2017 Archives

31. Which one of the following is not under the purview of the Ministry

Which one of the following is not under the purview of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region ?

The Sikkim Mining Corporation Limited

Planning of road and inland waterways transport

Border Roads Organisation

North Eastern Council

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The correct option is C) Border Roads Organisation.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is responsible for the development of the eight North Eastern States. Areas under its purview include planning for infrastructure like roads and inland waterways within the region and overseeing bodies like the North Eastern Council (NEC). The Sikkim Mining Corporation Limited, being a state entity in a NE state, could fall under DoNER’s developmental focus. However, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is a road construction executive force in India that provides support to the Indian Armed Forces and functions under the Ministry of Defence, even though it operates extensively in the border areas of the North East.

BRO primarily focuses on strategic roads in border areas. The Ministry of DoNER focuses on general infrastructure development to promote socio-economic growth in the North East.

32. A non-governmental organisation wants to set up a chain of open air th

A non-governmental organisation wants to set up a chain of open air theatres in 50 rural areas across the country. Which one of the following Ministries should it approach with the proposal?

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Ministry of Culture

Ministry of Rural Development

Ministry of Home Affairs

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The correct option is B) Ministry of Culture.

The core activity described – setting up open-air theatres for cultural purposes – falls under the purview of promoting arts, culture, and heritage. The Ministry of Culture is the nodal ministry for matters relating to art and culture in India, including support for cultural infrastructure and activities across the country, including rural areas.

While the activity is in rural areas (Ministry of Rural Development) or involves media (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting), the primary nature of setting up theatres is cultural, making the Ministry of Culture the most appropriate ministry to approach for such a proposal.

33. Serious Frauds Investigation Office functions under

Serious Frauds Investigation Office functions under

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Reserve Bank of India

Central Bureau of Investigation

Securities & Exchange Board of India

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The correct option is A) Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

The Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO) is a multi-disciplinary organization under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It was established under the Companies Act, 2013, as a statutory body to investigate white-collar crimes and serious frauds involving companies and complex scams.

SFIO has powers to arrest individuals for certain offenses. It works in coordination with other agencies but functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

34. Entering into treaties and agreements with foreign countries relating

Entering into treaties and agreements with foreign countries relating to trade and commerce in food grains and other foodstuffs is the responsibility of

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Directorate General of Foreign Trade

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The correct option is A) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Based on the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, the Department of Food and Public Distribution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution is responsible for “External trade regarding food stuffs including policy relating thereto.” This explicitly includes entering into treaties and agreements with foreign countries concerning trade in food grains and other foodstuffs.

While the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (which oversees DGFT) is generally responsible for foreign trade policy and agreements, specific commodities like food grains and foodstuffs are allocated to the Ministry dealing with that sector domestically. The Ministry of Agriculture focuses on production, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deals with overall diplomatic relations.

35. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is

non-existent

a private sector entity

under the administrative control of different Ministries

under the administrative control of the Ministry of Communications

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is a premier research and development centre established by the Government of India. It is an autonomous body operating under the administrative control of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which is part of the Ministry of Communications. C-DOT’s mandate is to develop indigenous telecommunication technology.

C-DOT is a government-funded R&D institution focused on telecommunications and is administered by the Ministry of Communications.

C-DOT plays a significant role in India’s telecommunication sector by developing technologies for digital switching, transmission, access networks, and other communication systems, contributing to self-reliance in this field.

36. Assistance to institutions engaged in scientific work and to universit

Assistance to institutions engaged in scientific work and to universities for advancement of study and research in nuclear sciences is the responsibility of

Department of Atomic Energy

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Ministry of Power

Ministry of Science and Technology

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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In India, all matters related to atomic energy, including scientific research, development, and assistance to institutions and universities in nuclear sciences, fall under the purview of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The DAE is a department directly under the Prime Minister’s Office and is the nodal agency for nuclear research and development in the country.

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is the primary body responsible for promoting and supporting research and development in nuclear sciences in India.

The DAE oversees various research institutions, public sector undertakings, and grant-in-aid institutions involved in nuclear science and technology, such as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), and provides grants to universities for relevant research.

37. Public Enterprises Selection Board, which advises the Government on ap

Public Enterprises Selection Board, which advises the Government on appointments to the top management posts in the Central Public Sector Enterprises, functions under the administrative control of

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Prime Minister's Office

Competition Commission

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is a body constituted by the Government of India to advise the government on appointments to the top management posts (Chairman, Managing Director, Directors) in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and other minor public sector bodies. The PESB functions under the administrative control of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which is part of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is the nodal body for selection to top CPSE positions and reports administratively to the Ministry responsible for central government personnel matters.

The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is the central government agency responsible for personnel management, recruitment, training, and service conditions for central government employees, including those in senior positions in CPSEs through bodies like PESB.

38. Monitoring of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme

Monitoring of the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is the responsibility of

the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha Secretariats

the Ministry of Finance

the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

the Ministry of Home Affairs

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) is a scheme formulated and administered by the Government of India. The nodal Ministry responsible for the policy, guidelines, fund release, and monitoring of the implementation of the MPLADS is the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). This Ministry oversees the performance and expenditures under the scheme.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is the designated central agency for the administration and monitoring of the MPLADS scheme.

Under the MPLADS scheme, each MP is allocated funds to recommend works of a developmental nature in their constituency. The District Authority is responsible for implementation at the local level, while MoSPI handles the central oversight and monitoring functions.

39. Bharat Wagon and Engineering Company Limited, Burn Standard Company Li

Bharat Wagon and Engineering Company Limited, Burn Standard Company Limited and the Lagan Jute Machinery Company Limited are subsidiary companies under the administrative control of which one of the following Ministries ?

Ministry of Railways

Ministry of Textiles

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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Bharat Wagon and Engineering Company Limited (BWEL), Burn Standard Company Limited (BSCL), and Lagan Jute Machinery Company Limited (LJMCL) are/were Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Historically and at the time these companies were operational as government entities, they fell under the administrative control of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (specifically the Department of Heavy Industry). Both BWEL and BSCL were railway wagon manufacturing companies initially under the Ministry of Railways but were later transferred to the Department of Heavy Industry. LJMCL was also under the Department of Heavy Industry, dealing with jute machinery.

Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are typically under the administrative control of specific government Ministries based on their sector of operation.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises is responsible for public sector enterprises in the heavy manufacturing and engineering sectors. Both BWEL and BSCL have since been liquidated. LJMCL continues to exist as a subsidiary of Braithwaite & Co. Ltd., also a CPSE under the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

40. Drafting of Bills is the responsibility of

Drafting of Bills is the responsibility of

the Ministry/Department concerned

the Ministry of Law and Justice

the Cabinet Secretariat

the Ministry of Home Affairs

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UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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While the concerned Ministry/Department is responsible for formulating the policy content and objectives of a proposed law, the technical drafting of the Bill into precise legal language is primarily the responsibility of the Legislative Department within the Ministry of Law and Justice. This department provides the necessary legal expertise to ensure that the Bill is legally sound, consistent with the Constitution and existing laws, and accurately reflects the policy intent.

The Ministry of Law and Justice, specifically its Legislative Department, holds the core responsibility for the technical drafting of legislative Bills in India.

After the policy is decided by the concerned Ministry and approved by the Cabinet, the proposal is sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice for drafting. The draft Bill is then circulated, reviewed, and eventually introduced in Parliament.