• Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that result from commercial product development and the breakdown of larger plastics.
• They are fragments of any type of plastic less than 5mm(0.20 in) in length.
• Plastic pollution is big evil and can help viruses alive and infectious in fresh water for days
• Microplastics are particularly harmful to the oceans as they don’t readily break down into harmless molecules and adversely affect the health of marine organisms, which mistake plastic for food. Moreover, these particles can trigger loss of biodiversity and threaten ecosystem balance

• Researchers examined surface-level plastic pollution data from nearly 12,000 ocean stations in six major marine regions, from 1979 to 2019
• Finally, by using computer modelling, the researchers were able to come up with a global time series to estimate not only how much microplastic is currently in the oceans but also how their concentration has changed over the years
• They found that from 1990 to 2005, the number of plastic particles more or less fluctuated
• One of the reasons for this could be due to the effective implementation of important policy measures at the time
• In the 1980s and 90s, some international policies, like MARPOL Annex 5, enforced laws against dumping trash at sea. They were powerful laws that were enforceable and were preventative
• However, things went downhill soon after as the world began producing much more plastic than ever before
• Therefore, as the study pointed out, the concentration of plastic particles including microplastics in the ocean has skyrocketed in the oceans since the mid-2000s, and it continues to increase
• Researchers further mentioned that if the world fails to take any drastic action about the issue, there will be a 2.6-fold increase in plastic flowing into aquatic environments by 2040

• Several recent studies have detected microplastics in marine organisms, from phytoplankton to whales and dolphins, which might prove hazardous for them
• The ingestion of such particles can cause “mechanical problems, such as lacerations and blockages to internal systems.”
• Ingested plastics can cause chemical problems by leaching absorb chemicals into organisms
• We know that microplastics absorb many hydrophobic compounds, like DDT, PCBs and other industrial chemicals, and evidence shows they can be released when ingested
• Microplastics can also disrupt the carbon cycle of the oceans
• Normally, phytoplankton absorbs carbon and are eaten by zooplankton, who excrete the carbon in the form of faecal pellets that sink to the sea floor
•  Once these carbon-containing pellets reach there, “the carbon can be remineralized into rocks  preventing it from escaping back into the atmosphere,”
• If zooplanktons consume microplastics, their faecal pellets sink at a much slower rate, which means they are more likely to break apart or be eaten by other animals
• Making it less likely that the carbon will reach the seafloor and become permanently sequestered

• Researchers of the latest study suggested that there is an urgent need to implement a global resolution to limit the production of single-use, throwaway plastic
• We need cities to be responsible for managing their waste so it does not leave their territory
• We need to reduce the amount of chemical additives in new plastic products
•  If we talk about recycling, there have to be requirements that recycled plastic be used in new products
•  The industries that make plastic like to talk about how technically we can recycle all of it. But they don’t like to commit to buying recycled plastic, therefore recycling fails

GLOBAL SOUTH

1. Context

2. The need for the ‘Global North’ and the ‘Global South

• For a long time in the study of international political systems, the method of categorising countries into broad categories for easier analysis has existed.
• The concepts of ‘East’ and ‘West’ is one example of this, with the Western countries generally signifying greater levels of economic development and prosperity among their people and Eastern countries are considered as being in the process of that transition.
• Another similar categorisation is of First World, Second World and Third World countries, referring to countries associated with the Cold war-era alliances of the US, the USSR, and non-aligned countries, respectively.
• At the centre of these concepts is the World Systems approach introduced by sociologist Immanuel Wallerstein in 1974, emphasising an interconnected perspective of looking at world politics.
• He said there are three major zones of production: core, peripheral and semiperipheral.
• The core zones reap profits, being the owners of cutting-edge technologies in countries like the US or Japan.
• Peripheral zones, on the other hand, engage in less sophisticated production that is more labour-intensive. In the middle are countries like India and Brazil.

3. The need for new terms

• In the Post-Cold War world, the First World/Third World classification was no longer feasible, because when the Communist USSR disintegrated in 1991, most countries had no choice but to ally at some level with the capitalist US the only remaining global superpower.
• Other classifiers have also seen criticism. The East/West binary was seen as often
  perpetuating stereotypical thinking about African and Asian countries.
• Categorising incredibly diverse countries into a monolith was felt to be too simplistic.
  Also, the idea that some countries were ‘developed’ while others were not was thought to be too wide a classification, inadequate for accurately discussing concerns.

4. Importance of Global South 

• What sets the terms Global North and South apart are that first, they are arguably more accurate in grouping like countries together, measuring similarly in terms of wealth, indicators of education and healthcare, etc.
• Another commonality between the South countries is that most have a history of colonisation, largely at the hands of European powers.
• Secondly, this classification trains more focus on the Global South. When leaders such as Jaishankar mentioned, they are also pointing to the region’s historical exclusion from prominent international organisations such as the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
• As bodies like the UN and the IMF are involved in major decision-making that affects the world in terms of politics, economy and society, the exclusion is seen by these countries as contributing to their slower growth.
• As a result, the idea that the South can together advocate for common causes has
  come up, as underlined by the External Affairs Minister.

• Why the concept is being reiterated now partly because of the economic emergence of some of these South countries, such as India and China, in the last few decades.
• Many consider the world to now be multipolar rather than one where the US alone dominates international affairs.
• The progress achieved by many Asian countries is also seen as challenging the idea that the North is ideal.
• As Samuel P Huntington wrote in his 1996 book ‘The Class of Civilizations and the Remaking of Global Order, “East Asians attribute their dramatic economic development not to their import of Western culture but rather to their adherence to their own culture.”

5. Criticism of the classification

• Some of the earlier terms’ criticisms apply here, too, such as the argument that the term is too broad.
• In the ongoing debate about North countries paying for funding green energy, having historically contributed to higher carbon emissions, many in the Global North have objected to China and India’s exclusion from this, given their increasing industrialisation.
• There is also the question of whether the South simply aims to replace the North and the positions it occupies, again continuing a cycle in which a few countries accumulate crucial resources.
• Much controversy currently surrounds the question of whether elites of the global South and ‘rising powers’ genuinely have the intention to challenge the dominant structures of global capitalist development.
• In the rise of Asia, the continued neglect of Africa has been questioned as well.
• China is increasingly making inroads here through the Belt and Road Initiative for developing infrastructure.
• But whether that results in a win-win situation for both parties or focuses on profit for only China remains to be seen.

For Prelims & Mains

Previous Year Questions

FISCAL DILEMMA

 

1. Context

When India’s national auditor, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), released a decadal analysis on States’ macro-fiscal health, one headline somehow travelled faster than anything else highlighted in the study — Uttar Pradesh, long labelled as a backward State lagging in fiscal performance, was said to have recorded a revenue surplus of ₹37,000 crore.

2. Fiscal Deficit

• A fiscal deficit is a financial situation that occurs when a government's total expenditures exceed its total revenue or income during a specific period, usually a fiscal year.
• In simpler terms, it means that the government is spending more money than it is earning through various sources, such as taxes, fees, and other revenues.
• The fiscal deficit is an essential indicator of a country's financial health and reflects the gap between the money the government spends on public services, infrastructure projects, social welfare programs, defense, and interest payments on existing debts, and the money it collects from various sources.
• When a government faces a fiscal deficit, it needs to finance the shortfall through borrowing.
• Governments typically borrow money by issuing government bonds or taking loans from domestic or international financial institutions. The accumulated borrowing over time leads to the creation of national debt.

3. Causes of Fiscal Deficit

• Economic Downturns: During economic recessions or downturns, government revenues tend to decline as economic activity slows down. At the same time, government spending may increase to provide stimulus and support to the economy. This combination of reduced revenue and increased expenditure can lead to a fiscal deficit.
• Insufficient Tax Revenues: If a country's tax collection system is inefficient or ineffective, it may not generate enough revenue to cover the government's expenses. Low tax compliance rates, tax evasion, or outdated tax policies can contribute to a fiscal deficit.
• High Public Spending: Governments may have high spending commitments, including expenditures on public services, infrastructure development, defense, and social welfare programs. If spending is not matched with adequate revenue generation, it can result in a fiscal deficit.
• Social Welfare Programs: Social welfare initiatives, such as healthcare, education, unemployment benefits, and pension schemes, can be costly for the government. While they are essential for the well-being of citizens, funding these programs without appropriate revenue sources can lead to fiscal deficits.
• Interest Payments on National Debt: If a significant portion of the government's budget is allocated to servicing the interest on the accumulated national debt, it can strain the budget and contribute to a fiscal deficit.
• Infrastructure Investment: Governments often invest in long-term infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. While these investments can promote economic growth, they require substantial initial funding and can contribute to a temporary fiscal deficit.

4. Public debt

• Public debt, also known as government debt or national debt, refers to the total amount of money that a government owes to external creditors (such as foreign governments, international organizations, and investors) and domestic creditors (like individuals, banks, and institutions) resulting from past borrowing and deficit financing.
• It is a key component of a country's overall debt burden and is a measure of the government's accumulated financial liabilities over time.
• Governments borrow money to finance various activities, including infrastructure development, social welfare programs, defense, and other public services when their expenses exceed their revenues.
• The main sources of public debt include issuing government bonds, treasury bills, notes, and loans from domestic and foreign lenders.

Public debt can be classified into two main categories:

Internal Debt: This refers to the debt owed by the government to its own citizens and domestic institutions. Internal debt is denominated in domestic currency and is typically held in the form of government bonds, savings certificates, and other securities.

External Debt: This refers to the debt owed by the government to foreign lenders and entities. External debt is denominated in foreign currencies and may include loans from international financial institutions, foreign governments, and private investors.

5. Challenges of High Fiscal Deficits and Debt in India

• Debt-Dynamics Equation: When GDP growth surpasses effective interest rates on government bonds and there's no primary deficit, overall debt declines. However, financial repression to keep interest rates low can cause distortions in the economy.
• Costs of High Deficits: Carrying high deficits and debt has significant costs for the economy. Interest payments consume over 5% of GDP and 25% of revenue, hindering investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
• Impact on Fiscal Policy: High debt levels limit the government's ability to implement counter-cyclical fiscal policies and respond to economic shocks effectively.
• Captive Debt Market: The debt market in India is primarily dominated by commercial banks and insurance companies, leading to limited resources for lending to the manufacturing sector and higher borrowing costs.
• Impact on Sovereign Rating: High deficits and debt can lead to lower sovereign ratings, increasing the cost of external commercial borrowing.
• Inter-generational Burden: Large deficits and debt burden future generations as today's borrowing is taxing tomorrow.
• Regional Disparities: States like Punjab, Kerala, Rajasthan, and West Bengal face higher debt-to-GSDP ratios, exacerbating economic challenges.
• Green Transition: High debt levels may impede funding for emerging priorities like transitioning to a green economy.
• Difficulty in Calibration: High debt makes it difficult to calibrate fiscal policies effectively to address economic fluctuations.
• Need for Prudent Fiscal Management: Addressing high deficits and debt requires prudent fiscal management to ensure sustainable economic growth and development.

6. Challenges of Fiscal Consolidation and Policy Interventions

• Achieving the recommended debt-to-GDP ratio of 58.2% (14th Finance Commission) seems unfeasible in the medium term.
• Even before the pandemic, aggregate public debt was at 74.3% in 2019-20, reaching 89.7% in 2020-21 due to the pandemic.
• Despite a nominal GDP recovery of 18.5% in 2021-22, the debt ratio declined only slightly to 85.7%.
• The high primary deficit in 2022-23 (3.7% of GDP) and budgeted deficit in 2023-24 (over 3%) indicate persistently elevated debt levels.
• The stable Goods and Services Tax (GST) platform is expected to improve tax administration and compliance, increasing the tax-GDP ratio by 1.5 to 2 percentage points in the medium term.
• The need to reconsider the state's role and vacate activities better suited for the market rather than competing with it.
•  The slow pace of disinvestment at the central level is a concern.
• Enforcing rules on States' borrowing is crucial to impose hard budget constraints and ensure macroeconomic stability.
• Cash transfers are preferred over subsidizing commodities and services for effective redistribution.
•  The Union government should lead by example in following and enforcing fiscal responsibility rules effectively in States.

For Prelims: Fiscal deficit, public debt, fiscal consolidation, 14th finance commission, Tax-GDP ratio. For Mains: 1. Discuss the concept of public debt and its significance in the context of fiscal sustainability. Examine the key sources of public debt and the reasons why governments resort to borrowing. (250 words).

 Source: The Hindu

 

 

NUCLEAR ENERGY

 

 

1. Context

Amid renewed efforts to clinch a trade deal with the US, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said in New York on Wednesday (September 24) that India’s energy security goals will have a “very high element of US involvement” in the years to come.

 

2. What is Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy is a form of energy that is generated from the nucleus of an atom. It is released through two main processes: nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

1. Nuclear Fission: Nuclear fission is the process by which the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239, is split into two or more smaller nuclei, along with the release of a significant amount of energy. This process can be controlled and sustained in a nuclear reactor. In a nuclear power plant, the heat produced by nuclear fission is used to generate steam, which, in turn, drives turbines connected to generators. These generators produce electricity, which is then distributed for various purposes.

2. Nuclear Fusion: Nuclear fusion is the process of combining the nuclei of light atoms, such as isotopes of hydrogen (e.g., deuterium and tritium), to form a heavier nucleus, along with the release of energy. Fusion is the process that powers the sun and other stars. It has the potential to provide a nearly limitless and cleaner source of energy compared to fission. However, achieving controlled nuclear fusion on Earth has proven to be technologically challenging and has not yet been realized for widespread energy production.

3. Why do we need nuclear energy?

Nuclear energy serves several important purposes and is considered valuable for various reasons, which include:

1. Low Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Nuclear power plants produce electricity with very low greenhouse gas emissions. This makes nuclear energy an attractive option for countries aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change. It provides a source of electricity that is relatively clean and doesn't release significant amounts of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

2. Reliable Baseload Power: Nuclear energy provides a consistent and reliable source of electricity, known as baseload power. Unlike some renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, which are intermittent and weather-dependent, nuclear power can operate continuously and meet the minimum electricity demand, ensuring grid stability.

3. Energy Security: Nuclear energy can contribute to energy security by diversifying a nation's energy sources. This reduces the reliance on fossil fuels, which can be subject to price volatility and supply disruptions due to geopolitical conflicts.

4. High Energy Density: Nuclear fission, the process used in nuclear power plants, has a high energy density, meaning that a small amount of nuclear fuel can produce a large amount of energy. This is particularly important in scenarios where space and resource constraints are factors.

5. Long Fuel Supply: Uranium, the primary fuel used in nuclear reactors, is relatively abundant and can provide a stable and long-term source of energy. Additionally, there is ongoing research into advanced nuclear technologies, such as breeder reactors, which can extend the use of nuclear fuel resources.

6. Reduced Air Pollution: In addition to lower greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear power plants do not produce the air pollutants associated with fossil fuel combustion, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have adverse health effects and contribute to air pollution.
7. High Energy Independence: Nations with nuclear power capabilities can reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels. This enhances energy independence and can have economic and geopolitical benefits.

4.Types of Water reactor

Water reactors are a common type of nuclear reactor that use water as a coolant and/or moderator. There are several types of water reactors, including pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs). Here's an overview of these two main types:

1. Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs):

   • Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) are the most prevalent type of commercial nuclear reactors in the world.
   • PWRs use ordinary water (light water) as both a coolant and a moderator. The water is kept at high pressure to prevent it from boiling.
   • The reactor core contains fuel rods, typically enriched uranium, and control rods to regulate the nuclear reaction.
   • The heat generated in the reactor core is transferred to a secondary loop of water (usually at lower pressure) through a heat exchanger. This secondary loop is used to produce steam to drive turbines and generate electricity.
   • PWRs are known for their safety features, as the high pressure in the primary coolant loop helps prevent the release of radioactive materials.

2. Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs):

   • Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) also use water as a coolant and moderator, but they allow the water in the reactor core to boil.
   • The fuel rods are located in the reactor core, and as the nuclear fission reactions occur, they generate heat, causing the water in direct contact with the fuel rods to boil and produce steam.
   • The steam from the reactor core is directly used to drive turbines and generate electricity without the need for a separate heat exchanger.
   • BWRs are simpler in design but have different safety features compared to PWRs.

 

 5. Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor vs Light Water Reactor vs Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

	Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)	Light Water Reactor (LWR)	Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)
Coolant and Moderator	Uses heavy water (deuterium oxide, D2O) as both the coolant and moderator. Heavy water moderates the neutrons and helps sustain the nuclear chain reaction	Uses ordinary light water (H2O) as both the coolant and moderator. The light water absorbs some neutrons, which affects the reactivity of the reactor	Uses a liquid metal coolant (sodium or lead) and typically does not use a separate moderator. The fast neutrons produced in the reactor core drive the breeding of fissile material.
Fuel	Typically uses natural uranium or slightly enriched uranium as fuel. It relies on heavy water to sustain the chain reaction	Uses enriched uranium (typically U-235) or mixed oxide (MOX) fuel, which contains both uranium and plutonium. Light water reactors require enriched fuel to compensate for neutron absorption by the coolant	Uses plutonium or enriched uranium as fuel. The reactor is designed to create more fissile material (usually plutonium-239) than it consumes
Neutron Spectrum	Has a thermal neutron spectrum, where neutrons have lower energy and are moderated by heavy water	Also has a thermal neutron spectrum, where neutrons are moderated by light water	Operates with a fast neutron spectrum, meaning that neutrons have higher energy and are not significantly moderated. This allows for efficient breeding of fissile material
Efficiency	Relatively low thermal efficiency due to the neutron-absorbing properties of heavy water	Moderate thermal efficiency. Most commercial nuclear power plants worldwide are LWRs	High potential for efficiency as it can produce more fissile material than it consumes, making it a potential source of sustainable nuclear fuel.
Development and Use	Used in some countries like Canada and India for power generation	The most common reactor type for commercial power generation worldwide	Developed as a prototype for future breeder reactor technology. Few operational FBRs exist

 

 

6. Nuclear power plants in India?

The following are nuclear power plants in India:

1. Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS):

   • Located in Tarapur, Maharashtra.
   • Features two boiling water reactors (BWRs) and two pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).

2. Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS):

   • Located in Kakrapar, Gujarat.
   • Consists of two pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).

3. Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS):

   • Located in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan.
   • Comprises several units, including both pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and pressurized heavy water reactors with enriched uranium (PHWRs-PU).

4. Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS):

   • Located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
   • Features two pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and a Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

5. Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS):

   • Located in Narora, Uttar Pradesh.
   • Houses two pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).

6. Kaiga Generating Station (KGS):

   • Located in Kaiga, Karnataka.
   • Operates with pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).

7. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant:

   • Located in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu.
   • Currently, it has two VVER-1000 pressurized water reactors (PWRs) in operation, and additional units were under construction.

8. Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP):

   • Located in Fatehabad, Haryana.
   • Houses two pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).

 

7. Way forward

The role of nuclear energy in a country's energy mix is often a subject of debate, and it depends on a combination of factors, including national energy policy, safety measures, public opinion, and the availability of alternative energy sources

 

 

For Prelims:  Current events of national and international importance and General Science For Mains:  General Studies III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Source: indianexpress

 

 

UNION PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

 

1. Context 

 

When the Constitution came into effect in India on January 26, 1950, so did some institutions that enabled the foundation of a newly democratic nation. One such institution was the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), located at Dholpur House on Shahjahan Road in New Delhi

 

2. History of UPSC

• The UPSC has its genesis in the Civil Service Commission set up by the British government in 1854.
• Before this, civil servants in India were nominated by the East India Company and then trained at Haileybury College in London.
• However, following a report by Lord Thomas Macaulay, it was decided that instead of nominations, civil servants should be selected through a competitive exam.
• Thus, the Civil Service Commission was set up and for some years, exams were held only in London.
• It was a decade later, in 1864, that Satyendranath Tagore (brother of Rabindranath Tagore) became the first Indian to clear the exam.
• The exam started being held in India only in 1922, after the First World War.

Image Source: The Indian Express

3. In Independent India

• The origin of the Public Service Commission in India is found in the First Dispatch of the Government of India on the Indian Constitutional Reforms on the 5th of March 1919 Which referred to the need for setting up some permanent office charged with the regulation of service matters.
• This concept of a body intended to be charged primarily with the regulation of service matters found a somewhat more practical shape in the Government of India Act, of 1919.
• Section 96(C) of the Act provided for the establishment in India of a Public Service Commission which should discharge, regarding recruitment and control of the Public Services in India, such functions as may be assigned thereto by rules made by the Secretary of State in Council.
• On October 1, 1926, the Public Service Commission was set up in India.
• The functions of the Public Service Commission were not laid down in the Government of India Act, 1919, but were regulated by the Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules, 1926 framed under sub-section (2) of Section 96 (C) of the Government of India Act, 1919.
• Further, the Government of India Act, of 1935 envisaged a Public Service Commission for the Federation and a Provincial Public Service Commission for each Province or group of Provinces.
• Therefore, in terms of the provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935 and with its coming into effect on 1st April 1937, the Public Service Commission became the Federal Public Service Commission.
• After independent India adopted its Constitution on January 26, 1950, the Federal Public Service Commission became the Union Public Service Commission, under Clause (1) of Article 378 of the Constitution.
• All expenses for the UPSC are paid from the Consolidated Fund of India.

 

4. Functions of UPSC

 

 Functions of UPSC include

1. Conducting  examinations for appointment to the services of the Union
2. Direct recruitment by selection through interviews
3. Appointment of officers on promotion or deputation or absorption
4. Framing and amendment of Recruitment Rules for various services and posts under the Government
5. Disciplinary cases relating to different Civil Services
6. Advising the Government on any matter referred to the Commission by the President of India.

For Prelims: Union Public Service Commission, Lord Thomas Macaulay, Haileybury College, Satyendranath Tagore, Indian Constitutional Reforms, Government of India Act, 1919, Public Service Commission, Public Service Commission (Functions) Rules, 1926,  Government of India Act, of 1935, Article 378 of the Constitution, Consolidated Fund of India,  For Mains: 1. What is Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)? Discuss its evolution and Explain the functions of UPSC. (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. The Union Public Service Commission of India has been established under the Article ______  (MP Patwari 2017) A. 315                   B. 234                    C. 421                             D. 56   Answer: A   2. T.B. Macaulay has penned his 'Minute on Education' in the year  (AP SET 2016) A.1735                B. 1753                  C. 1853                             D.1835   Answer: D   3. Which of the following is NOT true about Mill's History of British India? (UGC NET 2019)  A. It founded the traditional institutions of India static and retrogressive B. The analysis made by Mill suited the needs of imperial government. C. It became a textbook on India for the British officers of the Indian Civil Services at Haileybury College D. It was not informed by the English utilitarian philosophy   Answer: D   4. Who among the following was the first Indian to qualify for the Indian Civil Service?  (NDA 2019) 1. Satyendranath Tagore 2. Surendranath Banerjee 3. R.C. Dutt 4. Subhas Chandra Bose   Answer: A   5. Which among the following events happened earliest? (UPSC 2018) A. Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj. B. Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neel Darpan C. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath. D. Satyendranath Tagore became the first Indian to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination.   Answer: B   6. In the Government of India Act 1919, the functions of Provincial Government were divided into "Reserved" and "Transferred" subjects. Which of the following were treated as "Reserved" subjects? (UPSC 2022) 1. Administration of Justice 2. Local Self-Government 3. Land Revenue 4. Police Select the correct answer using the code given below: A. 1, 2 and 3             B. 2, 3 and 4              C.  1, 3 and 4           D. 1, 2 and 4   Answer: A   7. Features of the Government of India Act 1935 are: (Rajasthan Police SI 2016) (a) The provincial autonomy (b) The establishment of Federal Court (c) The establishment of All India Federation at the Centre 1. a and b               2.  b and c             3. a and c                     4. a, b and c   Answer: 4   8. With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2015)  1. The Department of Revenue responsible for the preparation of Union Budget that is presented to the Parliament. 2. No amount can be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund of India without the authorization from the Parliament of India 3. All the disbursements made from Public Account also need authorization from the Parliament of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. 1 and 2 only      B. 2 and 3 only    C. 2 only     D.  1, 2 and 3   Answer: C

 

Source: The Indian Express