Q1.Which of the following judgments firmly established that the Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers in clemency matters?
- Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974)
- Maru Ram v. Union of India (1980)
- A.G. Perarivalan case (2022)
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 2 and 3 only
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Shamsher Singh (1974): Governor is a constitutional/nominal head; bound by aid and advice.
- Maru Ram (1980): Clemency powers under Article 161 exercised on Cabinet advice.
- Perarivalan (2022): Governor cannot delay; must act on State Cabinet advice.
Q2. With reference to the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), consider the following statements:
- It is a survey-based indicator that measures the change in the volume of goods produced by industrial establishments.
- A PMI reading above 50 represents an expansion compared to the previous month, while a reading below 50 represents a contraction.
- In India, the Manufacturing PMI is compiled and released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Incorrect – PMI is survey-based perception index, not actual output measurement.
- Statement 2: Correct – 50 is the threshold (expansion vs contraction).
- Statement 3: Incorrect – Compiled by S&P Global (earlier IHS Markit), not NSO.
Q3.Which Indian policy framework is most directly supported by the operational route:
Mumbai → Colombo → Phuket → Jakarta → Singapore?
A. National Air Mobility Policy
B. Look West Policy
C. Connect Central Asia Policy
D. Act East Policy
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Route connects India to Southeast Asia (ASEAN region).
- Aligns with Act East Policy:
- Strengthening economic, maritime, and connectivity ties with Southeast Asia.
- Not related to Central Asia or West Asia.
Q4. The transition of NCERT into a research and degree-granting institution aligns with which of the following mandates of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?
- Moving towards multidisciplinary higher education institutions.
- Making a 4-year integrated B.Ed. degree the minimum qualification for school teachers by 2030.
- Separating curriculum design from teacher education to ensure specialized focus.
- Strengthening public-sector teacher education to reduce commercialization of the sector.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1, 2, and 3 only
B) 1, 2, and 4 only
C) 2 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct – NEP promotes multidisciplinary institutions.
- Statement 2: Correct – 4-year integrated B.Ed. mandated by 2030.
- Statement 3: Incorrect – NEP emphasizes integration, not separation of curriculum & teacher education.
- Statement 4: Correct – Strengthening public institutions like NCERT aligns with NEP goals.
Q5. With reference to the Space Launch System (SLS) used in the Artemis II mission, consider the following statements:
- It is currently the most powerful rocket ever built by NASA, producing significantly more thrust than the Saturn V.
- It uses a combination of solid rocket boosters and liquid cryogenic engines for propulsion.
- Unlike the Apollo-era rockets, the SLS is designed to be fully reusable, similar to the SpaceX Starship.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct – SLS is most powerful NASA rocket (greater thrust than Saturn V).
- Statement 2: Correct – Uses solid boosters + liquid hydrogen-oxygen engines.
- Statement 3: Incorrect – SLS is not fully reusable (unlike Starship).
