26th May 2019 Live Test conducted by Vajiram & Ravi Based On Complete Syllabus of UPSC Prelims GS Paper 1 Q1. With reference to the Pradhan MantriAwasYojana-Housing for All (Urban) scheme, consider the following statements: (1) Its objective is to achieve the goal of Housing for All in Urban areas by 2022, when the Nation completes 75 years of its Independence. (2) Credit linked subsidy component will be implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) while other three components will be implemented as Central Sector Scheme. (3) All statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently would be eligible for coverage under the Mission. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct? A. 1 and 2 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1 and 3 only D. 2 only Answer: D Explanation: Statement (1) is correct: Pradhan Mantri AwasYojana-Housing for All (Urban) scheme is an initiative provided by the Government of India which aims at providing affordable housing to the urban poor. The Mission will be implemented during 2015-2022. Its objective is to achieve the goal of Housing for All in Urban areas by 2022, when the Nation completes 75 years of its Independence. Statement (2) is incorrect: Under it, central assistance will be provided to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and other implementing agencies through States/UTs for In-situ Rehabilitation of existing slum dwellers using land as a resource through private participation, Credit Linked Subsidy, Affordable Housing in Partnership and Subsidy for Beneficiary-led individual house construction/enhancement. Credit linked subsidy component will be implemented as a Central Sector Scheme while other three components will be implemented as Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). Statement (3) is correct: All statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently would be eligible for coverage under the Mission. Source: http://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/pradhan-mantri-awas-yojana- urban/5c53de2c1d5def7a862618ba/ Q2. When a judge recuses himself and declines to hear a case brought before his court he does so under which of the following doctrine/principle? A. Doctrine of basic structure of the Constitution B. Doctrine of procedure established by law C. Principle of Natural Justice D. Doctrine of due process of law Answer: C Explanation: Natural Justice is nowhere used in Indian Constitution although the Constitution has passed the golden thread of natural justice. The base of principle of natural justice is to ensure fairness in social and economical activities of the people and also shield individual liberty against arbitrary action. Natural Justice is firmly grounded to Article 14 and 21 of Indian Constitution. Since violation of natural justice leads to arbitrariness, so violation of justice is violation of equality. The principle of natural justice encompasses the following rules: 1. No one shall be a judge of his/her own cause. 2. No man shall be punished without being heard. 3. An authority shall act bona fide without any bias. Q3. Who among the following organized a march to Chowpatty, Mumbai to break the Salt Law in April 1930? A. Annie Besant B. AurobindoGhose C. Veer Savarkar D. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Answer: D Explanation: During Gandhi’s salt Satyagraha in 1930, many locations in Mumbai witnessed the civil disobedience movement, but the Satyagraha at Wadala salt pan was the most prominent. Thousands of satyagrahis gathered at the Wadala salt pans and often faced brutal lathi charge. On 6th April 1930, a group of women led by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, a noted freedom fighter, marched to Chowpatty and started making salt from sea water on makeshift stoves or chulhas. Hence, option D. is the correct answer. In Mumbai, recently a group of enthusiasts participated in a salt pan walk at Wadala organized by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai to commemorate the Wadala Satyagraha. Source: http://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/salt-pan/5ca1dd901d5def 05ffdf78a0/ Q4. Madrid Protocol on Environment Protection in 1991 is related to which of the following? A. To Phase-out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) B. Prohibits mining in Antarctica indefinitely C. Global clean sea campaign D. Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals Answer: B Explanation: The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Madrid Protocol) provides for comprehensive protection of Antarctica. The Protocol designates Antarctica as a ‘natural reserve, devoted to peace and science’, establishes environmental principles that must be a fundamental consideration in the planning and conduct of all activities, prohibits mining indefinitely, requires that all proposed activities must be subject to a prior assessment of their environmental impacts, establishes the Committee for Environmental Protection, to develop advice and formulate recommendations to the Antarctic Treaty Parties on implementation of the Protocol, requires the development of contingency plans to respond to environmental emergencies. Hence, option B. is the correct answer. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries whose scientists had been active in and around Antarctica during the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957-58. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 53. India is expanding its infrastructure development in Antarctica. The government is rebuilding its station, Maitri, to make it bigger and last for at least 30 years. DakshinGangotri, the first Indian base established in 1984, has weakened and become just a supply base. Recently a MoU on Antarctic Co-operation was inked between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Argentina) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (India). Source: http://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/india-argentina- relations/5c6bc3801d5def6c246f7eb3/ Q5. Consider the following statements with reference to the International Labour Organization (ILO): (1) It is the only tripartite United Nation (U.N) agency that brings together governments, employers and workers’ representatives of 187 member States. (2) It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles. 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: C Explanation: Statement (1) is correct: The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations agency for the world of work. It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDP). It sets international labour standards, promotes rights at work and encourages decent employment opportunities, the enhancement of social protection and the strengthening of dialogue on work-related issues. It is the only tripartite U.N. agency that brings together governments, employers and workers’ representatives of 187 member States. Statement (2) is correct: It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice. Source: http://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/international-labour-organization- ilo/5c5e8d101d5def7a89827398/ Q6. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the agricultural subsidies under the ‘Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)’ of WTO? (1) All Non-Trade Distorting agricultural subsidies are put under the Green Box. (2) All countries need to reduce the Amber Box subsidies. (3) Minimum Support Price (MSP) given by the Indian Government to the farmers is one of the Green Box subsidies. (4) Blue Box Subsidies given under certain upper limits are exempted from any reduction commitments. Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1 and 2 only B. 1 and 4 only C. 1, 2 and 4 only D. 1, 2, 3 and 4 Answer: B Explanation: Only those countries giving subsidies beyond the De-minimis level are supposed to decrease the Amber-Box subsidies. MSP is an Amber Box subsidy. The subsidies regime included in the AoA has three forms of subsidies ranging from those that were considered non-distorting or minimally distorting (the Green Box and Blue Box subsidies) to those that seriously distorted markets (the Amber Box subsidies). The only thing that differentiates the subsidies is that, while there is no limit on the spending on the former set of subsidies spending on the latter form of subsidies has to be limited to 10% of the value of agricultural production for the developing countries, and 5% for the developed countries.Only those countries giving subsidies beyond the De-minimis level are supposed to decrease the Amber-Box subsidies. MSP is an Amber Box subsidy. Value Addition: Deminimis: Minimal amounts of domestic support that are allowed even though they distort trade — up to 5% of the value of production for developed countries, 10% for developing. Q7. With reference to the ‘Echidnas’, consider the following statements: (1) They are found only in Australia and New Guinea. (2) Echidnas and the platypus are the only egg-laying mammals, known as monotremes. 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: C Explanation: Statement (1) is correct: Echidnas are found only in Australia and New Guinea. Echidnas do not tolerate extreme temperatures. They are found in forests and woodlands, hiding under vegetation or piles of debris. Statement (2) is correct: Echidnas and the platypus are the only egg-laying mammals, known as monotremes. They are covered with coarse hair and spines. The echidnas are named after Echidna, a creature from Greek mythology who was half- woman, half-snake, as the animal was perceived to have qualities of both mammals and reptiles. Scientists at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) have recently isolated an anti-microbial protein found in the milk of Echidnas, an egg- laying mammal. The protein promises to serve as an alternative to antibiotics used on livestock.