Daily MCQs – 14th Nov 23
General Studies UPSC Prelims Daily MCQ:
Top Multiple-Choice Questions for UPSC/ IAS Paper, PCS and other Competitive Exams: Daily MCQs on Indian Polity, Indian Geography, History, Environment, Science and Technology, Current Affairs, Economics, Art and Culture, etc.
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- Basavanna rejected the Hindu Brahmanical ritualism and its adherence to sacred texts like the Vedas.
- The emergence of Lingayat sect can be located within the larger trend of Bhakti movements.
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 is correct: Basavanna’s vision of a societal order was one based on human freedom, equality, rationality, and brotherhood. He and his followers spread their ideas through vachanas (prose-lyrics) and their prime target was the caste hierarchy which they rejected with full force. In one of his vachanas, Basavanna asserts that “the birthless has no caste distinctions, no ritual pollution.” He rejected the Hindu Brahmanical ritualism and its adherence to sacred texts like the Vedas.
Statement 2 is correct: The emergence of the Lingayat sect can be located within the larger trend of Bhakti movements that had swept across South India from the 8th century AD onwards. The Bhakti tradition was a social reform movement that developed around Hindu Gods and Goddesses but split away from the Hindu fold by offering a path to spirituality regardless of their caste and creed. However, the case of the Lingayats was different. While they also fell into the category of a social reform movement within Hinduism, they made some radical departures from the traditional Bhakti paradigm.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Earth:
- Earth is the largest of the terrestrial planets.
- Earth is exactly one astronomical unit away from the Sun.
- Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted exactly 23 degrees.
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: Our solar system consists of our star, the Sun, and everything bound to it by gravity – the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, dwarf planets such as Pluto, dozens of moons and millions of asteroids, comets and meteoroids. The inner, rocky planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. These are also called the terrestrial planets. The Earth is the largest terrestrial planet. The outer planets are gas giants Jupiter and Saturn and ice giants Uranus and Neptune. Jupiter is the largest gas giant.
Statement 2 is incorrect: An astronomical unit (AU) is the average from Earth to the Sun, about 93 million miles (150 million km). Thus, the earth is exactly one AU away from the sun.
Statement 3 is correct: The axis of Earth is tilted towards the ecliptic of the Sun at an angle of approximately 23.5 degree. This tilt causes the difference in the amount of sunlight reaching a given point on the surface during the course of a year. Hence, we can experience different seasons on the Earth throughout the year.
Q3. In the context of Polity of India, consider the following statements:
- Only Parliament shall have the power to make laws restricting the application of Fundamental Rights to members of armed forces.
- Both Parliament and State Legislature shall have powers to make laws for prescribing punishment for offenses such as traffic in human beings and forced labor.
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: Restricting or abrogating the application of Fundamental Rights to members of armed forces, police forces, etc. (Article 33). Indemnifying any government servant or any other person for any act done during the operation of martial law in any area (Article 34).
Statement 2 is incorrect: Parliament shall have (and the legislature of a state shall not have) powers to make laws for prescribing punishment for those acts that are declared to be offenses under the fundamental rights. These include the following:
- Untouchability (Article 17).
- Traffic in human beings and forced labour (Article 23).
Q4. Consider the following statements with reference to Disinvestment in India:
- The Indian government employed the “Minority Stake Sale” approach as part of its disinvestment policy for Air India last year.
- The Bureau of Asset Management and Public Finance (BAMPF) oversees the disinvestment process.
- The proceeds from disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises are directed to National Investment Reserve (NIR).
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statements 1 incorrect: There are three different types of disinvestment policies in India: minority stake sale, strategic disinvestment, and closure of non-viable PSUs. Minority stake sales involve the government selling a portion of its holdings in public sector enterprises (PSEs) to private investors. In recent years, such sales have been executed for major PSUs like Coal India, ONGC, and Indian Oil Corp. Strategic disinvestment involves selling of more than 50% of government shares in a public enterprise. It also includes the transfer of managerial control from the government to the private shareholder. In recent years, this approach was taken for PSUs like Air India, Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Shipping Corp of India. Closing non-viable PSUs is the process of shutting down unprofitable public sector enterprises that show no prospects of future profitability. In recent years, the government has ceased operations of non-viable PSUs like Scooters India and Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Company.
Statements 2 incorrect: The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) oversees the disinvestment process, operating under the Ministry of Finance.
Statements 3 incorrect: The proceeds from disinvestment of Central Public Sector Enterprises are directed to National Investment Fund (NIF).
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters (GCCEM) serves as a forum for law enforcement agencies to share strategies for combating rogue AI and robotic lawbreakers.
- The World Customs Organisation (WCO) aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations, promote the facilitation of international trade, and combat fraud and smuggling.
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: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Global Conference on Cooperation in Enforcement Matters (GCCEM) is a conference organized by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) of India. The GCCEM is a platform for law enforcement agencies from around the world to discuss and share best practices on enforcement matters. The conference covers a wide range of topics, including: Countering smuggling and trafficking, combating tax evasion and money laundering, enforcing intellectual property rights, Investigating and prosecuting economic crimes.
Statement 2 is correct: The World Customs Organisation (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization that works to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations around the world. The WCO’s standards and instruments help to ensure that Customs administrations are performing these tasks effectively and efficiently. It aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations, promote the facilitation of international trade, and combat fraud and smuggling. It is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.