UPSC IAS Archives

31. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017 ?

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1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 and 3 only

2 only

3 only

2 and 3 only

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The correct answer is B, which states that only statement 2 is correct.

Smart India Hackathon 2017 was an initiative by the Indian government to promote innovation and find digital solutions to problems faced by various ministries, government departments, industries, and organizations. It was a platform for students to propose and develop technological solutions.

Statement 1 describes the Smart Cities Mission, which is a different urban development program, not the hackathon. Statement 3 refers to initiatives for digital financial transactions, which is also distinct from the broad problem-solving focus of the hackathon. The hackathon aimed to harness the creativity and technical skills of students to build digital products addressing various challenges across sectors.

32. Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the

Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world ?

World Economic Forum

UN Human Rights Council

UN Women

World Health Organization

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The correct option is A) World Economic Forum.

– The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality. It is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
– The index measures disparities between men and women across four key areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
– The other options are incorrect. While UN bodies like UN Women and UN Human Rights Council work on gender equality issues, they do not publish the Global Gender Gap Index. The World Health Organization focuses on health matters.

The Global Gender Gap Report, published by the WEF, provides country rankings based on the index, aiming to track progress towards closing gender gaps over time. It is a widely cited source for assessing the state of gender equality globally.

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33. Which one of the following statements is correct ?

Which one of the following statements is correct ?

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Rights are claims of the State against the citizens.

Rights are privileges which are incorporated in the Constitution of a State.

Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.

Rights are privileges of a few citizens against the many.

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The correct option is C) Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.

– In a modern democratic state, rights are generally understood as legitimate claims or entitlements that individuals hold against the state. These rights impose limitations on the power of the state and create corresponding duties for the state to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights.
– Option A describes duties or obligations of citizens towards the state, not rights.
– Option B is partially true in that fundamental rights are incorporated in the Constitution, but defining rights solely as “privileges” can be misleading and incomplete, as rights are fundamental entitlements, not mere favors, and can exist beyond the constitution (e.g., natural rights).
– Option D is incorrect. Rights are generally universal or apply to specific categories in a non-discriminatory way, not privileges of a few *against* the many. This description aligns more with an aristocratic or unequal system.
– Therefore, the most accurate description of rights among the given options, particularly in the context of constitutional rights, is that they are claims of the citizens against the State.

Constitutional rights, like fundamental rights in India, are legally enforceable claims of citizens against the state. They are intended to protect individual liberty and ensure a just and equitable society by limiting governmental power and obligating the state to uphold certain standards.

34. Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Princip

Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution ?

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Equal pay for equal work for both men and women

Participation of workers in the management of industries

Right to work, education and public assistance

Securing living wage and human conditions of work to workers

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The correct option is B) Participation of workers in the management of industries.

– The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, added four new Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) to the Constitution:
– Article 39(f): To protect children and youth against exploitation and moral and material abandonment.
– Article 39A: To provide free legal aid to the poor.
– Article 43A: To take steps for the participation of workers in the management of industries.
– Article 48A: To protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
– Option A (Equal pay for equal work for both men and women) was already present in Article 39(d) of the original Constitution.
– Option C (Right to work, education and public assistance) is mentioned in Article 41 of the original Constitution.
– Option D (Securing living wage and human conditions of work to workers) is related to Article 43 of the original Constitution.
– Therefore, participation of workers in the management of industries (Article 43A) was the principle added by the 42nd Amendment among the given options.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are guidelines to the central and state governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies. They are non-justiciable but are fundamental in the governance of the country. The 42nd Amendment is also known as the ‘Mini-Constitution’ due to significant changes introduced by it.

35. Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis

Consider the following statements in respect of Trade Related Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC):

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1. TRAFFIC is a bureau under United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
2. The mission of TRAFFIC is to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct option is B) 2 only.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. TRAFFIC is a non-governmental organization (NGO) and a strategic alliance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is not a bureau under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), although it works in collaboration with various UN bodies and international conventions like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
– Statement 2 is correct. The mission of TRAFFIC is explicitly stated as being to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. It monitors and investigates wildlife trade and advocates for sustainable use and trade practices.

TRAFFIC works globally to monitor and investigate wildlife trade and provide information to governments, intergovernmental bodies, and others involved in policy and conservation. Its work supports efforts to regulate and control trade in endangered species according to international agreements like CITES.

36. One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of

One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of

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Privileges

Restraints

Competition

Ideology

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The correct option is A) Privileges.

– Equality in society implies that individuals are treated without discrimination based on arbitrary factors like birth, status, race, gender, etc.
– Privileges are special rights, advantages, or immunities granted to a particular person or group that are not available to others. The existence of such unequal privileges contradicts the principle of equality.
– Therefore, a direct implication of equality is the absence of arbitrary or unequal privileges that place some individuals or groups at an unfair advantage over others.

Equality does not necessarily mean uniformity or absence of all distinctions or rules (restraints). It often refers to equal opportunity, equal treatment under the law, or equality of outcome in certain contexts. Competition can exist within an equal framework (e.g., fair competition with equal rules). Ideology is a system of ideas, and equality itself can be part of an ideology; its presence doesn’t imply the absence of all ideologies. The core concept that is absent when equality prevails is unequal privilege.

37. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes

From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats?

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve

Nallamala Forest

Nagarhole National Park

Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

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The correct option is A) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.

– The question asks for an ecological link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats. This refers to a region that serves as a wildlife corridor, allowing movement of animals and maintaining genetic connectivity between populations in the two mountain ranges.
– Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats landscape, specifically connecting the Biligirirangan Hills (considered part of the Western Ghats) and the Eastern Ghats. It forms a crucial corridor for wildlife, particularly elephants, between the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (at the junction of the two Ghats) and the Eastern Ghats.
– Nallamala Forest and Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve are primarily located within the Eastern Ghats, not serving as a link *between* the two ranges.
– Nagarhole National Park is located firmly within the Western Ghats, near the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, but is not a link between the two Ghats; rather, it’s part of the Western Ghats complex.

The region where the Eastern and Western Ghats meet, particularly around the Nilgiri Hills and extending into areas like Sathyamangalam, is vital for maintaining the ecological integrity of wildlife populations across South India. Protecting such corridors is essential for conservation efforts, especially for wide-ranging species like elephants and tigers.

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38. ‘Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the n

‘Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme’ is sometimes mentioned in the news with reference to

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Certifying the skills acquired by construction workers through traditional channels.

Enrolling the persons in Universities for distance learning programmes.

Reserving some skilled jobs to rural and urban poor in some public sector undertakings.

Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.

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The correct option is D) Certifying the skills acquired by trainees under the National Skill Development Programme.

– Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a key component of the National Skill Development Programme (NSDP) and its flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
– The purpose of RPL is to assess and certify the skills and knowledge gained through informal learning or work experience. This helps align the competencies of the un-regulated workforce to the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
– Option A is a specific example of where RPL is applied (certifying skills of construction workers who learned through traditional channels). However, RPL is applicable across various sectors and modes of informal/prior learning.
– Option D describes the general context of RPL as part of the overarching National Skill Development Programme for certifying skills acquired. This is the more direct and comprehensive description of what RPL is mentioned in the news with reference to, as it falls under the ambit of NSDP initiatives.

RPL aims to provide formal recognition to existing skills, thereby improving the employability of the workforce, enabling them to command better wages, and facilitating their entry into formal employment or further education. It is a crucial step towards formalizing the informal economy and upskilling/reskilling the workforce.

39. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryan

With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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The correct option is C) 1 and 3 only.

– Statement 1 is correct. Archaeological evidence from Indus Valley sites generally lacks findings of offensive or defensive military equipment like coats of mail or helmets. The Rigveda, on the other hand, frequently mentions armour (Varman) and helmets (Sipra), indicating their use by the Rigvedic Aryans in warfare.
– Statement 2 is incorrect. Indus Valley people were aware of and used gold, silver, copper, bronze, and lead. They did not know iron. Rigvedic Aryans were familiar with gold, silver, copper, and bronze, and later became aware of iron (mentioned as ‘Ayas’, often interpreted as copper/bronze initially and later iron). The statement incorrectly claims Indus Valley people knew iron and knew *only* copper and iron.
– Statement 3 is correct. The horse (ashva) was central to the life and culture of the Rigvedic Aryans, frequently mentioned in the Rigveda and used in chariots and warfare. While some controversial evidence of horse remains has been found at late Harappan sites like Surkotada, the presence and significance of the horse in the Indus Valley Civilization are highly debated and are minimal compared to its prominence in the Rigvedic period. The prevailing view is that the horse was a defining characteristic of the Rigvedic Aryans, largely absent or insignificant in the Indus Valley Civilization.

Comparing the two cultures reveals significant differences in lifestyle, technology, and societal structure. The Indus Valley Civilization was primarily urban, with sophisticated town planning and trade networks, while the early Rigvedic society was more pastoral and tribal. Different sets of deities and religious practices are also noted. The arrival of the Rigvedic Aryans is often associated with the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, though the causes of this decline are complex and debated.

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40. With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following stat

With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:

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1. A private member’s bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.
2. Recently, a private member’s bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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The correct option is D) Neither 1 nor 2.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. A private member’s bill is a bill introduced by any Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a Minister. This includes both elected and nominated MPs, but the defining characteristic is that they are not part of the executive (Council of Ministers).
– Statement 2 is incorrect. While it is true that passing a private member’s bill is rare, it is not unprecedented in the history of the Indian Parliament. Several private member bills have been passed by Parliament since independence, though none have been passed since 1970. Therefore, it is incorrect to state that one has been passed “for the first time in its history” recently.

Bills introduced by Ministers are called government bills. Government bills have a higher chance of being passed as they are backed by the government’s majority in Parliament. Private member bills can be introduced in either House of Parliament. Their admissibility is decided by the respective presiding officer (Speaker in Lok Sabha, Chairman in Rajya Sabha).