UPSC SO-Steno Archives

21. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Department of Defence Research and Development ?

Aeronautical Development Agency

Apprising, assessing and advising Raksha Mantri on the influence on National Security of emerging developments in Science and Technology

Formulation and execution of programmes of scientific research and design, development, test and evaluation, in fields of relevance to national security

To deal with reference made under Section 25 of the Patents Act, 1960

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2018

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Option D, “To deal with reference made under Section 25 of the Patents Act, 1960,” does not fall under the control of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DRDO).

The Department of Defence Research and Development is responsible for formulating and executing programmes of scientific research and design, development, test and evaluation in fields of relevance to national security (C), apprising, assessing and advising the Raksha Mantri on the influence on National Security of emerging developments in Science and Technology (B), and administering defence research establishments including bodies like the Aeronautical Development Agency (A). Matters related to the general administration and legal procedures under the Patents Act, 1960, including dealing with references or opposition proceedings under Section 25, fall under the purview of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, which oversees the Patent Office. While DRDO deals with patents related to its own inventions, the statutory function of dealing with references/opposition under the Patents Act is not its responsibility.

DRDO’s mandate is focused on defence R&D and technological advice related to national security. The administration of intellectual property laws like the Patents Act is handled by dedicated government bodies under different ministries.

22. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Department of Posts ?

Execution of works, including purchase of land debitable to the Capital Budget pertaining to the Department of Posts

Promotion of feasibility survey, research and development in the field of activities allotted to the Department

Commonwealth Postal Communications Union

Post Office Life Insurance Fund (Administration)

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Option C, “Commonwealth Postal Communications Union,” while related to the Department of Posts’ international liaison function, represents an external international body itself, which is not directly “under the control” of the Department in the same way as internal operations, assets, or specific schemes.

The Department of Posts’ subjects listed in the Allocation of Business Rules include execution of works and land purchase (A), feasibility surveys and research/development (B), and administration of Postal Life Insurance Fund (D), among others like Postal services and liaison with international bodies like the Universal Postal Union and Commonwealth Postal Communications Union. Options A, B, and D represent internal administrative functions, capital works, R&D, and administration of specific schemes/funds directly managed by the Department. Option C refers to an international body. While liaison with this body is a function of the department, the body itself is external and not under the department’s administrative control. This aligns with the pattern seen in other questions where external organizations or subjects primarily under another domain are the incorrect options.

The subject listed for the Department of Posts is “International liaison and matters relating to Universal Postal Union and other international bodies concerned with postal services including Commonwealth Postal Communications Union”. This means the *liaison and matters relating to* the Union are the subject, not the Union itself being under the department’s control. Options A, B, and D describe activities or entities *within* the department’s direct administrative purview.

23. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Ministry of Corporate Affairs ?

Administration of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

Administration of Competition Act, 1932

Competition Commission of India

Collection of Statistics relating to Companies

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Option B, “Administration of Competition Act, 1932,” does not fall under the control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is responsible for the administration of the Companies Act, 2013 (which replaced the 1956 Act and previous Acts), the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (A), and the Competition Act, 2002. The Competition Act currently in force is the Competition Act, 2002, and its administration, including the functioning of the Competition Commission of India (C), is under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. There is no relevant “Competition Act, 1932” administered by the Ministry. The Companies Act of 1932 existed but was replaced. Therefore, administering a non-existent or irrelevant 1932 Competition Act is not a subject under the Ministry’s control. Collection of Statistics relating to Companies (D) is also a subject under MCA.

This question relies on the specific knowledge of the legislation administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and identifies an incorrect year associated with the Competition Act. The MCA administers the Competition Act, 2002.

24. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Ministry of Civil Aviation ?

Public Air Transport (including Cargo) Industry

Commonwealth Air Transport Council

International Air Transport Association

International Civil Aviation Organisation

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Option C, “International Air Transport Association,” does not fall under the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the same way as the other subjects.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for subjects like Public Air Transport (including Cargo) Industry, development and regulation of airports and air traffic services, aircraft rules, and liaison with inter-governmental international bodies concerned with civil aviation, such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Commonwealth Air Transport Council. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a trade association representing airlines worldwide. While the Ministry interacts extensively with IATA as a representative body of the industry, IATA itself is not an organization or subject under the direct administrative or policy “control” of the Indian government’s Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Government ministries control or administer subjects related to laws, policies, regulations, public services, and governmental or inter-governmental bodies. Trade associations like IATA are private entities formed by industry participants, and while they lobby and coordinate with governments, they are not subjects under government control.

25. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Department of Pharmaceuticals ?

Promotion and coordination of basic, applied and other research in areas related to the Pharmaceutical sector

Development of infrastructure, manpower and skills for the pharmaceutical sector and management of related information

Technical support for dealing with national hazards in pharmaceutical sector

Bhopal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited

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Option C, “Technical support for dealing with national hazards in pharmaceutical sector,” does not typically fall under the core control of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals’ mandate includes promotion and coordination of research, development of infrastructure and skills, management of information, pricing policy, interaction with regulatory agencies (like CDSCO, which is under the Ministry of Health), and administrative control of pharmaceutical PSUs (like Bhopal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited). While the department is concerned with quality and safety, specific “technical support for dealing with national hazards” (which implies disaster response or major safety incidents) is usually handled by specialized agencies under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (e.g., drug regulatory bodies, public health agencies) or national disaster management authorities, rather than being a direct, core subject of the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The Department of Pharmaceuticals focuses on enabling the growth and regulation of the pharmaceutical industry from an industrial policy perspective. While it collaborates with health ministries on quality/safety standards, direct technical support for handling “national hazards” like drug contamination crises or major industrial accidents is usually coordinated by public health or disaster management bodies with input from technical experts, rather than being a specific listed subject of the Department of Pharmaceuticals itself.

26. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Department of Fertilizers?

Administrative responsibility for fertilizer production of Indian Farmers Cooperative Limited

Industries relating to production of non-cellulosic synthetic fibres

Allocation and supply linkages for movement and distribution of urea in terms of assessment made by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare

Planning for fertilizer production including import of fertilizer through a designated canalising agency

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2018

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Option B, “Industries relating to production of non-cellulosic synthetic fibres,” does not fall under the control of the Department of Fertilizers.

The Department of Fertilizers deals with the planning, promotion, production, import, and distribution of fertilizers, as well as the administrative responsibility for public sector undertakings and cooperative societies engaged in fertilizer production and marketing (like IFFCO). Industries relating to the production of non-cellulosic synthetic fibres are subjects allocated to the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.

Similar to the previous question, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers is divided into specific departments. Fertilizers are distinct from chemicals and petrochemicals like synthetic fibres, which fall under the purview of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.

27. Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of

Which one of the following subjects does not fall under the control of Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals?

Synthetic rubber

Plastics including fabrications of plastic and moulded goods

Administrative responsibility for the Indian Potash Limited

Dye-stuffs and dye-intermediates

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Option C, “Administrative responsibility for the Indian Potash Limited,” does not fall under the control of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals handles subjects such as synthetic rubber, plastics (including fabrications and moulded goods), dye-stuffs and dye-intermediates, and other specific chemicals and petrochemical products and industries. Administrative responsibility for companies involved in the production and distribution of fertilizers, such as Indian Potash Limited (IPL), falls under the Department of Fertilizers.

The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has two separate departments: the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and the Department of Fertilizers, each with distinct subjects and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) or cooperative societies under their administrative control. IPL is specifically listed under the Department of Fertilizers.

28. Which one of the following subjects does not fall within List-I of the

Which one of the following subjects does not fall within List-I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India under the control of Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries?

Livestock Census

Matters relating to loss of livestock due to natural calamities

Fishing and fisheries (inland, marine and beyond territorial waters)

Central Council of Fisheries

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Option B, “Matters relating to loss of livestock due to natural calamities,” does not fall within the subjects allocated to the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF).

Subjects listed under DADF (now part of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) include livestock census, fisheries development (inland, marine, beyond territorial waters), Central Council of Fisheries, livestock health, dairying, and related international cooperation. Matters related to loss of livestock and crops due to natural calamities, and relief measures for such losses, are primarily handled by the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, often in coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Disaster Management).

DADF’s mandate focuses on the development, production, health, and marketing aspects of animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries. The subject of mitigating losses from natural disasters and providing relief is a broader function of the agriculture department and disaster management authorities, not specifically listed under DADF’s core responsibilities for animal development.

29. The business of the Government of India allocated to Cabinet Secretari

The business of the Government of India allocated to Cabinet Secretariat is and, shall always be deemed to have been, allotted to

the President

the Prime Minister

the Home Minister

the Vice President

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The business of the Government of India allocated to the Cabinet Secretariat is, and shall always be deemed to have been, allotted to the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet Secretariat functions under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. It provides secretarial assistance to the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees and supports the Prime Minister in the administration of rules of business. While the formal allocation of business is done by the President under Article 77(3), the Cabinet Secretariat serves the core executive headed by the Prime Minister. The specific wording “deemed to have been, allotted to” indicates its direct link and accountability to the head of the government, the Prime Minister.

The Cabinet Secretariat’s role is central to the smooth functioning of the Union Government. It facilitates the decision-making process of the Cabinet and its Committees, ensures inter-ministerial coordination, and monitors the implementation of Cabinet decisions. Its direct reporting line to the Prime Minister is fundamental to its structure and function.

30. Which one of the following subjects does not fall within List-I of the

Which one of the following subjects does not fall within List-I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India under the control of Department of Agricultural Research and Education?

Cess for financing to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the Commodity Research Programmes other than those relating to tea, coffee and rubber

Coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions in so far as they relate to food and agriculture including animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries

Liaison and cooperation with international organizations in matters relating to livestock, poultry and fisheries development

Sugarcane research

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Option C, “Liaison and cooperation with international organizations in matters relating to livestock, poultry and fisheries development,” does not fall within the subjects allocated to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).

Subjects related to agricultural research and education, including coordination of standards in relevant institutions, cess for financing research (excluding specific commodities like tea, coffee, rubber which fall under other ministries), and research on various crops and agricultural aspects (like sugarcane research), fall under DARE. Liaison and cooperation with international organizations specifically concerning livestock, poultry, and fisheries development are subjects allocated to the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF), which is now part of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

The Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, as amended, list the specific subjects handled by each Ministry and Department. Subjects listed under DARE primarily relate to agricultural research, education, extension, and specific commodity research (like sugarcane) and related international cooperation *in the field of agricultural research and education*. Liaison concerning the *development* aspects of livestock, poultry, and fisheries is distinct and falls under DADF.