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2021-02-06 16:30:12 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 06-02-2021

Qn.2) With reference to ‘Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’, consider the following statements

1. It is an inter-governmental body established by G7 countries.
2. It was established to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering.
3. It counters the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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


Ans: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Learning Zone: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7.

It is a “policy-making body” which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas.
The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
Roles and functions:

Initially it was established to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering.
In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing, in addition to money laundering.
In April 2012, it added efforts to counter the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Why is this question important? FATF recently held its annual joint experts’ meet.

It was attended by participants from various government agencies all over the world and international bodies such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Interpol.


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2021-02-06 16:30:12 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 06-02-2021

Qn.1) Which among the following is/are mandates of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)?

1. Energy
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Water
5. Waste management

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:


(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2 and 5 only
(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5


Ans: (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Learning Zone: The government had set up the ₹40,000 crore NIIF in 2015 as an investment vehicle for funding commercially viable greenfield, brownfield and stalled infrastructure projects.

It was setup as a Category-II Alternate Investment Fund.

The Indian government is investing 49% and the rest of the corpus is to be raised from third-party investors such as sovereign wealth funds, insurance and pension funds, endowments, etc.
NIIF’s mandate includes investing in areas such as energy, transportation, housing, water, waste management and other infrastructure-related sectors in India.

Why is this question important? Union Cabinet recently gave its approval to the proposal for equity infusion by the Government of Rs. 6000 crores in NIIF Debt Platform – sponsored by the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).

The proposal is part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat 3.0 package announced earlier this month.

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2021-02-05 16:30:13 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 05-02-2021

Qn.3) Which among the following is/are the possible Impact of high fiscal deficit?

1. There will be more money left in the market for private entrepreneurs and businesses to borrow.
2. Higher rates of interest charged on lending.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Ans: (b) 2 only

Learning Zone: In the economy, there is a limited pool of investible savings. These savings are used by financial institutions like banks to lend to private businesses (both big and small) and the governments (Centre and state).

If the fiscal deficit ratio is too high, it implies that there is a lesser amount of money left in the market for private entrepreneurs and businesses to borrow.
Lesser amount of this money, in turn, leads to higher rates of interest charged on such lending.
A high fiscal deficit and higher interest rates would also mean that the efforts of the Reserve Bank of India to reduce interest rates are undone.

Why is this question important? The Union Government’s fiscal deficit further widened to ₹9.53 lakh crore, or close to 120% of the annual budget estimate, at the end of October of the current fiscal.

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2021-02-05 16:30:13 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 05-02-2021

Qn.2) Which among the following is NOT a member of ADMM Plus countries?

(a) USA
(b) Russia
(c) India
(d) Germany

Ans: (d) Germany

Learning Zone: The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.

Eight Dialogue Partners are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA (collectively referred to as the “Plus Countries”).

Why is this question important? ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) being hosted by Vietnam in December 2020.


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2021-02-05 16:30:13 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 05-02-2021

Qn.1) In the context of Anti- Defection Law, Which among the following is criteria for disqualification of a member?

1. If a member of a house belonging to a political party, voluntarily gives up the membership of his political party,
2. If an independent candidate joins a political party after the election.
3. If a nominated member joins a party before six months when he becomes a member of the legislature.


Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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


Ans: (b) 1 and 2 only

Learning Zone: The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution in 1985 by the 52nd Amendment Act.

It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House.
The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies.
When can a member be disqualified?

If a member of a house belonging to a political party:

Voluntarily gives up the membership of his political party, or
Votes, or does not vote in the legislature, contrary to the directions of his political party. However, if the member has taken prior permission, or is condoned by the party within 15 days from such voting or abstention, the member shall not be disqualified.
If an independent candidate joins a political party after the election.
If a nominated member joins a party six months after he becomes a member of the legislature.

Why is this question important? India’s first Member of Parliament to have been disqualified from the Lok Sabha has now been disqualified as an MLA in Mizoram.

Mizoram Assembly Speaker disqualifies Zoram People’s Movement MLA Lalduhoma.

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2021-02-04 16:30:13 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 04-02-2021

Qn.3) With reference to Polycrack technology, consider the following statements

1. It converts multiple feedstocks into hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon as well as water.
2. The energy which will be produced at the plant will be in the form of light diesel oil and this oil will be used to light furnaces.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Ans: (c) Both 1 and 2

Learning Zone: Polycrack is the world’s very first patented heterogeneous catalytic process which converts multiple feedstocks into hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon as well as water.

The waste generated will become the feeder material for the waste to energy plant.
The energy which will be produced at the plant will be in the form of light diesel oil and this oil will be used to light furnaces.

Why is this question important? The country’s first Government-owned Waste-to-Energy Plant was recently commissioned at the Mancheswar Carriage Repair Workshop in Odisha.

The plant, a patented technology called Polycrack, is first-of-its-kind in the Indian Railways and fourth in the country. It converts multiple feed stocks into hydrocarbon liquid fuels, gas, carbon and water.

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2021-02-04 16:30:13 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 04-02-2021

Qn.2) With reference to the National Population Register (NPR), consider the following statements

1. It is a Register of usual residents of the country.
2. It is being prepared at the local, sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 .
3. It is not mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Ans: (a) 1 and 2 only

Learning Zone: It is a Register of usual residents of the country.

It is being prepared at the local (Village/sub-Town), sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.

It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR.

Why is this question important? It has been controversial in the country and the Supreme Court recently agrees To Hear Pleas Against the National Population Register.

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2021-02-04 16:30:13 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 04-02-2021

Qn.1) Which among the following statements is/are true regarding Lala Lajpat Rai?

1. He was instrumental in the formation of Punjab National Bank.
2. He established the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore.
3. He founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York City in 1917.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

Ans: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Learning Zone: Rai is remembered for his role during the Swadeshi movement and for his advocacy of education.

He became a follower of Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, and went on to become one of the society’s leaders. He also helped found the Punjab National Bank.

In 1885, Rai established the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore and remained a committed educationist throughout his life.

Rai, Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal (called Lal-Bal-Pal) fervently advocated the use of Swadeshi goods and mass agitation in the aftermath of the controversial Partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon.

He founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York City in 1917.

Why is this question important? Lala Lajpat Rai’s 156th birth anniversary was celebrated on January 28, 2021.

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2021-02-03 16:30:14 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 03-02-2021

Qn.2) Oslo Accords, often seen in the news is associated with which among the following?

(a) Second World War
(b) Israel - Palestine conflict
(c) Climate Change
(d) International Space Station

Ans: (b) Israel - Palestine conflict

Learning Zone: Formally known as the Declaration of Principles (DOP), the pact established a timetable for the Middle East peace process. It planned for an interim Palestinian government in Gaza and Jericho in the West Bank.

Oslo II officially called the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza, expanded on Oslo I. It included provisions for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from six West Bank cities and about 450 towns. Additionally, the pact set a timetable for elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council.

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2021-02-03 16:30:14 Most Probable Questions for IAS Prelims - Qns for 03-02-2021

Qn.3) With reference to ‘Biorock’, consider the following statements

1. It is the name given to the substance formed by electro accumulation of minerals dissolved in seawater on steel structures
2. Biorock accretion technology can be used to restore coral reefs.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Ans: (c) Both 1 and 2

Learning Zone: It is the name given to the substance formed by electro accumulation of minerals dissolved in seawater on steel structures that are lowered onto the sea bed and are connected to a power source, in this case, solar panels that float on the surface.

Biorock accretion technology: The technology works by passing a small amount of electrical current through electrodes in the water.

When a positively charged anode and negatively charged cathode are placed on the seafloor, with an electric current flowing between them, calcium ions combined with carbonate ions adhere to the structure (cathode).

This results in calcium carbonate formation. Coral larvae adhere to the CaCO3 and grow quickly.

Fragments of broken corals are tied to the biorock structure, where they are able to grow at least four to six times faster than their actual growth as they need not spend their energy in building their own calcium carbonate skeletons.

Why is this question important? The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with help from Gujarat’s forest department, is attempting for the first time a process to restore coral reefs using biorock or mineral accretion technology in the Gulf of Kachchh.

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