2017 Archives

1. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced to set up the

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced to set up the first ‘Thunderstorm Research Testbed’ of the country in

Odisha

Andhra Pradesh

Tamil Nadu

West Bengal

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the setting up of the first ‘Thunderstorm Research Testbed’ of the country in Balasore, Odisha.

This initiative aims to study thunderstorms and lightning in detail to improve forecasting and early warning systems, particularly relevant for eastern India which is prone to such events.

The testbed is being established in collaboration with the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Balasore was chosen due to its high frequency of thunderstorm occurrences.

3. Which one of the following is not correct with regard to the Railway C

Which one of the following is not correct with regard to the Railway Convention Committee ?

It is a Committee constituted by the Minister of Railways.

it is an ad hoc Committee of Parliament to review the rate of dividend which is payable by the Railways to the general revenues.

It suggests the level of appropriation to various Railway funds.

Minister of Finance is a nominated member of the Railway Convention Committee.

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Option A is incorrect. The Railway Convention Committee is a Committee of Parliament, constituted by the Speaker of Lok Sabha in consultation with the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, not by the Minister of Railways.

The Railway Convention Committee is a standing/ad hoc committee of the Indian Parliament formed periodically. Its primary function is to review the rate of dividend payable by the Railways to the General Revenues and other related financial matters.

The Committee examines the working of the Railway Finances and makes recommendations on various aspects, including the level of appropriation to Railway Depreciation Reserve Fund and Railway Development Fund. It consists of members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Option B correctly describes its nature as an ad hoc committee to review the dividend rate. Option C correctly states that it suggests appropriations to funds. Option D is also incorrect as the Minister of Finance is not a nominated member; it’s composed solely of Members of Parliament.

4. Core CPI inflation is generally lower than headline CPI inflation

Core CPI inflation is generally lower than headline CPI inflation because

food inflation is generally higher than non-food inflation

food prices fluctuate too widely over the year

food prices are controlled by the Government

share of food in consumption basket has been increasing over time

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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Option A is the most accurate explanation among the choices for why core CPI is *generally* lower than headline CPI. Headline CPI includes food and energy, while core CPI excludes them. When food inflation is high (which it often is in economies like India due to supply shocks, weather dependency, etc.), it pushes headline inflation up relative to core inflation.

Core inflation measures inflation excluding volatile items like food and energy. Headline inflation includes all items. If the excluded items (food and energy) experience higher price increases than the included items, then headline inflation will be higher than core inflation.

Option B is true, food prices do fluctuate widely, but the *reason* core is generally lower than headline is specifically when these fluctuations lead to high food inflation. Option C is generally incorrect; food prices are largely market-driven, though the government might intervene through procurement or subsidies for certain items. Option D, the share of food in the consumption basket, affects the *weight* of food in CPI calculation, not directly why core is lower than headline, although a large food share means food inflation has a significant impact on headline CPI.

5. Consider the following statements: 1. The Financial Bills of catego

Consider the following statements:

1. The Financial Bills of category B if enacted and brought into operation, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.
2. Financial Bills of category A can be introduced only in Lok Sabha.
3. Financial Bill of category B require recommendation of the President for its introduction.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

1 only

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect.
Statement 1: Financial Bills of category B are defined under Article 117(3). These are Bills which, if enacted, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India but are not Money Bills or Financial Bills under Article 117(1).
Statement 2: Financial Bills of category A are defined under Article 117(1). These Bills contain provisions similar to a Money Bill as well as other matters. Like Money Bills, they can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and require the recommendation of the President for introduction.
Statement 3: Financial Bills of category B (Article 117(3)) do not require the recommendation of the President for their introduction. They only require the recommendation of the President for their consideration by either House.

Financial Bills under Article 117 are of two types. Category A requires Presidential recommendation for introduction and can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Category B requires Presidential recommendation only for consideration but can be introduced in either House and involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund upon enactment.

Money Bills (Article 110) also require the President’s recommendation for introduction and can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Financial Bills of category A are similar to Money Bills in introduction requirements but differ in the powers of the Rajya Sabha. Financial Bills of category B have fewer restrictions on introduction but involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund.

6. Which one of the following statements is not correct with regard to ad

Which one of the following statements is not correct with regard to adjournment in Lok Sabha?

The Speaker can call a sitting of the House before the date or hour to which it has been adjourned or at any time after the House has been adjourned sine die.

When the motion "that the House now adjourn" is being discussed, that is, from the hour the discussion on adjournment motion has commenced to the time the motion is disposed of, the Speaker cannot adjourn the House for the day.

The Speaker can extend the time of the House after taking sense of the House.

The Speaker cannot adjourn the House sine die without taking the approval of the President.

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Statement D is not correct. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha has the power to adjourn the House sine die (for an indefinite period). This action concludes the sitting and the session of the House, which is then formally terminated by the President through prorogation. The Speaker does not require the approval of the President to adjourn the House sine die.

Adjournment (including sine die) is a power exercised by the Presiding Officer (Speaker or Chairman) of the House to suspend or terminate a sitting. Prorogation, which terminates a session, is done by the President.

Statement A is correct; the Speaker can indeed call a sitting before the date to which it has been adjourned or after it has been adjourned sine die (Rule 15 of Lok Sabha Rules). Statement B is correct; during the discussion on an adjournment motion (Rule 60), the Speaker cannot adjourn the House for the day. Statement C is correct; the Speaker often extends the time of the sitting with the consent or ‘sense’ of the House to complete scheduled business.

7. Matters related to which one of the following subjects are not handled

Matters related to which one of the following subjects are not handled by the Ministry of External Affairs?

Notification regarding commencement or cessation of a state of war

World Health Organisation

Demarcation of the land frontiers of India

Indian Council of Cultural Relations

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While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is involved in international boundary agreements and negotiations related to the demarcation of land frontiers, the physical demarcation, survey, and management of land frontiers of India are primarily handled by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and agencies under it, such as the Survey of India (under the Department of Science & Technology) and border guarding forces. Therefore, C is the subject where MEA’s role is less primary or is shared with other ministries, compared to the others.

The operational management and physical demarcation of land borders are primarily the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs and associated departments/agencies. While MEA handles the diplomatic and treaty aspects of boundaries, the day-to-day matters and physical processes fall largely outside MEA’s direct purview.

Statement A (Notification regarding commencement or cessation of a state of war) is handled by MEA as it is a matter of international relations and foreign policy. Statement B (World Health Organisation) is handled by MEA as it involves India’s participation in an international organization. Statement D (Indian Council of Cultural Relations) is an autonomous organization under the administrative control of MEA, responsible for India’s cultural diplomacy.

8. Matters relating to Himalayan expeditions are handled by which one of

Matters relating to Himalayan expeditions are handled by which one of the following Ministries?

Ministry of Home Affairs

Ministry of Human Resource Development

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Ministry of External Affairs

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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Matters relating to Himalayan expeditions, which are typically adventure sports activities like mountaineering and trekking, are handled by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This Ministry promotes adventure sports and provides support for such expeditions.

Adventure sports, including mountaineering and expeditions to the Himalayas, fall under the domain of sports promotion and youth activities, which are managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

The Ministry of Home Affairs deals with internal security, borders, and matters related to restricted areas, which might be involved in expeditions near borders, but it is not the nodal ministry for organizing or promoting expeditions themselves. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Education) deals with education. The Ministry of External Affairs deals with foreign relations; while foreign nationals or joint international expeditions would involve MEA, the primary responsibility for handling Indian expeditions is with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

9. Conservation, development, management and abatement of pollution of ri

Conservation, development, management and abatement of pollution of rivers, excluding the river Ganga and its tributaries, is the responsibility of

Ministry of Jal Shakti

Ministry of Earth Sciences

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Ministry of Science and Technology

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Conservation, development, management, and abatement of pollution of rivers, including the river Ganga and its tributaries, is the responsibility of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. This ministry was formed by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti is the central nodal ministry for water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation. While Ganga and its tributaries are a specific focus (via the Namami Gange program), the broader responsibility for conservation, management, and pollution abatement of all rivers falls under this ministry.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences deals with Earth sciences, oceanography, etc. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is responsible for environmental protection laws, pollution standards, and enforcement through bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board, which play a crucial role in river pollution abatement but are not the primary nodal ministry for overall river development and management. The Ministry of Science and Technology supports research but is not responsible for the operational management of rivers.

10. All matters relating to survey to map, locate and assess living and no

All matters relating to survey to map, locate and assess living and non-living marine resources fall within the purview of which of the following?

National Institute of Oceanography

Ministry of Earth Sciences

Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries

Coast Guard Organisation

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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Matters relating to survey to map, locate and assess living and non-living marine resources fall primarily within the purview of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). MoES is responsible for ocean science and technology, including research vessels, ocean surveys, and mapping of marine resources.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal ministry in India for all matters related to the Earth system, including oceans. Its mandate includes undertaking ocean surveys, mapping, and assessment of both living and non-living marine resources.

The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is a research laboratory under the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology, not MoES. While NIO conducts relevant research, the overall governmental responsibility and coordination lie with MoES. The Department of Fisheries (under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying) deals with fisheries management and regulation of living resources, but not the broad survey and assessment mandate covering non-living resources and mapping. The Coast Guard is primarily concerned with maritime safety and security.