UPSC Combined Section Officer Archives

41. The “SCO Summit” is a meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Coo

The “SCO Summit” is a meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. How many permanent members are there in the SCO ?

[amp_mcq option1=”6″ option2=”8″ option3=”9″ option4=”12″ correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B, representing 8 permanent members at a specific point in time relevant to the question’s framing.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization. The number of full members (often referred to as permanent members in a general sense, though not the official SCO terminology like ‘permanent members’ in the UNSC context) has changed over time. Originally formed by five members (Shanghai Five), it expanded to include Uzbekistan (making it 6), and later India and Pakistan (making it 8).

As of July 2023, Iran became the ninth full member of the SCO. Belarus is also in the process of joining. However, considering the options and common knowledge about the SCO structure after India and Pakistan joined in 2017 and before Iran’s accession, 8 was the widely recognized number of full members for a significant period. The question likely refers to this period. The initial five members were China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Uzbekistan joined in 2001, followed by India and Pakistan in 2017.

42. The “Suez Canal” connects which of the following two water bodies ?

The “Suez Canal” connects which of the following two water bodies ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Red Sea and Gulf of Aden” option2=”Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean” option3=”Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal” option4=”Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.

The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

The Suez Canal provides a direct route for shipping between Europe and Asia, avoiding the long circumnavigation of Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. It was completed in 1869.

43. The “Northern Sea Route” is a shipping route that connects the Atlanti

The “Northern Sea Route” is a shipping route that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean through which one of the following regions ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Arctic Ocean” option2=”Indian Ocean” option3=”Mediterranean Sea” option4=”South China Sea” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is Arctic Ocean.

The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is a shipping route defined in Russian legislation as extending from the Novaya Zemlya archipelago to the Bering Strait. It primarily runs along Russia’s Arctic coast through the Arctic Ocean.

The NSR is gaining attention due to climate change melting Arctic ice, potentially making it a viable commercial shipping route that significantly shortens transit times between Europe and Asia compared to traditional routes through the Suez Canal.

44. The “Quad” is a strategic forum comprising the United States of Americ

The “Quad” is a strategic forum comprising the United States of America, India, Japan, and which one of the following countries ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Australia” option2=”South Korea” option3=”Germany” option4=”France” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is Australia.

The “Quad” is an informal strategic forum known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) that comprises four countries: the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.

The Quad was initially formed in 2007 but lapsed. It was revived in 2017 and has since become a significant platform for discussions and cooperation among the member countries on regional and global issues, particularly those related to the Indo-Pacific region.

45. The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the

The President of India can dissolve the Lok Sabha on the advice of the

[amp_mcq option1=”Council of Ministers” option2=”Chief Justice of India” option3=”Speaker of Lok Sabha” option4=”Election Commission of India” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is the Council of Ministers.

The President of India is the nominal head of the executive and acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha, before its full term, is a significant executive action taken by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 85(2)(b)).

While the President has the constitutional power to dissolve the Lok Sabha, this power is almost always exercised based on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, particularly if they have lost confidence or wish to seek a fresh mandate. In rare circumstances, if a Council of Ministers loses confidence and no alternative government can be formed, the President might act based on their own judgment, but the standard procedure involves the advice of the Council of Ministers.

46. The President of India can promulgate an ordinance when

The President of India can promulgate an ordinance when

[amp_mcq option1=”both Houses of Parliament are in session” option2=”there is a financial emergency” option3=”there is a State emergency” option4=”both Houses of Parliament are not in session” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is both Houses of Parliament are not in session.

Article 123 of the Constitution of India grants the President the power to promulgate ordinances when both Houses of Parliament are not in session or when only one House is in session, provided that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action.

An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament but is temporary in nature. It must be laid before both Houses of Parliament when they reassemble and ceases to operate six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament if not approved earlier.

47. Consider the following objectives : 1. Control inflation 2. Control

Consider the following objectives :

1. Control inflation
2. Control fiscal deficit
3. Regulate foreign exchange rates
4. Regulate interest rates

Which of the above objectives are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”3 and 4 only” option3=”1, 2 and 4 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is 1, 2, 3 and 4.

All the listed objectives (Control inflation, Control fiscal deficit, Regulate foreign exchange rates, Regulate interest rates) are standard and correct objectives typically pursued through macroeconomic policies by governments and central banks.

Inflation control and interest rate regulation are primarily within the domain of monetary policy, usually managed by the central bank. Fiscal deficit control is a key objective of fiscal policy, managed by the government. Regulation of foreign exchange rates can involve interventions by both the central bank and the government, depending on the exchange rate regime. These objectives are interconnected and crucial for economic stability and growth.

48. The “National Investment and Manufacturing Zones” aim to promote

The “National Investment and Manufacturing Zones” aim to promote

[amp_mcq option1=”Agricultural development” option2=”Manufacturing industries” option3=”Information technology sector” option4=”Tourism and hospitality sector” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is Manufacturing industries.

National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) are integrated industrial townships proposed by the Government of India to promote manufacturing activities. They are part of the National Manufacturing Policy.

NIMZs are envisaged as large areas (typically minimum 5000 hectares) with world-class infrastructure, land use on the basis of zoning, clean and energy-efficient technology, and requisite social infrastructure, aimed at attracting domestic and foreign investment in manufacturing.

49. Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India relating to the

Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the

[amp_mcq option1=”Prime Minister of India” option2=”President of India” option3=”Vice President of India” option4=”Supreme Court of India” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is the President of India.

According to Article 151(1) of the Constitution of India, the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the President, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament.

The CAG’s reports are crucial for parliamentary oversight of government finances. The President, upon receiving these reports, presents them to Parliament for discussion and examination by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

50. Miami in USA has the highest number of Art Deco buildings. Which one o

Miami in USA has the highest number of Art Deco buildings. Which one of the following Indian cities is second in this list ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Hyderabad” option2=”Kolkata” option3=”Chennai” option4=”Mumbai” correct=”option4″]

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The correct answer is Mumbai.

Mumbai is recognized as having the second largest number of Art Deco buildings in the world, after Miami. Its collection of 19th and 20th Century Buildings, including the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Art Deco movement arrived in Mumbai (then Bombay) in the 1930s and became a popular architectural style. These buildings are primarily located along the Oval Maidan and Marine Drive.