Q1. Consider the following rights and identify which have been read into Article 21 by judicial interpretation:
- Right to livelihood
- Right to privacy
- Right to vote
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: A
Explanation :
- Statement 1 ✔ Correct
The Right to livelihood has been read into Article 21 because deprivation of livelihood threatens the ability to live with dignity. The Supreme Court held that life is not mere animal existence but includes means of sustenance. - Statement 2 ✔ Correct
The Right to privacy flows from Article 21 as an intrinsic aspect of dignity, bodily autonomy, decisional freedom, and informational self-determination. It is enforceable against the State as a fundamental right. - Statement 3 ✘ Incorrect
The Right to vote is not part of Article 21. It is a statutory right regulated under the Representation of the People Act and constitutionally anchored in Article 326, not judicially derived from Article 21.
Q2. With reference to the University Grants Commission (UGC), consider the following statements:
- The UGC is a constitutional body established under Article 15 of the Constitution.
- The UGC derives its legislative competence from Entry 66 of the Union List.
- The UGC Act, 1956 empowers it to regulate standards of higher education.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. Only One
B. Only Two
C. All Three
D. None
Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 ✘ Incorrect
UGC is not a constitutional body. It is a statutory body established under the UGC Act, 1956, functioning under the Ministry of Education. Article 15 relates to equality, not institutional creation. - Statement 2 ✔ Correct
Entry 66, Union List gives Parliament exclusive power over coordination and determination of standards in higher education, forming the constitutional basis for UGC’s authority. - Statement 3 ✔ Correct
The UGC Act, 1956 explicitly authorises UGC to prescribe minimum standards for universities, faculty qualifications, courses, and degree norms.
Q3. Which ethical principle is most directly violated by offering unproven stem cell therapy for autism?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Non-maleficence
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Explanation (Depth-Oriented):
- Non-maleficence (“Do no harm”) is violated due to exposure to unproven medical risks without safety validation.
- Beneficence is violated because no scientifically proven benefit exists for autism treatment via stem cells.
- Justice is violated as vulnerable parents and children are exploited through false hope and unequal information asymmetry.
Q4. Which of the following environmental concerns are commonly raised against large-scale Pumped Storage Project (PSP) deployment?
- Deforestation in hill regions
- Habitat fragmentation and landslide risks
- Groundwater salinisation
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. All three
Correct Answer: A
Explanation :
- Statement 1 ✔ Correct
PSPs often require hill cutting and forest land diversion, leading to deforestation. - Statement 2 ✔ Correct
Large reservoirs and tunnelling in fragile terrain increase risks of habitat fragmentation and landslides. - Statement 3 ✘ Incorrect
Groundwater salinisation is typically associated with coastal aquifers and irrigation mismanagement, not PSPs.
Q5. Bihar has how many notified Tiger Reserves as of 2026?
A. None
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
Correct Answer: B
Explanation :
- Bihar has only one notified tiger reserve — Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
- Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary is proposed as a tiger reserve but not yet notified, making it ineligible for the count.
