Q1. The jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) extends to which of the following laws?
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- NGT derives jurisdiction from Schedule I of the NGT Act, 2010, which lists specific environmental laws.
- Included:
- Water Act, 1974
- Environment Protection Act, 1986
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Air Act, 1981
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 is NOT under NGT jurisdiction.
- Wildlife matters usually go to regular courts or the Supreme Court.
Q2.
Assertion (A): Denotified Tribes (DNTs) continue to face social stigma even after Independence.
Reason (R): Several States enacted Habitual Offenders laws after repeal of the Criminal Tribes Act.
(a) Both A and R are true and R explains A
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A
(c) A is true, R is false
(d) A is false, R is true
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation:
- The Criminal Tribes Act (CTA), 1871 labelled communities as hereditary criminals.
- Though repealed in 1952, many States introduced Habitual Offenders Acts, allowing continued surveillance.
- This legal continuity perpetuated stigma and profiling, explaining persistent marginalisation.
Q3. Which Article of the Constitution forms the primary foundation for environmental protection jurisprudence in India?
(a) Article 14
(b) Article 19
(c) Article 21
(d) Article 32
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- Supreme Court expanded Article 21 (Right to Life) to include:
- Right to a clean environment
- Right to pollution-free water and air
- Landmark cases:
- Subhash Kumar case
- M.C. Mehta series
Q4. The landmark judgment recognising the Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right is:
(a) Kesavananda Bharati
(b) Maneka Gandhi
(c) K.S. Puttaswamy
(d) Minerva Mills
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation:
- K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017):
- Declared privacy intrinsic to Article 21.
- Linked privacy to dignity, autonomy, and liberty.
- Forms the constitutional basis for India’s data protection regime.
Q5. Time-of-Day (ToD) or Time-of-Use electricity pricing is primarily introduced to:
(a) Increase electricity consumption during peak hours
(b) Reduce the gap between peak and off-peak demand
(c) Provide direct subsidy to agricultural consumers
(d) Eliminate the need for grid-scale storage
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation :
- ToD pricing charges higher tariffs at peak hours and lower tariffs at off-peak hours.
- Objective: Demand-side management (DSM).
Effects:
- Flattens load curve
- Reduces grid stress
- Lowers need for costly peaking plants
- Improves renewable integration
Important:
- Does NOT replace storage
- NOT a subsidy tool
- Complements smart grids and renewable transition
