Appointments

1. New Chairman of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) - Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi
2. Newly Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India - N S Vishwanathan. He replaces HR Khan
3. New CM of Puducherry - V. Narayanasamy
4. New Finance Secretary - Ashok Lavasa. He replaces Ratan P. Watal
5. New CEO of National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) - Ashok Patnaik
6. New Chairman of Oil India – Utpal Bora
7. New Additional Solicitor General of India - Atma Ram Nadkarni
8. New Indian Cricket Team Head Coach – Anil Kumble
9. Shashi Arora appointed new CEO, MD of Airtel Payments Bank
10. New Secretary in the Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs - Prabhas Kumar Jha
11. New Chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal - Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya.
12. New President of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) - Justice MM Kumar.
13. New Member appointed in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) - Bhim Sain Bassi.
14. Vice admiral Atul Kumar Jain takes over as Chief of staff, Eastern Naval Command
15. New Director General (DG)/ Chief Executive Officer (CEP) of National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) - Navin Agarwal
16. New Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)- Rahul Johri
17. New Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court - Justice Rakesh Ranjan Prasad.
18. New Navy Chief - Sunil Lanba. He replaces R.K.Dhowan
19. New Managing Director of Facebook India - Umang Bedi
20. New Chief Minister of Assam – Sarbananda Sonowal. He replaces Tarun Gogoi
21. New Chief Minister of Kerala - Pinarayi Vijayan
22. New BCCI President – Anurag Thakur. He replaces Shashank Manohar.
23. New Chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security - Kumar Rajesh Chandra
24. First Chairman of the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) - Vinod Rai
25. New Director General of Doordarshan - Supriya Sahu
26. First woman appointed as chairperson of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Assam - Ranu Langthasa
27. New DG of National Anti-Doping Agency - Navin Agarwal
28. Former Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi appointed UPSC member
29. New Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry - Kiran Bedi
30. New Principal Adviser for Social Sector in NITI Aayog - Ratan P Watal
31. New Chief of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security - Kumar Rajesh Chandra
32. New Director General (DG) of Railways Protection Force (RPF) – Surendra Kumar Bhagat
33. New chairperson of National Monument Authority (NMA) - Susmita Pande
34. KV Thomas – re-nominated as Chairman of Publics Account Committee
35. New chairman of NASSCOM – C.P. Gurnani
36. New Femina Miss India World 2016 - Priyadarshini Chatterjee
37. New Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) – Permod Kohli
38. New Chairman of the 21st Law Commission of India (LCI) - Balbir Singh Chauhan
39. New Chairman of Bombay Stock exchange (BSE) - Sudhakar Rao
40. NMD & CEO of Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (MCX) - Mrugank Paranjape
41. New Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) - HL Dattu
42. New Director of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) - KN Vyas
43. New Chief Minister of Arunchal Pradesh – pema khandu
44. New Chairman of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) - Sushil Chandra  replaces Atulesh Jindal
45. New Census Commissioner of India – Sailesh. He replaces C Chandramauli
New Four Judges for Supreme Court Appointed
Justice AM Khanwilkar
Justice DY Chandrachud
Justice Ashok Bhushan
L Nageshwar Rao

CSE preliminary 2016 solutions continue..

Q. 71.    With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.    The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN and it will go into effect in 2017.
2.    The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 20C or even 1.50C above pre-industrial levels.
3.    Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate S 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: (b)

Exp: Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached a landmark agreement on December 12 in Paris, charting a fundamentally new course in the two-decade-old global climate effort. An historic agreement to combat climate change and unleash actions and investment towards a low carbon, resilient and sustainable future was agreed by 195 nations in Paris. The universal agreement’s main aim is to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius and to drive efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, or COP 21 agreed to extend the current goal of mobilizing $100 billion a year in support by 2020 through 2025, with a new, higher goal to be set for the period after 2025. Option (1) is separately correct but wrong with option (3)

Q. 72.    Consider the following statements:

1.    The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
2.    The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

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

Ans: (b)

Exp: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), officially known as Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are an intergovernmental set of aspiration Goals with 169 targets. The Goals are contained in paragraph 54 United Nations Resolution A/RES/70/1 of 25 September 2015. The history of the SDGs can be traced to 1972 when governments met under the auspices of the United Nations Human and Environment Conference, to consider the rights of the human family to a healthy and productive environment. and not the Club of Rome which is a global think tank that deals with a variety of international political issues. Founded in 1968 at Accademia dei Lincei in Rome, Italy, It raised considerable public attention in 1972 with its report The Limits to Growth. The club states that its mission is “to act as a global catalyst for change through the identification and analysis of the crucial problems facing humanity.

Q. 73.    A recent movie titled The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the biography of

(a)    S. Ramanujan
(b)    S. Chandrasekhar
(c)    S. N. Bose
(d)    C. V. Raman

Ans :(a )

Exp: The Man Who Knew Infinity is a 2015 British biographical drama film based on the 1991 book of the same name by Robert Kanigel. The film stars Dev Patel as the real-life Srinivasa Ramanujan, a mathematician who after growing up poor in Madras, India, earns admittance to Cambridge University during World War I, where he becomes a pioneer in mathematical theories with the guidance of his professor, G. H. Hardy (played by Jeremy Irons).

Q. 74.    Consider the following statements:

1.    The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years.
2.    A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period.
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

Ans: (b)

Exp:  If you are a candidate for the seat of Member or Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat, you must be a registered voter in the electoral r

oll of that Gram Panchayat. (b) You must not be less than 21 years of age. Every Panchayat, unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and so longer. A Panchayat constituted upon the dissolution of a Panchayat before the expiration of its duration shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued under clause (1) had it not been so dissolved.

Q. 75.    India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

(a)    It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
(b)    It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
(c)    It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
(d)    It can build fusion reactors for power generation

Ans: (d)

Exp: A mega international nuclear fusion research & engineering project, ITER is currently building the world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor. A tokamak is a device that uses a magnetic field to confine plasma (fourth state of matter) in the shape of a torus. The ITER project aims to make the long-awaited transition from experimental studies of plasma physics to full-scale electricity-producing fusion power plants. It is seen as a method for electricity production from fusion energy — one for the future. The most vital aim is to produce at least 10 times more thermal energy than that required to operate it. This energy could be converted into electricity in future power-producing reactors. Scientists.

Q. 76.    In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs:

Term                Description

1.    Eripatti    :    Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank
2.    Taniyurs    :    Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins
3.    Ghatikas    :    Colleges generally attached to the temples

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Ans: (a)

Exp : Taniyurs- During the Chola regime Taniyurs developed out of major Brahmadeyas and temple settlements and came to include several hamlets and revenue villages.
Eripatti -A special category of land, eripatti or tank land, was known only in south India. the revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank.
Ghatika: The Pallava kings of the ancient Tamil country who ruled from their capital city Kanchipuram   from the 4th-9th centuries A.D were known as patrons of scholars and set up Ghatikas. The Ghatikas were the most important educational institutions in South India during ancient times and the most important Ghatika of the Pallavas was located in Kanchipuram. Inscriptions reveal that many of these kings looked after this institution with great care. It was well-known as an important educational centre even in the 4th century A.D and an epigraph of a Kadamba king (of ancient Karnataka) records that his ancestors, a scholar named Mayura Sharman, along with his teacher Vira Sharman came to this institution from faraway Goa. Ghatikas were separate from temples.

Q. 77.    Consider the following statements:

1.    The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015.
2.    The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations.

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

Ans: (a)

Exp: India and France launched an International Solar Alliance to boost solar energy in developing countries. The initiative was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris on 30 November by Indian Prime Minister Narendera Modi and French President Francois Hollande. The alliance includes around 120 countries that support the “Declaration on the occasion to launch the international solar alliance of countries dedicated t

o the promotion of solar energy.”

Q. 78.    ‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an

(a)    agency  created by EU to deal with the impact of millions of refugees arriving from Middle East
(b)    agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
(c)    agency of EU to deal with all the bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade
(d)    agency of EU to deal with the conflict arising among the member countries

Ans: (b)

Exp: The European Stability Mechanism is a European Union agency that provides financial assistance, in the form of loans, to eurozone countries or as new capital to banks in difficulty. It is a permanent agency, based in Luxembourg, and has replaced the temporaryEuropean Financial Stability Facility.

Q. 79.    Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practicing drip irrigation?

1.    Reduction in weed
2.    Reduction in soil salinity
3.    Reduction in soil erosion

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a)    1 and 2 only
(b)    3 only
(c)    1 and 3 only
(d)    None of the above is an advantage of practicing drip irrigation

Ans: (c )

Exp: It has no role in reduction in soil salinity.

Q. 80.    Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.    It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
2.    It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

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

Ans: (c )

Exp: DigiLocker is a “digital locker” service launched by the Government of India in February 2015 to provide a secure dedicated personal electronic space for storing the documents of resident Indian citizens. DigiLocker is one of the key initiatives under the Digital India Programme. This was released by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Government of India. The storage space (maximum 10 MB at the time of launching & now upgraded to 1GB) is linked to the Unique Identification Authority of India (Aadhaar number) of the user. The space can be utilized for storing personal documents like University certificates, Permanent account number (PAN) cards, voter id cards, etc., and the URIs of the e-documents issued by various issuer departments. The idea is that this should minimise the need for physical documents; if your birth and education certificates are online, and you apply for a passport, then the Passport Office could use your Aadhaar number to request the DIGILocker for your details, without needing you to carry a large file of documents for the application.

Civil services preliminary 2016 solutions & explanations of paper1

Answers With Explanation For Paper 1

Q. 1. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its prorogation.
2. A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, shall not lapse on dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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


Ans: b

Exp: A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha but not passed by the Lok Sabha does not lapse. Similarly due to prorogation bills do not lapses. Prorogation terminates a session of the House only.

Q. 2. Which of the following is/are the indicator/indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report?

1. Undernourishment
2. Child stunting
3. Child mortality

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: c

Exp: The GHI combines 4 component indicators: 1) the proportion of the undernourished as a percentage of the population; 2) the proportion of children under the age of five suffering from wasting; 3) the proportion of children under the age of five suffering from stunting; 4) the mortality rate of children under the age of five.

Q. 3. There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit?

1. Reducing revenue expenditure
2. Introducing new welfare schemes
3. Rationalizing subsidies
4. Reducing import duty

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: c

Exp: Reducing revenue expenditure and rationalizing subsidies will reduce the expenditure of the government. Whereas introducing new welfare schemes and reducing import duty will add additional burden to the government resources.

Q. 4. The establishment of “Payment Banks’ is being allowed in India to promote Financial inclusion. Which of the following statements is/are correct in this context?

1. Mobile telephone companies and supermarket chains that are owned and controlled by residents are eligible to be promoters of Payment Banks.
2. Payment Banks can issue both credit cards and debit cards.
3. Payment Banks cannot undertake lending activities.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: b

Exp: Existing non-bank Pre-paid Payment Instrument (PPI) issuers; and other entities such as individuals / professionals; Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), corporate Business Correspondents(BCs), mobile telephone companies, super-market chains, companies, real sector cooperatives; that are owned and controlled by residents; and public sector entities may apply to set up payments banks.
Payment Banks can issue ATM/ debit cards but not credit cards. Payment Banks can NOT give loans.

Q. 5. With reference to ‘LiFi’, recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.
2. It is a wireless technology and is several time faster than ‘WiFi.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: c

Exp: Light Fidelity (Li-Fi)—a revolutionary new technology that transmits high-speed data using light. It is touted as being nearly 100 times faster than the traditional Wi-Fi technology based on transmission of radio waves. It uses visible-light communication or infrared and near-ultraviolet instead of radio-frequency spectrum, part of optical wireless communications technology, which carries much more information

Q. 6. The term Intended Nationally Determined Contribution is sometimes seen in the news in the context of:

a) Pledge made by the European countries to rehabilitate refuges from the war-affected Middle East.
b) Plain of nation outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate changes.
c) Capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
d) Plain of action outlined by the countries of the regarding Sustainable Developments Goals.

Ans: d

Exp: INDCs are the primary means for governments to communicate internationally the steps they will take to address climate change in their own countries. INDCs will reflect each country’s ambition for reducing emissions, taking into account its domestic circumstances and capabilities for achieving sustainable development goals.

Q. 7. Which one of the following is a purpose of ‘UDAY’, a scheme of the Government?

a) Providing technical and financial assistance to start-up entrepreneurs in the field or renewable source of energy.
b) Providing electricity to every household in the country by 2018
c) Replacing the coal-based power plants with natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind and tidal power plants over a period of time.
d) Providing for financial turnaround and revival of power distribution companies

Ans: d

Exp: UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) scheme to provide a permanent solution for financial turnaround and revival of Power Distribution companies (discoms).

Q. 8. With reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’, sometimes given below is/are correct?

1. The International Financed Corporation, with offers these bonds, is an arm of the World Bank.
2. They are the rupee-denominated bonds and are a source of debt financing for the public and private sector.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: a

Exp: International Finance Corporation, the private-sector financing arm of World Bank, has launched rupee-denominated offshore bonds for Rs 1,600 crore, or about $250 million, attracting first-time investors to overseas rupee markets.

Q. 9. Regarding the taxation system of Krishna Deva, the ruler of Vijayanagar, consider the following statements :

1. The tax rate on land was fixed depending on the quality of the land.
2. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.

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

Ans: c

Exp: Land revenue was the chief source of income. Land was divided into four categories for purposes of assessment, wet land, dry land, orchards and woods. Usually the share was one sixth of the produce. Land revenue could be paid in cash or kind. The rates varied according to the type of the crops, soil, method of irrigation, etc.

Besides land tax, many professional taxes were also imposed. There were on shopkeepers, farm servants, workmen, posters, shoemakers, musicians etc. There was also a tax on property. Grazing and house taxes were also imposed. Commercial taxes consisted of levies, duties and customs on manufactured articles of trade were also levied. Private owners of workshops paid an industries tax.

Q. 10. Which one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son

of the founder of Sunga dynasty?

(a) Swapnavasavadatta
(b) Malavikagnimitra
(c) Meghadoota
(d) Ratnavali

Ans: b

Q. 11. In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms ‘amber box, blue box and green box’ in the news?

(a) WTO affairs
(b)SAARC affairs
(c)UNFCCC affairs
(d) India-EU negotiations on FTA

Ans: a

Exp: These are WTO jargon for different kinds of subsidies given to agriculture. In a nutshell, amber box subsidies constitute all forms of domestic support deemed to be trade distorting, primarily by encouraging excessive production. Blue box subsidies are considered somewhat less trade distorting, because while they directly link production to subsidies, they also set limits on production by way of quotas, for instance. Green box subsidies were initially considered non-distorting in terms of production and trade, though it is increasingly being recognized that they are at best minimally trade distorting. Direct income support schemes unlinked to production would be typical examples of green box subsidies.

Q. 12. Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India?

1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machinery, etc.
2. Loans received from foreign governments.
3. Loans and advances granted to the States and Union Territories.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: d

Exp: Capital Budget consists of capital receipts and payments. Capital receipts are loans raised by the government from the public (which are called market loans), borrowings by the government from the Reserve Bank and other parties through sale of treasury bills, loans received from foreign bodies and governments, and recoveries of loans granted by the Central government to state and Union Territory governments and other parties. Capital payments consist of capital expenditure on acquisition of assets like land, buildings, machinery, and equipment, as also investments in shares, loans and advances granted by the Central government to state and Union Territory governments, government companies, corporations and other parties.

Q. 13. What is/are the importance/importances of the ‘United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification?

1. It aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive inter-national partnerships.
2. It has a special/particular focus on South Asia and North Africa regions, and its secretariat facilitates the allocation of major portion of financial resources to these regions.
3. It is committed to bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating the desertification.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: c

Exp: The convention aims to promote effective action through innovative national programmes and supportive international partnerships. committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation.

Q. 14. Recently, which one of the following currencies has been proposed to be added to the basket of IMF’s SDR?

(a) Rouble
(b) Rand
(c) Indian Rupee
(d) Renminbi

Ans: d

Exp: Chinese renminbi (RMB) will be added as the fifth currency in IMF’s SDR.

Q. 15. With reference to the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), consider the following statements:

1. IMFC discusses matters of concern affecting the global economy, and advises the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the direction of its work.
2. The World Bank participates as observer in IMFC’s meetings.

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

Ans: c

Exp: The IMFC advises and reports to the IMF Board of Governors on the supervision and management of the international monetary and financial system, including on responses to unfolding events that may disrupt the system. It also considers proposals by the Ex

ecutive Board to amend the Articles of Agreement and advises on any other matters that may be referred to it by the Board of Governors. Although the IMFC has no formal decision-making powers, in practice, it has become a key instrument for providing strategic direction to the work and policies of the Fund.

World Bank acts as observer in the meetings.

Q. 16. ‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to
(a) rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide then with suitable sources of livelihood
(b) release the sex workers from the practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood
(c) eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavengers
(d) release the bonded labourers free their bondage and rehabilitate them

Ans: c

Exp: it is based on Eradication of inhuman practice of manual scavenging and comprehensive rehabilitation of manual scavengers in India.

Q. 17. With reference to the cultural history of medieval India, consider the following statements:

1. Siddhas (Sittars) of Tamil region were monotheistic and condemned idolatry.
2.Lingayats of Kannada region questioned the theory of rebirth and rejected the caste hierarchy

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

Ans: To be updated…

Q. 18. Which of the following best describes the term “import cover”, sometimes seen in the news?

(a) It is the ratio of value of imports to the Gross Domestic product of a country
(b) It is the total value of imports of a country in a year.
© It is the ratio between the value of exports and that of imports between two countries
(d)It is the number of months of imports that could be paid for by a country’s international reserves

Ans: d

Q. 19. Consider the following pairs:

Community sometimes mentioned in the news In the affairs of

1. Kurd : Bangladesh
2. Madhesi : Nepal
3. Robingya : Myanmar

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Ans: c

Exp: Kurds inhabit a mountainous region straddling the borders of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia. They make up the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East.

Q. 20. With reference to ‘Organization for the prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’ consider the following statements:

1. It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO
2. It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons free emerging
3. It provides assistance and protection to Stated Parties against chemical weapons threats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Ans: b

Exp: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an intergovernmental organisation not under European Union.

Q. 21. With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements:

1. Under this scheme, farmers with have to pay a uniform premium of two percent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.

Which of the statements given about is/are correct?

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

Ans: b

Exp: Under the scheme there will be a uniform premium of only 2% to be paid by farmers for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, the premium to be paid by farmers will be only 5%. Post-harvest losses arising out of cyclone and unseasonal rain have been covered nationally.

Q. 22. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Great Indian Hornbill’ in its natural habitat?

a) Sand deserts of northwest India
b) Higher Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir
c) Salt marshes of western Gujarat
d) Western Ghats

Ans: d

Exp: India has nine hornbill species, of which four are found in the Western Ghats: Indian Grey Hornbill (endemic to India), the Malabar Grey Hornbill (endemic to the Western Ghats), Malabar Pied Hornbill (endemic to India and Sri Lanka) and the widely distributed but endangered Great Hornbill. India also has one species that has one of the smallest ranges of any hornbill: the Narcondam Hornbill, found only on the island of Narcondam.

Q. 23. Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?

1. River basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the State through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on rotation basis.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: a

Exp: National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) will spearhead river conservation efforts at the national level. Implementation will be by the State Agencies and Urban Local Bodies. It is a unit of planning and management.

Q. 24. Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem-coated Urea’ in agriculture?

(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into atmosphere by crop fields
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertilizer for particular crops

Ans: b

Exp: When ordinary urea is applied, it gets converted to ammonium carbamate. Some of this gets converted to ammonia gas in what is called ammonia volatilisation. The rest of the ammonium carbamate undergoes chemical transfor-mation and nitrates are formed. Some of these are absorbed by the plants. The rest are either leached into the underground water or are denitrified to gaseous nitrogen and nitrous oxide under anaerobic conditions (absence of oxygen). Neem has properties that check nitrogen loss at each stage. It slows down the process of nitrate formation and hence excess nitrate is not available for denitrification.

Q. 25. Consider the following statements:

1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State.
2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure

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

Ans: d

Exp: The chief secretary is the head of the entire state secretariat. S/he is appointed by the Chief Minister. It has no fixed tenure.

26. With reference to ‘Stand Up India Scheme’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
2. It provides for refinance through SIDBI.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: c

Exp: The “Stand up India Scheme” is bein

g launched now to promote entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste/Schedule Tribe and Women for loans in the range of Rs. 10 Lakhs to Rs. 100 Lakhs. The Scheme is expected to benefit large number of such entrepreneurs, as it is intended to facilitate at least two such projects per bank branch (Scheduled Commercial Bank) on an average one for each category of entrepreneur. Refinance window through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) with an initial amount of Rs. 10,000 crore will be provided.

Q. 27. The FAO accords the status of ‘Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)’ to traditional agricultural systems. What is the overall goal of this initiative?

1. To provide modern technology, training in modern farming methods and financial support to local communities of identified GIAHS so as to greatly enhance their agricultural productivity
2. To identify and safeguard eco-friendly traditional farm practices and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems of the local communities
3. To provide Geographical Indication status to all the varieties of agricultural produce in such indentified GIAHS

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: b

Q. 28. Which of the following is/are tributary/tributaries of Brahmaputra?
1. Dibang
2. Kameng
3. Lohit

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: d

Exp: Tributaries- Dibang River, Lohit River, Dhansiri River, Kolong River, Kameng River, Manas River, Raidak River, Jaldhaka River, Teesta River, Subansiri River.

Q. 29. The term ‘Core Banking Solution’ is sometimes such in the news. Which of the following statements best describes/describe this term?

1. It is a networking of a bank’s branches which enables customers to operate their accounts from any branch of the bank on its network regardless of where they open their accounts.
2. It is an effort to increase RBI’s control over commercial banks through computerization.
3. It is a detailed procedure by which a bank with huge non-performing assets is taken over by another bank.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: A

Exp: Core Banking Solution (CBS) is networking of branches, which enables Customers to operate their accounts, and avail banking services from any branch of the Bank on CBS network, regardless of where he maintains his account. The customer is no more the customer of a Branch.

Q. 30. Consider the following pairs:

Terms sometimes seen in the news Their origin

1. Annex-I Countries : Cartagena Protocol
2. Certified Emissions Reductions : Nagoya Protocol
3. Clean Development Mechanism : Kyoto Protocol

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Ans: C

Exp: All the terms are associated with Kyoto Protocol. Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) are a type of emissions unit (or carbon credits) issued by the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board for emission reductions achieved by CDM projects and verified by a DOE (Designated Operational Entity) under the rules of the Kyoto Protocol.

Annex I parties are industrialized countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and countries designated as Economies in Transition under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC), that pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000.

Q. 31. In the context of the developments in bioinformatics, the term ‘transcriptome’, sometimes seen in the news, refer to

(a) a range of enzymes used in genome editing
(b) the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
(c) the description of the mechanism of gene expression
(d)A mechanism of genetic mutation taking place in cells

Ans: b

Exp: The sum total of all the messenger RNA molecules expressed from the genes of an organism.

Q. 32. ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to

(a) Immunization of children and pregnant women
(b) Construction of smart cities across the country
(c) India’ own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space
(d) New Educational policy

Ans: a

Exp: Mission Indradhanush aims to ensure full immunization with all available vaccines for children up to two years and pregnant women.

Q. 33. Which of the following best describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India?

1. Incorporating environment benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’.
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agriculture output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future.
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

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

Ans: c

Exp: The objectives are:

• To increase forest/tree cover to the extent of 5 million hectares (mha) and improve quality of forest/tree cover on another 5 mha of forest/non-forest lands;
• To improve/enhance eco-system services like carbon sequestration and storage (in forests and other ecosystems), hydrological services and biodiversity; along with provisioning services like fuel, fodder, and timber and non-timber forest produces (NTFPs); and
• To increase forest based livelihood income of about 3 million households.

Q. 34. With reference to pre-packaged items in India, it is mandatory to the manufacturer to put which of the following information on the main label, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) Regulations, 2011?

1. List of ingredients including additives
2. Nutrition information
3. Recommendations, if any made by the medical profession about the possibility of any allergic reactions
4. Vegetarian/non-vegetarian

Select the correct answer using the code given below

a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 2, 3 and 4
c) 1, 2 and 4
d) 1 and 4 Only

Ans: c

Q. 35. ‘Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to

a) Waste management technology
b) Wireless communication technology
c) Solar power production technology
d) Water conservation technology

Ans: b

Exp: Project Loon is a research and development project being developed by X(formerly Google X) with the mission of providing Internet access to rural and remote areas.

Q. 36. ‘Net metering’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the

a) production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers
b) use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households
c) installation of CNG kits in motor- cars
d) installation of water meters in urban households

Ans: a

Exp: Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

Q. 37. India’s ranking in the ‘Ease of Doing Business Index’ is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following has declared that ranking?

a) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
b) World Economic Forum
c) World Bank
d) World Trade Organization (WTO)

Ans: c

Q. 38. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian history were generally

a) Agriculturists
b) Warriors
c) Weaves
d) Traders

Ans: d

Q. 39. Who of the following had first deciphered the edicts of Emperor Ashoka?
a) Georg Buhier
b) James Prinsep
c) Max Muller
d) William Jones

Ans: b

Q. 40. With reference to the ‘Gram Nyayalaya Act’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can

hear only civil cases and not criminal cases
2. The Act allows local social activists as mediators/reconciliators.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: b

Exp: As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear both criminal and civil cases and appeals in civil cases will have to be disposed of in six months. The Act also makes the judicial process participatory and decentralized because it allows appointment of local social activists and lawyers as mediators/reconciliators.

Q. 41. With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:

1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.

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

Ans: d

Exp: The TPP involves 12 Pacific Rim nations – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. The pact aims to deepen economic ties between these nations, slashing tariffs and fostering trade to boost growth.

Q. 42. Consider the following statements:

The India-Africa Summit

1. Held in 2015 was the third such Summit
2. Was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951

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

Ans: a

Exp: It was first held in 2008.

Q. 43. What is/are the purpose/purposes of the ‘Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (MCLR)’ announced by RBI?

1. These guidelines help improve the transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining the interest rates on advances
2. These guidelines help ensure availability of bank credit & interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: c

Exp: MCLR help in improving the transmission of policy rates into the lending rates of banks, these guidelines are expected to improve transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining interest rates on advances. These guidelines are also expected to ensure availability of bank credit at interest rates which are fair to the borrowers as well as the banks. Further, marginal cost of pricing of loans will help the banks to become more competitive and enhance their long run value and contribution to economic growth.

Q. 44. What is/are unique about ‘Kharai camel’ a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometers in seawater.
2. It survives by grazing on mangrows.
3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

Selected the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: d

Exp: Kharai Camel or Swimming Camels are found only in Gujarat’s Bhuj area. It has been recently recognized as a separate breed (one among nine such breeds found in India) of camel for better conservation. This camel is adapted to the extreme climate of Ran of Kachh where shallow seas and high salinity is prevalent. Kharai Camel can live in both coastal and dry ecosystems. It grazes on saline / mangrove trees and is tolerant to high saline water. It can swim up to three kilometers into the sea in search of mangroves, their primary food. The camel is distinct from other camels because of its rounded back, long and thin legs and small feet.

Q. 45. Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?

(a) Anadaman Islands
(b) Anamalai Forests
(c ) Maikala Hills
(d)Tropical rain forest of northeast

Ans: a

Exp: The species have been found in Andaman and nicobar. The new species is about 11 metres high, whereas as the usual banana species is about three to four metres high. The fruit lux of the new speci

es is about one metres, which is thrice the size of regular species.

Q. 46. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?

(a) Amphibious warfare ship
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Ans: c

Exp: It is Indian Navy’s first totally indigenously-designed and built torpedo launch and recovery vessel.

47. What is ‘Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)’, recently in the news?

(a) Electric plane tested by NASA
(b) Solar-powered two-seater aircraft designed by Japan
(c) Space observatory launched by China
(d) Reusable rocket designed by ISRO

Ans: a

Exp: The GL-10 or Greased Lightning is a 28kg, battery-powered drone prototype that can switch between helicopter and airplane modes, giving the aircraft the maneuverability and vertical take-off capabilities of a chopper, as well as the speed and endurance of a plane designed by NASA.

Q. 48. With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: a

Exp: The scheme aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with visible impact to catalyze increased production of millets in the country. Besides increasing production of millets, the Scheme through processing and value addition techniques is expected to generate consumer demand for millet based food products.

Q. 49. The ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the

(a) agitation against the Partition of Bengal
(b) Home Rule Movement
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) visit of the Simon Commission to India

Ans: a

Q. 50. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Ans: b

Exp: Bodhisattva is central to Mahayana Sect.

Q. 51. ‘Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontiercs)’, often in the news, is

a) A division of World Health Organization
b) A non-governmental international organization
c) And inter-government agency sponsored by European Union
d) A specialized agency of the United Nations

Ans: b

Exp: Doctors Without Borders, is an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization (NGO) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, best known for its projects in war-torn regions and developing countries facing endemic diseases.

Q. 52. With reference to an initiative called ‘The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.
2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Select the correct answer using the code given below

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

Ans: c

Exp: The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) is an initiative hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Q. 53. With reference to ‘Red Sanders’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a tree species found in a part of South India.
2. It is one of the most important trees in the tropical rain forest areas of South India.

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

Ans: a

Exp: It is a species of thorny deciduous region.

54. Which of following statements is/are correct?
Proper design and effective implementation of UN-REDD+ Programme can significantly contribute to

1. Protection of biodiversity
2. Resilience of forest ecosystems
3. Poverty reduction

Select the correct answer using the code given below

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

Ans: a

Q. 55. What is ‘Greenhouse Gas Protocol?

a) It is an international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify and manage greenhouse gas emissions
b) It is an initiative of the United Nations to offer financial incentives to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adopt eco-friendly technologies
c) It is an inter-governments agreement ratified by all the member countries of the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to specified levels by the year 2022
d) It is one of the multilateral REDD-initiatives hosted by the World Bank

Ans: a

Exp: The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) provides accounting and reporting standards, sector guidance, calculation tools, and trainings for business and government. It establishes a comprehensive, global, standardized framework for measuring and managing emissions from private and public sector operations, value chains, products, cities, and policies.

Q. 56. With reference to ‘Financial Stability and Development Council’, consider the following statements:

1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog.
2. It is headed by the Union Finance Minister.
3. It monitors macro prudential super-vision of the economy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Ans: c

Exp: The Chairman of the Council is the Finance Minister and its members include the heads of financial sector Regulators (RBI, SEBI, PFRDA, IRDA & FMC {now with SEBI}) Finance Secretary and/or Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, and Chief Economic Adviser. The Council can invite experts to its meeting if required. The FSDC Secretariat is in the Department of Economic Affairs.

The council will act as a co-ordination agency between the various financial sector regulators- the RBI, SEBI, IRDA and the PFRDA. This Council would monitor macro-prudential supervision of the economy, including the functioning of large financial conglomerates, and address inter-regulatory coordination issues.

Q. 57. With

reference to ‘Agenda 21’, sometimes seen in the news, consider the following statements:

1. It is a global action plan for sustainable development.
2. It originated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002

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

Ans: a

Exp: It was initiated in Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.

Q. 58. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized

(a) a movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar
(b) a temple-entry movement in Gujarat
(c ) an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra
(e) A peasant movement in Punjab

Ans: c

Exp: The main aim was to liberate the social shudra and untouchable castes from exploitation and oppression.

Q. 59. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

Viruses can infect

1. Bacteria
2. Fungi
3. Plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: d

Q. 60. The term ‘Base Erosion and profit shifting’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

(a) mining operation by multinational companies in resource-rich by backward areas
(b) curbing of the tax evasion by multinational companies
(c )exploitation of genetic resources of a country by multinational companie
(d ) Lack of consideration of environmental costs in the planning of development projects

Ans: b

Exp: Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) refers to tax avoidance strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules to artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations.

Q. 61. Recently, India’s first ‘National Investment and Manufacturing Zone’ was proposed to be set up in

(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Gujarat
(c ) Maharashtra
(d)Uttar Pradesh

Ans: a

Exp: Andhra Pradesh is set to house India’s first national investment and manufacturing zone. The NIMZ will comprise a special purpose vehicle and a developer, along with the state and the central governments as stakeholders.

Q. 62. What is/are the purpose of ‘District Mineral Foundations” in India?

1. Promoting mineral explorative activities in mineral-rich districts
2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licenses for mineral exploration

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: b

Exp: District Mineral Foundation (DMF) is a trust set up as a non-profit body, in those districts affected by the mining works, to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations. It is funded through the contributions from miners.

Q. 63. ‘SWAYAM’, an imitative of the Government of India, aims at

(a) Promoting the Self Help Groups in rural areas
(b) Providing financial and technical assistance to young start-up entrepreneurs
(c) Promoting the education and health of adolescent girls
(d) Providing affordable and quality education to the citizens for free

Ans: d

Exp: SWAYAM is an online platform of the Ministry of HRD through which online programmes/courses will be offered to students in India.

Q. 64. The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

(a) social reforms
(b) educational reforms
(c) reforms in police administration
(d) constitutional reforms

Ans: d

Q. 65. What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
3. Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) None of the statements given above is correct

Ans: b

Exp: Both are rock cut monuments.

Q. 66. With reference to ‘Bitcoins’ sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries.
2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address.
3. O

nline payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ans: b

Exp: Bitcoin are not maintained by the Central Bank. Bitcoins are created as a reward for payment processing work in which users offer their computing power to verify and record payments into a public ledger.

Q. 67. Consider the following statements:

1. New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
2. The headquarters of New Development Bank is in Shanghai.

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

Ans: b

Exp: New Development Bank has been established by the BRICS.

Q. 68. ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to

(a) Constitutional reforms
(b) Ganga Action Plan
(c) Linking of rivers
(d) Protection of Western Ghats

Ans: d

Q. 69. Consider the following:
1. Calcutta Unitarian Committee
2. Tabernacle of New Dispensation
3. Indian Reforms Association

Keshab Chandra Sen is associated with the establishment of which of the above?

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

Ans: b

Exp: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is associated with Calcutta Unitarian Committee

Q. 70. Recently, which of the following States has explored the possibility of constructing an artificial inland port to be connected to sea by a long navigational channel?

(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Rajasthan

Ans: d

Exp: The Rajasthan government is exploring ways to develop an artificial inland port in Jalore by bringing in Arabian Sea water into Rajasthan through Gujarat. If implemented, Rajasthan will become accessible by water transport and will be able to shed the tag of a landlocked state.

GST : All You Need To Know

As all of you know that yesterday night, the Rajya Sabha passed a bill to amend the Constitution to facilitate the rollout of the historic GST amid government's assurance that the tax rates would be kept "as low as possible". The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 was approved by the Upper House with 203 votes in favour and none against, after a seven-hour debate during which a rare bonhomie was witnessed among the ruling and the opposition parties. Six official amendments, including the scrapping of one percent additional tax, moved by the government were approved with cent percent votes.



Earlier, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. It will now go back to the Lower House to incorporate the amendments approved by the Rajya Sabha. The bill will also have to be approved by 50 percent of all the state assemblies. AIADMK was the only party to oppose the measure and its members staged a walkout from the House to register their unhappiness over the bill which lays the ground for the rollout of uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that will subsume all indirect taxes including central excise duty and state VAT/sales tax.

So here is a ready reckoner on the issues surrounding the proposed tax reform and it will mean for the Indian economy. But first, let's know more -

What is Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
As the name suggests, it is a tax levied when a consumer buys a good or service. It is meant to be a single, comprehensive tax that will subsume all the other smaller indirect taxes on consumption like service tax, excise duty etc. This is how it is done in most developed countries. It will be a comprehensive nationwide indirect tax on the manufacture, sale, and consumption of goods and services. The aim is to have one indirect tax for the whole nation, which will make India a unified common market. GST will be levied and collected at each stage of sale or purchase of goods or services based on the input tax credit method and would make not just manufacturing but also the interstate transportation of goods more efficient.

How will GST work and what all will it subsume?
GST is a single tax on the supply of goods and services, right from the manufacturer to the consumer. Credits of input taxes paid at each stage will be available in the subsequent stage of value addition, which makes GST essentially a tax only on value addition at each stage. The final consumer will thus bear only the GST charged by the last dealer in the supply chain, with set-off benefits at all the previous stages.

At the central level, the following taxes will be subsumed: Central Excise Duty, Additional Excise Duty, Service Tax, Countervailing Duty (Additional Customs Duty), and Special Additional Duty of Customs.

At the State level, the following taxes will be subsumed: State Value Added Tax/Sales Tax, Entertainment Tax, Central Sales Tax, Octroi and Entry tax, Purchase Tax, Luxury tax, and Taxes on the lottery betting and gambling.



How will GST be beneficial?
The benefits of GST can be summarized as under:
• For business and industry
1. Easy compliance
2. Uniformity of tax rates and structures
3. Removal of cascading
4. Improved competitiveness
5. Gain to manufacturers and exporters

• For Central and State Governments
1. Simple and easy to administer
2. Better controls on leakage
3. Higher revenue efficiency

• For the consumer
1. Single and transparent tax proportionate to the value of goods and services
2. Relief in overall tax burden


What are the Earlier Opposition’s objections?
The opposition party 'Congress' wants a provision capping the GST rate at 18 percent to be added to the Bill itself. It also wants to scrap the proposed 1 per cent additional levy (over and above the GST) for manufacturing states. This levy was demanded by manufacturing states who argued that they needed to be compensated for the investment they had made in improving their manufacturing capabilities. The Centre had agreed to this demand to encourage the states to support the GST Bill.
The next demand by the Congress was to change the composition of the GST council—the body that decides the various nitty-grittys like rates of tax, period of levy of an additional tax, principles of supply, special provisions to certain states, etc. The proposed composition is for the Council to be two-thirds comprised from states and one-third from the Centre.
The Congress also wants the Centre’s share to be reduced to one-fourth. This demand, however, was rejected by even the Rajya Sabha Standing Committee.


By when will it be implemented?
Assuming the Constitution Amendment Bill does pass in the Monsoon Session, GST will still not be in force before April 1, 2017. And that is putting it optimistically. Apart from the legislative process mentioned above, the states, India Inc, and industries and service providers big and small, will also have to prepare themselves for a completely new nationwide tax regime.

How would GST be administered in India?
There will be two components of GST – Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST). Both Centre and States will simultaneously levy GST across the value chain. The tax will be levied on every supply of goods and services. Centre would levy and collect Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), and States would levy and collect the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) on all transactions within a State.

The input tax credit of CGST would be available for discharging the CGST liability on the output at each stage. Similarly, the credit of SGST paid on inputs would be allowed for paying the SGST on output. No cross utilization of credit would be permitted.

Superheros are not born - they are made!

Dear Pals,



All of you fall into a situation of 'If' many times in your life. This 'If' leads many to failures. But it is not necessary that 'If' will lead to failure always, 'If' can lead you to success also. And this difference between failure or success due to 'If' depends only on your approach on how do you take this 'If' in your life.

Being students you fail many times in the examination and you feel that you could not do because you do not get time to study, your surroundings are not supportive, If you could have a better primary education you could crack the exams easily right now, If you had good financial condition then you could do many a things and many more 'If's' come in life. But speaking is easy and doing is difficult. And those who take this 'If' positively and work for it become finally successful. Every successful person has many 'If's' in their life. So, we are starting this "If..? - that creates winners" series. Today we are going to discuss about the story of a paralyzed scientist Stefen's Hawkings, who needs computerized system even to speak and express his thought has provided many important theories in cosmology and has provided new regime to modern Physics.


In the same Universe, in the same world and on the same earth, there are so many types of persons. Some persons who are deprived of even their body parts by nature, do what millions of healthy, fit and smart person do not dare to do. Are the former ones more capable than latter ones? Is it so? Has god provided some magic sticks to them?



If they can do....then why can't you?


The eldest of Frank and Isobel Hawking's four children, Stephen William Hawking was born on the 300th anniversary of the death of Galileo on January 8, 1942. He was born in Oxford, England, into a family of thinkers. His Scottish mother had earned her way into Oxford University in the 1930s—a time when few women were able to go to college. His father, another Oxford graduate, was a respected medical researcher with a specialty in tropical diseases.



But see the curse of nature.....I don't know whether to call it a curse or a boon, but the son of medical specialist in tropical diseases got trapped into a amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disorder which ruined his body at the age of 21 only. Starting with the twisting of muscles, the diseases affects all the parts of the body. Research suggests that the person with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease can hardly survive for 2-3 more years.


Where there is a will there is a way! Even after being trapped in the disease at the age of 21, Stefen's Hawkin's celebrated his 74th birthday this year - 2016. He is having children and grand children as well.


So, aren't you strong enough to qualify even an Examination? Why not? Ask the question to yourself until you get the answer. You will surely get the answer,

'Yes! I can!'



At the age of eleven, Stephen went to St. Albans School and then on to University College, Oxford; his father's old college. Stephen wanted to study Mathematics, although his father would have preferred medicine. Mathematics was not available at University College, so he pursued Physics instead. After three years and not very much work, he was awarded a first class honours degree in Natural Science.



Stephen then went on to Cambridge to do research in Cosmology, there being no one working in that area in Oxford at the time.



Early in his academic life, Hawking, while recognized as bright, was not an exceptional student. During his first year at St. Albans School, he was third from the bottom of his class. He was never higher than the middle of class in terms of grades. But Hawking focused on pursuits outside of school; he loved board games, and he and a few close friends created new games of their own. During his teens, Hawking, along with several friends, constructed a computer out of recycled parts for solving rudimentary mathematical equations.



So, students, it is not necessary to be a topper always to do good in your life.

A mediocre, a weak student can also become master of something if he realises his interest. No one is weak, you just need to have an interest!


While Hawking first began to notice problems with his physical health while he was at Oxford—on occasion he would trip and fall, or slur his speech—he didn't look into the problem until 1963, during his first year at Cambridge. For the most part, Hawking had kept these symptoms to himself. But when his father took notice of the condition, he took Hawking to see a doctor. The nerves that controlled his muscles were shutting down. Doctors gave him two and a half years to live.


Not long after he was released from the hospital, Hawking had a dream that he was going to be executed. He said this dream made him realize that there were still things to do with his life.



Before the diagnosis, Hawking hadn't always focused on his studies. He was even very bored with his life. There had not seemed to be anything worth doing. But, With the sudden realization that he might not even live long enough to earn his PhD, Hawking poured himself into his work and research.



So, sometimes, it happens that we realize ourselves and our strengths when we come to know that very little time is left with us. If you realize it before you can obviously do more and in a better way.



He competed his PhD and gave many important theories in the field of Cosmology and Physics. But his most known theory is about Black Holes. This research turned him into a celebrity within the scientific world when he showed that black holes aren't the information vacuums that scientists had thought they were. In simple terms, Hawking demonstrated that matter, in the form of radiation, can escape the gravitational force of a collapsed star. Hawking demonstrated that our universe had its origins in a singularity. In the beginning all of the matter in the universe was concentrated in a single point, making a very small but tremendously dense body. Ten to twenty billion years ago that body exploded in a big bang that initiated time and the universe. Hawking was able to produce current astrophysical (having to do with the study of stars and the events that occur around them) research to support the big bang theory of the origin of the universe and oppose the competing steady-state theory.



The life story of Mr. Stefen's Hawkings is really inspiring. If a person sitting on the wheel Chair, using Computerized system to even speak can do so many important discoveries, can provide lectures to thousands of students, can defeat the deadly disease and survive for years, then you too can achieve whatever you wish to. You can surely reach you destination if you have zeal to do that!


God bless you Stefen! Live Long!





All the best friends ! Make your parents feel PROUD!  I wish for your SUCCESS!

RBI grade B 2015 Economy & Finance questions

Phase2 Economic Questions
Some Questions asked in this section :

1) Who has been appointed as President of NDB Bank?

2) Aim of National Manufacturing Policy?

3) Aim of MUDRA Bank?

4) Main aim of National Mission for Green India with MGNREGS?

5) Which services payment bank can provide?

6) What are the special benefits provided under PMJDY?

7) Global Competitiveness Index Report 2014-15, India’s rank has changed from which level to which level?

8) Chairman of 14th Finance Commission?

9) How much share inhanced in the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission?

10) Who wrote “Poor Economics”?

11) India is not a member of SAARC/ASEAN/BRICS/FATP?

12) The saving rate of the country for the year 2013-14 was?

13) The Economic Survey estimated the GDP of India at current market prices for the year 2014-15?

14) According to the Economic Survey 2014-15,the contribution percentage of the services sector?

15) Foreign Exchange Reserves of the country as at the end of the 30th October was around?

16) Which Index RBI is using for measuring Inflation?

17) According to Census 2011, India’s current urban population and how much they contribute to India’s GDP?

18) What change make GOI in the method of calculating GDP?

19) Which CM heads the Task Force for Skill Development under NITI Aayog?

20) Current sequence of the scheme rural credit?

21) Which area is not covering by Bali Trade Agreement?

22) Which organization published World Happiness Index 2015?

23) During 10th Plan period to 11th Plan period change in the contribution of agriculture sector to the Indian Economy?


FINANCE & MANAGEMENT MCQ Asked in Phase 2

1. Despotic leader - with options W Churchill, Idi Amin, JF Kennedy, Raja Ram Mohan Roy
2. NABARD expansion
3. CPI expansion
4. NHB - objective
5. Capital of RBI - 5 Cr, 100 Cr, 50 Cr, 500 Cr
6. RBI superintendency and managing of business - Board of Directors, Central Govt, Central BoD, Local BoD
7. A question related to staffing and another related to communication
8.One more 5 marker in FM gave a big list of philosophies of an org and the options were - Corp Gov, Vision and Mission Stmt, Org Strtucture and one more
9.FRBM full form
10.MBO
11.Organisational chart
12. what is foreign currency future swap?
13.whethe is risk is reduced or transferred......................
14.MUDRA related question
15.what is financial inclusion
16.1 april -31 march called as
17. PMJDY a/c-------cheque issue cost how much....
18.sdr currency basket
19.PIIGS
5 mark:
20.CAD-31 march 2018
21.Corporate Governance
22.HRD
23.CAPM
24.OPERATIONAL RISK
25.Statement analysis: .44 increase
26.cross currency calculation
27.Performance appraisal
28.
29.FIPB
30.TILED NOTES are replaced by whom
31.Organisational chart
32.RBS-risk based supervision
33.Leader
34.D/E and current asset raion.........long term and short term ability......
35. Hedging therefore focuses on transferring the risk of drastic price changes to other parties in the market.
36.staffing related
37.communication
38.Decision tree
39. a question regarding morale..

ESSAYS
1. Is India need bold capital investment?

2. Gold Related Scheme

3. Is progress possible without peace?

4. Will china's downturn help India?

5. Climate catastrophe are due to man's wild construction


SAMPLE PAPERS : Click

THE HINDU EDITORIALS VOCAB - August 2016

August 1,2016
Return of the great deluge
Deluge - great flood or rain
Shambles - a great mess; a scene of bloodshed
Recede - to move back ; to retreat
Assessment - to estimate the value
Slit - mud or fine earth deposited from running water
Epitome - a typical or ideal example ; summary
Encroach - to seize
Retrograde - to decline ; to move backwards
Tacit - expressed in silence
Patronage - the act of providing approval & support

August 2,2016
Child labour by other means
Abolish - to end a law,ultimate power
Overhaul - a major repair ; remake
Adolescent - immature
Tweak - a sharp pinch ; twist ; trouble ; tweag
Exempt - free from duty or obligation
Deleterious - harmful often in subtle or unexpected way
Circumvent - to avoid ; to outwit or outsmart
Concurrently - simultaneously
Convention - a meeting or gathering
Mandate - an official or authoritative command
Inadequate - to take something away

August 3,2016
A tricky debate on abortion
Deprive - to take something
Autonomy - freedom to act
Foetus - an unborn vertebrate showing sign of mature animal
Regime - mode of rule or management
Tumultuous - noisy & disorderly
Sleight - cunning
Encompass - to form a circle around ; to enclose ; to contain
Involuntary - unintentionally
Servitude - state of being a slave
Alias - otherwise ; used to connect different names
Guise - customary way of speaking or acting
Inmate - a person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital
Eugenics - the science of improving stocks, whether human or animal
Statute - written law, as laid down by legislature
Consent - to express willingness, to give permission
Elicit - to use logic to arrive at truth
Hapless - very unlucky ; ill-fated

August 4,2016
Good sense triumphs on GST
Triumph - a conclusive success
Mooted - made, or proven to be
Assent - to agree ; to give approval
Ambit - the sphere or area of control & influence by something
Peg - (economy) fixed exchange rate
Pity - feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering
Cussedly - accursedly ; damnably
Usher - to lead or to guide somewhere
Subsume - to place under another as belonging to it
Implication - logical consequence
Ramification - an offshoot of a decision
Temp - to attract ; to allure
Opt - to choose ; to select
Consensus - a process of decision making that seeks widespread agreement among group  members
Fritter - to break into small fragments

August 5,2016
Giving India a global - scale bank
Niche - suitable ; specialization
Consolidate - to combine
Consummate - complete in every detail ; perfect ; absolute
Vault - a secure, enclosed area, especially an underground room used for burial
Requisite - essential ; required
Substantial - actually existing ; real
Perquisite - any monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary
Discomfit - to defeat the plans & hopes of ; to frustrate
Adequacy - quality of being sufficient
Undermine - to weaken ; to hinder ; sabotage

August 6,2016
Not a full - fledged state 
Fledge - to care for a young bird until it is capable to flight
Negate - to deny the existence ; to contradict
Concurrence - agreement
Turf - (slang) the territory claimed by a person/gang as their own
Aid - help ; assistance
Vindicate - to clear from an accusation
Relevant - directly related ; connected
Tussle - a physical fight or struggle
Prudent - practicality wise ; Judicious ; shrewd
Ambiguous - Vague & unclear
Read into - (phrase) imagine ; assume

August 7,2016
All about the Olympic game 
Referendum - a direct popular vote on proposed law or constitutional amendment
Edgy - nervous, apprehensive
Frenzy - a state of wild activity or panic
Cast a shadow - (idiom) to dampen  future events
Diktats - a harsh penalty imposed upon a defeated party by the Victor
Confluence - a convergence or combination of forces, people, or things
Engross - to completely engage the attention of ; to amass
Trivia - unimportant matters ; quiz game
Oligarchy - a government run by only a few, often the wealthy

The dark side of Obama's legacy
Vile - morally low ; base ; despicable
Xenophobia - a fear of strangers or foreigners
Miasma - a noxious/harmful atmosphere or influence
Wistful - full of yearning or longing ; sad & thoughtful
Despair - utter hopelessness
Consensus - group solidarity in sentiments & belief
Ballyhooing - sensational or calmorous advertising or publicity
Mercenary - one that serve merely for wages ; especially a soldier hired into foreign service
Invasion - an act of invading ; especially incursion of an army for conquest or plunder
Neocons - a former liberal espousing political conservation
Flimsy - likely to bend or break under pressure ; weak, shaky, fragile
Consolidate - to combine into a single unit ; to group together
Leeway -  a varying degree or amount of freedom or flexibility
Trail - to follow behind ; to tail
Covert - hidden ; secret
Unilaterally - done by one side
Whistle-blower -  one who reports a problem to the authorities

August 8,2016 
Gujarat's change of guard 
Handpick - to select carefully & win individual attention
Protégé -  a person guided &  protected by a more prominent person
Wield - to command ; rule over ; own
Clout -  influence or effectiveness
Helm - to lead
Deferred - delayed ; postponed
Compel - to force or coerce
Agitate - to move with an irregular action
Appease - to make quiet ; to calm
Rein - to control ; to restrain ; to check
Subside - to downfall

August 9,2016
Legacy quest for a safer world 
Slog - a long session of work ; an aggressive shot played with little skill
Derisive - mocking ; ridiculous ; scornful
Fuzzy - unfocused ; Vague
Mould - a fixed pattern
Disarmament - the reduction of the abolition of the military forces
Affirm - to agree, verify, or concur ; to answer positively
Prominent - readily noticeable
Senate - an assembly or Council usually processing high deliberative & legislative function
Ralify - approve ; valid
Folklore - traditional tales, sayings & art forms preserved among people

August 10,2016
Focus on price stability 
Unwavering - never doubted ; resolute ; staunch
Cut out - (idiom) well suited ; appropriate
Statutory - of, relating to, enacted by a statute
Remit - to relax, to forgive, pardon
Sluggish - slow ; exhibiting economic decline
Stance - opinion ; position ; stand
Elbow room - freedom or Leeway
Pat - opportunely ; perfectly
Salutary - healful
Adequate - sufficient
Likelihood - the probability of a specified outcome ; the chance of something happening

August 11,2016 
Deja vu of a new beginning 
Tenure - a step of possessing a thing or an office ; grasp, hold
Step down - (idiom) to resign from office
Get through - to overcome  ; to endure
Interlocutor -  a person who takes part in conversation
Monarchy - autocracy
Renege - to break a promise or commitment ; to renounce
Formidable - causing fear, dread ; difficult to defeat or overcome
Sulk - to express ill humor or offense by remaining suddenly silent or withdrawn ; mope
Insurgency - rebellion ; revolt

August 12,2016 
Turkey takes tough with the EU
Overhaul - to repair or improve something so that every part of it work as it should
Deride - To harshly mock; ridicule.
Influx - A flow inward or into something
Shore - Land adjoining a non-flowing body of water, such as an ocean, lake or pond
Rebellion - opposition to one in authority or dominance
Exile - The state of being banished from one's home or country ; expatriate, expat
Disingenuous - Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean; unworthy; fake or deceptive
Barricade - A barrier constructed across a road, especially as a military defence
Schengen - an agreement between many countries of the european union that allows people & goods to pass freely across the boards of each country without passport or other control.

August 13,2016 
Finding a boundary 
Embrace - To accept ; to undergo ; To clasp in the arms with affection
Prevaricate - To shift or turn from direct speech or behaviour; to evade the truth; to waffle or be
Indecorous - improper, immodest or indecent
Revel in - to get great pleasure from a situation or an activity
Pursuit - A hobby or recreational activity ; done regularly
Exploit -  take advantage of ; use
Pervasive - Manifested throughout ; pervading, permeating, penetrating or affecting everything
Shenanigans - secret or dishonest activities, usually of a complicated type
Inception - The creation or beginning of something; the establishment
Grave -  solemn, sober, serious, sage, staid, demure

August 14,2015 
Center proposes to norms for getting commercial driving licence 
Dilute - To make thinner by adding solvent to a solution; especially by adding water
Undergo - To experience; to pass through a phase
Accredited - official recognized or approved
Impart - To communicate the knowledge of; to make known
Obtain -  To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way
Curriculum - The set of courses, coursework, and their content, offered at a school or university
Exposure - The condition of being exposed, uncovered, or unprotected
Trade off - Any situation in which the quality or quantity of one thing must be decreased for another to be increased

August 15,2016 
What it means to be independent 
Culmination - Attainment or arrival at the highest pitch of glory, power
Voluntary - Done, given, or acting of one's own free will ; Working or done without payment
Throw off - (idiom) To confuse; especially, to lose a pursuer
Yoke - A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together
Hegemon - A dominating leader, or force
Articulate - clear, effective ; eloquent, well-spoken
Jingoistic - Overly patriotic or nationalistic
Fascist - By vague analogy, any system of strong autocracy or oligarchy usually to the extent of bending and breaking the law
Genocide - The systematic killing of substantial numbers of people on the basis of their ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, social status, or other particularities
Egalitarian - Characterized by social equality and equal rights for all people
Polarize - To cause a group to be divided into extremes
Sedition - organized incitement of rebellion or civil disorder against authority or the state, usually by speech or writing

August 16,2015 
One speech two messages 
Doer - Someone who does, performs, or executes
Stint - A period of time spent doing or being something
Sought -  To try to find, to look for, to search
Rhetoric - The art of using language, especially public speaking, as a means to persuade ; woodcraft
Commend - To congratulate or reward ; To praise or acclaim
Escalate - To increase something in extent or intensity ; to intensify or step up
Posturing - The assumption of an exaggerated pose or attitude
Provocative - Serving or tending to elicit a strong, often negative sentiment in another person; exasperating
Statesman - A man who is a leader in national or international affairs
Pessimism - A general belief that bad things will happen
Bastille - a prison or jail
Paranoia - Extreme, irrational distrust of others
Jeopardy - danger of loss, harm or failure

August 17,2016
Answering Pakistan's provocations
Rampart - A defensive structure; a protective barrier; a bulwark
Folly - Foolishness ; Thoughtless action resulting in tragic consequence
Foment - To incite or cause troublesome acts; to encourage; to instigate
Vow - to promise ; A declaration or assertion
Atrocity -  An extremely cruel act; a horrid act of injustice
Niceties - A small detail or distinction
Intervention -  interfering in some course of events
Decree - An edict or law ; The judicial decision in a litigated cause rendered by a court of equity
Vitiate - to debase or morally corrupt
Shabby - Torn or worn; poor; mean; ragged
Invoke - To call upon (a person, especially a god) for help, assistance or guidance
Instigation - To goad or urge forward; to set on; to provoke; to incite
Sought - To try to find, to look for, to search

August 18,2016
An anachronistic law
Amnesty - Forgetfulness; cessation of remembrance of wrong
Anachronism - A chronological mistake; the erroneous dating of an event ; throwback
Lodge - To place (a statement, etc.) with the proper authorities
Substantiate -  to verify something by supplying evidence; to authenticate or corroborate
Statute - Written law, as laid down by the legislature
Obnoxious - Extremely unpleasant, offensive, very annoying, odious or contemptible
Stifle -  hinder, restrain, suppress, throttle
Dissent - To disagree; to withhold assent. Construed with from
Conviction - A firmly held belief ; A judgement of guilt in a court of law
Promulgation -  To make known or public
Hold sway - (idiom) Be pre-eminent; have the greatest influence over someone or something ; dominate
Albeit - although, despite being
Caveats - a warning ; a qualification or exemption

August 19,2016
Death by liquor
Spurt - To make a strong effort for a short period of time
Brew - To prepare (usually a beverage) by steeping and mingling; to concoct
Malady - Any ailment or disease of the body; especially, a lingering or deep-seated disorder
Hooch -  Alcoholic liquor, especially inferior or illicit whisky
Debilitating - Causing a loss of energy or strength
Of Late - (idiomatic) In the recent past; recently; lately
Starve - To die; in later use especially to die slowly, waste away ; To be very hungry
Acutely - urgent ; sudden ; sensitive
Draconian -  cruel, hard, harsh, Orwellian, rigid, strict, stringent
Vulnerable - defenceless, helpless, powerless, unguarded, unprotected, weak
Pragmatism - The pursuit of practicality over aesthetic qualities; a concentration on facts rather than emotions or ideals
Starry-eyed  -  Describing one who has naïvely optimistic hopes or outlooks

August 20,2016
Keep a watch on food inflation 
Culprit - The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime
Agrarian - Of, or relating to, the ownership, tenure and cultivation of land
Uptick - A small change upwards or increase in something that has been steady or declining
Robust - Evincing strength; indicating vigorous health; strong; sinewy; muscular; vigorous; sound; as, a robust body; robust youth; robust health
Impetus - A force, either internal or external, that impels; an impulse
Lackluster - Lacking brilliance or intelligence
Precisely -  In a precise manner; exactly
Fillip - To strike or project with the nail of a finger snapped from the end of the thumb; flick
Grappling - To seize something and hold it firmly

August 21,2016
Return of Wonderland 
Asterisk - A blemish in an otherwise outstanding achievement
Scrutiny - Intense study of someone or something
Emblem - A representative symbol, such as a trademark or logo
Paradox - A self-contradictory statement, which can only be true if it is false, and vice versa juxtaposition
Nuanced - Having nuances; possessed of multiple layers of detail, pattern, or meaning
Snob - A member of the lower classes; a commoner
Jigsaw pursue - A type of puzzle in which the aim is to reconstruct a picture that has been cut (originally, with a jigsaw) into many small interlocking pieces
Retrospect - Of, or relating to, the past, past times, or the way things were
Souvenirs - An item of sentimental value, to remember an event or location

August 22,2016 
Challenges before Urjit Patel
Successor - A person or thing that immediately follows another in holding an office or title
Remit - to forgive ; pardon
Reiterate -  To say or do (something) for a second time, such as for emphasis ; repeat
Stance - The manner, posture, or pose in which one stands ; opinion
Counsel - The exchange of opinions and advice especially in legal issues; consultation
Helm - The steering apparatus of a ship, especially the tiller or wheel
Unclog - To remove a blockage from
Restraint - something that ties, fastens or secures ; ontrol or caution ; reserve
Stint - A period of time spent doing or being something. A spell ; limit; bound; restraint; extent
Ought to - Indicating duty or obligation ; Indicating advisability or prudence ; Indicating desirability ; Indicating likelihood
Cadre - A frame or framework

August 23,2016
Hasten a consensus 
Hasten - To make someone speed up or make something happen quicker
Chronic - Of a problem, that continues over an extended period of time
Collegium - A committee or council
Inasmuch - likewise
Adequate - Equal to some requirement
Opaque - Neither reflecting nor emitting light ; blur
Glasnost - a Soviet policy permitting open discussion of political and social issues and freer dissemination of news and information
Perestrokia - A program of political and economic reform
Adhere - To be consistent or coherent; to be in accordance; to agree
Vetting - a checking or investigation
Envisage - To conceive or see something within one's mind; to imagine or envision
Scrutinise - To examine something with great care
Consensus - General agreement among the members of a given group or community
Compelling - Requiring urgent attention ; forceful
Forge - To form or create with concerted effort

August 24,2016
It's Mayawati versus Modi in U. P. 
Whereabouts - In, at or near what location
Shun - To avoid, especially persistently
Reinforce - To strengthen, especially by addition or augmentation
Invade - To move into ; To enter by force in order to conquer
Vengeance - Revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong
Atrocity - An extremely cruel act; a horrid act of injustice
Retaliation - Violent response to an act of harm or perceived injustice
Subjugate - To forcibly impose obedience or servitude
Frenzy - A state of wild activity or panic
Hierarchy - A body of authoritative officials organized in nested ranks
Invariably - Every time; always. Without change
Antecedents - Earlier, either in time or order
Citadel - A strong fortress that sits high above a city
Chunk - A part of something that has been separated
Humongous -  Of an extremely large size ; gigantic ; immense
Calamitous - Concerning or involving calamity, disastrous
Wrest - To pull or twist violently
Emboldened - Having been made bold
Goliath - Any large person or thing; someone or something that is abnormally large or powerful
Churn - To agitate rapidly and repetitively, or to stir with a rowing or rocking motion; generally applies to liquids, notably cream
Onslaught - A fierce attack
Reckoning - The action of calculating or estimating something
Scoff - Derision; ridicule; a derisive or mocking expression of scorn

August 25,2016
The new war on piracy 
Punitive - inflicting punishment ; punishing
Rhetoric - Meaningless language with an exaggerated style intended to impress
Infringement - A violation or breach, as of a law
Disingenuity - Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity
Conflate - To bring (things) together and fuse (them) into a single entity ; mix ; blend
Legitimate - lawful, legal, rightful
Invocation - the act or process of petitioning for help or support; specifically often capitalized : a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship)
Pertain - to belong to or be a part of; be an adjunct, attribute, or accessory of
Pecuniary - Of, or relating to, money; monetary, financial
Shock & awe - A military doctrine based on the use of spectacular displays of force
Obfuscate - to make dark darken, eclipse, overshadow
Stringent - Strict; binding strongly; making strict requirements; restrictive; rigid; severe
Disrupt - To throw into confusion or disorder
Subtle - Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable

Speaking truth to power 
Arbiter - A person appointed, or chosen, by parties to determine a controversy between them
Ratification - a formal declaration of agreement to a treaty etc
Evicted - To expel (one or more people) from their property; to force (one or more people) to move out
En masse - in a single body or group; as one; together
Expunging - To erase or strike out ; To eliminate completely ; annihilate
Presiding - Having authority over ; vested with the authority to preside over
Dissent - To disagree; to withhold assent. Construed with from
Thwart - To prevent; to halt; to cause to fail; to foil; to frustrate

August 26,2016 
The paranoid art of nationalism 
Panopticon - A room for the exhibition of novelties
Jingoist - One who advocates an aggressive nationalism ; hawk
Ku Klux klan - An American white supremacist secret society and terrorist organization
Vigilant - Watchful, especially for danger or disorder ; alert ; wary
Chauvinist - Excessive patriotism, eagerness for national superiority; jingoism
Vulnerable - More or most likely to be exposed to the chance of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally
Exploit - A heroic or extraordinary deed ; An achievement
Lynch - To execute (somebody) without a proper legal trial or procedure, especially by hanging
Arid - very dry ; Devoid of value
Impresario - A manager or producer in the entertainment industry, especially music or theatre
Knee-jerk - Automatic, spontaneous, easily predictable
Surreal - Resembling a dream: fantastic and incongruous
Gravitas - Seriousness in bearing or manner ; dignity
Farcical - resembling a farce; ludicrous; absurd
Lethal - Deadly ; mortal ; fatal
Blatantly - sounding loudly and harshly
Sacrosanct - beyond alteration, criticism, or interference, especially due to religious sanction; inviolable
Exonerate - to unburden ; To free from accusation or blame

August 27,2016 
Weighing the burden of proof 
Ponderous - Heavy, massive, weighty, clumsy
Outrage - An excessively violent or vicious attack; an atrocity
Wily - sly, cunning, full of tricks
Maverick - Showing independence in thoughts or actions
Indicts - To accuse of wrongdoing; charge
Conspiracy - An agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future
Confer - to compare ; To talk together, to consult, discuss; to deliberate
Exchequer - An available fund of money, especially one for a specific purpose
Dissent - To disagree; to withhold assent. Construed with from ; to differ
Deterrence - To prevent something from happening
Lacunae - A small opening; a small pit or depression; a small blank space; a gap or vacancy; a hiatus
Scot-free - free of tax ; Without consequences or penalties
Off the hook - (idiomatic) Relieved of a duty, burden, responsibility, or pressure
Promulgate -  To make known or public
Abet - To urge on, stimulate (a person to do) something desirable
Tirade - A long, angry or violent speech; a diatribe
Arraign - To officially charge someone in a court of law
Germane - Related to the topic being discussed or considered ; on topic ; apt

Surrogacy regulation is long overdue 
Overdue - Late ; especially, past a deadline or too late to fulfill a need
Embryo - In the reproductive cycle, the stage after the fertilization of the egg that precedes the development into a fetus
Grey zone - (idiomatic) A topic that is not clearly one thing or the other, that is open to interpretation
Altruistic - Regardful of others ; beneficent ; unselfish
Dilemma - A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable
Coerce - To restrain by force, especially by law or authority; to repress; to curb

August 28,2016 
A long standing feud
Feud - A state of long-standing mutual hostility
Amid - Surrounded by ; in the middle of; in the center of ; amongst ; among
Intimidate -  To make timid or fearful ; to inspire or affect with fear ; to deter, as by threats ; to disheartened ; to abash
Jargon - A technical terminology unique to a particular subject
Baron - A person of great power in society, especially in business and politics
Riveting - Commanding the attention of spectators
Hostile - Belonging or appropriate to an enemy
Disgruntle - To make discontent or cross ; to cause being in a bad temper
Crook - A person who steals, lies, cheats or does other dishonest or illegal things ; a criminal
Levy - To impose (a tax or fine) to collect monies due, or to confiscate property
Mala - A single lobe of an insect's maxilla ; The grinding surface of an insect's mandible
Liaison - An illicit sexual relationship or affair

August 29,2016 
Kashmir and the clash of symbolism 
Prop - An object placed against or under another, to support it ; anything that supports
Cleric - Body of persons, such as ministers, sheiks, priests and rabbis, who are trained and ordained for religious service
Turmoil - A state of great disorder or uncertainty
Dissident - In a manner that disagrees
Evocative - that evokes (brings to mind) a memory, mood, feeling or image ; redolent or reminiscent
Draconian - very cruel, hard, harsh, Orwellian, rigid, strict, stringent
Revoke - To cancel or invalidate by withdrawing or reversing
Thou - you(singular nominative case)
Heed - careful attention
Frisk - To search somebody by feeling his or her body and clothing
Manifesto - A public declaration of principles
Out of the box - (idiomatic) Immediate(ly), without intervention from the customer
Interlocutor - A person who takes part in dialogue or conversation ; converser
Transcend - to pass beyond the limits of something ; to climb
Quagmire - A swampy, soggy area of ground

August 30,2016 
Preparing for the Fed rate hike 
Fed -  a federal government officer or official, especially FBI and DEA agents
Albeit -  Although ; despite being
Bolster - A pad, quilt, or anything used to hinder pressure, support part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part; a compress.
Embark - To start, begin
Subsued - To sink or fall to the bottom
Payroll - A list of employees who receive salary or wages, together with the amounts due to each
Anticipate - To act before (someone) ; especially to prevent an action
stance - The manner, posture, or pose in which one stands
Cognisance - notice or awareness

August 31,2016 
Is a Dalit-Muslim Alliance possible ? 
Spur - An appendage or spike pointing rearward, near the foot, for instance that of a rooster
Alliance - The act of uniting
Betray - To prove faithless or treacherous
Void - Containing nothing ; empty ; vacant
Deploy -  To prepare and arrange for use ; to unfold, open ;
Forging - To make falsely ; to produce, as that which is untrue or not genuine ; to fabricate
Arena - An enclosed area, often outdoor
Patronage - The act of providing approval and support ; backing ; championship
Comportment - The manner in which one behaves or conducts oneself
Ulema -  The guardians of legal and religious tradition in Islam ; clerics
Blasphemy - Irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
Scurpulously - In a careful manner ; meticulously
Transient - Passing or disappearing with time
Tryst - A prearranged meeting or assignation, now especially between lovers to meet at a specific place and time