Previous Year UPSC Questions

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Retail investors can participate in government securities (G-Secs) like Treasury Bills (T-Bills) and Government of India Bonds through schemes such as Retail Direct Scheme facilitated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This allows them to invest directly in the primary market using Demat accounts.

Statement 2 is correct: The NDS-OM platform, is an electronic trading platform, operated by the RBI, is an anonymous order-matching system for secondary market trading in government securities (G-Secs)

Statement 3 is incorrect: CDSL is promoted by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) but not by the Reserve Bank of India. It is promoted by BSE Ltd. jointly with leading banks such as State Bank of India, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Union Bank of India.

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct: WaterCredit is a powerful solution and puts microfinance tools to work in the water and sanitation sector. It helps bring small loans to those who need access to affordable financing and expert resources to make household water and toilet solutions a reality.

Statement 2 is incorrect: WaterCredit is not launched by the WHO or the World Bank. It is an initiative of Water.org, a non-profit organization co-founded by Gary White and Matt Da-mon. While it may collaborate with various global partners, it is not directly under the aegis of these organizations.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Parole is not a right but a privilege granted by prison authorities. Parole is a discretionary relief granted to prisoners under specific conditions. The decision to grant parole lies with the prison authorities or state authorities, and they may deny parole even if a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, depending on factors such as security risks or the nature of the crime committed.

Statement 2 is correct: Each state has its own parole rules, governed by respective State Prison Manuals and the Prisons Act, 1894. These rules outline eligibility criteria, conditions, and the authority responsible for granting parole.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Judicial custody does not mean detention in a police station. Instead, the accused is sent to jail under the magistrate’s orders. Police custody, on the other hand, involves detention at a police station for investigation. Judicial custody ensures that the accused is under judicial supervision and not directly handled by the police.

Statement 2 is correct: During judicial custody, the police cannot interrogate the accused without prior approval from the court. This provision protects the accused from undue pressure or custodial violence while ensuring due process.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: EPF coverage is not universal for all casual workers. It applies to workers in establishments with 20 or more employees and only if they meet the eligibility criteria under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Many temporary, seasonal, or casual workers may not qualify.

Statement 2 is correct: Casual workers are entitled to regular working hours and overtime payment as per the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and the Factories Act, 1948. These laws ensure that all workers, including casual labourers, have regulated working hours and are paid overtime wages at stipulated rates if they work beyond the prescribed hours.

Statement 3 is correct: The government can mandate wage payments through banking channels under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, which was amended by the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Act, 2017. This amendment allows the government to require industries and establishments to pay wages electronically or through bank transfers to enhance transparency and prevent exploitation.

Explanation

Hundis are used as a form of remittance instrument to transfer money from place to place. It was used as a form of credit instrument or IOU to borrow money and as a bill of exchange in trade transactions. The Hundis was a letter of credit payable after a period of time. The word "hundi" is often linked to the Sanskrit root "hundika," meaning a type of bill or note. The Lekhapaddhati (12th century, in post-Harsha period) refer to the use of hundika by kings and nobles to make payments but it may have been used by merchants as well. Hundis were widely used during the post-Harsha period (7th century onwards) and played a significant role in the growth of trade and urbanization in India.

Explanation

The common agreement between Gandhism and Marxism is the final goal of stateless and classless society, whereas means to achieve these final goals differ. A stateless society does refer to a society without a centralized government or formal state institutions, it typically implies a system where people govern themselves through communal, decentralized methods without the need for a coercive state apparatus. According to Karl Marx, the State is an instrument of oppression and an organ of the bourgeoisie that only works for maintaining class dominance. Therefore, he strives for class struggle and revolution which will ultimately result in a stateless society. Mahatma Gandhi gave the concept of Ramarajya, an ideal society characterised by self-governing individuals living in harmony without centralised political authority. He believed in achieving this stateless society through non-violent means, emphasizing moral and ethical self-discipline. Gandhi’s vision aligns with the idea of enlightened anarchy.

Explanation

Bureaucracy is the executive branch of government, responsible for implementing decisions made by the elected officials. Bureaucrats are selected through a merit-based process to manage state affairs. In India, the primary role of the bureaucracy is to ensure the execution of government policies. While political leadership may change with elections, the bureaucracy remains constant, providing stability and continuity in governance. This ensures that policies are carried out consistently, regardless of changes in the political leadership.

Explanation

In a report "Changing Structure of Rural Economy of India: Implications for Employment and Growth 2017," published by NITI Aayog, following observations were made:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Both rural and urban regions have seen an improvement in worker productivity as well as the absolute level of income per worker. For rural areas, it was Rs. 37273 in 2004 -05 and Rs. 101755 in 2011 -12, while for urban areas it was Rs. 120419 in 2004 -05 and Rs. 282515 in 2011 -12.

Statement 2 is incorrect: As per the 2011 Census, 68.8% of India’s population and 72.4% of the workforce resided in rural areas. However, the steady transition to urbanisation over the years has led to a decline in the rural share of the workforce, from 77.8% in 1993 -94 to 70.9% in 2011 -12.

Statement 3 is correct: About two-thirds of rural income is now generated in non -agricultural activities. Non-farm economy has increased in rural areas. The share of agriculture in the rural economy has decreased from 57% in 1993 -94 to 39% in 2011 -12.

Statement 4 is correct: After 2004 -05, the rural areas have witnessed negative growth in employment in spite of high growth in output. The growth rate of rural employment was 1.45% during

1994 -2005, which fell to -0.28% between 2005 -12.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Basic Structure encompasses basic and core values like federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy which forms bedrock of the Indian Constitution. It cannot be amended by parliament under Art 368. Basic Structure Doctrine is a Judicially innovative doctrine and it was neither defined under Constitution nor it was defined by the Supreme Court or any other court.

Statement 2 is correct: Article 13(2) of the Constitution prohibits the Union or States from enacting laws that violate fundamental rights. Any such law, to the extent of its violation, is deemed void. This provision ensures judicial review to protect citizens’ rights and liberties.