RAS Prelims MCQ Practice

Explanation

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme prioritizes the enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act to prevent female feticide. This focus is directly linked to the scheme’s overarching goal of improving the declining child sex ratio in India. By ensuring the survival and protection of the girl child, the initiative seeks to address deep-rooted social biases and balanced growth.

Explanation

Homi Bhabha was a globally respected scientist who presided over the first UN conference on peaceful atomic energy. He founded the Trombay establishment and guided the construction of the Apsara reactor. Despite his tragic death in 1966, his legacy remains. Notably, he prioritized peaceful applications of nuclear energy during his tenure, rather than aggressive weaponization from the start.

Explanation

A Torana is a richly carved ceremonial arched gateway at the entrance of a temple. It marks the approach to the shrine and is a common feature of Rajasthani temples.

Explanation

Mandalam, Valanadu, and Nadu were traditional South Indian administrative units used by the Vijayanagar Empire, largely inherited from the Chola administrative legacy. These terms designated provinces, large districts, and smaller districts respectively. In contrast, ‘Paragana’ is an administrative term primarily associated with the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, representing a different geographic and political tradition of governance.

Explanation

Members of the commission hold office for six years or until they reach sixty-five. While they are ineligible for re-appointment to the same post, they can be appointed as the Chairman of a State Public Service Commission or the Union Commission itself. These rules prevent self-interest and maintain the integrity of the office. The ban on re-appointment to the same position is a crucial feature designed to ensure that members do not act in a way that favors the government in hopes of securing a second term. Eligibility for higher chairmanships, however, allows for the continued use of their valuable experience.

Explanation

The Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme is designed to bridge the gap between rural women and government welfare initiatives. A key feature is the deployment of college student volunteers at the block level to act as catalysts for awareness generation. These volunteers help women understand their rights and access various empowerment schemes, ensuring that the benefits of national and state policies reach the grassroots.

Explanation

Vikram Sarabhai is celebrated as the father of the Indian space programme due to his visionary leadership in establishing the necessary infrastructure. He convinced the government of the importance of space research for a developing nation. His efforts led to the creation of the Indian National Committee for Space Research and eventually the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Explanation

The Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame) at Chittorgarh is a Jain monument of the 12th century dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara, and has carvings of Digambara ascetics. It is not a victory tower of Rana Sanga or Alauddin Khalji.

Explanation

Land revenue was the most critical income source, managed by the central ‘Athavana’ department. The state also collected various commercial taxes at active ports and market towns. While land revenue was high, it was generally fixed at one-sixth of the produce according to traditional law, rather than half. Additionally, numerous professional and social taxes, including those on artisans and marriages, were commonly levied.

Explanation

The commission is designated as the watchdog of the merit system because it ensures that recruitment to the civil services is based strictly on talent and capability. By conducting objective and transparent examinations, it protects the bureaucracy from political patronage, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are selected for public service. Its role as a watchdog extends to advising on promotions and disciplinary matters, ensuring that merit is respected throughout a civil servant’s career. While the government makes the final appointments, the commission’s rigorous selection process provides the foundation for a professional and impartial administrative framework in India.