SawaalBoxसवाल बॉक्स

UPSC Prelims 2019

100 questions, in the order they were asked.

2019 · Q51Indian PolitySocial Justice & Vulnerable Sectionsmoderate

Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India : 1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory. 2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status. 3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far. 4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)1, 2 and 3
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4
  3. (c)1, 2 and 4
  4. (d)1, 3 and 4
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) 1, 2 and 4

2019 · Q52Indian PolityJudiciarymoderate

With reference to the Constitution of India, prohibitions or limitations or provisions contained in ordinary laws cannot act as prohibitions or limitations on the constitutional powers under Article 142. It could mean which one of the following?

  1. (a)The decisions taken by the Election Commission of India while discharging its duties cannot be challenged in any court of law.
  2. (b)The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.
  3. (c)In the event of grave financial crisis in the country, the President of India can declare Financial Emergency without the counsel from the Cabinet.
  4. (d)State Legislatures cannot make laws on certain matters without the concurrence of Union Legislature.
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) The Supreme Court of India is not constrained in the exercise of its powers by laws made by the Parliament.

2019 · Q53Indian PolityParliament & State Legislaturesmoderate

With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements : 1. The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the first session of the year. 2. When a State Legislature does not have a rule on a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2019 · Q54Current AffairsInternational Relations & Treatiesdifficult

Consider the following statements : 1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’. 2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument. 3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly. 4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)2, 3 and 4 only
  3. (c)2 and 4 only
  4. (d)1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) 2 and 4 only

2019 · Q55Environment & EcologyForest Rightsmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. As per recent amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927, forest dwellers have the right to fell the bamboos grown on forest areas. 2. As per the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, bamboo is a minor forest produce. 3. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 allows ownership of minor forest produce to forest dwellers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(d) 1, 2 and 3

2019 · Q58Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationeasy

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought 2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) 2 only

2019 · Q59Environment & EcologyPollution & Waste Managementmoderate

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. (a)Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
  2. (b)The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only.
  3. (c)The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
  4. (d)It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.

2019 · Q60Indian EconomyHuman Development, Poverty & Employment Schemesmoderate

Consider the following statements : As per the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Central (Amendment) Rules, 2018 1. if rules for fixed-term employment are implemented, it becomes easier for the firms/companies to lay off workers 2. no notice of termination of employment shall be necessary in the case of temporary workman Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Both 1 and 2

2019 · Q62Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industrymoderate

With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements : 1. Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country. 2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government. 3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 3 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) 1 and 3 only

2019 · Q66Indian PolityUnion & State Executiveeasy

Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?

  1. (a)First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
  2. (b)Rajamannar Committee (1969)
  3. (c)Sarkaria Commission (1983)
  4. (d)National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000)
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)

2019 · Q68Environment & EcologyEnvironmental Governance & Legislationmoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. As per law, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority exists at both National and State levels. 2. People’s participation is mandatory in the compensatory afforestation programmes carried out under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) 1 only

2019 · Q69Indian PolityParliament & State Legislaturesmoderate

In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.? 1. Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament 2. Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees 3. Finance Commission 4. Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission 5. NITI Aayog Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 2
  2. (b)1, 3 and 4
  3. (c)3, 4 and 5
  4. (d)2 and 5
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) 1 and 2

2019 · Q70Indian EconomyEconomic Planning & Five-Year Plansmoderate

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrust towards substitution of basic and capital good industries. 2. The Fourth Five-Year Plan adopted the objective of correcting the earlier trend of increased concentration of wealth and economic power. 3. In the Fifth Five-Year Plan, for the first time, the financial sector was included as an integral part of the Plan. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(a) 1 and 2 only

2019 · Q72Indian EconomyBanking & Financial Sectormoderate

What was the purpose of Inter-Creditor Agreement signed by Indian banks and financial institutions recently?

  1. (a)To lessen the Government of India’s perennial burden of fiscal deficit and current account deficit
  2. (b)To support the infrastructure projects of Central and State Governments
  3. (c)To act as independent regulator in case of applications for loans of ₹ 50 crore or more
  4. (d)To aim at faster resolution of stressed assets of ₹ 50 crore or more which are under consortium lending
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(d) To aim at faster resolution of stressed assets of ₹ 50 crore or more which are under consortium lending

2019 · Q74Indian EconomyInfrastructure & Industrymoderate

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas. 3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a)1 and 2 only
  2. (b)2 and 3 only
  3. (c)1 and 3 only
  4. (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(b) 2 and 3 only

2019 · Q75Science & TechnologyComputer & Information Technologymoderate

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)? 1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G. 2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answerHide answer

Official answer(d) Neither 1 nor 2