Q1. With reference to the strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India, consider the following statements:
- The number of judges in the Supreme Court is fixed by the Constitution.
- Parliament has the power to increase or decrease the number of judges.
- The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act 1956 governs this aspect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Incorrect: Under Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the Constitution does not fix a specific number of judges; it only provides the framework.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Parliament has the authority to determine and modify the strength.
- Statement 3 – Correct: The 1956 Act operationalises this power, specifying the sanctioned strength.
Q2. Which of the following best explains the primary objective of integrating banks with the UDGAM portal?
A. To nationalise dormant bank accounts across institutions
B. To improve traceability and transparency of unclaimed deposits
C. To transfer funds directly to beneficiaries through the portal
D. To eliminate inactive bank accounts from banking records
Answer: B
Explanation:
- The portal is designed to reduce information asymmetry and allow depositors or legal heirs to identify unclaimed deposits across multiple banks.
- It does not nationalise accounts (A), does not enable direct transfer (C), and does not eliminate accounts (D).
- It is a search platform, not a settlement mechanism—a key exam trap.
Q3. With reference to the concept of “ecocide”, consider the following statements:
- It refers to large-scale environmental destruction affecting ecosystems.
- It is currently recognised as a core international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
- It shifts the focus of law from anthropocentric to ecocentric principles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: Ecocide refers to widespread, long-term environmental destruction.
- Statement 2 – Incorrect: It is not yet recognised as a core crime under the Rome Statute.
- Statement 3 – Correct: It reflects a shift from human-centric (anthropocentric) to nature-centric (ecocentric) legal thinking.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding prepaid smart meters in India:
- Prepaid smart meters were made mandatory under the Electricity Act, 2003.
- Consumers generally have the option to choose between prepaid and postpaid systems under the electricity regulatory framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Electricity Act does not mandate prepaid smart meters.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Consumer choice is a core principle, reinforced by regulatory frameworks and recent policy clarifications.
- The controversy in Uttar Pradesh emerged due to violation of this choice principle.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Bhitarkanika National Park:
- It is India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem.
- It is located at the delta of the Brahmani river system.
- It is designated as a Ramsar wetland site.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Statement 1 – Correct: Second-largest mangrove ecosystem after Sundarbans.
- Statement 2 – Correct: Formed by deltaic systems including Brahmani–Baitarani rivers.
- Statement 3 – Correct: Recognised as a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
