January 11 th January 14 th, 2018 Economic Times And PIB Compilation For CSE-2018 Prelims Special 1. According to Sample Registration Bulletin, 2016 India has registered significant decline in Under 5 Child Mortality Rate. Read the following statements and choose the correct one/ones : A. Sample Registration Bulletin is published by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. B. Birth cohort statesthe ratio between children born and died during a particular period of year/time. C. Neonatal Mortality measures number of deaths before the child attaining 1 years of age. (i) All are true (ii) B Only (iii) Both A and B (iv) None among the above **Birth cohort: A group of people born during a particular period or year. ** Neonatal Death = child death before 28 days from birth. *** Sample Registration Bulletin, 2016 Published by Registrar General, India, Ministry of Home Affairs 2. Which among the following statement/statements is/are true regarding Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat A. This innovative measure is launched only to intensify the bonding between states/uts in cultural fields. B. There will be pairing among the states valid for one year. C. Exchange of information on traditional agricultural practices is among one of the activities under this programme.
(i) A Only (ii) B only (iii) C only (iv) B and C ** Please go through Topic 3 carefully 3. Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. Which among the following statements is correct regarding Vipassana : A. Sayagyi U Ba Khin is a renowned Vipassana teacher from Myanmar B. Vipassana is a Sanskrit word which means insight into the true nature of reality C. Vipassana is a primary meditation aimed at calming the mind, and is also well-known and widely used in non-buddhist traditions. (i) A only (ii) A and B (iii) A and C (iv) All are correct ** Vipassana is a Pali word. Buddhism and Pali are almost synonymous as Pali and Buddhism both were mainly for the bottom hierarchy mass. ** In all Buddhist schools two types of meditation practices are followed: samatha and vipassanā. ** Samatha is a primary meditation aimed at calming the mind, and is also well-known and widely used in non-buddhist traditions. ** It is however vipassana, the systematic investigation of self and phenomena that is unique to the Buddhist tradition. 4. Recently NitiAayog VC has stated that India should not copy China for urbanization. Which among the following may be probable reasons behind that : A. Chinese Urbanisation is not done through a Holistic approach. Whereas India, due to its plurality is not feasible for Non- Uniform urbanization. B. Chinese model of Urbanisation allows only Coastal cities to grow while Inward parts remain backward. (i) A Only (ii) B only (iii) Both A and B (iv) None of the above
5. Which among the following is/arecorrect matching : A. BudhiGandaki Hydro Electric Project Nepal B. Diamer-Bhasha Dam Afghanistan C. Bagamoyo Port Tanzania D. Hambantota Port Sri Lanka (i) A and B (ii) A,B,C (iii) A,C,D (iv) All are correct **Diamer-Bhasha Dam: The site is in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan's far north, part of the Kashmir region, which also is claimed by India 6. Read the following statements and choose the correct one/ones : A. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) was the first body, formed to support airline activity and help formulate industry policy and standards. B. According to a recent report by IATA India's domestic traffic rise is leading the world at this moment. C. Capacity regarding Air Transport is measured by available seat kilometers. (i) All are correct. (ii) Only C (iii) Both A and C (iv) Both B and C ** India's domestic traffic rise is leading the world with the growth clocking 16.4% in November, marking the 39th consecutive month of double-digit domestic growth for the market, says International Air Transport Association (IATA). *** IATA was formed in April 1945 in Havana, Cuba. It is the successor to the International Air Traffic Association, which was formed in 1919 at The Hague, Netherlands. ** Available Seat Kilometres: It is equal to the number of seats available multiplied by the number of miles or kilometers flown.
7. Which of the following statement/statements is/are True : A. Havre, the largest underwater volcano is located in Iceland. B. More than 80 per cent of the world's volcanoes located underwater. C. Volcanoes provide heat and chemicals to the ocean and that input is actually really important when it comes to sustaining life. (i) C only (ii) B and C (iii) A and C (iv) All the above. ** Havre, the deep ocean volcanic eruption was first discovered in 2002. A solidified volcanic rock known as pumice raft -- 400 square kilometres in size -- found floating in the ocean near New Zealand in 2012 showed that underwater eruption had occurred. 8. Mahadyiriver has been centre of speculation in south western part of India. Which statement among the following is not correct regarding Mahadayi River Dispute : A. Karnataka and Goa, the riparian states of the Mahadayiriver, which originates in Belagavi in Karnataka. B. Malaprabha Basin is also a place of conflict regarding this issue. C. Mahadayiriver meets river Krishna at Kankumbi. (i) A only (ii) B only (iii) C only (iv) All are true. ** It doesn t meet with River Krishna.
9. Which among the following is correct regarding Enemy Property : A. Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act which ensured that the heirs of those who migrated to Pakistan and China will have no claim over the properties left behind in India. B. West Bengal and Meghalaya are holding highest number of enemy properties left behind by Chinese. C. According to the Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act, 'enemy property' refers to any property belonging to, held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject or an enemy firm. D. The government has vested these properties in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, an office instituted under the central government. (i) A,C and D (ii) C and D (iii) B,C and D (iv) All the above *** Statement A misses an important phrase during Partition and afterwards So the correct statement should be Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act which ensured that the heirs of those who migrated to Pakistan and China during Partition and afterwardswill have no claim over the properties left behind in India.
Topic 1: Ministry of Railway launches Smart Freight Operation Optimisation& Real Time Information (SFOORTI) Application Ministry of Railways have launched Smart Freight Operation Optimisation& Real Time Information (SFOORTI) App for Freight Managers which provides features for monitoring and managing freight business using Geographic Information System (GIS) Views and Dashboard. Freight Operation Information System Map View: A Geographic Information System (GIS) based monitoring and management tool has been designed and developed in CRIS which provides layered views of freight trains on Indian Railways network which can help plan the traffic flows and optimize freight operations. Position of all freight trains on Indian Railways Network on basis of their last reporting in system. Position of Rakes on the network detailing commodity wise loading. Section wise speed performance of freight trains across the network which is updated on real time basis. Freight Train Performance: Performance is determined through comparison of current sectional speed with the benchmark average speed. Section Performance is represented as Below Average, Average or Good based on section performance against benchmarks (Shown in different colours). Topic 2 : SRS bulletin Sample Registration System: Published by Registrar General, India, Ministry of Home Affairs India has registered a significant eight percent decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) according to SRS bulletin. From 37 per 1000 live births in 2015 to 34 per 1000 live births in 2016.
Moreover, India also recorded a major drop in birth cohort, which has for the first time come down to below 25 million In 2016, India has registered 90000 fewer infant deaths as compared to 2015. The bulletin said that the gender gap in the country for child survival was reducing steadily and gender difference between female and male IMR had now reduced to < 10 percent, giving a major boost to the BetiBachaoBetiPadhao scheme of the government. The results signify that the strategic approach of the Ministry started yielding dividends and the efforts of focusing on low performing states was paying off. Among the EAG states and Assam, all states except Uttarakhand have reported decline in IMR in comparison to 2015. ** EAG States: In India, the eight socioeconomically backward states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh, referred to as the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states, lag behind in the demographic transition and have the highest infant mortality rates in the country. ** Birth cohort: A group of people born during a particular period or year. Topic 3 : Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was announced by Hon ble Prime Minister on 31st October, 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of SardarVallabhbhai Patel. Through this innovative measure, the knowledge of the culture, traditions and practices of different States & UTs will lead to an enhanced understanding and bonding between the States, thereby strengthening the unity and integrity of India. All States and UTs will be covered under the programme. There will be pairing of States/UTs at national level and these pairings will be in effect for one year, or till the next round of pairings. The State/UT level pairings would be utilized for state level activities. o Objectives of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat:
To CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our Country; PROMOTE the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States; To SHOWCASE the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity; TO ESTABLISH long-term engagements and TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences. o List of Activities under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Cultural Exchange Programmes between partnering States with the help of troupes identified in the home State through Cultural Competitions. Translation of at least 5 Award Winning Books and Poetry, popular folk songs of One State in the Language of the partner State. Exchange programme for Writers and poets. Organize Educational Tours for schools/universities Students reciprocally. Exchange of information on traditional agricultural practices and forecasting among farmers in partner States. Organising Film Festivals in the partner State with sub-titles Showcase wearing of traditional attire of the partner State. Topic 4:7th edition of RashtriyaSanskriti Mahotsav-2018 to be held in Karnataka To celebrate the idea of unity in diversity, the Ministry of Culture is organising the 7 th edition of the RashtriyaSanskritiMahotsav under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat matrix in Karnataka beginning January 14, 2018.
The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme was launched by the Prime Minister on 31 st October, 2016to promote engagement amongst the people of different states/uts so as to enhance mutual understanding and bonding between people of diverse cultures, thereby securing stronger unity and integrity of India. The Mahotsav will cover a profusion of art forms from classical and folk, music and dance, theatre to literature and the visual arts and would offer the chance to experience the best in established and emerging virtuosity. A handloom and handicrafts-utsav is part of the proposed event. The gastronomic culture of several partnering states will be showcased through a food festival. Exhibition on Nicholas Roerich, a Russian artist, writer, theosophist and archaeologist who lived and died in the Himalayas. Topic 5. Economic Democracy Conclave o Excerpts from VP s statement: It is very important for our country and society to strengthen economic democracy through entrepreneurship. political democracy cannot be strong in the absence of economic and social democracy. Improvement in the economic condition of deprived sections is imperative. Many initiatives have been taken in our country with the aim of SabkaSath, SabkaVikas and SabkaSamman, SabkaUtthan. These have a singular goal of strengthening economic and social democracy. The idea behind these programmes is that if anyone has to really help someone, then he/she should be made financially self-reliant. The promotion of an entrepreneurial culture in the country is not the sole responsibility of the Government. Family, educational institutions, private sector banks and entrepreneurs, NGOs, etc. all have the responsibility to create an environment where private enterprise is encouraged. Together, we should create a culture in which self-employment is not chosen just due to the compulsion of not getting a job. The idea of becoming job-giver instead of job-seeker should be embraced.
Topic 6.India should not copy China for urbanisation: NitiAayog VC The country needs to use less resources per unit of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whether it is materials or environment. Given our diversity and plurality, we cannot let inequitable or unbalanced urbanisation in India. In China, development, modernisation has happened along the coastline, and other areas have remained backward. On every Chinese New Year, you see 4-5 million Chinese moving from coastline areas to inwards..we cannot let that happen in our country. We cannot have people moving from South and West to East on festivals like Diwali, Holi or Chhath. India still does not have empowered cities. There is need of resurrecting the old tradition of having strong mayors in cities. There is a need to create growth hubs across the country as also making cities the centre of knowledge. Topic 7. Enemy property o Current Issue : The government amended the Act in the wake of a claim laid by the heirs of Raja Mohammad Amir Mohammad Khan, known as Raja of Mahmudabad, on his properties spread across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. o Background : After the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, the Enemy Property Act was enacted in 1968, which regulates such properties and lists the custodian's powers. According to the new Act, 'enemy property' refers to any property belonging to, held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject or an enemy firm. The government has vested these properties in the Custodian of Enemy Property for India, an office instituted under the central government.
o What Govt has decided : Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act which ensured that the heirs of those who migrated to Pakistan and China during Partition and afterwards will have no claim over the properties left behind in India. Similar properties in Pakistan belonging to Indians have already been disposed of. Nodal officers are being appointed by state governments to coordinate identification, vesting and valuation of enemy properties. o Highlights of such properties : Over 9,400 'enemy' properties, worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore, are set to be auctioned. Among the 9,280 properties left behind by Pakistani nationals, the highest 4,991 properties are located in Uttar Pradesh followed by West Bengal which has 2,735 such estates. Among the 126 properties left behind by Chinese nationals, the highest 57 are located in Meghalaya followed by West Bengal with 29. Assam has seven such properties.