UPSC CDS-1 Archives

1. Who among the following is/are the recipient/recipients of Rajiv Gandh

Who among the following is/are the recipient/recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, 2018?

Virat Kohli

S. Mirabai Chanu and Virat Kohli

Neeraj Chopra

Hima Das and Neeraj Chopra

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UPSC CDS-1 – 2019

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For the year 2018, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour, was jointly conferred upon cricketer Virat Kohli and weightlifter S. Mirabai Chanu.

This question requires knowledge of the recipients of major national sports awards in a specific year.

Virat Kohli was awarded for his exceptional performance in cricket, while Mirabai Chanu was recognised for her achievements in weightlifting, including a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Neeraj Chopra and Hima Das are also prominent Indian athletes, but they were not the recipients of the Khel Ratna in 2018 (Neeraj Chopra received it in 2021).

2. ‘Prahaar’ is

‘Prahaar’ is

a battle tank

a surface-to-surface missile

an aircraft carrier

a submarine

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‘Prahaar’ is the name of an Indian short-range tactical surface-to-surface missile. It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

‘Prahaar’ is an indigenous missile system developed by India.

With a range of about 150 km, Prahaar is designed to fill the gap between the Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher ‘Pinaka’ and the tactical missile ‘Prithvi’. It can be deployed rapidly and has a high degree of accuracy.

3. The mobile app ‘cVIGIL’ is helpful in

The mobile app ‘cVIGIL’ is helpful in

conducting free and fair e-tendering process in government offices

fighting against corruption in public services

removing garbage from the municipal areas

reporting violation of model code of conduct in election-bound States

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The cVIGIL mobile application was launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI). It provides a platform for citizens to report instances of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections in real-time.

The app ‘cVIGIL’ is specifically designed as a tool for election-related governance and monitoring by the Election Commission of India.

The app allows citizens to click photos or record videos of violations, which are then geo-tagged and sent to the local election authorities for investigation and action within a defined timeframe. This aims to make the election process cleaner and more transparent.

4. Paul Allen, who died in October 2018, was the co-founder of

Paul Allen, who died in October 2018, was the co-founder of

Oracle

IBM

Microsoft

SAP

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Paul Allen was a visionary American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, alongside Bill Gates in 1975.

The question tests knowledge about prominent figures in the technology industry. Paul Allen’s key association is with Microsoft.

After leaving Microsoft in 1983 due to health issues, Allen founded Vulcan Inc., a private company that managed his various business and philanthropic efforts. He was also the owner of several professional sports teams, including the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), and a part-owner of the Seattle Sounders FC (MLS).

6. Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India lays

Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India lays down that no citizen can be denied the use of wells, tanks and bathing Ghats maintained out of State funds?

Article 14

Article 15

Article 16

Article 17

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The correct answer is B) Article 15.

Article 15 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them. Specifically, Article 15(2) states that no citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.

Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Article 17 abolishes Untouchability. While all these articles relate to equality and non-discrimination, Article 15(2) is the specific provision that directly addresses the use of public amenities like wells, tanks, and bathing ghats without discrimination on the prohibited grounds, addressing historical discrimination faced by certain communities.

7. When a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, the right to move a

When a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, the right to move a Court for the enforcement of all Fundamental Rights remains suspended, except

Article 20 and Article 21

Article 21 and Article 22

Article 19 and Article 20

Article 15 and Article 16

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The correct answer is A) Article 20 and Article 21.

According to Article 359 of the Constitution, the President can, by order, suspend the right to move any court for the enforcement of such Fundamental Rights as are mentioned in the order during a Proclamation of Emergency. However, the 44th Amendment Act, 1978, added a proviso to Article 359 stating that the operation of Article 20 (Protection in respect of conviction for offences) and Article 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty) cannot be suspended during a National Emergency.

Before the 44th Amendment, the right to move courts for the enforcement of all Fundamental Rights, including Articles 20 and 21, could theoretically be suspended. The experience during the 1975 Emergency, where personal liberty was severely curtailed, led to this crucial amendment ensuring that the right to life and personal liberty and protection against arbitrary conviction remain enforceable even during an emergency. Article 19 (Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.) is suspended under Article 358, but only if the emergency is declared on grounds of war or external aggression, and this suspension is automatic for Article 19 unlike other rights suspended by Presidential order under Article 359.

8. Which among the following statements about the power to change the bas

Which among the following statements about the power to change the basic structure of the Constitution of India is/are correct?

1. It falls outside the scope of the amending powers of the Parliament.
2. It can be exercised by the people through representatives in a Constituent Assembly.
3. It falls within the constituent powers of the Parliament.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1 and 3

1 and 2

1 only

2 and 3

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The correct answer is B) 1 and 2.

Statement 1 is correct. As per the Basic Structure Doctrine established by the Supreme Court (Kesavananda Bharati case, 1973), Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 does not extend to altering the basic structure. Thus, changing the basic structure falls outside the scope of the Parliament’s regular amending powers.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Supreme Court explicitly ruled that altering the basic structure does *not* fall within the constituent powers of the Parliament under Article 368. Parliament’s constituent power is limited and cannot be used to destroy or alter the basic structure.
Statement 2 is correct in a theoretical sense. The ultimate constituent power to frame or fundamentally alter a constitution (including its basic structure) is generally understood to reside with the sovereign people, which could potentially be exercised through representatives in a specially constituted body like a Constituent Assembly, distinct from the existing amending process under Article 368. While the current constitution does not provide this mechanism, it is the theoretical means by which such fundamental change might occur if the basic structure were ever to be revisited outside the scope of Article 368.

The Basic Structure Doctrine is a judicial innovation aimed at preserving the fundamental character of the Constitution. It posits that certain features are so essential that they cannot be abrogated even by constitutional amendment. The exact contours of the basic structure are not precisely defined but include elements like the supremacy of the Constitution, the republican and democratic form of government, the secular character of the Constitution, separation of powers, federal character, judicial review, etc.

9. Which among the following writs is issued to quash the order of a Cour

Which among the following writs is issued to quash the order of a Court or Tribunal?

Mandamus

Prohibition

Quo Warranto

Certiorari

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The correct answer is D) Certiorari.

The writ of Certiorari is issued by a higher court (like the Supreme Court or a High Court) to a lower court or tribunal to quash (set aside) an order or decision made by the lower body. This writ is typically issued when the lower court or tribunal has acted without jurisdiction, in excess of its jurisdiction, in violation of the rules of natural justice, or if there is an error apparent on the face of the record. It is a curative writ issued *after* the proceedings are completed.

Mandamus is a command issued to a public authority to perform a public duty. Prohibition is issued by a higher court to stop a lower court or tribunal from proceeding with a case *before* the order is passed, usually due to lack of jurisdiction. Quo Warranto is issued to question the authority by which a person holds a public office. Certiorari is distinct as it is used to invalidate an order that has already been passed.

10. The Inter-State Council was set up in 1990 on the recommendation of

The Inter-State Council was set up in 1990 on the recommendation of

Punchhhi Commission

Sarkaria Commission

Rajamannar Commission

Mungerilal Commission

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The correct answer is B) Sarkaria Commission.

The Sarkaria Commission was appointed in 1983 by the Central Government to examine the relationship and balance of power between the Centre and States in India. One of its significant recommendations, made in its report submitted in 1987, was the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council to facilitate coordination and cooperation between the Union and the States.

Acting on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission, the Inter-State Council was set up in 1990 by a Presidential Order under Article 263 of the Constitution. The Punchhi Commission (2007-2010) was another commission appointed to review Centre-State relations. The Rajamannar Commission was appointed by the Tamil Nadu government in 1969 to examine the issue of Centre-State relations.