Q1. Consider the following pairsSea: Bordering country
1. Black Sea: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
2. Caspian Sea: Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
3. Mediterranean Sea: Sudan, Libya, Egypt
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: Option B.)
Ans. 1 Option B is correct Explanation
• The Black Sea is an inland sea located between far-southeastern Europe and the far-western edges of the continent of Asia and the country of Turkey.
• It’s bordered by Turkey, and by Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Georgia.
• The Caspian Sea is an enclosed body of water between Asia and Europe. It is bordered by Iran, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia,
• The following countries have a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea: Northern shore (from west to east): Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey
• Eastern shore (from north to south): Turkey, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Egypt. Hence, pair 3 is incorrect.
Q2. Consider the following statements about the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
1. It is a statutory body set up under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
2. It is a government regulatory agency established with the aim of controlling and regulating the prices of pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: Option B.)
Ans. 2 Option B is the correct Explanation
• It is a government regulatory agency established with the aim of controlling and regulating the prices of pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices in the country.
• It was constituted vide the Government of India Resolution dated 29th August 1997.
• It is an attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• Functions
o To implement and enforce the provisions
of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order in accordance with the powers delegated to it.
o To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority.
Q3. Consider the following statements with reference to the National Register of Citizens (NRC)
1. It was first collected in 2010 and updated in 2015 through door-to-door enumeration, during the “house-listing” phase of the Census.
2. The NRC was published only once in 1951 and since then, it has not been updated until recently.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: Option A.)
Ans. 3 Option A is the correct Explanation
• National Register of Citizens, 1951 is a register prepared after the conduct of the Census of 1951 in respect of each village,
showing the houses or holdings in a serial order and indicating against each house or holding the number and names of persons staying therein. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The NRC was published only once in 1951 and since then, it has not been updated until recently. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It has been updated in Assam only for now and the government plans to update it nationally as well.
Q4. Consider the following statements about The Election Commission of India (ECI)
1. The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union State and local bodies’ election processes in India.
2. The constitution of india gives the power to the President to appoint CEC and Election Commissioners.
3. Currently there is no law of a Central government law governing appointments to the Election Commission of India.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 4 Option B is correct Explanation
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India and not the local bodies. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The President appoints CEC and Election Commissioners.
• Hence, statement 2 is correct
• Currently there is no law of a Central government law governing appointments to the Election Commission of India.
• Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q.5 Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
1. It was introduced as part of the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’s package
2. It aims to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: Option D.)
Ans. 5 Option D is correct Explanation
• It was introduced as part of the ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ package with an investment of Rs. 20,050 crores, the highest-ever investment in this sector. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It aims to bring about the Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector in India. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The scheme is being implemented in all States and UTs for a period of 5 years from FY 2020- 21 to FY 2024-25.
• In order to facilitate access to institutional credit, fishermen are provided with insurance coverage, financial assistance, and a facility Kisan Credit Card (KCC) as well.
Q6. With reference to National Judicial Data Grid consider the following statements
1. It is a database of orders, judgments, and case details of Courts created under the Courts Project.
2. It works as a monitoring tool to identify, manage & reduce pendency of cases.
3. It is recognized as a significant innovation under the Centre’s ease of doing business initiative.
How many of the statements given above are/are not correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: Option D.)
Ans. 6 Option D is the correct Explanation
• National Judicial Data Grid is a database of orders, judgments, and case details of 18,735 District and subordinate Courts and High Courts was created as an online platform under the eCourts Project. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Data is updated on a near real-time basis by the connected District and Taluka courts.
• Aligned with the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), NJDG provides an Open Application Programming Interface (API) to Central and State Governments
• It works as a monitoring tool to identify, manage & reduce pendency of cases. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It helps to provide timely inputs for making policy decisions to reduce delays in disposing of cases and helps in reducing case pendency.
• Facilitates better monitoring of court performance and systemic bottlenecks and thus, serves as an efficient resource management tool.
• NJDG is recognized as a significant innovation under the Centre’s ease of doing business initiative. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report, 2018 commended NJDG for its role in generating case management reports that facilitate contract enforcement.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
1. It was enacted to control the production, supply, and distribution of, and trade and commerce in, certain goods considered essential commodities.
2. The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the Schedule.
3. Food and civil supply authorities in States execute the provisions of the Act.
4. The Act defines the term “essential commodities” in detail.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Solution: option C.)
Ans. 7 Option C is correct Explanation
• Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955 was enacted to control the production, supply, and distribution of, and trade and commerce in, certain goods considered as essential commodities. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It was legislated at a time when the country was facing a scarcity of foodstuffs due to persistently low levels of foodgrains
production.
• There is no specific definition of essential commodities in the Essential Commodities Act, of 1955. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.
• The Act gives powers to the central government to add or remove a commodity in the Schedule. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• By declaring a commodity as essential, the government can control the production, supply, and distribution of that commodity and impose a stock limit.
• Most of the powers under the Act have been delegated by the Central Government to the State Governments with the direction that they shall exercise these powers.
• Food and civil supply authorities in States execute the provisions of the Act. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
Q8. Consider the following statements on the Rubber Board
1. It is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
2. It issues licenses to rubber producers, manufacturers, and exporters.
3. It is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government.
How many of the statements given above are/are not correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. All three
D. None
Solution: Option A.)
Ans. 8 Option A is correct
Explanation
• The Rubber Board is a statutory organization constituted under the Rubber Act, of 1947.
• It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• The Board is headed by a Chairman appointed by the Central Government. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• It has 28 members representing various interests of the natural rubber industry.
• Headquarters: Kottayam, Kerala.
• Functions
o Development of the rubber industry by assisting and encouraging research, development, extension and training
activities related to rubber.
o Maintain statistical data on rubber, take steps to promote the marketing of rubber, and undertake labor welfare activities.
o Issue licenses to rubber producers, manufacturers, and exporters. Hence, statement 2 is correct
Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the design-linked incentive (DLI) scheme
1. It aims to provide financial and infrastructural support to companies setting up fabs or semiconductor-making
plants in India.
2. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) serves as the nodal agency for the implementation of the DLI scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Solution: Option C.)
Ans. 9 Option C is correct Explanation
• The design-linked incentive (DLI) scheme aims to provide financial and infrastructural support to companies setting up fabs or semiconductor-making plants in India. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• It aims to attract existing and global players as it will support their expenditures related to design software, IP rights, development, testing, and deployment.
• The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), a scientific society operating under MeitY, will serve as the nodal agency for the implementation of the DLI scheme. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• It has three components which are Chip Design infrastructure support, Product Design Linked Incentive, and Deployment Linked Incentive
Q10. Consider the following countries
1. Jordan
2. Egypt
3. Iran
4. Yemen
How many of the countries stated above share land boundaries with Saudi Arabia?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Solution: option B.)
Ans. 10 Option B is correct Explanation
• Saudi Arabia is a desert country in southwestern Asia (Middle East) that occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula.
• The kingdom is bounded by the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea in the west and the Persian Gulf in the east.
• Bordering countries: Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Hence, Option B is correct.
• Maritime boundaries: Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea in the Red Sea; Iran and Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.