UPSC 2003 Prelims Questions with Answers

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: India has a significant fertilizer industry, particularly in nitrogenous fertilizers. According to the "Chemical and Petrochemical Statistics at a Glance" report by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, India ranks 4th globally in the production of inorganic chemicals, which includes nitrogenous fertilizers.

Option (b) is correct: Regarding steel production, India was the ninth-largest producer in 2002, with a production of 31.8 million metric tons as per worldsteel.org.

Option (c) is correct: India is the second-largest producer of silk globally, after China.

Option (d) is correct: In 2003, India was the third-largest producer of coal globally, following China and the United States.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: In the fiscal year 2000-01, In-dia’s industrial sector experienced varied growth rates across different industries. According to the Economic Survey 2000-01, during the period from April to December 2000, the growth rates for key industries were as follows:

Cement: The cement industry recorded a growth rate of 2.3%, a significant decline from the 16.0% growth observed during the same period in the previous year. Electricity: The electricity sector experienced a growth rate of 4.7%, down from 7.5% in the corresponding period of the previous year. Coal: The coal industry saw an improvement, with a growth rate of 5.2% compared to 3.0% in the same period of the prior year. Steel: The steel industry achieved a growth rate of 9.0%, which was a decrease from the 11.0% growth rate recorded in the same period of the previous year.

Explanation

The Congress Session at Karachi (1931), under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, did not oppose the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. It supported the pact, which was an agreement between Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Irwin (the Viceroy), aimed at ending the Civil Disobedience Movement in exchange for certain concessions, including the release of political prisoners and the right to make salt for personal use. Statements (a), (b) and (c) are correct:

The Rowlatt Act (1919) led to widespread protests, which culminated in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in April 1919. Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Forward Bloc in 1939 to unite all like minded left-wing factions of the Indian National Congress. Bhagat Singh was one of the key members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). Its members became symbols of sacrifice and resistance.

Explanation

Option (a) is correct: Alliance Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Airlines which was established in 1996. Alliance Air operates regional flights under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme to enhance connectivity to remote areas. Alliance Air was rebranded as Alliance Air (India) Limited in 2022 after the privatization of Air India. Options (b), (c), (d) are incorrect:

As of 2003, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) managed 12 international airports across the country, including major hubs like Chennai, Kolkata, and Trivandrum. The number of international airports under AAI’s management has evolved over time due to the development of new airports and changes in management structures. As of 2024, AAI manages 34 international airports and over 110 domestic airports. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) not AAI is the regulatory body responsible for enforcing civil aviation regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards in India. The AAI primarily focuses on creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure, including airports and air traffic management. DGCA ensures compliance with international aviation standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The planning and construction of runways and terminal buildings fall under the purview of the Airports Authority of India. The AAI handles the design, development, operation, and maintenance of airports, ensuring the infrastructure meets international standards.

Explanation

When the Congress leaders condemned the Montagu-Chelmsford Report (1918) for not granting enough self-governance to India, many moderate leaders led by Surendra Nath Banerjee who were dissatisfied with Congress’s position left the party and formed the Indian Liberal Federation. This organization aimed to support gradual constitutional reforms and believed in constitutional methods for achieving Indian self-rule.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Kitab-I-Nauras (The Book of 9 Rasas), a collection of songs praising both Hindu deities and Muslim saints, was composed by Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Adil Shahi dynasty in the 16th century. The fifty-nine songs and seventeen couplets of the book are written in Dakhni Urdu. It also indicates the ragas in which they were to be sung. He was a dhrupad singer and the player of an instrument called tambour.

Statement 2 is correct: Amir Khusrau, a renowned Sufi poet, musician, and scholar, is credited with the foundation of Qawwali music in India. Qawali is a devotional form of Islamic music deeply embedded in the mystical traditions of Sufism, and Amir Khusrau is often regarded as its spiritual and musical architect in the Indian subcontinent.

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: The 6th Amendment relates to change in the Union List and State List with respect to raising of taxes while the 22nd Amendment allows the formation of autonomous states within Assam.

Option (b) is incorrect: The 13th Amendment provided special protection under Article 371A for the newly created State of Nagaland and the 38th Amendment empowers the President with authority to declare certain ordinances beyond judicial review.

Option (c) is correct: The 7th Amendment provided for the reorganization of states, which included adjustments to parliamentary representation. The 31st Amendment increased the number of Lok Sabha seats from 525 to 545, directly addressing the representation from states.

Option (d) is incorrect: The 11th Amendment concerns the election of the Vice President by Electoral College consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, instead of election by a Joint Sitting of Parliament while the 42nd Amendment is known as the "Mini-Constitution" and introduced comprehensive changes to various aspects of the Constitution, including the Preamble and Directive Principles.

Explanation

Article 355 states that "It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution."

Explanation

Option (a) is incorrect: Article 121 prohibits parliamentary discussions on judges’ conduct except during removal motions.

Option (b) is incorrect: Article 122 prohibits courts from questioning parliamentary procedures and conduct of business within Parliament.

Option (c) is correct: Article 123 allows the President to issue ordinances when Parliament is not in session, giving them the same effect as laws. These ordinances are issued based on the Council of Ministers’ advice, as outlined in Article 74.

Option (d) is incorrect: Article 124 outlines the establishment, appointment, and tenure of Supreme Court judges.

Explanation

Article 143 allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s advice on legal questions or public matters. The President can also refer disputes from treaties or agreements for the Court’s opinion.

Option (b) is correct: The President sought the Supreme Court’s opinion under Article 143 on deferring Gujarat Assembly Elections.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order necessary for doing complete justice in any case. Article 144 mandates that all authorities in India assist in implementing Supreme Court orders and decrees. Article 145 allows the Supreme Court to frame rules for regulating its practices and procedures.