May 01 2024 Prelims Practice Questions (PPQs)

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• The eggshell skull rule is a legal doctrine used in tort law to determine the extent of liability for damages caused by a tortfeasor/defendant (the person who commits a wrongful act).
  • Tort law is the branch of the law that deals with civil suits, with the exception of disputes involving contracts.
  • Tort law is considered to be a form of restorative justice since it seeks to remedy losses or injury by providing monetary compensation.
• The rule essentially states that the tortfeasor must take the victim as they find them, meaning they are liable for the full extent of harm caused, even if the victim had a pre-existing condition or vulnerability that made them more susceptible to injury.
• Under the eggshell skull rule, the tortfeasor cannot use the victim’s pre-existing condition as a defense to reduce or avoid liability.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The origin of the rule is the Vosburg v. Putney case (1891) in Wisconsin, US, in which the injury was aggravated due to a pre-existing injury.
• In India, It was applied by the Supreme Court in the Jyoti Devi vs. Suket Hospital case.
• The Court restored the compensation awarded by the district consumer forum in a medical negligence case.

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

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The art form is based in the states of Odisha and West Bengal, believed to have originated as early as the 12th century.
• This, as an art form in Odisha, is created for ritual use and as souvenirs for pilgrims to temples. It forms are a component of ancient Bengali narrative art.
• There are two kinds of Pattachitra-
  • ‘Jodano chitra’ where ‘jodano’ means wrapped.
  • ‘Chouko chitra’ where ‘chouko’ stands for square. There is one Isolated painting depicting a mythological incident.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Pattachitra or Patachitra is generally used for traditional, cloth-based scroll painting.
• The literal meaning of the word “Patta” is “cloth”, and “Chitra” means “picture” in Sanskrit.
• The paintings are based on Hindu mythology and are highly inspired by Jagannath and Vaishnava Sects.
• The theme of Odia painting is kept around Lord Jagannath and the Vaishnava sect but in West Bengal, Pattachitras are used to depict stories of Goddess Durga.

  

  

• The colours used in the Paintings are natural, and they are made in an old traditional way.
• It is a disciplined form of art with a set of rules and restrictions.
• A floral border is a must around the paintings.
• The paintings are executed primarily in profile with elongated eyes.
• Some of the popular themes represented through this art form are Thia Badhia (temple of Jagannath), Krishna Lila (Jagannath as Lord Krishna), Dasabatara Patti (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu), Panchamukhi (Lord Ganesh depicted as a five-headed deity).

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The GI of Patachitra is registered differently in both states because the style and motif of the paintings in both states are different.
• Patachitra of Odisha is registered as Orissa Pattachitra, while that of West Bengal is registered as Bengal Patachitra.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• A digital water distribution system for agricultural fields was launched in Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan.
• “Barabandi“ is the “fixed turn” system of receiving water from the canal.
• A digital and online “barabandi” system will facilitate the supply of irrigation water on a predetermined schedule, accessible from anywhere.
• It will enable the farmers to know the status of water reaching their fields and minimise the scope for human error often reported in the manual system.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• National Informatics Centre (NIC), Jaipur, has developed this unique system.
• About NIC:
  • NIC provides network backbone and e-Governance support to the Central Government, State Governments and UT Administrations.
  • NIC has been closely associated with the Government in different aspects of Governance besides establishing a Nationwide State-of-the-Art Information and communication technology (ICT) Infrastructure.
  • It has also built a large number of digital solutions to support the government at various levels, making the last-mile delivery of government services to the citizens a reality.
  • It is under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  • It was established in 1976 and its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

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

Correct

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Individual Saving and Consumption: During an economic downturn, individuals often become more cautious with their spending and increase their saving behavior.
• While this increased saving may provide financial security for individuals, it also means that they are spending less on consumption goods and services.
  

  Aggregate Demand: Aggregate demand refers to the total demand for goods and services in an economy at a given time. It comprises consumer spending, investment, government spending, and net exports. Consumption spending by individuals is a significant component of aggregate demand.

• Impact on Aggregate Demand: When individuals save more and spend less during economic downturns, it directly reduces consumption spending, which is a component of aggregate demand.
• As a result, there is a decrease in aggregate demand, leading to reduced economic activity, such as lower production levels, decreased business investment, and potentially higher unemployment rates.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The concept of the paradox of thrift, introduced by economist John Maynard Keynes, emphasizes this inverse relationship between saving and aggregate demand during economic downturns.
• Keynes argued that while saving is beneficial on an individual level, excessive saving across the economy can exacerbate the downturn by reducing aggregate demand, leading to a prolonged economic slump.

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

Correct

Explanation

• Hinglaj Mata Temple:
• The Hinglaj Mata temple is dedicated to Goddess Hinglaj and is believed to be one of the oldest temples in the Indian subcontinent.
• It is situated in a remote and mountainous area in Balochistan, Pakistan, near the Hingol River.
• The temple complex includes shrines, caves, and natural formations that are considered sacred by devotees.
• Mythological Significance:
• According to Hindu mythology, the story of Hinglaj Mata is linked to the legend of Goddess Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva.
• It is said that when Sati’s father insulted Lord Shiva, she immolated herself in protest.
• In his grief and rage, Lord Shiva carried Sati’s burning body across the universe.
• During this journey, parts of her body fell at various locations, which became known as Shakti Peethas. Hinglaj Mata is believed to be where Sati’s head fell.
• Hinglaj Pilgrimage:
• The Hinglaj pilgrimage, also known as Nani ki Haj, is an annual pilgrimage undertaken by devotees to the Hinglaj Mata temple.
• It usually occurs during the Hindu festival of Chaitra Navratri, which falls in March or April. Pilgrims travel from different parts of Pakistan, India, and beyond to visit the temple, perform rituals, and seek blessings from the goddess.
• Challenges and Security: The Hinglaj pilgrimage faces logistical challenges and security concerns due to its location in a remote and politically sensitive area.

Answer: (d) Pakistan; Difficulty Level: Medium

Correct

Explanation

• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was launched by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the 2019 UN Climate Summit.
• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure hosts an annual conference called the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI).
• This conference brings together governments, organizations, institutions, the media, and infrastructure stakeholders to discuss disaster and climate-resilient infrastructure.
• The goal is to build a global community that is engaged in creating resilient infrastructure, which can withstand disasters and climate change. The conference is an opportunity to strengthen the global discourse on these important topics.
• The conference’s theme for 2024 is “Investing today for a more resilient tomorrow“.

Answer: (b) Investing today for a more resilient tomorrow; Difficulty Level: Medium