DAY 13 (29-09-23)
Q1. With reference to National Green Hydrogen Mission, consider the following statements :
- It is a program designed to incentivize the commercial production of green hydrogen and to make India a net exporter of the fuel.
- It will promote the development of green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million metric tonnes (MMT)per annum.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal ministry.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:National Green Hydrogen Missionis a program designed to incentivize the commercial production of green hydrogen and to make India a net exporter of the fuel.The Mission will facilitate demand creation, production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen.
Statement 2 is correct:The mission will promote the development of green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million metric tonnes (MMT)per annum, alongside adding renewable energy capacity of about 125 GW (gigawatt) in India by 2030.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal ministry.
Q2. Consider the following statements regardingGreat Indian Bustards :
- They are distributed throughout Western India, spanning 11 states, as well as parts of Pakistan.
- They generally favour flat open landscapes with minimal visual obstruction and disturbance.
- The biggest threat to this species is hunting, which is still prevalent in Pakistan.
- They are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
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 incorrect:Historically, the great Indian bustard was distributed throughout Western India, spanning 11 states, as well as parts of Pakistan. Its stronghold was once the Thar desert in the north-west and the Deccan plateau of the peninsula.Today, its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and Gujarat. Small population occur in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Statement 2 is correct:Bustards generally favour flat open landscapes with minimal visual obstruction and disturbance, therefore adapt well in grasslands.
Statement 3 is correct: The biggest threat to this species is hunting, which is still prevalent in Pakistan. This is followed by occasional poaching outside Protected Areas, collisions with high tension electric wires, fast moving vehicles and free-ranging dogs in villages. Other threats include habitat loss and alteration as a result of widespread agricultural expansion and mechanized farming, infrastructural development such as irrigation, roads, electric poles, as well as mining and industrialization.
Statement 4 is correct:They are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List; Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972; Appendix I of CITES.
Q3. Which of the following is not an element of basic structure of Indian Constitution?
(a) Federal character
(b) Judicial Review
(c) Welfare State
(d) Fundamental Duties
Answer: (d)
Explanation:Even now there is no proper clarification regarding what constitutes these basic structures. It is a dynamic concept and from various judgements of the Supreme Court we can identify the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution as follows:
- Secular nature of the Constitution
- Federal character
- Unity and integrity of the nation
- Powers of Supreme Court under Articles 32, 136, 141 and 142
- Limited power of the Parliament to amend the constitution
- Judicial review
- Welfare State etc.
Fundamental Duties are not included within the basic structure of the constitution.
Q4. Which among the following is NOT correct? Under the Indian Councils Act, 1861, when a bill was passed by the legislative council, the bill is presented to the Governor-General for his assent. In that case the Governor-General can:
(a) Assent to the bill
(b) Veto the bill
(c) Reserve the bill for the consideration of the English Parliament
(d) Reserve the bill for the consideration of the English Crown
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Main features of 1861 Act –
- Strength of Governor-General’s executive council increased. (minimum six and maximum twelve).
- Additional members to be nominated by Governor-General.
- At least half of them to be non-officials to be nominated by Governor-General for two years.
- Finance member added to executive council as fifth member.
- Council could initiate bills except concerning certain matters like defence, religion, etc.
- Such bills could be initiated only with prior permission of Governor-General.
- Governor-General empowered to issue ordinances in cases of emergency.
- Provinces can frame laws concerning provincial affairs.
- Provincial executive councils enlarged.
- Power to nominate members with Governor
Q5. Consider the following statements :
- The Mauryan pillar capital found at Sarnath was built to commemorate Dhammachakrapravartana by Buddha at Sarnath.
- We find carvings of bull, horse, elephant and lion on the Lion Capital.
Choose the correct statement(s) using the code given below
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 and 2 are correct:The Mauryan pillar capital found at Sarnath popularly known as the Lion Capital is the finest example of Mauryan sculptural tradition. Built in commemoration of the historical event of the first sermon or the Dhammachakrapravartana by Buddha at Sarnath, the capital was built by Ashoka.The capital originally consisted of five component parts:
- the shaft (which is broken in many parts now),
- a lotus bell base,
- a drum on the bell base with four animals (Horse,Elephant,Bull, andLion)proceeding clockwise,
- the figures of four majestic addorsed lions, and
- the crowning element, Dharamchakra, a large wheel, was also a part of this pillar.
However, this wheel is lying in a broken condition. The capital without the crowning wheel and the lotus base has been adopted as the National Emblem of Independent India.