Daily Prelims Practise Questions (PPQs) – November 10 2023

Questions

• The questions below are based on PMF IAS Daily Current Affairs – November 2023.

Q1. {Envi – Laws} Consider the following statements:

1. ‘Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017’ was released by India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
2. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a statutory body established under the Electricity Act 2003.
3. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, empowers the Government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All

Q2. {Geo – EG – Water Resources} Consider the following statement regarding the ‘Composite Water Management Index’:

1. The index is released by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development.
2. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation initially formed the index, which was later transferred to NITI Aayog.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q3. {Polity – IC – Bodies – Constitutional} Consider the following statements about the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India:

1. CAG is not eligible for reappointment.
2. CAG controls the issue of money from the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. CAG holds his office at the pleasure of the President.
4. The President can remove CAG based on a resolution passed by the Parliament by a simple majority.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q4. {Social Sector – Education – Higher} Consider the following statements regarding the recent UGC regulations for setting up Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEI) in India:

1. The Higher Education Commission of India is the sole authority to permit the establishment of FHEI campuses in India.
2. Only FHEIs from developed countries can establish campuses in India.
3. Online programs and distance learning mode education are not allowed in the FHEI.
4. FHEI shall have autonomy over qualifications, salary, and other conditions of services for making appointments of faculty and staff.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q5. {Polity – IC – Bodies – Constitutional} Consider the following statements regarding the Finance Commission:

1. It is a constitutional body constituted by the President every 5^th year.
2. It consists of a chairman and 4 other members who are eligible for re-appointment.
3. The Commission submits its report to the President, who lays it before both houses of the Parliament.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. {Envi – Air Pollution} What does “Loss and Damage” signify in the context of climate change?

1. The fleeting and reversible consequences of climate fluctuations.
2. Impacts strategically evaded through meticulous adaptation endeavours.
3. Non-monetary gains enhancing fundamental human rights and well-being.
4. Climate change’s irrevocable and unavoidable aftermath encompassing non-monetary losses.

Q7. {IPR – GI} Consider the following pairs of GI tagged products and the states which they belong to:

1. Jhangora – Uttarakhand
2. Bichhu buti fabrics – Jammu and Kashmir
3. Dindigul Lock – Karnataka
4. Tawlhlohpuan – Mizoram

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Questions With Solution and Explanation

Q1. {Envi – Laws} Consider the following statements:

1. ‘Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017’ was released by India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
2. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a statutory body established under the Electricity Act 2003.
3. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, empowers the Government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. All

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The ECBC was released by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE – Ministry of Power) in 2007 and was updated in 2017.
• Recently, the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) praised India’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), 2017, in its World Energy Outlook 2023 report.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
  1. It is a statutory body established in 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  2. It works under the supervision of the Ministry of Power.
  3. Its function is to develop programs to enhance the conservation and efficient energy use in India.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 empowers GoI to specify a carbon credit trading scheme, which allows entities to trade permits for emitting greenhouse gases.
• Carbon Credit:
  1. It is a tradable permit that permits the holder to emit 1 tonne of Carbon Dioxide or other GHGs.
  2. It represents the right to emit a measured amount of GHG.

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Q2. {Geo – EG – Water Resources} Consider the following statement regarding the ‘Composite Water Management Index’:

1. The index is released by NITI Aayog in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development.
2. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation initially formed the index, which was later transferred to NITI Aayog.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• NITI Aayog releases it with the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Rural Development.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• CWMI was first launched and conceptualized in 2018 by NITI Aayog.
• Aim: To instill a sense of cooperative and competitive federalism among the states by creating pan-India water management metrics covering the entire water lifecycle.
• It offered actionable guidance to states, highlighting their strengths and areas requiring attention.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Q3. {Polity – IC – Bodies – Constitutional} Consider the following statements about the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India:

1. CAG is not eligible for reappointment.
2. CAG controls the issue of money from the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. CAG holds his office at the pleasure of the President.
4. The President can remove CAG based on a resolution passed by the Parliament by a simple majority.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Article 148 provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
• CAG is appointed by the President by warrant under his/her hand and seal.
• CAG holds office for a period of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• CAG is not eligible for reappointment.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• CAG shall audit the accounts of the Union of India and any other authority or body as may be prescribed by any law made by Parliament.
• But he has no power to control the issue of money from the Consolidated Fund of India. It lies with the parliament.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• CAG does not hold his office at the pleasure of the President.
• The removal of a CAG is similar to that of a SC Judge.

Statement 4 is incorrect

• The President can remove CAG based on a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament with a majority of the total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that House present and voting.

Answer: (a) Only one

Q4. {Social Sector – Education – Higher} Consider the following statements regarding the recent UGC regulations for setting up Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEI) in India:

1. The Higher Education Commission of India is the sole authority to permit the establishment of FHEI campuses in India.
2. Only FHEIs from developed countries can establish campuses in India.
3. Online programs and distance learning mode education are not allowed in the FHEI.
4. FHEI shall have autonomy over qualifications, salary, and other conditions of services for making appointments of faculty and staff.

How many of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• UGC (Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEI) in India) Regulations, 2023 provides that UGC will be the sole agency to permit the establishment of campuses in India.
• Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) is proposed in the NEP 2020. But is not yet formed.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Eligibility does not depend on whether the origin nation is developed or not.
• FHEIs ranked amongst the top 500 of overall/subject-wise global rankings or possessing expertise in a particular area are eligible.

Statement 3 is correct

• Online programs and distance learning mode education are not allowed.

Statement 4 is correct

• Faculty: FHEIs can recruit faculty and staff from India or abroad. They shall have autonomy over qualifications, salary, and other conditions of services for making such appointments.
• The international faculty has to stay in India for at least a semester.

Answer: (b) Only two

Q5. {Polity – IC – Bodies – Constitutional} Consider the following statements regarding the Finance Commission:

1. It is a constitutional body constituted by the President every 5^th year.
2. It consists of a chairman and 4 other members who are eligible for re-appointment.
3. The Commission submits its report to the President, who lays it before both houses of the Parliament.

Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The FC is a constitutional body constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution.
• It is a Quasi-Judicial body constituted every 5^th year or at such earlier time as the President deems necessary.

Statement 2 is correct

• It consists of a chairman and 4 other members to be appointed by the President.
• They are eligible for re-appointment.
• Qualifications of the members are to be decided by the Parliament, as provided in the Constitution.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Commission submits its report to the President, who lays it before both houses of the Parliament.
• The recommendations made by the Finance Commission are only advisory in nature and not binding on the government.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q6. {Envi – Air Pollution} What does “Loss and Damage” signify in the context of climate change?

1. The fleeting and reversible consequences of climate fluctuations.
2. Impacts strategically evaded through meticulous adaptation endeavours.
3. Non-monetary gains enhancing fundamental human rights and well-being.
4. Climate change’s irrevocable and unavoidable aftermath encompassing non-monetary losses.

Explanation

• Loss and damage represent the irreversible consequences of climate change.
• They are impacts that can not be avoided or mitigated through adaptation efforts.
• They include non-monetary losses that impact fundamental human rights and well-being.
• Loss and damage fund talks highlight wealthy nations’ reluctance to fulfill their responsibilities for their historical role in climate change.
• Loss and Damage Fund will assist poor and developing countries that are vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
• This fund was established by COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022.
• It will address the issue of climate reparations.

Answer: (d) The irrevocable and unavoidable aftermath of climate change, encompassing non-monetary losses.

Q7. {IPR – GI} Consider the following pairs of GI tagged products and the states which they belong to:

1. Jhangora – Uttarakhand
2. Bichhu buti fabrics – Jammu and Kashmir
3. Dindigul Lock – Karnataka
4. Tawlhlohpuan – Mizoram

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched

• Jhangora: A home-grown millet cultivated in the rain-fed areas of Uttarakhand.

Pair 2 is incorrectly matched

• Bichhu buti fabrics: Made from Himalayan nettle fibres is product from Uttarakhand.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched

• Dindigul lock: A superior quality lock of Tamil Nadu.

Statement 4 is correctly matched

• Tawlhlohpuan: Important textile heritage from Mizoram.

Answer: (b) Only two