kushan king Kanishka during the 2nd century CE in today’s Shaji-ki-Dheri on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan. The magnificent stupa was built during the Kushan era to house Buddhist relics, and would become perhaps the tallest buildings in the ancient world.[1] The stupa is also famous for its Buddhist relics, which were transferred to the U Khanti Hall at Mandalay Hill, in Mandalay, Burma after their discovery.

Solution: b)

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Sajibu Nongma Pānba, also called Meetei Cheiraoba or Sajibu Cheiraoba, is the lunar new year festival of the people who follow the sanamahism religion of the Indian state of Manipur.[1][2] The name Sajibu Nongma Pānba derives from the Manipuri words: Sajibu – the first month of the year which usually falls during the month of April according to Meitei lunar calendar, Nongma – first date of a Month, Pānba – to be. Literally, it means the first day of the month of Sajibu. Similarly, according to the Hindu lunar calendar, the lunar new year is celebrated on the same day as in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and many other Indian states.

Solution: d)

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Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was observed on 31st October across the nation.  It marks the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.  The theme for 2016 was “Integration of India”.

Solution: a)

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Ramman: Religious festival and ritual theatre of Garhwal, Uttarakhand

Solution: b)

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Chapchar Kut, the most important traditional festival of the Mizos was celebrated across Mizoram and Mizo-inhabited areas in the neighbouring states.  There are three Kuts celebrated in the stateChapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut. All the three festivals are connected with agricultural activities.  The festivals are celebrated to mark the arrival of spring with feasts and traditional dances.

Solution: d)

The section “Fundamental Duties’ was not a part of the original constitution. These were added to the Constitution much later by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. The fundamental duties were added to the constitution on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.  There were ten fundamental duties at the time of incorporation but the eleventh was inserted by the 86th Amendment in 2002. The idea behind incorporation of fundamental duties was to remind the citizens of the country that they have certain obligations towards the country and society. As the state offers them fundamental rights, it is the fundamental duty of each citizen of India to further national integration and contribute towards a better society.  The fundamental duties are non-justifiable, that is no one can be punished in case of their violation or noncompliance. The fundamental duties are defined as the moral obligations of all citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India.

Solution: b)

Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 23

Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir have reached out an agreement to resolve issues relating to the Shahpur Kandi Dam project, proposed to be built downstream Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam) on the Ravi in Gurdaspur district. The project comes under the Indus Water Treaty, thus helping India utilise its rights on eastern rivers of the basin.  The agreement was facilitated by the Union ministry of water resources, also a cosignatory in the pact.

Solution: a)

Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 26

CAG audits all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments, including those of bodies and authorities substantially financed by the government.  The CAG is also the external auditor of Government-owned corporations and conducts supplementary audit of government companies, i.e., any non-banking/ non-insurance company in which the state and Union governments have an equity share of at least 51% or subsidiary companies of existing government companies.

Solution: d)

Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 44

The government aims in shifting focus from “sick-care” to “wellness”, by promoting prevention and well-being.  It intends on gradually increasing public health expenditure to 2.5% of the GDP.  It aims to strengthen health systems by ensuring everyone has access to quality services and technology despite financial barriers. The policy proposes increasing access, improving quality and reducing costs. It proposes free drugs, free diagnostics and free emergency and essential healthcare services in public hospitals.  It focusses on primary health care: The policy advocates allocating two-thirds (or more) of resources to primary care. It proposes two beds per 1,000 of the population to enable access within the golden hour (the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury).  It aims to reduce morbidity and preventable mortality of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by advocating prescreening.  It promotes ‘Make in India’ initiative by using drugs and devices manufactured in the country.  It highlights AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) as a tool for effective prevention and therapy that is safe and cost-effective. It proposes introducing Yoga in more schools and offices to promote good health.  It proposes reforming medical education.  The policy also lists quantitative targets regarding life expectancy, mortality and reduction of disease prevalence in line with the objectives of the policy.

Solution: d)

Insights Current Affairs March 2017, Page 50

Both statements are correct.

A Soil Health Card is used to assess the current status of soil health and, when used over time, to determine changes in soil health that are affected by land management.  A Soil Health Card displays soil health indicators and associated descriptive terms. The indicators are typically based on farmers’ practical experience and knowledge of local natural resources.  The card lists soil health indicators that can be assessed without the aid of technical or laboratory equipment.  The card, which will carry crop-wise recommendation of fertilisers required for farm lands, will help farmers identify health of soil and judiciously use soil nutrients.