DAY – 1 ( INSTA REVISION TEST)INSTA REVISION PLAN 3.0, 2020

Solution: C

The Indika of Megasthenes, who came to the court of Chandragupta Maurya, furnish valuable information not only about the system of Maurya administration but also about social classes and economic activities in the Maurya period.

The Periplus of the Erythrean Sea and Ptolemy’s Geography, both written in Greek, provide valuable data for the study of ancient geography and commerce. The date ascribed to the first ranges between AD 80 and 115, whereas the second is attributed to about AD 150. The Periplus of the Erythrean Sea, which was written by an anonymous author, describes the Roman trade in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. Pliny’s Naturalis Historia, which relates to the first century, was written in Latin, and tells us about trade between India and Italy.

Solution: A

Fahien’s account on the Gupta administration provides useful information. He characterises the Gupta administration as mild and benevolent. There were no restrictions on people’s movements and they enjoyed a large degree of personal freedom. There was no state interference in the individual’s life. Punishments were not severe. Imposing a fine was a common punishment. There was no spy system. The administration was so efficient that the roads were kept safe for travelers, and there was no fear of thieves. He mentioned that people were generally prosperous and the crimes were negligible. Fahien had also appreciated the efficiency of the Gupta administration as he was  able to travel without any fear throughout the Gangetic valley. On the whole the administration was more liberal than that of the Mauryas.

The practice of untouchability had slowly begun during this period. Fahien mentions that Chandalas were segregated from the society. Their miserable condition was elaborated by the Chinese traveler.

Fahien refers to the decline of Buddhism in the Gangetic valley. But a few Buddhist scholars like Vasubandhu were patronized by Gupta kings. In western and southern India Jainism flourished.

Solution: C

Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) is an umbrella that comprises the bulk of preferential schemes granted by industrialized nations to developing countries.

It involves reduced Most Favored Nations (MFN) Tariffs or duty-free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.

Presently 28 countries has extended GSP status to India. These are Japan, NZ, Canada, Russia, European Union etc.

https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/why-is-gsp-vital-to-india-us-trade-ties/article26482585.ece

Solution: D

Paleolithic or Old Stone Age

The Old Stone Age sites are widely found in various parts of the Indian subcontinent. These sites are generally located near water sources. Several rock shelters and caves used by the Paleolithic people are scattered across the subcontinent. They also lived rarely in huts made of leaves. Some of the famous sites of Old Stone Age in India are:

1. The Soan valley and Potwar Plateau on the northwest India.
2. The Siwalik hills on the north India.
3. Bhimpetka in Madhya Pradesh.
4. Adamgarh hill in Narmada valley.
5. Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh and
6. Attirampakkam near Chennai.

Solution: D

The Neolithic settlers were the earliest farming communities. They broke the ground with stone hoes and digging sticks at the end of which ring stones weighing one to half a kilogram were fixed. Besides polished tools of stone, they used microlith blades. They lived in circular or rectangular houses made of mud and reed. It is held that the primitive people living in circular houses owned property in common. In any case, these Neolithic people led a settled life and produced ragi and horse gram (kulathi), and even rice. The Neolithic people of Mehrgarh were more advanced. They produced wheat and barley, and lived in mud-brick houses.

During the Neolithic phase, several settlements became acquainted with the cultivation of cereals and the domestication of animals. So they needed pots in which they could store their food grains, and also pots for cooking, eating, and drinking. Pottery, therefore, first appears in this phase, with handmade pottery in the early stage. Later, the Neolithic people used foot wheels to make pots. It seems that the potter’s wheel came to Baluchistan from western Asia and from there it spread across the subcontinent. The Neolithic pottery included black burnished ware, grey ware, and mat impressed ware.

Solution: B

The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015. NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs.

While designing strategic and long term policies and programmes for the Government of India, NITI Aayog also provides relevant technical advice to the Centre and States.

Functions of NITI Ayog

1. To evolve a shared vision of national development priorities sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States in the light of national objectives
2. To foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation.
3. To develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government
4. To ensure, on areas that are specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy
5. To pay special attention to the sections of our society that may be at risk of not benefiting adequately from economic progress.
6. To design strategic and long term policy and programme frameworks and initiatives, and monitor their progress and their efficacy. The lessons learnt through monitoring and feedback will be used for making innovative improvements, including necessary mid-course corrections
7. To provide advice and encourage partnerships between key stakeholders and national and international like-minded Think tanks, as well as educational and policy research institutions.
8. To create a knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurial support system through a collaborative community of national and international experts, practitioners and other partners.
9. To offer a platform for resolution of inter-sectoral and inter­ departmental issues in order to accelerate the implementation of the development agenda.
10. To maintain a state-of-the-art Resource Centre, be a repository of research on good governance and best practices in sustainable and equitable development as well as help their dissemination to stake-holders
11. To actively monitor and evaluate the implementation of programmes and initiatives, including the identification of the needed resources so as to strengthen the probability of success and scope of delivery
12. To focus on technology upgradation and capacity building for implementation of programmes and initiatives.

Solution: C

The Intellectual Property Appellate Board, a quasi-judicial body, was constituted in September 1958.

The jurisdiction of the Copyright Board extends to the whole of India.

The Board is entrusted with the task of adjudication of disputes pertaining to copyright registration, assignment of copyright, grant of Licenses in respect of works withheld from public, unpublished Indian works, production and publication of translations and works for certain specified purposes.

It also hears cases in other miscellaneous matters instituted before it under the Copyright Act, 1957.

The Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012 which came into force w.e.f. June 21,2015 provides for a full time IPAB Under Section 11 with Chairman and two other members, with its headquarters in Delhi. The new full time IPAB is expected to be reconstituted shortly.

http://copyright.gov.in/frmIPAB.aspx

Solution: B

The Jorwe culture, c. 1400 to 700 BC covered modern Maharashtra except parts of Vidarbha and the coastal region of Konkan. Although the Jorweculture was rural, some of its settlements, such as Daimabad and Inamgaon, had almost reached the urban stage. All these Maharashtra sites were located in semi-arid areas mostly on brown–black soil which had ber and babul vegetation but fell in the riverine tracts. In addition to these, we have Navdatoli situated on the Narmada. Most Chalcolithic ingredients intruded into the Neolithic sites in south India.

Solution: C

The urban people of the Indus region also needed and used weights and measures for trade and other transactions. Numerous articles used as weights have been found. They show that in weighing, largely 16 or its multiples were used: for instance, 16, 64, 160, 320, and 640. Interestingly, the tradition of 16 has continued in India up to modern times and till recently, 16 annas constituted one rupee.

In sharp contrast to Egypt and Mesopotamia, no temples have been found at any Harappan site. No religious structures of any kind have been excavated apart from the great bath, which may have been used for ablution. It would, therefore, be wrong to think that priests ruled in Harappa as they did in the cities of lower Mesopotamia. The Harappan rulers were more concerned with commerce than with conquest, and Harappa was possibly ruled by a class of merchants.

However, the Harappans did not have many weapons which might mean the lack of an effective warrior class.

Solution: C

Domestication of Animals

Although the Harappans practised agriculture, animals were raised on a large scale. Oxen, buffaloes, goats, sheep, and pigs were domesticated. Humped bulls were favoured by the Harappans. There is evidence of dogs and cats from the outset, and asses and camels were bred and were obviously used as beasts of burden, and the latter may also have been used for ploughing. Evidence of the horse comes from a superficial level of Mohenjodaro and from a doubtful terracotta figurine from Lothal. The remains of a horse are reported from Surkotada, situated in west Gujarat, and relate to around 2000 BC but the identity is doubtful. In any case, the Harappan culture was not horse-centred. Neither the bones of a horse nor its representations have been traced in early and mature Harappan cultures. Elephants were well known to the Harappans, who were also acquainted with the rhinoceros.

Solution: D

The International Space Station (ISS) is a modular space station (habitable artificial satellite) in low Earth orbit.

The ISS program is a multi-national collaborative project between five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada).

It is an international collaborative effort between multiple countries. The ownership and use of the space station is established by intergovernmental treaties and agreements. It evolved from the Space Station Freedom proposal.

The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which scientific experiments are conducted in astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, physics, and other fields.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station

Solution: B

Vedic Literature

The word ‘Veda’ is derived from the root ‘vid’, which means to know. In other words, the term ‘Veda’ signifies ‘superior knowledge’.

Rig Vedic Age or Early Vedic Period (1500 – 1000 B.C.)

During the Rig Vedic period, the Aryans were mostly confined to the Indus region. The Rig Veda refers to Saptasindhu or the land of seven rivers. This includes the five rivers of Punjab, namely Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej along with the Indus and Saraswathi.

The Rig Vedic polity was normally monarchical and the succession was hereditary. The king was assisted by purohita or priest and senani or commander of the army in his administration.

Solution: D

Writ jurisdiction:

• The Supreme Court under Article 32 and the High courts under Article 226 of the Constitution can issue the writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo-warranto to check and enforce fundamental rights.
• The Parliament under Article 32 can also empower any other court to issue these writs. However, no such provision has been made so far.
• The Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of fundamental rights whereas a High court can issue writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and also for an ordinary legal right.

Solution: D

Public authority’ under RTI:

As per Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, “public authority” is means any authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted:

• by or under the Constitution;
• by any other law made by Parliament;
• by any other law made by State Legislature;
• by notification issued or order made by the appropriate Government.

The definition of ‘public authority’ also includes bodies owned, controlled or substantially financed by the government and non-governmental organizations substantially financed, directly or indirectly by funds provided by the appropriate Government.

Solution: B

The Rig Vedic Aryans were pastoral people and their main occupation was cattle rearing. Their wealth was estimated in terms of their cattle.

there are so many references to the cow and the bull in the Rig Veda that the Rig Vedic people can be called a predominantly pastoral people. Most of their wars were fought over cows. The terms for war in the Rig Veda is gavishthi or search for cows, and cow seems to have been the most important form of wealth. Whenever we hear of gifts made to priests, they usually consist of cows and women slaves and never of land. The Rig Vedic people may have occasionally occupied pieces of land for grazing, cultivation, and settlement, but land did not form a well-established type of private property.

Solution: B

Sahakar Mitra scheme launched:

• It is an initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
• It would also provide an opportunity to professionals from academic institutions to develop leadership and entrepreneurial roles through cooperatives as Farmers Producers Organizations (FPO).
• Under the programme, each intern will get financial support over a 4 months internship period.

Eligibility:

• Professional graduates in disciplines such as Agriculture and allied areas,IT etc. will be eligible for internship.
• Professionals who are pursuing or have completed their MBA degrees in Agri-business, Cooperation, Finance, International Trade, Forestry, Rural Development, Project Managementetc. Will also be eligible.

Solution: C

Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI):

• India joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as a founding member to support the responsible and human-centric development and use of AI.
• It is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
• This is also a first initiative of its type.
• GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal and Paris.
• Founding members: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union.

Solution: A

Religion

Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance. Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became prominent during the Later Vedic period. Sacrifices were still important and the rituals connected with them became more elaborate. The importance of prayers declined and that of sacrifices increased. Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one.

The formulae for sacrifices were invented and elaborated by the priestly class. Therefore, towards the end of this period there was a strong reaction against priestly domination and against sacrifices and rituals. The rise of Buddhism and Jainism was the direct result of these elaborate sacrifices. Also, the authors of the Upanishads, which is the essence of Hindu philosophy, turned away from the useless rituals and insisted on true knowledge (jnana) for peace and salvation.

Solution: A

API – Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients are those constituents of drugs
that are responsible for effects produced by these drugs. The other constituents of the
drugs called excipients are chemically inactive substances, which help carry APIs to
the body system or target organ etc.

China’s population growth, rapidly aging population and increasing medical needs make it the world’s biggest producer and exporter of pharmaceutical ingredients. Covering 40% of global APIs production, the Chinese Pharma market has huge opportunities for growth.

https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/centre-allows-export-of-12-apis-formulations/article31278824.ece

Solution: C

Amery Ice Shelf (AIS):

• The AIS is one of the largest glacier drainage basins in the world, located on the east coast of Antarctica, at about 70ºS Latitude, 70ºE Longitude.
• It is located at the head of Prydz Bay between the Lars Christensen Coast and Ingrid Christensen Coast.
• It is part of Mac. Robertson Land.

Why in News?

• The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) predicts that there would be a 24% increase in the expansion of Ameri Ice Shelf (AIS) boundaries by 2021 and another 24% expansion by 2026 from its 2016 positions.
• Scientists feel that this study would help understand the ongoing changes in the ocean and atmospheric forces better.

Solution: C

iCommit’ initiative:

• Launched on the occasion of World Environment Day.
• The ‘#iCommit’ initiative is centred around the idea of building an energy resilient future.
• The calls upon all stakeholders and individuals to continue moving towards energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability to create a robust and resilient energy system in the future.
• The initiative is driven by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power.
• It includes a diverse set of players such as Governments, Corporates, Multilateral and Bilateral Organisations, Think Tanks and Individuals.

Solution: D

Lonar Lake:

• Team of Scientists to Examine Why Maharashtra’s Lonar Lake Has Turned Pink.
• Some experts have attributed it to the salinity and presence of algae in the water body.

Key facts:

• Lonar Crater Lake was identified as a unique geographical site by a British officer named CJE Alexander in 1823.
• It is an ancient circular lake created by a meteorite strike in Maharashtra.
• Lonar crater became a geo-heritage site in 1979.
• It is relatively young geologically, at just 50,000 years old.
• Lonar Lake lies within the only known extraterrestrial impact crater found within the great Deccan Traps, a huge basaltic formation in India (Source:Wikipedia)

Solution: B

PK Mohanty panel:

• Constituted by RBI.
• To review guidelines of ownership of private sector banks.

Terms of reference:

• Examine the existing regulation and guidelines on ownership of private sector banks.
• Suggest appropriate norms to address the issue of concentration of control and ownership of banks.
• Review the eligibility criteria of the individuals to apply for banking license.

Solution: D

Places in News:

Context: Mentioned as part of 32nd session of the DekhoApnaDesh webinar series of Ministry of Tourism titled “Trekking in the Himalayas- Magical Experiences”.

Places:

• Kuari Pass (Uttrakhand): This trek was explored by Lord Curzon and is also known as the Curzon trail.
• Brahma Taal (Uttrakhand): It is a hidden and secluded lake amidst the ridge, where Lord Brahma meditated according to the mythology.
• Fotoksaris a picturesque village in Ladakh. It is the part of the Lingshed- Padum trek (also known as The Great Zanskar trek).
• Roopkhund (Uttarakhand): It is a high altitude glacial lake. It lies in the lap of Trishul massif.

Solution: A

Review petition: 

• Under Article 137, the Supreme Court has the power to review any of its judgments or orders.
• When a review takes place, the law is that it is allowed not to take fresh stock of the case but to correct grave errors that have resulted in the miscarriage of justice.
• The court has the power to review its rulings to correct a “patent error” and not “minor mistakes of inconsequential import”.
• In a 1975 ruling, Justice Krishna Iyer said a review can be accepted “only where a glaring omission or patent mistake or like grave error has crept in earlier by judicial fallibility”.
• As per the Civil Procedure Code and the Supreme Court Rules, any person aggrieved by a ruling can seek a review. However, the court exercises its discretion to allow a review petition only when it shows the grounds for seeking the review.

Time- period within which a review petition should be filed?

• As per 1996 rules framed by the Supreme Court:
• A review petition must be filed within 30 days of the date of judgment or order. While a judgment is the final decision in a case, an order is an interim ruling that is subject to its final verdict.
• In certain circumstances, the court can condone a delay in filing the review petition if the petitioner can establish strong reasons that justify the delay.

The procedure to be followed:

• The rules state that review petitions would ordinarily be entertained without oral arguments by lawyers. It is heard “through circulation” by the judges in their chambers.
• Review petitions are also heard, as far as practicable, by the same combination of judges who delivered the order or judgment that is sought to be reviewed.
• If a judge has retired or is unavailable, a replacement is made keeping in mind the seniority of judges.
• In exceptional cases, the court allows an oral hearing. In a 2014 case, the Supreme Court held that review petitions in all death penalty cases will be heard in open court by a Bench of three judges.