To all those who are thru mains 2020,
How do u handle qns like "comment on need for simplification of disqualification of persons for corrupt practises under RPA Section 123."?
I can relate it to criminalization of politics which was in news for the entire year. But no specific points in std book/magazine. The most i found one line in a value added material that election petition is to be made in high court which investigates and finally prez has to pass order for disqualification.A very different material mentioned abt goswami committeethat had recommended power to eci to punish under section 123.
Exam hall me does one know such things or connect the points aka make it up?
What is to be covered for gs2 polity and governance other than Laxmikanth and news to handle this qn? [Altho I don't have the bandwidth to cover anything else 
. Still inquisitive.]
@D503 not yet in India
Then are gig workers casual workers? Since they are paid on a daily wage basis?
Altho they can be in organised and formal sector (say working for zomato or Amazon).
@Shailputri trade and commerce in foodstuffs comes under concurrent list. Article 301 also empowers Centre to legislate wrt freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse.
Right @necromancer .
Unlike other model acts, 97th act are mandates on state. Subjects under state list are being silently hijacked.
For The agriculture cess question my logic was, we put cess over the items which are either luxury or sin goods. Apples are consumed by common man and hence it won't be put here. As it had option 1 I might have gone for it.
For GST question : I would have excluded canned fish and cooked egg(restaurant) So would have gone with 1. Newspaper with advertising - I knew would not be exempted.
For GSDP questions, it is a tough question, reason being - UP is large state and Maha is financial hub - I would have choose Maha - for port etc + is is one of largest exporting state + financial hub and we know how UP is termed one of the poor states. B/w West bengal and MP - I would have chooses WB, based on similar logic- it is more developed, size is more or less similar to MP (MP>WB) , but still trade etc would have lead me to choose WB.
Essential commodities act - Here I would have kept fodder seed out of bound, I didn't find it worth an essentail commodity and not all people actually need that. Drugs I knew, fertiliser I knew. So elimination would have worked.
The forest areas, would have been a knowledge based - right now I don't remember but these are major states wrt forest cover I would have had remembered them. But if logic was to be used, I would have gone for chattisgarh to be highest, seeing its size and forest (General knowledge - no specific one) and maharastra to be lowest (as MP has the highest forest area)
Edit : Answer bata dijiye. I want to know kahan tak sahi hoti mei.
Super explanation. I will have to check the key from respective tests. Will surely get back with the answers by 9.
Until then, can we have some more logical approach for answering them?
Super explanation. I will have to check the key from respective tests. Will surely get back with the answers by 9.
Until then, can we have some more logical approach for answering them?
@LetsGetThisBread @sstarrr @Asmita_101
Answers in sequence
D
D
C
C
C
C
Cess qn : i applied the same logic as@sstarrr . Turns out GOI doesn't think on similar lines.
Gst qn : some kind of logic can be applied here as@Asmita_101 did. Cooked items can invite gst. There was controversy over parotta vs roti and all. So my sunday bfast of bread and boiled eggs me se bread wont invite gst and eggs will. Logic : fail.
Gsdp qn : correctly pointed out@LetsGetThisBread . MH >UP. Altho up was also in news having overtaken GUJ AND TN. but MP vs WB is tricky. We can apply some logic about coastal vs non coastal. Logic of@sstarrr : works.
Essential commodities : turns out seed is imp. There are 7 ECs.
Forest qn : everyone got this right.
History qn : no attempts?
Pray that our logic is along govt lines. Aise qns na karte bante hain na skip karte.
Does buddhism believe in transmigration of soul?
kindly answer,i have been encountered with 2 contrasting statements in vision pt test
The exact wordings of the question would be important. Buddhism based on kshanikvada does not believe in soul (it was the only religion of its time to not believe in soul!). However, it talks of transmigration and cycle of birth and death. What transmigrates is a matter of debate even in Buddhism. Most agree upon consciousness.
@Shailputriwhy not D. c is obvious, msp causes inflation by raising cost of food grains. But doesn't higher msp incentivises farmers to grow more of the crop ,hence leading to increased gdp.Maybe their logic is even if food grains increase gdp may not increase due to fall in production in other sector ?
C is not obvious to me. I have marked 'D'.
My simple logic was that MSP is being increased since many years now, whereas our GDP growth rate hasn't been impacted positively.
Honestly, I did not even go too much into it. For me, MSP increase--->Price increase---->Inflation increase---->Rbi will increase interest rate.
If interest rate is not increased, there will be more money in circulation--->more incentive for vendors to increase prices of commodities--->inflation further increases.
Also, I dont fully agree with the logic that inflation will cause people to buy more. I mean it is a possibility, but there is an equally likely chance that people don't have the purchasing power to buy at the inflated cost. In that case it will not lead to increase in GDP.
Ok. I get your point.
So, inflation rise (irrespective of reason) -->RBI reacts with a rate hike. Google search tells me that this happened in 2018.
Thanks!
If I am not wrong, as per UPSC official answer key, the correct answer is option (b).
This was asked in 2011 if I remember correctly. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Yes. 2011-12. But answer varies at different places.
civilsdaily.com/upsc-prelims-modern-history-trend-analysis-part-3/ - A
There are some saying D as well.
If I am not wrong, as per UPSC official answer key, the correct answer is option (b).
This was asked in 2011 if I remember correctly. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Does the UPSC website have qn-answer key of pre 2015? Plz share link. I have been on a lookout for reliable keys.
Cases | Features that are part of the Basis Structure |
1. Minerva Mills vs Union of India, 1980 | A. Federalism |
2. Indra Sawhney vs Union of India, 1992 | B. Judicial review |
3. Kihoto Hollohan vs Zachillhu and Ors,1992 | C. Rule of law |
4. S. R. Bommai vs Union of India, 1994 | D. Free and fair elections |
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Can somebody explain how Kihoto Hollohan case established Free and Fair elections as basic structure?
@Shailputri I am assuming the court must have declared in its order that "free and fair elections" are fundamental to democracy/our polity or something on the similar lines that would have established f&fe as a part of the BS. Other than that, you could argue that since KH92 prima facie reduced the scope of arbitrariness in the speaker's decision to disqualify reps of the people and also provided a mechanism to appeal against her orders (judicial review, that is), it upheld the sanctity of free and fair elections. Elected reps that eventually determines the government were set free of speaker's whims. Hence, elections rescued.
Okay! Shukriya.
Which test series? I don't understand the statement - concluded with Village Community?
OPSC 2021. Concluded with village community like we say..."conclude an agreement with someone". Question asks which land settlement made agreement with village community directly.
Okay
Consider the following statements with respect to land reforms and Green Revolution undertaken by government after 1950s:
1. Both reforms promoted the consolidation of land-holdings.
2. They were largely opposed by the land-owning caste lobbies and the tenants.
3. Unlike Green revolution, the land reforms had limited impact on the rural agrarian structure of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
My answer: a.
As Land consolidation was among the objectives of both land reforms and Green Revolution.
Statement 3 can be wrong considering GR was limited to certain areas and could not change rural agrarian structure of India.
Can any one explain why C is correct?
why prior approval of president mandatory before introduction of money bill not in constitutional amendment bill?
My take: Money bill is prerogative of Govt. And President is the de jure executive power.
Whereas constitutional amendment bill can be introduced by any MP (means it is more of a legislative function) so President's approval is immaterial. In fact, President has limited powers wrt constitutional amendment bill as he cannot pocket it nor return it for reconsideration.
You can see the data to substantiate. From the green revolution to now, we became a net exporter of grains from net importers of food grains. Small, marginal, large farmers all had consensus regarding the functions and uses.
However, land reforms were not being successful because large farmers were apprehensive and there were many loopholes regarding that like "Benami transfer" etc. Agriculture census exemplifies the same that marginal and small farmers, even though constitute around 90% of farmers, only have around 40-45% of the land with them.
I dint get you. Yes India attained self sufficiency in food grain production. And yes small and marginal farmers constitute the bulk. So what does this say about land consolidation or the rural agrarian structure?
Statement 3rd didn't ask about the land consolidation success. It asked in general about the rural agrarian structure constituting employment or wage or profitability etc.
Statement 1asked about land consolidation. -->Should have been a true statement a/c to me. It is marked false a/c to keys.
Statement 3talks about rural structure -->This statement is marked as correct in keys. False a/c to me.
I am unable to make sense of the key.
Now, can you please repeat the point you were making?
@Shailputri Read this chapter in NCERT: chap4.pmd (ncert.nic.in) The 3rd statement is almost verbatim from it.
I see. Thanks.
Bond yields are inversely proportional to equity returns. True or False?
My take : Equity returns reduce -->Bond demand increases -->Price increases -->Yield decreases. So, bond yield and equity returns isdirectly proportional. Above statement is false.
Above statement is mentioned true. So, where am I going wrong?
a hundred percent correct that there exist inverse relation between the two
Care to explain?
Yes. Maybe the question was trying to say equity "market" and erroneously mentioned equity "return". It would make sense then. Thanks!
arrey simple : see bond yield and demand u know the relation as explained above
now if bond yield is low will investor invest in bonds or look for other avenues ......he sees that okk no good in investing in bond lets move to equity market correct .....(this you only have explained above)
what you have explained is hundred percentage correct just that u have deduced the relation wrong. ask your self you will get the answer. the statement "MY Take " is correct just you reread twice you will come to the answer
a increases then b increases = direct relation
a increases then b decreases = inverse relation
hope you are cleared on this
Yo.
@Shailputri you are correct the statement is false, maybe the answer given is false. However "equity returns are inversely proportional to bond yields " this statement is true.
Well. I crosschecked. Couldn't find that sentence over net to check its veracity. And there is possibility of question being interpreted in different ways by different persons. So, I will go with my understanding which aligns to screenshot attached by tarun earlier. Thanks for pointing out though!
Is equilization levy applicable on Indian companies or just non-resident companies?
Just non-resident. Equalisation to create an equal platform vis a vis Indian companies. Companies engaged in digital business without any Permanent Estb in India are not covered under tax laws. Therefore this tax only on non resident entities.
No, it will not be wrong because Fully accessible route will encourage long term investment from NRIs ..
Whereas the Voluntary retention route is to encourage long term investment from FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTORS.If I am not wrong this is the main differance between the two.
NRI = Non-Residents of India or say Non-Resident Investors. I know it was shitty to call them NRI (Non-Resident Indians) and create the confusion.
The major diff b/w VRR and FAR is while the former is the entire debt market of India, the latter is just investment in G-secs (not corporate or any other bonds.)
Consider the following regarding the Stratospheric ozone depletion:
1. Levels of UV-B radiation caused by ozone depletion are higher in the tropics than at polar latitudes.
2. Ozone depletion can lead to reduction in phytoplankton production.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Why UV - B is higher in tropics when the ozone hole is over the pole?
@Shailputribecause tropical region gets more direct sunlight, whereas poles gets slanted sun light. Hence more sunlight means more UV rays too. Also there's no sunlight on poles for 6 months so naturally UV will be lower there.
Ok. Then (by the same logic as you said) why UV-B is higher at higher altitudes as compared to sea levels?
@Shailputri The closer you are to sun, the higher UV you'll get. Higher altitudes receive more sunlight than lower areas. This is also the reason why solar panels placed at higher positions from ground, so that the receive more "insolation" as compared to putting them on ground.
Okay... thanks!
So everyone thinks it should be A. I think A too. The solution I am referring to says C, therefore the confusion.
» show previous quotesB and C, although I think A is correct in first case
Skip Citizen qn.
C for linguistic qn.
Never read anything like that. I believe it is just to improve fiscal discipline .
And anyway who is going to penalize the union govt for exceeding their fiscal deficit????
So, even by this logic, I do not think there are any penal provisions.. Please correct me if I am wrong.
I have read somewhere that FRBM limits are statutory and if it cannot be adhered to, amendments to the act need to be made.Maybe judiciary could question the legislature otherwise, if they go beyond the escape clause specified in the act.
Those who attempted Shankarias open Test 1 (19th Sept one) plz help me with these qns...
Q.33) Consider the following statements about ―Laboratory for the Conservation of
Endangered Species‖ (LaCONES):
1. It is India‘s only dedicated facility for the conservation of endangered species.
2. It is the only laboratory that has developed methods for the collection and cryopreservation of semen and oocytes from wildlife.
3. It has successfully reproduced endangered Blackbuck, Spotted Deer and Nicobar Pigeons through artificial insemination of cryopreserved sperm. 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
I eliminated 2 just on the basis of "only lab" (in india is not mentioned). And it is unlikely that Indian institution would be the only one doing this worldwide.Did I justoverthink here? If yes, how to avoid?
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Q.37) When a bird lives in the hollow of a tree, which type of biological interaction takes place?
(a) Mutualism
(b) Parasitism(c) Commensalism(d) Amensalism
Why not mutualism when birds helps disperse seeds?
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Q42) Which of the following countries surround the Strait of Malacca?
1. The Indonesian island of Sumatra
2. The Indonesian Island of Java
3. Thailand
4. Malaysia
Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 and 4 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Why is Thailand considered a part?
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Q.57) With reference to federalism in India, consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution clearly states that the executive power of the centre is superior to the executive power of the states.
2. States can neither take disciplinary action nor can they remove the All India Service Officers from Service.
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
Constitution "clearly states"? Yes, presidential rule can be declared if state does not obey. But does it amount to clearly stating?
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Q.58) Consider the following statements: 1. Indian Constitution recognises community-based rights 2. Educational institutions run by religious communities may receive money from the government. 3. Indian constitution looks at religion merely as a private matter concerning the individual. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 3 only (b)1 and 2 only(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Art 19 states freedom of conscience etc. Isn't religion a private matter?
@Shailputri for Q 26, it is civil contempt not criminal contempt, so 3rd option is wrongQ 37 Though bird would spread seeds, but it would grow new trees but not directly helping that treeQ 58 Article 25 consider it to be private while 26 consider it to be like community based.
Q26 My bad. Not the first silly mistake I committed in this paper.
Q37 I see.
Q58. So, what did you mark for this?
Q42@Shailputri :P
I dont know whether this can be considered UPSC authentic (US EIA).But this mentions : no thailand
@Shailputri i did some silly mistakes as well (in SIA mock test 1) , it was my first offline test after a long period of lockdown induced online tests ,so attempted casually and got around 104 ,lost a lot of marks due to misinterpretationSecond SIA mock Qns statements were framed better except for a small key error in a Not correct/correct Qn
They are taking offline tests? Mine din't cross 100 :/
@Shailputri also, in que 58, the word "merely" is enough to mark the statement wrong. Religion in India is not "merely" a private affair. There are way too many caveats involved.
Rest, I believe have been answered well by others.
And even I marked the Strait of Malacca que wrong..
Yes. Doubts resolved.
Often we casually say marriage, religion, family are private affair unless it lands up in court. I took that too seriously. Nothing is private in India it seems. Not even when we have freedom of conscience, faith and belief. :D
Malacca one...as Villanelle pointed out rightly...qn mentions "around the strait" and not "between".
As per Mrunal the answer is C but the government website says it is open-ended procurement (https://dfpd.gov.in/Procurement-Policy.htm) hence D should be the answer.
Please suggest what’s right, am I missing something
Open ended procurement is for rice and wheat. For other food grains there is state wise quota. Maybe due to that 1 is right. Others can confirm.
U r forever helpful. Thanks.
How to handle questions like this one here?
Is it mentioned anywhere or should I just ignore it as a bouncer question thrown by UPSC?
https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/SecICHCour/English/CH.15.pdf
Has some relevant stuff.
This is more of a trick to remember which capital corresponds to which country, rather than remembering the names.
Remember Turkmenistan - Ashgabat ( Turk - Ash sounds similar to Turkish)
Then put the remaining countries and capitals in alphabetical order respectively. They'll correspond.
Kazakhstan - Astana
Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek
Tajikistan - Dushanbe
Uzbekistan - Tashkent
Edit: I saw @Archand's comment only after I posted. You'll need to substitute Nur Sultan for Astana afterwards. To help remember this, I'm imagining Rakesh Astana sitting on a throne like a Sultan :P
Sweet... trick, finally!
I think the first statement is specifically a part of environmental impact assessment
I know the answer is B. But reason cannot be eia as eia is itself under epa 1986.
@Shailputri definitely a...the aim is economiv dev, it may happen or not is totally different debate. secondly, borrowing money to repay loans cant be a sustainable long term aim.
Oh that way. Haathi ke daant type. Borrowing in the name of development but ultimately leading to redemption of debt.
Clever options tho.
So as I think-
Major part is having time at your disposal in exam, like last year paper was too lengthy. So there was less chance of getting such answers:
for example- before prelims, Azad hind mentioned about KONDA and related it with Andhra Pradesh, It helped me to correct one question
at the same time due, I wasn't able to look at question like KULYAVAPA, DRONAVAPA. But there also it was easier to guess the answer.
they can fail us also, if applied illogically like question like GHANTASHALA, as CHAUL and KAdura were also there, I went with Buddhist centre :P
can be said that, it is mixture of your vocabulary across some Indian languages, general awareness of things, available time, risk taking attitude, most importantlyit has to be your day. Go with the instincts if something clicks, it may or may not work, but the study of 2-3 years isn't working properly so taking such risk (limited) should not be an issue
applying things in mocks can help, it can be sort of habit for some, but as exam is close, we can look at some PYQs and try to apply some logics.
.
One more example of where "logics" Failed me was a question on "dwarasamudra" Probably in case 2020 or 2019..
I was like dwarasamudra sounds like gateway of India, so must be in maharasthra...
And boy,, I was soo wrong..
Not to say that logics don't help, but we can not rely on them 100%..
Kya pata meri hi kismat khraab hai, mere logics hi illogical hote hain shayd 🥵
Mistake in these is acceptable. But How to guess these qns if you don't know all provisions of scheme.
Which of the following are the objectives of 'National Nutrition Mission'?
1. To create awareness relating to malnutrition among pregnant women and lactating mothers.
2. To reduce the incidence of anaemia among young children, adolescent girls, and women.
3. To promote the consumption of millets, coarse cereals, and unpolished rice.
4. To promote the consumption of poultry eggs.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
My confusion wud be b/w A and C
Consider the following statements :
1. Under Akbar, the system of Zabt was established over a large area from Punjab to Awadh.
2. In the seventeenth century North India, the system of Zabt lost much ground to the system of Kankut.
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
I just know what the terms mean.
zabt = land revenue at current prices
Kankut = land revenue at constant prices
But my random guess for above is C.
Will someone please explain in simple words, important points related to Public Safety Bills and Industrial Dispute bills during British Rule?
Public safety bill = british govt doing to foreign grps/nationals at that time what Indian govt has done to amnesty international. For the fear of riots, regulating it's accounts and deporting foreigners associated with communism (Just to simplify understanding)
Trade disputes bill = ban on strikes. Tribunals for "amicable solutions".
These steps may have been taken since CPI was officially formed in 1925.
