DAY 10 (25-09-23)
Q1. With reference to IBSA Forum, consider the following statements :
- It is a trilateral, developmental initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation.
- The grouping was formalizedwhen the Foreign Ministers of the three countries met in Brasilia (Brazil) in 2003.
- It is headquartered in Brasilia, Brazil.
- IBSA Fundis managed by the United Nations (UN) Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:The IBSA is a trilateral, developmental initiative between India, Brazil and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and exchange.
Statement 2 is correct:The grouping was formalized and named the IBSA Dialogue Forum when the Foreign Ministers of the three countries met in Brasilia (Brazil) on 6th June 2003 and issued the Brasilia Declaration.
Statement 3 is incorrect:IBSA does not have a headquarters or a permanent executive secretariat.At the highest level, it counts on the Summits of Heads of State and Government.
Statement 4 is correct:Established in 2004, IBSA Fund (India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation) is a unique Fund through which development projects are executed with IBSA funding in fellow developing countries.The fund is managed by the United Nations (UN) Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC). Each IBSA member country is required to contribute $1 million per annum to the fund.
Q2. Consider the following statements :
- Direct Seeding of Rice is method of growing seedlings in a nursery, then transplanting directly into flooded fields.
- Rice is a rabi crop.
- Rice crop requires average temperature of 15 to 20 degree Celsius.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect:Direct seeding is a crop establishment system wherein rice seeds are sown directly into the field, as opposed to the traditional method of growing seedlings in a nursery, then transplanting into flooded fields.
Statement 2 is incorrect:Rice is a kharif crop. Other kharif crops are – sorghum, maize, tea, rubber, coffee, guar, Sesame, cereals such as Arhar Dhal, pearl millet, soybeans, cotton, oilseeds, etc.
Statement 3 is incorrect:Rice crop needs a hot and humid climate. The average temperature required- from 21 to 37 degree Celsius.
Q3. Consider the following statements:
- The Parliament can place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.
- The validity of a law placed in the Ninth Schedule cannot be examined by any court and no judgment can be made on it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:The 9th schedule along with Article 31B was added to the Constitution through the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951. Article 31B provides immunity to Acts and Regulations included in the ninth Schedule from being challenged in the court of law on the ground of contravention of any of the fundamental rights.In IR Coelho versus State of Tamil Nadu, the Supreme court upheld the validity of Article 31-B and Parliament’s power to place a particular law in the Ninth Schedule.
Statement 2 is incorrect:But in IR Coelho versus State of Tamil Nadu, Supreme court also clarified that there cannot be any blanket protection to the laws placed under the ninth schedule. The Supreme Court ruled that while laws placed under the Ninth Schedule cannot be challenged on the grounds of violation of fundamental rights, they can be challenged on the ground of violating thebasic structure of the Constitution. Therefore, the laws placed in the Ninth Schedule after April 24, 1973 (date of Kesavananda Bharati judgment where Doctrine of basic structure was propounded) were open to challenge.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding SarfaesiAct :
- It is effective only against secured loans where banks can enforce the underlying security.
- It promotes the setting up of asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) and asset securitization companies (SCs) to deal with NPAs.
- It gives powers to banks and financial institutions to take over the immovable property that is pledged to enforce the recovery of debt.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Banks utilize Sarfaesi Act as an effective tool for bad loans (Non-Performing Asset) recovery. The Sarfaesi Act is effective only against secured loans where banks can enforce the underlying security.
Statement 2 is correct: The Act promotes the setting up of asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) and asset securitization companies (SCs) to deal with NPAs accumulated with the banks and financial institutions.
Statement 3 is correct: The Act gives powers to banks and financial institutions to take over the immovable property that is pledged to enforce the recovery of debt.
Q5. Consider the following statements with respect to Freedom of Religion enshrined in the Constitution:
- It includes the freedom to not follow any religion.
- It bars all religious conversions.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Freedom of Religion is a Fundamental Right provided under Articles 25-28 of the Constitution. Freedom of religion also includes the freedom of conscience. This means that a person may choose any religion or may choose not to follow any religion.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Freedom of Religion includes the right to not just practice one’s religion but also to propagate it. This includes persuading people to join one’s religion and willful conversion from one religion to another. The Constitution bars forceful conversions and conversions done by inducements.