Q.12439·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyIn recent times, India has grown fast not only compared to its own past but also in comparison with other nations. But there cannot be any room for complacency because it is possible that the economy may not grow as fast in future and also widely that the benefits of this growth have not reached many people. The focus must be on ensuring that the kinds of macro-structural changes that need to be implemented are actually implemented, which will result in the Government’s vision economic policies being converted into a strategy for inclusive growth. The trick lies in identifying the constraints that hold back the economy, and in relieving these constraints with carefully designed policies so that the economy can grow faster in a sustained manner. But for growth to be inclusive, it must also ensure access to basic facilities such as health, education, clean drinking water, etc., and also promote an environment which provides productive opportunities, particularly for the young, to earn their livelihoods. It is only when this happens that people willingly participate in the growth process. While it is important to remove the obstacles to growth to improve efficiency, it is equally important to ensure that there is sufficient emphasis on the policies for promoting growth. A policy for promoting growth need to be complemented with policies to ensure that more and more people join in the growth process and, further, that there are mechanisms in place to redistribute some of the gains to those who are unable to partake in the market process and, hence, get left behind. A simple way of giving this idea of inclusive growth a sharper focus is to redefine it as a strategy to improve the rate of growth and also the extent to which people participate in the growth process. One can argue that one of the problems with the Indian growth process of the past few years is that it has failed to ensure that the bulk of the population shares the benefits of the growth process. It is important to recognize that growth and participation in the growth process across social and economic groups must be seen as two sides of the same coin. If we ignore this, we do so at our own peril because it can lead to social unrest, which may in turn affect growth itself. There is a need to reverse this process. Hence a strategy for inclusive growth must aim at achieving a high growth rate with a wider dispersal of the benefits of such growth. Hence it is important to recognize that we need to act now to make growth inclusive in a systematic manner. In fact, India must continue to do this not just to maintain social harmony but also to sustain the growth itself in the years to come. We must aim at achieving a growth process in which the poor and the rich alike participate and benefit. Only such a growth process would be sustainable. The author supports policies which will helpView question
Q.12440·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyClimate change poses potentially devastating effects on India's agriculture. While the overall parameters of climate change are increasingly accepted — a 1°C average temperature increase over the next 30 years, sea level rise of less than 10 cm in the same period, and regional monsoon variations and corresponding droughts — the impacts in India are likely to be quite site and crop specific. Some crops may respond favourably to the changing conditions, others may not. This emphasizes the need to promote agricultural research and create maximum flexibility in the system to permit adaptations. The key ingredient for “drought proofing” is the managed recharge of aquifers. To ensure continued yields of important staple crops (e.g. wheat), it may also be necessary to shift the locations where these crops are grown, in response to temperature changes as well as to water availability. The latter will be a key factor in making long-term investment decisions. For example, water “runoff” from the Himalayas is predicted to increase over the next 30 years as glaciers melt, but then decline substantially thereafter. It will be critical to provide incentives to plan for these large-scale shifts in agro-ecological conditions. India needs to make long-term investment in research and development in agriculture. India is likely to experience changed weather patterns in future. Consider the following statements: Climate change may force the shifting of locations of the existing crops due to melting of glaciers. 1.water availability and temperature suitability at other locations. 2.poor productivity of crops. 3.wider adaptability of crop plants. Which of the statements given above are correct?View question
Q.12441·Miscellaneous·2014·EasySix identical cards are placed on a table. Each card has one letter written on it: two cards have the letter A, two cards the letter B and two cards the letter C. If the cards are well shuffled and then placed in a row, what is the probability that the cards with the same letters are not placed adjacent to each other?View question
Q.12442·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyThe Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on account of the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. These aspects may be exacerbated due to the impact of climate change. It is possible that climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature, altered precipitation patterns, episodes of drought and biotic influences. This would not only impact the very sustenance of the indigenous communities in uplands but also the life of downstream dwellers across the country and beyond. Therefore, there is an urgent need for giving special attention to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem. This would require conscious efforts for conserving all the representative systems. Further, it needs to be emphasized that the endemics with restricted distribution, and most often with specialized habitat requirements, are among the most vulnerable elements. In this respect the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, with rich endemic diversity, is vulnerable to climate change. The threats include possible loss of genetic resources and species, habitats and concomitantly a decrease in ecosystem services. Therefore, conservation of endemic elements in representative ecosystems/habitats assumes a great significance while drawing conservation plans for the region. Towards achieving the above, we will have to shift toward contemporary conservation approaches, which include a paradigm of landscape level interconnectivity between protected area systems. The concept advocates a shift from the species-habitat focus to an inclusive focus on expanding the biogeographic range so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive. Which one of the following statements best implies the need to shift toward contemporary conservation approach ?View question
Q.12443·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyThe Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on account of the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. These aspects may be exacerbated due to the impact of climate change. It is possible that climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature, altered precipitation patterns, episodes of drought and biotic influences. This would not only impact the very sustenance of the indigenous communities in uplands but also the life of downstream dwellers across the country and beyond. Therefore, there is an urgent need for giving special attention to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem. This would require conscious efforts for conserving all the representative systems. Further, it needs to be emphasized that the endemics with restricted distribution, and most often with specialized habitat requirements, are among the most vulnerable elements. In this respect the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, with rich endemic diversity, is vulnerable to climate change. The threats include possible loss of genetic resources and species, habitats and concomitantly a decrease in ecosystem services. Therefore, conservation of endemic elements in representative ecosystems/habitats assumes a great significance while drawing conservation plans for the region. Towards achieving the above, we will have to shift toward contemporary conservation approaches, which include a paradigm of landscape level interconnectivity between protected area systems. The concept advocates a shift from the species-habitat focus to an inclusive focus on expanding the biogeographic range so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive. What is the most important message conveyed by the passage ?View question
Q.12444·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyThe Himalayan ecosystem is highly vulnerable to damage, both due to geological reasons and on account of the stress caused by increased pressure of population, exploitation of natural resources and other related challenges. These aspects may be exacerbated due to the impact of climate change. It is possible that climate change may adversely impact the Himalayan ecosystem through increased temperature, altered precipitation patterns, episodes of drought and biotic influences. This would not only impact the very sustenance of the indigenous communities in uplands but also the life of downstream dwellers across the country and beyond. Therefore, there is an urgent need for giving special attention to sustain the Himalayan ecosystem. This would require conscious efforts for conserving all the representative systems. Further, it needs to be emphasized that the endemics with restricted distribution, and most often with specialized habitat requirements, are among the most vulnerable elements. In this respect the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, with rich endemic diversity, is vulnerable to climate change. The threats include possible loss of genetic resources and species, habitats and concomitantly a decrease in ecosystem services. Therefore, conservation of endemic elements in representative ecosystems/habitats assumes a great significance while drawing conservation plans for the region. Towards achieving the above, we will have to shift toward contemporary conservation approaches, which include a paradigm of landscape level interconnectivity between protected area systems. The concept advocates a shift from the species-habitat focus to an inclusive focus on expanding the biogeographic range so that natural adjustments to climate change can proceed without being restrictive. Consider the following statements : 1.According to the passage, the adverse impact of climate change on an ecosystem can be a 2.permanent disappearance of some of its flora and fauna. 3.permanent disappearance of ecosystem itself. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q.12445·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyA community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for theirView question
Q.12446·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyWhat was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? 1.To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States 2.To place the Indian administration under the British Crown 3.To regulate East India Company’s trade with India Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.12448·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyIn the context of food and nutritional security of India, enhancing the 'Seed Replacement Rates' of various crops helps in achieving the food production targets of the future. But what is/are the constraint/constraints in its wider/greater implementation? 1.There is no National Seeds Policy in place. 2.There is no participation of private sector seed companies in the supply of quality seeds of vegetables and planting materials of horticultural crops. 3.There is a demand-supply gap regarding quality seeds in case of low value and high volume crops. Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.12449·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyWith reference to 'Eco-Sensitive Zones', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1.Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2.The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.View question
Q.12450·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyConsider the following statements: 1.Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2.National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body. 3.National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?View question
Q.12451·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyVitamin Deficiency disease 1. Vitamin C Scurvy 2. Vitamin D Rickets 3. Vitamin E Night blindness Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?View question
Q.12452·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyThere is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil. 1.They can enter the food chains. 2.They can trigger the production of free radicals. Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.12453·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyWhich of the following organizations brings out the publication known as World Economic Outlook?View question
Q.12454·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyWith reference to Union Budget, which of the following is/are covered under Non-Plan Expenditure? 1.Defence expenditure 2.Interest payments 3.Salaries and pensions 4.Subsidies Select the correct answer using the code given below:View question
Q.12455·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyChaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?View question
Q.12456·Miscellaneous·2014·EasyWith reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs: Famous work of sculpture Site 1. A grand image of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana with numerous : Ajanta celestial musicians above and the sorrowful figures of his followers below 2. A huge image of Varaha Avatar (boar incarnation) of Vishnu, as he rescues Goddess Earth from the deep and chaotic : waters, sculpted on rock Mount Abu 3. “Arjuna’s Penance” / “Descent of Ganga” sculpted : on the surface of huge boulders Mamallapuram Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?View question