Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Article 279A.

Key Points

• GST Council
• It is a constitutional body under Article 279A. Hence, Option 3 is correct.
• It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Service Tax and was introduced by the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
• The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.
• It is considered as a federal body where both the center and the states get due representation.
• Every decision of the Goods and Services Tax Council shall be taken at a meeting by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the members present and voting, under the following principles, namely:
• The vote of the Central Government shall have a weightage of one-third of the total votes cast, and
• The votes of all the State Governments taken together shall have a weightage of two-thirds of the total votes cast, in that meeting.
• Economic Survey 2017-18 also hailed the GST Council for its cooperative federalism technology which brings together the Center and States and can be applied to many other policy reforms.

Additional Information

• Goods and Services Tax
• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption.
• The GST is paid by consumers, but it is remitted to the government by the businesses selling the goods and services.
• It is a tax levied when a consumer buys a good or service. It is meant to be a single, comprehensive tax that will subsume all the other smaller indirect taxes on consumption like service tax, etc.
• It is a single tax on the supply of goods and services, right from the manufacturer to the end consumer
• This is how it is done in most developed countries. More than 160 countries have implemented this system of taxation.
• GST does not tax or get into specific commodities.

The correct answer is A, C, and D only.

Key Points

• Intra-Zonal Soils
• The intra-zonal soils possess, in general, the characteristics which mark them out as distinct and different from zonal soils.
• In other words, the effect of the local factors, topography, drainage, etc., is superimposed on that of the active soil-forming agents.
• The important intra-zonal soils are:
• Saline and alkaline soils
• Generally, these soils develop in arid and semi-arid regions. These also develop in low-lying areas where the water table is high. Soluble sodium salts are accumulated on the surface of the soil due to capillary rise. In saline soils, the salts usually present are chloride, sulfate, carbonates, etc. The soil reaction is alkaline (pH is more than 7.0).
• In saline soils, generally, no horizon differentiation and the whole profile looks more or less uniform. The soil is poor in humus and is devoid of structure. If rainfall is sufficient to wash down the soluble salts of saline soil, it gives rise to alkali or black alkali soil. Organic matter dissolves in sodium carbonate and moves down along with clay particles into the lower layer. Horizon-B develops a well-defined columnar structure, becomes very compact and almost impervious to water, and acquires a dark color (black).
• Meadow Soil
• This soil is found in flood-prone areas where water drainage is better than that in the marshes.
• This soil remains covered with a thin layer of humus which supports the growth of grasses.
• Rendzina soils
• Rendzina (or rendzina) is a soil type recognized in various soil classification systems, including those of Britain and Germany as well as some obsolete systems. They are humus-rich shallow soils that are usually formed from carbonate- or occasionally sulfate-rich parent material.
• In temperate regions, rendzina soils are very often formed from calcareous limestone. The clay remains saturated with calcium and the soil is neutral in reaction. Horizon-A (upper layer), is dark grey in color while the lower layer, horizon-C, is light grey or even white in color. Horizon-B is usually absent.
• Bog or marsh soils.
• In tropical and sub-tropical regions, these soils developed in the presence of a high water table in the podsol zone, these soils are formed under swampy conditions in the presence of large quantities of organic matter. The profile usually consists of two horizons i.e., A and C. The presence of underground water impedes the process of eluviation and illuviation with the result that horizon-B is absent or very weak in development.
• Horizon-A is the dark-colored layer (or black), the mixture of humus and mineral matter; often contains un-decomposed plant remains; fairly deep; acidic reaction. Horizon-C is bluish or greenish-grey; very often mottled; rusty streaks very prominent, almost continually saturated with groundwater.
• Hence, Option 3 is correct.

Additional Information

• Laterite Soils 
• In humid tropical and sub-tropical regions, both temperature and rainfall are high (80-100 inches or more).
• The soluble products of weathering are completely washed out due to heavy leaching.
• Considerable eluviation takes place there is no horizon differentiation as the eluviated substances are not re-deposited in the lower layers. Hence, no true B-horizon is formed.
• As the alkali and alkaline earth bases are removed from the seat of formation, the residual soil is acid in reaction.
• Vegetation is very profuse.
• The decomposition of organic matter is rapid due to the great microbial activity brought about by heavy precipitation and high temperature.
• The organic matter content of these soils is, therefore, low.
• The process of lateritic soil formation is called lateralization. These soils are characterized by their red, yellow, and orange colors due to the presence of iron oxides in various degrees of hydration.

The correct answer is Anshula Kant.

Key Points

• Anshula Kant
• Anshula Kant, SBI Managing Director, has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the World Bank. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
• Anshula Kant will be responsible for World Bank’s financial and risk management.
• The announcement was made by World Bank President David Malpass on July 12, 2019.
• Anshula Kant, in her new role as World Bank MD, CFO, will work closely with World Bank CEO on the mobilization of the International Development Association (IDA) and other financial resources.
• The IDA is the part of the World Bank that works in the interest of the world’s poorest countries.
• Kant’s main work would include oversight of financial reporting and risk management.
• Anshula Kant brings to World Bank more than 35 years of experience in the field of finance, banking, and innovative use of technology through her work as SBI CFO. As SBI CFO, Anshula Kant managed USD 38 billion of revenues and total assets of USD 500 billion.
• She played a huge role in improving the capital base of SBI with a key focus on long-term sustainability.
• Being responsible for SBI's Risk, Compliance, and Stressed Asset Portfolio, Kant was in charge of the creation of investment opportunities and risk management throughout SBI.

Additional Information

• World Bank Group
• With 189 member countries, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership: five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
• The Bank Group works with country governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, regional development banks, think tanks, and other international institutions on issues ranging from climate change, conflict, and food security to education, agriculture, finance, and trade.
• A Group of Institutions
• Together, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA) form the World Bank, which provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries. While the World Bank Group consists of five development institutions.
• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provides loans, credits, and grants.
• International Development Association (IDA) provides low- or no-interest loans to low-income countries.
• The International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides investment, advice, and asset management to companies and governments.
• The Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA) insures lenders and investors against political risk such as war.
• The International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) settles investment disputes between investors and countries.
• All of these efforts support the Bank Group’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity of the poorest 40% of the population in all countries.

The correct answer is Cubbon.

• Growth of coffee in Karnataka
• Chikamagalur, the lesser-known, quaint hill town, became the first recorded place in India to cultivate coffee when it was introduced to hillsides from Yemen around the mid to late 1600s.
• As the story goes, seven beans of coffee were smuggled out of Yemen’s town of Mocha by an Indian hermit named Baba Budan.
• Baba Budan then planted these in the hills of Chikmagalur.
• No one is sure of how much and how well these foreign beans grew in the time following, but coffee cultivation was seriously undertaken in the 18^th Century by British entrepreneurs who turned forests in Southern India into commercial coffee plantations.
• In fact, coffee was cultivated long before tea, mainly in Northern India.
• This is a relatively unknown fact, as India is perceived to be a tea-drinking nation and does have excellent tea gardens in Darjeeling, Bengal, and Assam.
• Lieutenant-General Sir Mark Cubbon was a British army officer with the East India Company who became the British Commissioner of Mysore state in 1834. During his tenure, he established a law and order system, introduced judicial and economic reforms, and through action in all spheres of governance helped develop the economy of Mysore.
• During his tenure Growth of coffee was encouraged. Hence, Option 4 is correct.
• He resigned from his office in 1860 due to ill-health and left for England for the first time since his arrival in India as a cadet in 1800.
• The administration of the Kingdom of Mysore under his leadership ensured that the 1857 rebellion had almost no impact on the region.
• He died in 1861 onboard a ship at Suez. Cubbon Road and Cubbon Park in Bangalore is named after him.

The correct answer is France.

Key Points

• International Solar Alliance
• The International Solar Alliance was launched jointly by the Indian Prime Minister and the French President during the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP21, in Paris. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• It is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30^th November 2015 in Paris, France on the side-lines of the Conference of the Parties (COP-21), with 121 solar resource-rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.
• Objective: To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.
• Members: Till now, 87 countries have signed the Framework Agreement of the ISA, and of these 67 have deposited their instruments of ratification.
• Nicaragua, a Central American country is the 87^th and the latest country to sign the agreement.
• The Government of India has allotted 5 acres of land to the ISA in the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) campus, Gurugram, and has released a sum of Rs. 160 crore for creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure, and meeting day-to-day recurring expenditure of the ISA up to the year 2021-22.

The correct answer is Rio de Janeiro.

Key Points

• Rio de Janeiro
• The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro has been named the World Capital of Architecture for 2020 by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• Rio will be the first city to receive the title under a program launched together by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 2018.
• The city will host the 27^th edition of the World Congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA) in July 2020, an event that occurs every three years. According to UNESCO, the World Capital of Architecture is intended to become an international forum for debates about pressing global challenges from the perspectives of culture, cultural heritage, urban planning, and architecture.
• As one of the oldest cities in Brazil, Rio has a mix of modern and colonial architecture, with world-renowned sites like the statue of Jesus Christ and contemporary constructions like the Museum of Tomorrow.

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• UNESCO
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, Sciences, and Culture.
• It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• UNESCO’s Headquarter is located in Paris and the Organization has more than 50 field offices around the world.
• It has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members (As of April 2020) and is governed by the General Conference and the Executive Board.
• Three UNESCO member states are not UN members: Cook Islands, Niue, and Palestine.
• While three UN member states (Israel, Liechtenstein, United States) are not UNESCO members.

The correct answer is It was inserted into Article 75 of the Indian Constitution through Clause (1A) by the 91^st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003.

Key Points

• 91^st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003:
• Made the following provisions to limit the size of Council of Ministers, to debar defectors from holding public offices, and to strengthen the anti-defection law:
• The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the CentralCouncil of Ministers, shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the LokSabha.
• A member of either house of Parliament belonging to any political party who is disqualified on the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister. Hence, Option 1 is correct.
• The total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a state shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly of that state. But, the number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a state shall not be less than 12.
• A member of either House of a state legislature belonging to any political party who is disqualified on the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a minister.
• A member of either House of Parliament or either House of a State Legislature belonging to any political party who is disqualified on the ground of defection shall also be disqualified to hold any remunerative political post. The expression “remunerative political post” means
• Any office under the central government or a state government where the salary or remuneration for such office is paid out of the public revenue of the concerned government; or
• Any office under a body, whether incorporated or not, which is wholly or partially owned by the central government or a state government, and the salary or remuneration for such office is paid by such body, except where such salary or remuneration paid is compensatory in nature.
• The provision of the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) about the exemption from disqualification in case of split by one-third of members of the legislature party has been deleted. It means that the defectors have no more protection on grounds of splits.
• Article 75:
• They are appointed by the President on the advice of Prime Minister
• They along with the Prime Minister of India form 15% of the total strength of the lower house i.e. Lok Sabha. (The number cannot exceed 15%)
• 91^st Amendment Act provided for the disqualification of the minister when he stands disqualified as a member of Parliament.
• A Minister ceased to exist as one if he is not a member of either house of Parliament for six consecutive months.
• Parliament decides the salary and allowances of the council of ministers.

The correct answer is SWAYAM.

Key Points

• SWAYAM
• SWAYAM (meaning 'Self') is a Sanskrit acronym that stands for Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds is an Indian Massive open online course (MOOC) platform.
• SWAYAM is an initiative launched by the then Ministry of Human Resource Development (M.H.R.D.)
• Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), was launched on July 9, 2017, by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to provide one integrated platform and portal for online courses.
• This covers all higher education subjects and skill sector courses.
• The objective is to ensure that every student in the country has access to the best quality higher education at an affordable cost.
• Academicians from hundreds of institutions throughout the country are involved in developing & delivering Massive open online courses (MOOCs) through SWAYAM in almost all disciplines from senior schooling to Post Graduation. Hence, Option 4 is correct.
• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) 
• It is a free Web-based distance learning program that is designed for the participation of large numbers of geographically dispersed students.
• They are changing the world of education by providing free online courses for higher education, executive education, and employee development. These courses are provided by well-qualified lecturers from some of the most renowned institutes in the world.
• These courses provide virtual education to people from any corner of the world where the internet is accessible. Massive open online courses are expected to complement the future of higher education in the world.
• MOOC has indeed played an important role in democratizing education.
• Example: The government recently launched the SWAYAM platform for open online courses.
• India is one of the largest countries in terms of MOOC learners, and MOOCs provide an efficient way to bridge the Industry-University divide and upskilling for better opportunities.
• India has become the second-largest market after the US.

The correct answer is Privilege Motion, Rule No. 222 in Chapter XX of the Lok Sabha Rule Book and Rule 187 in Chapter XVI of the Rajya Sabha Rule Book.

Key Points

• Parliamentary privileges
• Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament, individually and collectively, so that they can effectively discharge their functions.
• Parliamentary privileges are defined in Article 105 of the Indian Constitution and those of State legislatures in Article 194.
• When any of these rights and immunities are disregarded, the offense is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under the law of Parliament.
• Besides, Rule No 222 in Chapter 20 of the Lok Sabha Rule Book and correspondingly Rule 187 in Chapter 16 of the Rajya Sabha rulebook govern privilege. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• Privileges of Parliamentarians:
• Freedom of Speech: According to the Indian Constitution, the members of Parliament enjoy the freedom of speech and expression. No member can be taken to task anywhere outside the four walls of the House (e.g. court of law) or cannot be discriminated against for expressing his/her views in the House and its Committees.
• Freedom from Arrest: It is understood that no member shall be arrested in a civil case 40 days before and after the adjournment of the House (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha) and also when the House is in session. It also means that no member can be arrested within the precincts of the Parliament without the permission of the House to which he/she belongs.
• Exemption from attendance as witnesses: The members of Parliament also enjoy freedom from attendance as witnesses.
• Privileges of Parliament:

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Additional Information

• Right to publish debates and proceedings:
• Right to exclude strangers:
• Each house of Parliament enjoys the right to exclude strangers (no-members or visitors) from the galleries at any time and to resolve to debate with closed doors.
• Right to punish members and outsiders for breach of its privileges:
• In India, the Parliament has been given punitive powers to punish those who are adjudged guilty of contempt of the House.
• Such contempt can be committed by the members of any House or any outsider. When a member of the House is involved in parliamentary misbehavior or commits contempt he can be expelled from the House.
• Right to regulate the internal affairs of the House:
• The House has the right to regulate its internal affairs. A member of the House is free to say whatever he likes subject only to the internal discipline of the House or the Committee concerned.
• Privileges committee
• In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker nominates a committee of privileges consisting of 15 members as per respective party strengths. A report is then presented to the House for its consideration. The Speaker may permit a half-hour debate while considering the report. The Speaker may then pass final orders or direct that the report be tabled before the House.
• A resolution may then be moved relating to the breach of privilege that has to be unanimously passed. In the Rajya Sabha, the deputy chairperson heads the committee of privileges, which consists of 10 members.

The correct answer is Five.

Key Points

• Chola bronzes
• The bronze casting technique and the making of bronze images of traditional icons reached a high stage of development in South India during the medieval period.
• Among the Pallava period bronze of the 8^th century, the best one is the icon of Shiva seated in Ardhaparyanka asana (one leg kept dangling). The right hand is in the Achamana Mudra gesture, suggesting that he is about to drink poison.
• Although bronze images were modeled and cast during the Pallava period in the 8^th and 9^th centuries, some of the most beautiful statues were produced during the Chola period in Tamil Nadu from the 10^th to 12^th century AD.
• The technique of art fashioning bronze images is still skilfully practiced in South India, particularly in Kumbakonam.
• The distinguished patron during the 10^th century was the widowed Chola Queen, Sembiyan Maha Devi.
• Chola bronze images are the most sought-after collectors’ items by art lovers all over the world.
• The well-known dancing figure of Shiva as Nataraja was evolved and fully developed during the Chola period and since then many variations of this complex bronze image have been modeled.
• Sometimes an alloy of five metals gold, silver, copper, brass, and lead is used to cast bronze images. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
• A wide range of Shiva iconography was evolved in the Tanjore region of Tamil Nadu.
• The 9^th century Kalyanasundaram Murti is highly remarkable for how panigrahana (ceremony of marriage) is represented by two separate statuettes.
• Shiva with his extended right hand accepts Parvati’s (the bride’s) right hand, who is depicted with a bashful expression and taking a step forward.
• The union of Shiva and Parvati is very ingeniously represented in the Ardhanarisvra in a single image. Beautiful independent figurines of Parvati have also been modeled, standing in the graceful tribhanga posture.
• During the 16^th century known as the Vijayanagara period in Andhra Pradesh, the sculptors experimented with portrait sculpture to preserve the knowledge of the royal patrons for prosperity. At Tirupati, the life-size standing portrait statue was cast in bronze, depicting Krishnadevaraya with his two queens, Tirumalamba and Chinnadevi.
• The sculpture has combined the likeness of the facial features with certain elements of idealization.
• The idealization is further observed in the manner the physical body is modeled to appear imposing as well as graceful.
• The standing King and Queens are depicted in a praying posture, that is, both hands in the Namaskara mudra.