August 24-2024 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Correct

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are incorrect

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is a constitutional body appointed under Article 148 of the constitution as the highest auditing authority of the country for 6 years or upto 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is responsible for compiling and keeping accounts and conducting audits.
• Article 149 states that CAG shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) submits three audit reports to the President:
  • Audit Report on Appropriation Accounts,
  • Audit Report on Finance Accounts, and
  • Audit Report on Public Undertakings.
• The President then presents these reports to both houses of Parliament which the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines and report back to the parliament.

Statements 2 and 4 are correct

• CAG conducts audits of expenditures on behalf and as an agent of Parliament making the office responsible to parliament only.
• As per the Supreme Court rulings, Parliament must review and validate CAG reports before being used for criminal investigations, reinforcing legislative scrutiny.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Hard

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is inorrect

• India follows a Managed Floating Exchange Rate Regime where a currency’s value is primarily set by market forces such as supply and demand, trade balances, and economic conditions but also occasionally adjusted by central bank intervention.
  1. RBI intervenes to stabilize the currency by buying or selling it to prevent excessive fluctuations.
• A fixed exchange rate regime is where the country’s official currency exchange rate is tied to another country’s currency or the price of gold and is determined by a government or central bank in order to keep the currency’s value within a narrow band.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct

• During the period of high inflation, RBI may follow a Counter-cyclical monetary policy, which leads against prevailing monetary scenarios, such as increasing repo and reverse repo rates etc. to stabilize the market and reduce currency circulation.
• With tighter regulations to reduce money supply, the cost of managing currency risk through derivatives and other instruments may rise, impacting businesses and investors driving traders to offshore markets, potentially reducing the volume and effectiveness of domestic currency trading.

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

• Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage involves the capture of CO2 generally from large point sources like power generation or industrial facilities that use either fossil fuels or biomass as fuel.
• It involves the transport of the captured CO2 to sites, either for utilization in different applications or injection into geological formations or depleted oil & gas fields for permanent storage and trapping of the CO2.
• The difference between Carbon dioxide removal (generally known as carbon removal) and CCUS is source-based.
• Carbon removal is generally used for removal of atmospheric carbon whereas, CCUS is wider as it captures, store and is used to find practical application of carbon at source itself.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the most significant Hindu empires in South India established in 1336 A.D. by brothers Harihara and Bukka Raya, situated in the Bellary District, Central Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
• Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Hampi is famous for its architectural remains with notable features including the mythical Yali (horse) carvings and the Kalyan Mandap (a central pavilion for marriage ceremonies).
• Key architectural remains include the Mahanavami Dibba (a ceremonial platform), various ponds and tanks, and rows of pillared Mandapas.
• Notable temples in Hampi include Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple Complex, Hazara Rama Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Achyutaraya Temple.
• Due to the aridity of the region, sophisticated water management systems were developed, including the Kamalapuram tank and the Hiriya canal, to support agriculture and urban water needs.

Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect

• Lothal and Dholavira are ancient Harappan towns in Gujarat, well known for dockyard and Dam respectively, whereas Jodhpur in Rajasthan is a medieval Indian example for integrated water management system.

Answer: (a) Hampi; Difficulty Level: Hard

Correct

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are correct

• India is the second-largest silk producer globally after China and uniquely produces all five commercial types: mulberry, tropical tasar, oak tasar, eri, and muga.
• Major silk-producing states in India are Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu along with northeastern region which is notable for producing four varieties of silk (Mulberry, Oak Tasar, Muga, and Eri) and contributing 18% of India’s total silk production.

Statement 3 is correct

• Eri silk, also known as “peace silk,” is a unique and sustainable textile produced from the Eri silkworm after the moth has naturally emerged unlike killing traditional silk, where the silkworm is killed to extract the thread.
• A GI product from Assam, it aligns with ethical and eco-friendly practices, yielding Oeko-Tex Certification for harmless and environmentally friendly textiles.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• Silk Production in India is regulated by Central Silk Board, a statutory body established in 1948 and functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles.
• Headquartered in Bengaluru, the Central Government appoints its Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary for 3 years.

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• BHISHM Cube consists of medicines and equipments for the first line of care for all kinds of injuries and medical situations along with surgical equipment for a basic Operation Room which can also generate its own power and oxygen in limited amounts.
• It is a component of Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) implemented by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, that aims to strengthen medical readiness and response capabilities.
• It involves the deployment of mobile hospitals called the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube.
• The objectives of project BHISHM includes
  • Sahyog (Cooperation): Enhance collaboration among government bodies, healthcare providers, and communities to improve disaster response efforts.
  • Hita (Welfare): Ensure the well-being of the population by delivering prompt and effective healthcare services during emergencies.
  • Maitri (Friendship): Foster and sustain positive relationships through humanitarian aid, both within the country and internationally.

Answer: (b) A basic operation room along with medicines and equipments for all kinds of injuries and medical situations; Difficulty Level: Medium