UPSC 2008 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

The Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) is a part of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) launched by the Government of India to support elderly individuals from below-poverty-line (BPL) house-holds.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The scheme is applicable to individuals aged 60 years or above who belong to BPL households. How-ever the eligibility is not restricted to rural areas alone as it encompasses both rural and urban BPL households.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The central assistance provided under IGNOAPS is 200(not 300) per month for beneficiaries aged between 60 to 79 years and 500 per month for those aged 80 years and above. States are encouraged to contribute an equivalent or higher amount to enhance the pension received by the beneficiaries.

Explanation

Bimbavati Devi is a renowned Manipuri classical dancer. She is the daughter of Kalavati Devi and Guru Bipin Singh, two renowned Manipuri dancers. She has promoted Raas Leela and other traditional Manipuri dance styles through her numerous performances in India and overseas. The traditional Vaishnavite ceremonial motions of ancient Manipuri form and delicate developments for her modern productions are expertly balanced in Bimbavati Devi’s present style.

Explanation

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), also known as Rio+10, was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002. This summit marked the 10th anniversary of the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992. The WSSD focused on sustainable development issues, including poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, and the promotion of sustainable practices worldwide. In 1992, the Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It resulted in key outcomes such as the Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, and the establishment of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Explanation

Sarosh Zaiwalla is a renowned international legal expert and the founder of Zaiwalla & Co., a London-based law firm. He handled well-known international arbitration and litigation issues and was the first lawyer of Indian descent to open a practice in the United Kingdom. Russian corporations, Middle Eastern organisations, and the Indian government are just a few of the world leaders he has represented. His contributions to arbitration and international law are well known.

Explanation

Bengali is the most spoken in the world after Hindi and ranks seventh among the world’s most-spoken languages, making it the most widely spoken Indian language after Hindi.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrect: The National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is located in Pune, Maharashtra. Established in 1986 under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, it specializes in cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, genetic engineering, and stem cell research.

Pair 2 is correct: The Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) is an autonomous organization funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. CDFD is located in Hyderabad.

Pair 3 is correct: The National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), located in the Aravalli foothills, Manesar, Gurugram, is India’s premier institute for neuroscience research and education. An autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, it is also a Deemed-to-be University and an Institution of Excellence.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India provides under Article 170 that the Legislative Assembly of a State shall consist of not more than 500 members and not less than 60 members. However, there are exceptions for smaller states like Sikkim, Mizoram, and Goa. The limit mentioned in the statement (450 members) is incorrect.

Statement 2 is correct: As per Article 173 of the Constitution of India, a person is eligible to be a member of the Legislative Assembly only if they are at least 25 years of age. This is a constitutional requirement for candidacy in the Legislative Assembly elections.

Explanation

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904-1966), India’s 2nd Prime Minister (1964-1966), led the nation during the 1965 Indo-Pak War and coined the iconic slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan." He played a pivotal role in promoting the Green Revolution and translated Madame Curie’s Autobiography into Hindi, reflecting his passion for science and education.

Explanation

Elizabeth Hawley (1923-2018) was an American journalist and historian renowned for documenting Himalayan expeditions, particularly mountaineering in Nepal. She meticulously recorded details of Mount Everest and other Himalayan climbs, making her one of the most trusted sources on Himalayan mountaineering history. She maintained a comprehensive database of Himalayan expeditions for over five decades, authoring The Himalayan Database, a key reference for mountaineers. Though never climbing herself, her records were considered authoritative.

Explanation

Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915) was a moderate nationalist, social reformer, and one of the founding leaders of the Indian National Movement. He was a mentor to Mahatma Gandhi and played a key role in influencing early nationalist politics. The British government offered Gokhale the title of Knighthood and a position in the Council of the Secretary of State for India but he chose to decline both honors. His refusal was based on his commitment to India’s self-governance, as he believed accepting such honors would mean complicity with colonial rule. He was a strong advocate of constitutional reforms and gradual political progress, promoting Swaraj (self-rule) within the British Empire.