11th Feb 2014 IAS PCS Questions of the Day

Question 1. Art and literature flourished a lot in Vijayanagara Empire and almost all the kings were great patrons of poets, authors and musicians. Consider the statements given below regarding the art and literature in Vijayanagara Empire.

1. The Hazara temple built by Krishnadeva Raya is an example of high class architecture.

2. Temple of Vithalswami is also a high contribution, Logherst writes about it that ‘it was the last of the highly developed style of architecture’.

3. The rulers of Vijayanagara patronized Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam languages.

4. There were eleven Telugu Poets in the Court of Krishnadeva Raya.

5. Krishnadeva Raya was himself an author poet and musician. He wrote Amukta Malyada in which he told about the five Sanskrit texts written by him.

Which of the statement given above are correct?

(a) 3,4 and 5

(b) 1,2 and 3

(c) 2 and 4

(d) All of these

Solution 1. (b) Krishnadeva Raya was a gifted scholar in both Telugu and Sanskrit of which only two works are extant. The Telugu work on polity Amuktamalyada and the Sanskrit drama Jambavati Kalyanam. There are eight celebrated poets in the Court of Krishnadeva Raya.

Question 2. Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was DRDO’s programme to develop tactical and credible deterrence programme in missile development. Consider the following statements

1. Shourya was integral part of IGMDP.

2. Dhanush is ship launched version of PRITHVI.

3. Trishul is first Indian missile system to use Ramjet principle for its propulsion.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) 1 and 2

(d) 2 and 3

Solution 2. (b) IGMDP is incoming glory for DRDO. Missile developed under IGMDP is known by acronym ‘PATNA’, Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, Akash. Shourya was separate programme under which new Surface-to-Surface missile was built as a long version of underwater launched missile called K-15 C Sagaruika. Akash is first Indian missile system to use Ramjet propulsion system where atmosphere air is used as one of agents of combustion.

Question 3. Below are certain statements regarding Polaroid photography. Consider the statements which concur with such technology.

1. It is photographic process, in which processing of exposed films takes place outside the camera.

2. Print takes long time to get printed.

3. It is based on diffusion transfer process.

4. Polaroid is a commercial name and not of a technology.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 3 and 4

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 1 and 4

Solution 3. (b) Processing of exposed films takes place inside the camera. Diffusion transfer process produce a film negative and positive point in one stage. Therefore, it reduces time and is pointed within a minute only, chemicals are stored in tiny capsules, which burst as film is moved after exposure. Then the film passes through a pair of steel rollers in camera, which releases the developing chemicals, which covert exposed silver salts or negative layer into metallic silver, producing paint after emulsification.

Question 4. Consider the following statements

1. Interactions between the two organisms, in which one organism kills and feed on the second organisms, is called Parasitism.

2. Mutual-ism is the way two organisms of different species biologically interact in a relationship, in which each individual derives a fitness benefit.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution 4. (b) Parasitism one organism receives benefits from other by causing damage to it but not fatal. The process, which involves in it are compaction, recrystallisation, cementation. The sediment may be compacted by the rearrangement of grains under pressure, reducing pore space and driving out interstitial liquid. Mutualism is the way two organism of different species biologically interact in a relationship.

Question 5. Consider the following statements regarding the Estimates Committee of Parliament

1. The members of the Estimates Committee along with its Chairman are elected by the members of Lok Sabha from among themselves.

2. The recommendations of the committee are binding on the government.

3. The committee can also suggest alternate policies for bringing efficiency and economy in administration.

4. The report of the committee is to be laid before the House by the President.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3

(b) 1,2 and 4

(c) Only 3

(d) 2 and 4

Solution 5. (c) Statement 1 is incorrect. The members of the committee are elected by the members of Lok Sabha only from among themselves on the basis of proportional representation with single transferable vote. The Chairman of the Committee however is chosen by the speaker from the members and if the Deputy Speaker is a member, he automatically becomes the Chairman. The recommendations of the committee are not binding on the government, but a convention has developed, in which most of the recommendations of the committee are accepted by the government. Thus, Statement 2 is also incorrect.Statement 3 is correct. The committee not only looks at what economy, efficiency, administrative reform consistent with the pre-existing policy can be brought about, but can also suggest alternative policies to the existing policies. Statement 4 is however incorrect and the report of the committee is presented to the Speaker of Lok Sabha, who then lays it before the House. Thus, the right answer is (c).