Edubridge IAS Discussion group

01 Apr 2023 06:32

Q. 2 In the context of Salt Satyagraha, consider the following statements:
1. Mahatma Gandhi broke the salt law at Dandi.
2. K. Kelappan led a salt march to Vedaranyam on the Tanjore coast.
3. Sarojini Naidu participated in the non-violent march to Dharasana salt works.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:38

Question 8
Answer – B
Founded in 1849 in Maharashtra, the founders of the Paramahansa Mandali—Dadoba Pandurang, Mehtaji Durgaram and others—began as a secret society that worked to reform Hindu religion and society in general. The ideology of the society was closely linked to that of the Manav Dharma Sabha.
In 1867, Keshab Chandra Sen helped Atmaram Pandurang found the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay. A precursor of the Prarthana Samaj was the Paramahansa Sabha, something like a secret society to spread liberal ideas and encourage the breakdown of caste and communal barriers.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:36

Question 6
Answer – B
There are other measures of inflation too like Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Wholesale Price Index (or WPI); however, GDP deflator is a much broader and comprehensive measure. Since Gross Domestic Product is an aggregate measure of production, being the sum of all final uses of goods and services (less imports), GDP deflator reflects the prices of all domestically produced goods and services in the economy.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:34

Question 4
Answer – C
EAEU a five-nation grouping comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Belarus. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an economic union of states located in central and northern Asia and Eastern Europe.
The Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union was signed on 29 May 2014 by the leaders of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia, and came into force on 1 January 2015.
The EAEU encourages the free movement of goods, services and provides for common policies in the macroeconomic sphere, transport, industry and agriculture, energy, foreign trade and investment, customs, technical regulation, competition and antitrust regulation.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:32

Question 2
Answer – B
Due to excessive weight and big size of the glaciers, they may form a U-shaped valley in the mountains within which they flow. The valley is characterised by concave slopes and broad and flat valley floors.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 06:43

Q. 10 Consider the following paragraph given about a famous temple.
Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River, this temple was constructed to commemorate victory over Pallavas. The temple is dedicated to Siva. The Sun god carved on the ceiling is a special attraction of the temple.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 06:39

Q. 8 Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Parmahansa Mandali was founded in Bengal by Swami Vivekananda.
2. Prarthana Samaj was started in Maharashtra with the aim of reforming Hindu religious thought and practice.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:40

Question 10
Answer – A
Tenure of William Bentinck is known for social reforms like Abolition of Sati, Suppression of Thagi and Infanticide. The Charter Act of 1833 was passed during his tenure by which company no longer remains a trading company. In 1829 Sati was officially banned in the areas under Bengal Presidency. Even those who performed it were now declared guilty of Culpable Homicide.
Lord Rippon is best known for establishing local self-governments. They were aimed to train Indians to administer their local affairs. The local committees already existing were under control of the government. Ripon removed these obstacles by resolution of 1882. Apart from that he repealed the Vernacular Press Act, first factory act was legislated and financial decentralization was carried out.
Lord Hardinge is remembered for suppression of female infanticide and human sacrifice carried out in the Gond tribe of Central India.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:38

Question 8
Answer – A
Chit funds are both a savings and credit product. They are a mechanism that combines credit and savings in a scheme.
Recent amendment to Chit Fund Act, 1982 allows for the terms ‘fraternity fund’ and ‘rotating savings and credit institution’ to the list of terms that can be used to refer to chit funds.
In Chit funds a group of individuals come together for a predetermined duration.
Subscribers subscribe to a certain sum of money by way of periodical instalments, and each subscriber gets the collected sum by lot, auction or tender. In this way, those in need of funds, and those who want to save, are able to meet their requirements simultaneously.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:36

Question 6
Answer – D
Stupa is a form of architecture having a hemispherical dome. After Parinirvana the remains of Buddha were cremated and ashes were buried under eight mounds. According to the Buddhist tradition, Ashoka recollected the relics of Buddha from previously existing stupas and distributed the relics across thousands of Stupas. The Great Stupa (also called stupa no. 1) at Sanchi was originally built in the 3rd century BCE by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka and is believed to house the ashes of the Buddha.
The Chaukhandi Stupa is called so because of its four armed plan. It is a Gupta age structure and it symbolizes the site where Lord Buddha, while returning from Bodh Gaya was reunited with his five disciples whom he previously left at Rajgir. The Archaeological Survey of India has recently declared it as a protected area of national importance.
Torana is an ornamental gateway found in the premise of religious buildings. Jataka tales have been found engraved on Torana and the Anda. The Torana of Sanchi is a structure dating back to the Mauryans. It is an imitation of the Timber construction of those days. The Dome shaped Anda symbolizes the mound of dirt used to cover Buddha’s remains. Over a period of time Dome has become the home of gods at the centre of the universe.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:34

Question 4
Answer – D
The ‘Second Generation of Economic Reforms’ were launched in 2000-01. It comprises the following:
● Factor Market Reforms which included dismantling of Administered Price Mechanism- Prices of goods, which were regulated by the government were now allowed to be determined by market forces.
● Institutionalisation of fiscal consolidation through passage of FRBM Acts by Center and States.
● Greater functional autonomy to public sector undertakings. In addition to this, the public sector was provided freer leverage to the capital market, international tie-ups and greenfield ventures, disinvestments etc.
● Reforms in government institutions- transition from ‘controller’ to ‘facilitator’ of economic activities.
● Abolition of outdated and contradictory laws. Reforms in labour laws, company laws etc and initiating legal provisions in newer areas like cyber security.
● Greater tax devolution to states
● Increased budgetary allocation to the social sector.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:32

Question 2
Answer – A
• Arthashastra of Kautilya contains 'Saptang theory' means seven limbs of state, which can be used by the Vijigishu (would be conquerer) to expand his influence.
• These Seven limbs are: Population, king, ministers, treasury, fort, army, ally

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 06:43

Q. 10 With reference to British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements
1. William Bentinck played instrumental role in abolition of sati in India
2. Lord Lyton is credited for giving India first local self-government
3. Lord Hardinge role was crucial in suppressing female infanticide

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

12 Mar 2023 15:57

https://theprint.in/science/how-icars-new-wheat-variety-can-beat-indias-brutal-heatwaves-in-face-of-climate-crisis/1432644/?utm_source=TPWeb&utm_medium=Telegram&utm_campaign=TappChannel

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

11 Mar 2023 13:38

Question 9
Answer – D
The ‘Blue Flag’ is a certification that can be obtained by a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator, and serves as an eco-label. The certification is awarded by the Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education.
The beaches selected for the certification are: Kappad (Kerala), Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Ghoghla (Diu), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha) and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:39

Question 9
Answer – C
Bamiyan is situated in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush in the central highlands of Afghanistan.
The Bamiyan Buddhas were great examples of a confluence of Gupta, Sassanian and Hellenistic artistic styles. They were dressed in the Roman draperies and were standing in two different mudras.
They are said to date back to the 5th century AD and were once the tallest standing Buddhas in the world. Salsal and Shamama, as they were called by the locals, rose to heights of 55 and 38 metres respectively, and were said to be male and female.
Salsal means “light shines through the universe”; Shamama is “Queen Mother”.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:37

Question 7
Answer – D
A totipotent cell has the capacity to form as an unlimited capability. The ability of a cell to divide and differentiate into the different types of cells is called totipotency, a callus is an undifferentiated mass or tissue which can grow into a complete plant when exposed to the growth hormones.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:35

Question 5
Answer – C
Inflation is a quantitative measure of the rate at which the average price level in an economy increases over some period of time. It is the rise in the general level of prices in an economy that is sustained over time, rising prices across the board. Monetary policy and fiscal policy refer to the two most widely recognized tools used to influence a nation's economic activity. Fiscal policy addresses taxation and government spending, and it is generally determined by legislation. Like Reducing the rate of tax, cutting down public expenditure, Increasing subsidies etc. Whereas Monetary policy addresses interest rates and the supply of money in circulation, and it is generally managed by a central bank like Increasing rate of interest on borrowing for commercial Banks.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:33

Question 3
Answer – C
Haripura session was held between 19-21 Feb 1938. Subhash Chandra Bose was its President. Two important events that took place were the setting up of National Planning Committee under the Chairmanship of JL Nehru and passing of resolution for support of people’s movement in states.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 14:31

Question 1
Answer – D
Carbon dioxide on dissolving in water forms Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃). However, it is a very weak acid and does not lead to acid rain. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids with very low ph values, below 4.5.
Hydro Fluoro Carbons do not cause harm to the ozone layer, but they are potent Greenhouse gas, causing global warming, with thousands of times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. They are frequently used in air conditioning and as refrigerants, in place of the chlorofluorocarbons which cause ozone depletion.
Considering the factor that HFCs are used as substitute of HCFC and have high global warming potential, in 2016, at the summit of the United Nations Environment Programme in Kigali, Rwanda member nations signed a legally-binding accord to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in an amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
Injection of sulphate aerosols, very fine solid particles, into the stratosphere is one of the most widely discussed Geo-engineering techniques to tackle Global Warming. Sulphate aerosol particles are very good reflectors of sunlight, and it has been shown, through various climate models, that even if 1% of current incident solar radiation is reflected back in space, a very significant amount of temperature rise on earth can be offset.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 06:41

Q. 9 In their Roman draperies and with two different mudras, this sculpture represented the confluence of Gupta, Sassanian, and Hellenistic artistic styles. They were locally known as Salsal and Shamama. These were situated in the high mountains of the Hindu Kush. Recently, a light show event was conducted to mark the 20th anniversary of the Taliban’s destruction of this giant sculpture.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

31 Mar 2023 06:31

Q. 1 Consider the following statements:
1. Increased concentration of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere causes acid rain.
2. Hydro Fluoro Carbons are potent ozone depleting substances.
3. Increasing concentration of Sulphate aerosols can help reduce global temperatures.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:39

Question 9
Answer – C
Engel's Law is an economic theory introduced in 1857 by Ernst Engel, a German statistician, stating that the percentage of income allocated for food purchases decreases as income rises. As a household's income increases, the percentage of income spent on food decreases while the proportion spent on other goods (such as luxury goods) increases. For example, a family that spends 20% of their income on food at an income level of Rs. 10,000 will pay Rs. 2000 on food. If their income increases to Rs. 30,000, it is not likely that they will spend Rs. 6,000 (20%) on food, but will spend a lesser percentage while increasing spending in other areas.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:37

Question 7
Answer – C
Bali was a tax used differently by different kingdoms to have additional revenue collection. In the early vedic age the bali was collected by the king from subjects and consisted of one-sixth of the agricultural produce or even cattles paid as tribute. The tribute from the enemies was also called bali.
The bali in Maurya age was not compulsory and even Rummindei inscription records that people of lumbini were exempted from bali.
In Gupta age Bali became compulsory. The Gupta age made certain changes in the administration. The Mauryas had centralised administration whereas Gupta’s decentralised the administration.
Bhaga in Gupta age was tax paid by the cultivators. It was one-sixth of the produce. Bhaga was paid in cash. The Gupta’s had the policy of devolution and it helped local communities to progress in their administration.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:35

Question 5
Answer – D
Recent excavations at Nagardhan near Nagpur has provided evidence of the Vakataka dynasty and the Queen Prabhavatigupta. An oval shaped sealing has been found having the name of the queen in Brahmi script. There is also depiction of conch on the seal which indicates the affiliation to the Vaishnava sect. A copper plate has also been found which was issued by Queen Prabhavati. The copper plate mentions Samudragupta as her grandfather and Chandragupta 2 as her father. According to some scholars the sealings might have been used as an official royal permission issued by the capital.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:33

Question 3
Answer – A
1. The distribution of the net proceeds of taxes to be shared between the Centre and the states, and the allocation between the states of the respective shares of such proceeds.
2. The principles that should govern the grants-in-aid to the states by the Centre (i.e., out of the consolidated fund of India).
3. The measures needed to augment the consolidated fund of a state to supplement the resources of the panchayats and the municipalities in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by the state finance commission.
4. Any other matter referred to it by the president in the interests of sound finance.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

30 Mar 2023 14:31

Question 1
Answer – B
The Directive Principles resemble the ‘Instrument of Instructions’ enumerated in the Government of India Act of 1935. In the words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, ‘the Directive Principles are like the instrument of instructions, which were issued to the Governor-General and to the Governors of the colonies of India by the British Government under the Government of India Act of 1935. What is called Directive Principles is merely another name for the instrument of instructions. The only difference is that they are instructions to the legislature and the executive’.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

12 Mar 2023 18:17

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/G3yovMgeYkU

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

11 Mar 2023 13:39

Question 10
Answer – A
The "Blue Blob", is an unusually cold patch of water in the Arctic which has halved the rate at which Iceland's glaciers are melting, but a new study reveals that the effects of climate change will catch up to the massive ice chunks if temperatures are not kept in check.
The Blue Blob is an undefined area of the North Atlantic Ocean located south of Iceland and Greenland. At its peak coldness, in 2015, the Blue Blob was 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 degrees Celsius) colder than the surrounding waters.
Before the emergence of the Blue Blob, Iceland's glaciers were losing a staggering 11 gigatons of ice every year due to melting. But since the cool patch emerged in 2011, that rate has more than halved to a slightly less worrying 5 gigatons a year — even though the rest of the Arctic is warming four times faster than anywhere else on Earth.

Edubridge IAS Discussion group

11 Mar 2023 13:37

Question 8
Answer – D
The "Bombay Plan" (1944) is the name commonly given to a World War II-era set of proposals for the development of the post Independence economy of India. Titled "A Brief Memorandum Outlining a Plan of Economic Development for India", the signatories of the Plan were Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, Ghanshyam Das Birla, Ardeshir Dalal, Sri Ram, Kasturbhai Lalbhai, Ardeshir Darabshaw Shroff, Sir Purshottamdas Thakurdas, and John Mathai.
This plan too visualized far-reaching land reforms, a large public sector and massive public and private investment.