2017-Quiz-3: General Studies for UPSC Examinations
March 27, 2017 October 27, 2017
1. Which among the following Congress sessions was known for concession of separate electorates for the Muslims by the Congress Party?
[A] 1913 Karachi Session
[B] 1915 Bombay Session
[C] 1916 Lucknow Session
[D] 1917 Calcutta Session
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ 1916 Lucknow Session ]
Notes:
Lucknow Session 1916 {presided by Ambica Charan Majumdar) was known for concession of separate electorates for the Muslims by the Congress Party.
2. The annual reports of which of the following bodies is NOT caused to be laid before the Parliament by President of India?
[A] Finance Commission
[B] National Human Rights Commission
[C] Public Accounts Committee
[D] UPSC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ National Human Rights Commission ]
Notes:
Parliamentary Committees present their reports themselves. The Reports and Statements get by President to be laid before parliament are as follows: 1. Annual Financial Statement 2. Reports of Auditor General 3. Annual report of UPSC 4. Reports of Finance Commission 5. Reports of Special officers of SC & ST 6. Report of the Special officers of Linguistic Minorities and Backward Classes. The report of NHRC is submitted to Central Government which in turn submits to parliament.
3. Constitution of India guarantees which of the following to the states of India?
[A] Territorial Integrity
[B] Sovereignty
[C] Right to secede from Union
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ None of them ]
Notes:
The Constitution of India does not guarantee any of the above to the states.
4. Consider the following statements in context with the Asian Development Bank:
- Its shareholders are only Asian Countries
- It offers both hard loans and soft loans
- Trade Finance Programme is one of the programmes of Asian Development Bank
Which among the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Only 2 & 3 ]
Notes:- Its shareholders are only Asian Countries – Incorrect. While a majority of the shareholders are from Asian countries, there are also non-regional members such as the USA, Canada, and European countries that are shareholders of ADB.
- It offers both hard loans and soft loans – Correct. ADB provides both market-based ‘hard’ loans as well as concessional ‘soft’ loans with lower interest rates to its developing member countries.
- Trade Finance Programme is one of the programmes of Asian Development Bank – Correct. The Trade Finance Program is an ADB program that provides guarantees and loans to over 200 partner banks to support trade in developing Asia.
5. Currently (2024), India is member of which of the following?
- Nuclear Suppliers Group
- Wassennar Arrangement
- Australia Group
- Missile Technology Control Regime
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 2 & 4
[D] Only 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Only 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:- Nuclear Suppliers Group: As of now (2024), India is not a member of NSG.
- Wassennar Arrangement: In December 2017, India was admitted as the 42nd member of the Wassenaar Arrangement, a global export control regime.
- Australia Group: In January 2018, India joined the Australia Group as its 43rd member. Australia group which aims to prevent proliferation of biological and chemical weapons.
- Missile Technology Control Regime: In July 2018, India has officially joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member.
6. Identify the correct wetland from the information given below:
- It is located on the eastern coast of India
- It is home to a famous bird sanctuary
- It is in the vicinity of an important space research centre of India
- It’s a Brackish water lagoon
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Pulicat Lake
[B] Kolleru Lake
[C] Chilka Lake
[D] Bhitarkanika
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pulicat Lake ]
Notes:
Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish – water lake or lagoon in India. It straddles the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu states on the Coromandal Coast in South India. The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary. The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. The island is home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
7. Consider the following statements in context with the election of Secretary General of the United Nations:
- A person can become secretary general of United Nations for not more than 2 times
- The appointment of Secretary General is done by the United Nations Security Council
- A person from either permanent members or non-permanent members only can become a secretary general
Which among the above statements is/ are correct?
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ None of them ]
Notes:
1. A person can become secretary general of United Nations for not more than 2 times This is an incorrect statement. There are no specific criteria for the post, but over the years, it has become accepted that the post shall be held for one or two terms of five years, that the post shall be appointed on the basis of geographical rotation, and that the Secretary-General shall not originate from one of the five permanent Security Council member states 2. The appointment of Secretary General is done by the United Nations Security Council This is also a wrong statement. The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly, after being recommended by the Security Council, where the permanent members have veto power. 3. A person from either permanent members or non-permanent members only can become a secretary general This is also a wrong statement.
8. Which of the following is / are features of the Rig-Vedic economy?
- It was primarily a pastoral economy
- There was cultivation of multiple cereals
- There was abundance of wage earners
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 & 2 ]
Notes:
In India, by 2500 BC, the pastoral lifestyle declined and people shifted towards agriculture. During the Vedic period, the scale of operations was such that it didn’t require the use of hired labor. However, starting from 600 BC during the post Vedic period, labor began to be utilized in various types of occupations. Thus, the statement that “There was abundance of wage earners.” is wrong.
9. Which of the following is NOT a correct statement with respect to Freedom of speech and expression in India?
[A] It is enshrined in Part III of the Constitution
[B] It is not an absolute right to express one’s thoughts freely
[C] It can not be curtailed by legislation
[D] It can be suspended in emergency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [It can not be curtailed by legislation ]
Notes:
Since this right is not absolute, it can be curtailed by legislation by parliament. During emergency, Article 19 is eclipsed by the superior right of the State to enact laws abrogating freedoms of a citizen (under Article 358). The suspension of Article 19 continues so long as the proclamation of such emergency is in operation1 and automatically revives when the proclamation cases to operate.
10. Which among the following authorities decides , how far the fundamental rights can apply to the members of the armed forces in India?
[A] President of India
[B] Parliament of India
[C] Arms Forces themselves
[D] Arms Forces Tribunal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Parliament of India ]
Notes:
To decide far the fundamental rights can apply to the members of the armed forces in India, is the prerogative of the Parliament under Article 33 & 34. These articles empower the Parliament to restrict, modify or abrogate the fundamental rights to the members of armed forces, para-military forces, police forces, members of intelligence agencies or similar services.
Dayaram Singh
March 27, 2017 at 7:16 pmThanks a lot to all