Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs – February 26-27, 2023 [Mock Test]
March 15, 2023 March 15, 2023
1. With respect to reservation quota in India, consider the following statements:
- The EWS quota has been brought under Article 16(4) of the Constitution.
- Article 16(4) requires proof of the inadequacy of representation in government services.
- The SC in the 1992 Indra Sawhney verdict, justified the positive discrimination policies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:- The SC has upheld the constitutionality of the 103rd Constitution Amendment, which provides 10% reservation to the EWS but excludes the ‘poorest of poor’ among the SCs, STs and OBCs from this quota, igniting debate over the issue of reservation.
- The SC in the 1992 Indra Sawhney verdict, justified the positive discrimination policies (caste-based) in existence in India since Independence.
- Reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs were introduced with proof that these communities were not adequately represented.
- But, the EWS quota has not been brought under Article 16(4) of the Constitution, which requires proof of the inadequacy of representation in government services.
2. With respect to the recently launched campaign “In Our LiFEtime”, consider the following statements:
- It was launched by Ministry of Jal Shakti in association with World Bank.
- It aims to encourage youth to clean rivers by collecting floating solid wastes.
- It was launched at COP 27, Sharm El-Sheikh.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 3]
Notes:- National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), jointly launched “In Our LiFEtime” campaign to encourage youth between the ages of 18 to 23 years to become message bearers of sustainable lifestyles.
- This campaign envisions to recognize youth from around the world taking climate action initiatives that resonate with the concept of LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment). This was launched in a side event at the India Pavilion at COP 27, Sharm El-Sheikh.
3. Which of the following statements about National Anti-Profiteering Authority are correct?
- It is an autonomous body set up under the Ministry of Finance.
- It can take note of any instance of anti-profiteering suo-moto.
- It ensures that traders are not realising unfair profit by charging high prices from the consumers in the name of GST.
- MRP is inclusive of GST and charging more than MRP attracts the provisions of Legal Metrology Act.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 3
[B] Only 2 & 4
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:- National Anti-Profiteering Authority is a statutory body set up under Section 171 of the Central GST Act, 2017 to check whether trade and industry were passing on rate reductions under the Goods and Services (GST) Tax.
- It ensures that traders are not realising unfair profit by charging high prices from the consumers in the name of GST.
- In terms of Rule 137 of the CGST Rules, 2017, the Anti-Profiteering Authority shall cease to exist after the expiry of two years from the date on which the Chairman of the Authority enters upon his office unless the GST Council recommends otherwise.
- Maximum 9 months has been envisaged for resolution of cases excluding the time taken by the State-level screening committee and the Standing Committee (maximum 2 months) for processing the complaints.
- The NAA can take note of any instance of anti-profiteering even without a complaint from a citizen.
- Maximum retail price (MRP) written on products is the maximum amount that can be charged from a customer for the product.
