With reference to National Mission on Libraries, consider the following statements

1. This is a new initiative by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, India

2. It has been started based on the National Knowledge Commission recommendations for sustained
attention for development of Libraries and Information Science Sector
3. This mission seeks to establish National Virtual Library of India to facilitate a comprehensive
database on digital resources on information about India and on information generated in India, in
an open access environment.
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 Only
2. 2 and 3 Only
3. 1 and 3 Only
4. All
President of India launches National Mission on Libraries in Feb 14
National Mission on Libraries is an initiative of Ministry of Culture to ensure sustained and long
term focus on the development of Libraries.
works to modernise and digitally link nearly 9,000 libraries across India to provide readers access
to books and information.
The project costs around 1000 crores
Background
The National Knowledge Commission gave 10 recommendation on libraries in its 2011 report
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of
Culture, will be the central agency for the National Mission on Libraries for administrative, logistics,
planning and budgeting purposes.
Working groups
Upgrade of Existing Public Libraries, School/College/community libraries
Library and Information Science Education
Setting up the National Virtual Library
National Census of Libraries, Content Creation and Community Information Centers
Solution: Only 2 and 3 are correct
With reference to spectrum auction in India and the nature of spectrum bands, consider the
following statements
1. From the companies point of view 900 Mhz band is less superior than the 1800 Mhz band
2. Signals sent out using higher frequency bands will travel lesser distance than signals sent on a
lower frequency band
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
Why 900 Mhz band is superior than 1800 Mhz band
laws of physics state that the higher you go on the frequency band, the lower will be the
wavelength.
900 Mhz is more potent when it comes to indoor coverage.
900 Mhz band has 30-40 per cent better coverage than 1800 Mhz band
To make up for this, mobile companies on 1800 Mhz have to invest more in setting up larger
number of base stations to achieve the same coverage as in the 900 Mhz band
Other than laws of physics, availability of devices and network equipment at affordable price is one
of the main reasons. 900 Mhz frequency band has been in use for mobile communications globally
for over 20 years
A significant part of this frequency band is being used by defence agencies, hence
spectrum in this band is scarce for commercial mobile applications
Currently all commercially available 900 Mhz spectrum is being used by incumbent Indian
operators for offering GSM services
Solution: Only 2 is correct
With reference to the MeghRaj initiative by the government of India, consider the
following statements
1. The focus of this initiative is to accelerate delivery of e-services in the country using cloud
computing technologies
2. It is being implemented by National Informatics Centre, NIC
Which of the above is / are correct?

1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
Solution: Both are correct
With reference to Unique Identification Authority of India, consider the following
statements
1. It is neither a constitutional nor a statutory body
2. Its chairman is of the rank of Cabinet Minister to the Government of India
3. It is part of the Planning Commission
Which of the above is/are incorrect?
1. 1 and 2 Only
2. 2 and 3 Only
3. 1 and 3 Only
4. None
Solution: All are correct
With reference to Central Pay Commissions, consider the following statements
1. Since independence so far seven Pay Commissions have been set up by the government
2. Pay commissions can recommend the revision of pay structure of all civil divisions of the
government of India and state governments
3. Military pay structure is revised by a separate authority set-up the Ministry of Defence
Which of the above is/are incorrect?
1. 1 and 2 Only
2. 2 and 3 Only
3. 1 Only
4. None
Pay Commission
seven pay commissions have been set up on a regular basis
to review and make recommendations on the work and pay structure of all civil and military
divisions of the Government of India.
Seventh Pay Commission
On September 25, 2013 the finance minister P Chidambaram announced that the Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh has approved the constitution of the 7th Pay Commission.
Its recommendations are likely to be implemented with effect from January 1, 2016
Justice A.K Mathur will be heading the Seventh Pay commission
Name Designation
Role in
Commission
Justice Ashok Kumar
Mathur
Retired Judge of the Supreme Court and Retired Chairman, Armed
Forces Tribunal
Chairman
Vivek Rae Secretary, Petroleum & Natural Gas Member (Full Time)
Dr. Rathin Roy Director, NIPFP
Member (Part
Time)
Meena Agarwal OSD, Department of Expenditure,Ministry of Finance Secretary

Solution: Only 2 and 3 are incorrect
With reference to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), consider the following
statements
1. It offers a single window clearance for all the proposals on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India
2. Proposals involving foreign investment of more than 1200 crore require the approval of the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) is a government body that offers a single window
clearance for proposals on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India that are not allowed access
through the automatic route.
FIPB comprises of Secretaries drawn from different ministries with Secretary, Department of Economic
Affairs, MoF in the chair.
This inter-ministerial body examines and discusses proposals for foreign investments in the country for
sectors with caps, sources and instruments that require approval under the extant FDI Policy on a
regular basis.
The Minister of Finance, considers the recommendations of the FIPB on proposals for foreign
investment up to 1200 crore. Proposals involving foreign investment of more than 1200 crore require
the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
FIPB is mandated to play an important role in the administration and implementation of the
Governments FDI policy.
Solution: b) 2 Only
There is an automatic route also in which government gives approval.
Not all FDI proposals are cleared by FIPB
With reference to Anti-Dumping agreement clause of WTO, consider the following
statements
1. If an Indian car manufacturing company sells its cars cheaper in Kenya than in India, it is called as
dumping
2. The WTO Agreement regulates the actions of companies engaged in dumping and penalises them
Which of the above is/are incorrect?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
Anti-dumping, subsidies, safeguards: contingencies, etc
Binding tariffs, and applying them equally to all trading partners (most-favoured-nation treatment, or
MFN) are key to the smooth flow of trade in goods. The WTO agreements uphold the principles, but they
also allow exceptions in some circumstances. Three of these issues are:
1. actions taken against dumping (selling at an unfairly low price)
2. subsidies and special countervailing duties to offset the subsidies
3. emergency measures to limit imports temporarily, designed to safeguard domestic industries.
Anti-dumping actions
If a company exports a product at a price lower than the price it normally charges on its own home
market, it is said to be dumping the product. Is this unfair competition?
Opinions differ, but many governments take action against dumping in order to defend their
domestic industries.
The WTO agreement does not pass judgement. Its focus is on how governments can or cannot
react to dumping it disciplines anti-dumping actions, and it is often called the Anti-Dumping
Agreement.
WTO agreement allows governments to act against dumping where there is genuine (material)
injury to the competing domestic industry. In order to do that the government has to be able to
show that dumping is taking place, calculate the extent of dumping (how much lower the export
price is compared to the exporters home market price), and show that the dumping is causing
injury or threatening to do so.
Subsidies and countervailing measures
This agreement does two things: it disciplines the use of subsidies, and it regulates the actions
countries can take to counter the effects of subsidies.
It says a country can use the WTOs dispute settlement procedure to seek the withdrawal of the
subsidy or the removal of its adverse effects.
Or the country can launch its own investigation and ultimately charge extra duty (known as
countervailing duty) on subsidized imports that are found to be hurting domestic producers.
Safeguards: emergency protection from imports
A WTO member may restrict imports of a product temporarily (take safeguard actions) if its
domestic industry is injured or threatened with injury caused by a surge in imports.
However, they were infrequently used, some governments preferring to protect their domestic
industries through grey area measuresusing bilateral negotiations outside GATTs auspices,
they persuaded exporting countries to restrain exports voluntarily or to agree to other means of
sharing markets. Agreements of this kind were reached for a wide range of products: automobiles,
steel, and semiconductors, for example.
The WTO agreement broke new ground. It prohibits grey-area measures, and it sets time limits
(a sunset clause) on all safeguard actions. The agreement says members must not seek, take or
maintain any voluntary export restraints, orderly marketing arrangements or any other similar
measures on the export or the import side
DGAD
Directorate General of Anti-Dumping Duties & Allied Duties (DGAD) conducts anti-dumping
investigations on the basis of a duly substantiated petition filed by the domestic industry with
prima-facie evidence of dumping of goods into the country, injury to the domestic industry and
causal link between the dumping and injury to the domestic industry.
Such petitions submitted by domestic industry are processed as per the procedure and within the
time limits specified under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 and the rules made there under.
DGAD conducts investigations and recommends imposition of duty, wherever appropriate, to the
Department of Revenue (DoR) by issuing its preliminary/final findings.
Acting upon such recommendations of the DGAD, the DoR may impose the provisional or definitive
duties.
Solution: b) 2 Only
Consider the following statements
1. ICNIRP, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection is a UN body that
addresses the important issues of possible adverse effects on human health of exposure to non-
ionising radiation.
2. ICNIRP issues the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers to handset
manufacturers
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that National authorities should adopt
international standards to protect their citizens against adverse levels of RF fields.
They should restrict access to areas where exposure limits may be exceeded.
WHO has referred to the International Commission on Non-lionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)
which has prescribed the levels limiting Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) emission from Base Transceiver
Stations (BTSs) as safe for general public.
Department of Telecommunications adopted the EMF radiation limits prescribed by ICNIRP in 2008
What is ICNIRP?
ICNIRP is the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.
It is a publicly funded body of independent scientific experts consisting of a main Commission of 14
members, its Scientific Expert Group and its Project Groups.
The expertise is brought to bear on addressing the important issues of possible adverse effects on
human health of exposure to non-ionising radiation.
What are ICNIRP's aims?
ICNIRP's principal aim is to disseminate information and advice on the potential health hazards of
exposure to non-ionizing radiation to everyone with an interest in the subject.
ICNIRP's information and advice covers all of the non-ionizing radiations including, the optical
radiations (ultraviolet, visible and infrared - and lasers), static and time-varying electric and magnetic
fields and radiofrequency (including microwave) radiation, and ultrasound.
The results combined with risk assessments carried out in collaboration with the World Health
Organization, WHO, result in the publication by ICNIRP of Exposure Guidelines.
Where does ICNIRP get its funds?
ICNIRP is a publicly funded, non-profit making organisation and is legally registered as such in
Germany.
IMEI and the law
Many countries have acknowledged the use of the IMEI in reducing the effect of mobile phone theft.
IMEIs have been allocated by regional administrators acting on behalf of the GSM Association
Solution: d) None
Consider the following statements
1. Rani Ki-Vav is a UNESCO world heritage site located in Gujarat
2. International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is the body which recommends sites to be
included in the UN heritage list
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
Solution: c) Both
Consider the following statements
1. He was responsible for the excavation that led to the discovery of Harappa and Mohenjodaro
2. He began the excavations at Taxila, which lasted for twenty years and he laid the foundation stone
for the Taxila museum
3. The guidelines prepared by him are still followed for conservation and preservation of monuments
in India
The above statements refer to which of the following personalities?
1. Sir William Jones
2. Alexander Cunningham
3. Rao Bahadur K.N. Dikshit
4. None of the above
Solution: d) None of the above
Statements refer to John Marshall
With reference to Mega Food Parks, consider the following statements
1. The scheme is aimed at providing adequate infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry
along the value chain from farm to market
2. The ownership of these parks lies with a special purpose vehicle in which state and union
governments hold minimum 26 per cent stakes
3. In these parks, it is mandatory to make farmers or farmers organization as stakeholders
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 and 3 Only
3. 1 and 3 Only
4. 1 and 2 Only
Proposal for modification in the scheme of Infrastructure Development for Food
Processing: Mega Food Parks
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved modifications in the Mega Food Park
Scheme guidelines of infrastructure development for food processing.
Each Mega Food Park is expected to generate the following outcomes:
1. Expected to benefit 6000 farmers / producers directly and about 25,000 farmers indirectly.
2. In each project, about 30 food processing units are expected to be setup
The Infrastructure Development Scheme for Mega Food Parks aims at providing modern
infrastructure facilities for food processing industries along the value chain from farm to market.
According to the Scheme, ownership and management of the Mega Food Park vests with a SPV in
which organized retailers, processors, service providers etc may be the equity holders or there may
be an anchor investor along with its ancillaries, associated companies and other stakeholders.
Farmer organisations were encouraged to participate in the SPV. In case, Government/Government
agencies become shareholders in the SPV, their equity has been restricted to a maximum 26
percent to ensure the private character of the SPV.
The modification aims at changing the nature of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The criteria of
maximum 26 percent equity by the State Govt./ State Govt. entities/ Co-operatives has been
removed.
Anchor investor in the SPV holding majority stake, with or without other promoters of the SPV, will
be required to set up at least one food processing unit in the park with an investment of not less
than Rs. 10 crore.
However, State Government/State Government entities and co-operatives applying for projects
under the scheme, will not be required to form a separate SPV and set up processing unit(s) in the
Park.
Solution: a) 1 Only
With reference to the Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) platform proposed by the
Ministry of Home Affairs, consider the following statements
1. This is an emergency response system for minority communities who may face violence
2. It would be funded by the Prime Ministers relief fund
3. Its key objective is to provide 24 Hours and 7 Days (24X7) helpline service to minorities in distress
Which of the above is/are incorrect?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. 3 Only
4. All
Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch
Establishment of an Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch platform for supporting Geographical
Information System Based call taking and Geographical Positioning System based Police vehicle
dispatch to respond to women and other distress calls
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home
Affairs to establish an Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) platform.
This is an emergency response system for women and other vulnerable groups who may face
violence.
The Geographical Information System (GIS) based call taking and Geographical Positioning System
(GPS) based Police vehicle dispatch system will be able to respond to distress calls and ensure
speedy assistance to women.
Distress/emergency alarms generated by panic buttons/landlines/mobiles through individual
devices pioneered by the Dept. of Information Technology (DIT) or mobile phone applications
would be tracked and Emergency Response (ER) units will be dispatched to attend the call.
This project would obtain funding from the Nirbhaya Fund
The key objectives and features of the initiative are:
1. Providing 24 Hours and 7 Days (24X7) helpline service to women in distress and for alarms related
to other emergency services such as medical and disaster (fire etc.) by other responders in an
integrated manner
2. Handling of emergency situations of children and other vulnerable sections of society.
3. Speedy assistance for helpless women / children of a defined area, who face any form of violence,
such as eve teasing, dowry demands, sexual assault, molestation or any other abuse either in
public or at home
4. Integration with existing Dial 100 system for seamless operation and coordination between both
systems
5. The proposed system would also be integrated with Crime and Criminal Tracking and Networking
System (CCTNS), State Service Delivery Gateway (SSDG)
6. The project would demonstrate the capabilities of the NG911 network standards for dynamically
identifying caller location, exchanging data between emergency call and dispatching centres and
Police Dial 100 system, Fire, Health and Disaster Management command centres.
The project involves setting up of citywise hi-tech Control Rooms to cover 114 cities and districts in
different States and Union Territories of India, as identified by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development, which includes 71 cities having a population of more than a million or which are
headquarters of the State/UT as well as headquarters of 41 highly crime prone districts.
Background:
The Union Finance Minister P. Chidambararn in his 2013 Union Budget speech announced that a
corpus called 'Nirbhaya Fund' would be setup by the Government of India.
An integrated 'Public Emergency Response System' was also suggested in the Justice (Retd.)
Verma report as well as in the Justice (Retd.) Usha Mehra report and was also recommended by
the Cabinet Committee of Secretaries (CoS).
Solution: d) All are incorrect
With reference to Public Private Partnership model of investment used in India, consider
the following statements
1. It is the public partner who creates the asset in the partnership for the end users
2. The investment is usually made by the private partner
3. The management of the assets created in this model lies with the private partner till the asset lasts
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 and 2 Only
2. 2 Only
3. 2 and 3 Only
4. All
National Public Private Partnership Policy
Public Private Partnership (PPPs) as a means for harnessing private sector investment and
operational efficiencies in the provision of public assets and services.
Public Private Partnership means an arrangement between a government/statutory
entity/government owned entity on one side and a private sector entity on the other, for
the provision of public assets and/or public services, through investments being made and/or
management being undertaken by the private sector entity, for a specified period of time, where
there is well defined allocation of risk between the private sector and the public entity and the
private entity receives performance linked payments that conform (or are benchmarked) to
specified and pre-determined performance standards, measurable by the public entity or its
representative. The asset and/or service under the contractual arrangement will be provided by
the Private Sector entity to the users.The arrangement could provide for financial investment
and/or non-financial investment by the private sector; the intent of the arrangement is to
harness the private sector efficiency in the delivery of quality services to the users.
The models where ownership of the underlying asset remains with the public entity during the
contract period and project is transferred back to the public entity after the termination contract
are the preferred forms of Public Private Partnership models.
Some of the commonly adopted forms of PPPs include management contracts, buildoperate-
transfer (BOT) and its variants, build-lease-transfer (BLT), design-buildoperate-transfer
(DBFOT), operate-maintain-transfer (OMT), etc.
Build-own-operate (BOO) model is normally not the supported form of Public Private Partnership
in view of the finite resources of the Government and complexities in imposing penalties in
the event of non-performance and estimation of value of underlying assets in the event of
early termination.
PPP Models supported by the Government
User-Fee Based BOT models
Medium to large scale PPPs have been awarded mainly in the energy and transport sub-sectors
(roads, ports and airports).
Although there are variations in approaches, over the years the PPP model has been veering
towards competitively bid concessions where costs are recovered mainly through user charges (in
some cases partly through VGF from the government).
Annuity Based BOT models
In sectors/projects not amenable for sizeable cost recovery through user charges, owing to
socio-political-affordability considerations, such as in rural, urban, health and education sectors,
the government harnesses private sector efficiencies through contracts based on
availability/performance payments.
Implementing annuity model will require necessary framework conditions, such as payment
guarantee mechanism by means of making available multi-year budgetary support, a dedicated
fund, letter of credit etc.
Government may consider setting-up a separate window of assistance for encouraging
annuity-based PPP projects.
A variant of this approach could be to make a larger upfront payment (say 40% of project cost)
during the construction period.
Performance Based Management/ Maintenance contracts
In an environment of constrained economic resources, PPP that improves efficiency will be all the
more relevant.
PPP models such as performance based management/maintenance contracts are encouraged.
Sectors amenable for such models include water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, road
maintenance etc.
Modified Design-Build (Turnkey) Contracts
In traditional Design-Build (DB) contract, private contractor is engaged for a fixed-fee payment
on completion.
The primary benefits of DB contracts include time and cost savings, efficient risk-sharing
and improved quality.
Government may consider a Turnkey DB approach with the payments linked to
achievement of tangible intermediate construction milestones (instead of lump-sum payment
on completion) and short period maintenance/repair responsibilities.
Penalties/incentives for delays/early completion and performance guarantee (warranty) from
private partner may also be incorporated.
Subsequently, as the market sentiment turns around these projects could be offered to
private sector through operation-maintenancetolling concessions.
Solution: b) 2 Only
The Namib Desert beetle (Stenocara gracilipes) is a species of beetle that is native to the
Namib Desert of southern Africa, one of the direst places on the planet. How does it survive
without water there?
1. It eats cactus and survives
2. It depends on the blood of higher animals
3. It is able to survive by collecting water on its bumpy back surface from early morning fogs.
4. None of the above
Solution: c) It is able to survive by collecting water on its bumpy back surface from early morning fogs.
With reference to the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET),
consider the following statements
1. It aims to restructure and strengthen agricultural extension to enable delivery of appropriate
technology and improved agronomic practices to farmers.
2. It is continued in the 12th plan period
Which of the above is/are correct?
1. 1 Only
2. 2 Only
3. Both
4. None
Approval of the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the implementation of the National
Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET) during the 12th Plan period.
NMAET consists of 4 Sub Missions:
1. Sub Mission on Agricultural Extension (SMAE)
2. Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material (SMSP)
3. Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
4. Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine (SMPP)
The aim of the Mission is to restructure and strengthen agricultural extension to enable delivery of
appropriate technology and improved agronomic practices to farmers.
This is envisaged to be achieved by a judicious mix of extensive physical outreach and interactive
methods of information dissemination, use of ICT and encourage aggregation of Farmers into
Interest Groups (FIGs) to form Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
Solution: d) Both are correct