Q1. Which of the following situations would lead to the cessation of office of a Chief Minister?
- Loss of majority in the Legislative Assembly
- Expiry/dissolution of the Legislative Assembly
- Refusal of the Governor to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- (1) Correct: Under the parliamentary system, the CM must enjoy majority support. Loss of majority (proved via floor test as per S.R. Bommai case) → resignation mandatory.
- (2) Correct: As per Article 172, the Assembly’s tenure is 5 years; dissolution automatically ends the Council of Ministers (including CM).
- (3) Incorrect: Under Article 163, Governor is bound by aid and advice (except limited discretion). Mere refusal does not remove CM.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding economic offences:
- Economic offences form a major share of cybercrime cases
- Forgery, cheating, and fraud constitute the bulk of economic offences
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation:
- (1) Correct: NCRB data shows fraud-driven cybercrime dominates (~70%+), indicating strong overlap with economic offences.
- (2) Correct: Nearly 90% of economic offences involve forgery, cheating, and fraud → reflects systemic financial vulnerabilities.
Q3. Consider the following big cats included under IBCA:
- Tiger
- Cheetah
- Jaguar
- Eurasian Lynx
Which of the above are covered under IBCA?
A. 1, 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. All four
Answer: A
Explanation:
- IBCA covers 7 big cats: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, Puma.
- (4) Incorrect: Eurasian Lynx is a small/medium felid, not part of IBCA.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Invasive Alien Species (IAS):
- IAS generally proliferate in ecologically undisturbed ecosystems
- IAS spread is often linked to anthropogenic disturbances
Select the correct answer using the code below:
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
- (1) Incorrect: IAS thrive in disturbed ecosystems (fragmentation, grazing, urbanisation).
- (2) Correct: Land-use change, nutrient enrichment, and human activity facilitate invasion.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding SO₂ and air pollution:
- SO₂ directly constitutes primary PM2.5
- SO₂ forms secondary pollutants like sulphates
- Coal-fired power plants are a major source of SO₂
- India’s SO₂ trend follows global declining trend
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
Answer: B.Only two
Explanation:
- (1) Incorrect: SO₂ is a precursor gas, not direct PM2.5.
- (2) Correct: Forms sulphates → major component of secondary PM2.5.
- (3) Correct: Coal combustion = dominant SO₂ source.
- (4) Incorrect: India shows increasing trend, unlike global decline.
