Daily Prelims Practise Questions (PPQs) – October 26 2023

Questions

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

Q1. {MoCF – Scheme} Consider the following statements regarding the Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme (NBS):

1. It was launched by the Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers.
2. It covers all major fertilisers of India.
3. The prices of fertilizers under this scheme are strictly controlled by the government.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of the above

Q2. {Governance – E-Gov} Consider the following statements regarding the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) Platform:

1. It is a 3-tier system involving the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States.
2. The Prime Minister holds a weekly program on the platform where he interacts with the nation’s officers.

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

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

Q3. {Polity – IC – Parliament} With reference to the Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:

1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. The Speaker should vacate immediately after the dissolution of Lok Sabha.
3. The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of a Speaker is that the motion is moved by the President and duly seconded by the Prime Minister.

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

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

Q4. {Envi – Conservation} Consider the following statements regarding The Brazzaville Summit of the Three Basins:

1. It is a high-level meeting of leaders from the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo-Mekong regions.
2. It made binding agreements to reduce deforestation and to protect the tropical forests of the world.
3. ‘Global Biodiversity Fund’ is an outcome of the summit, which will be used for the conservation of the environment.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Q5. {Polity – IC – Constitutional Rights} Right to Vote is a:

1. Fundamental right only
2. Constitutional right only
3. Legal right only
4. Both Fundamental right and Constitutional right

Q6. {S&T – Defence} Consider the following statements regarding the Agnipath Scheme:

1. The Agnipath scheme was introduced to take in recruits for the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on a four-year contract.
2. At the end of four years, up to 25% of recruits can apply to join the services regularly.
3. Unlike the regular recruits, the Agniveers who would eventually be absorbed into the forces will not be eligible for pension after retirement.
4. It provides for caste-based age relaxation to include the representation of backward communities in the armed forces.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Q7. {Polity – IC} Regarding ‘Constitutional Morality,’ which of the given statement is incorrect:

1. Constitutional Morality refers to respecting and following the principles and values enshrined in a constitution.
2. Constitutional Morality involves upholding the spirit of the Constitution and its ideals.
3. The principle of Constitutional Morality means to obey the rules of the Constitution and not to act in a manner that would break the law.
4. Constitutional Morality is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, it has been well-established by the rulings of the Supreme Court of India.

Questions With Solution and Explanation

Q1. {MoCF – Scheme} Consider the following statements regarding the Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme (NBS):

1. It was launched by the Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers.
2. It covers all major fertilisers of India.
3. The prices of fertilizers under this scheme are strictly controlled by the government.

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

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None of the above

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The NBS scheme was launched in 2010 by the Department of Fertilisers, Ministry of Chemical and Fertilisers.
• Under the NBS scheme, farmers are provided subsidised fertilizers based on their nutrient content, namely, Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P), Potash (K), and Sulphur (S).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It covers all phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers except urea.
• Urea is not included in the NBS; it remains under price control, and its MRP is officially fixed.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• There is no price control for fertilisers under the NBS scheme.

Answer: (a) Only one

Q2. {Governance – E-Gov} Consider the following statements regarding the PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) Platform:

1. It is a 3-tier system involving the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States.
2. The Prime Minister holds a weekly program on the platform where he interacts with the nation’s officers.

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

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• It is a 3-tier system involving the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States (promotes cooperative federalism).

Statement 2 is incorrect

• The PM holds a monthly program generally on the Fourth Wednesday (PRAGATI Day).

Answer: (b) 2 only (incorrect statement)

Q3. {Polity – IC – Parliament} With reference to the Speaker of Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:

1. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, the election of Deputy Speaker shall be held on such date as the Speaker may fix.
2. The Speaker should vacate immediately after the dissolution of Lok Sabha.
3. The well-established parliamentary practice regarding the appointment of a Speaker is that the motion is moved by the President and duly seconded by the Prime Minister.

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

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

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The election of the Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha is regulated by Rule 8 of The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
• According to this rule, the election is scheduled for a date determined by the Speaker, and the Deputy Speaker is elected once a motion proposing their name is passed.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• After the dissolution of LS:

1. The Speaker remains in office until just before the first meeting of the new House.
2. When the LS meets after the election, the President appoints a member of the LS as a pro-tem speaker for the conduct of the House.
3. The President himself administers oath to the pro tem Speaker.
4. Pro tem Speaker administers the oath to new members and enables the House to elect the new Speaker.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Speaker (along with the Deputy Speaker) is elected from among the Lok Sabha members by a simple majority of members present and voting in the House.
• Once a decision on the candidate is taken, their name is normally proposed by the Prime Minister or the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

Answer: (c) 1 only

Q4. {Envi – Conservation} Consider the following statements regarding The Brazzaville Summit of the Three Basins:

1. It is a high-level meeting of leaders from the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo-Mekong regions.
2. It made binding agreements to reduce deforestation and to protect the tropical forests of the world.
3. ‘Global Biodiversity Fund’ is an outcome of the summit, which will be used for the conservation of the environment.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Explanations

Statement 1 is correct

• The Brazzaville Summit of the Three Basins, Biodiversity Ecosystems, and Tropical Forests is a high-level meeting of leaders from the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo-Mekong regions.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It does not have any binding agreements
• The summit is expected to focus on the following key areas:
  1. Strengthening South-South cooperation: Promote cooperation among the three regions on sustainable forest management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.
  2. Establishing effective global governance for environmental and climate challenges.
  3. Mobilizing financial resources for sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The Global Biodiversity Fund (GBF) is a new fund that was launched in 2023 to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• The GBF is a special trust fund under the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Answer: (c) 1 only

Q5. {Polity – IC – Constitutional Rights} Right to Vote is a:

1. Fundamental right only
2. Constitutional right only
3. Legal right only
4. Both Fundamental right and Constitutional right

Explanation

• The right to vote is a constitutional right under Article 326 of the Indian Constitution.
• Manipur High Court held that the right to vote is a fundamental right.
• Manipur HC observed that:
  1. Casting of votes is a part of the voter’s right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of IC.
  2. Voter’s right to know the antecedents, including the criminal past of the candidate contesting election for MP or MLA, is much more fundamental and basic for the survival of democracy.

Answer: (d) Both Fundamental right and Constitutional right

Q6. {S&T – Defence} Consider the following statements regarding the Agnipath Scheme:

1. The Agnipath scheme was introduced to take in recruits for the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on a four-year contract.
2. At the end of four years, up to 25% of recruits can apply to join the services regularly.
3. Unlike the regular recruits, the Agniveers who would eventually be absorbed into the forces will not be eligible for pension after retirement.
4. It provides for caste-based age relaxation to include the representation of backward communities in the armed forces.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Explanations

Statement 1 is correct

• The Agnipath scheme was introduced in 2022 to take in recruits for the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF) on four-year contracts, including six months of training.

Statement 2 is correct

• At the end of four years, up to 25% of recruits can apply to join the services regularly, subject to merit and organisational requirements.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• The biggest difference between a soldier employed on regular service and an Agniveer serving for four years is that the former will draw a pension post-retirement, while an Agniveer will not.
• The 25% of Agniveers who would eventually be absorbed into the forces after four years will be eligible for pension after retirement.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Like other services, caste-based reservation is not applicable in the scheme.
• 10% reservation for recruits under the Agnipath Scheme in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) or the paramilitary will apply horizontally.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Q7. {Polity – IC} Regarding ‘Constitutional Morality,’ which of the given statement is incorrect:

1. Constitutional Morality refers to respecting and following the principles and values enshrined in a constitution.
2. Constitutional Morality involves upholding the spirit of the Constitution and its ideals.
3. The principle of Constitutional Morality means to obey the rules of the Constitution and not to act in a manner that would break the law.
4. Constitutional Morality is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, it has been well-established by the rulings of the Supreme Court of India.

Explanations

• Constitutional Morality refers to respecting and following the principles and values enshrined in a constitution. It involves upholding the spirit of the Constitution, its ideals, and the rule of law.
• In the context of IC, the constitutional values are Democracy, Socialism, Equality, Integrity, etc.
• The principle of constitutional Morality means to obey the rules of the Constitution and not to act in a manner that would break the law.
• The extent and scope of constitutional Morality have not been clearly defined by the Supreme Court, which leaves it open for subjective interpretations by individual judges.
• The SC used the concept of constitutional Morality as an aid in the interpretation of the following:
  1. FRs are provided under the IC.
  2. Constitutional validity of the laws.
• In 2018, the SC passed historical judgments based on constitutional Morality. These are:
  1. Right to Privacy
  2. Decriminalization of consensual relationships under section 377 and section 497 of IPC
  3. Triple Talaq
  4. Sabarimala temple case

Answer: (d) (incorrect statement)