RAS Prelims MCQ Practice

Explanation

Collective responsibility is enshrined in Article 164(2), while individual responsibility is covered under Article 164(1). The 15 percent limit on the size of the Council and the minimum requirement of twelve ministers are key structural provisions. These rules and articles define the accountability and size of the state executive, ensuring both democratic control and administrative stability. Together, these provisions create a disciplined and responsible executive body. Collective responsibility ensures the ministry acts as a unit, while individual responsibility links each minister to the Governor through the Chief Minister. The size limits ensure that the cabinet remains manageable and focused on effective governance rather than political patronage.

Explanation

A unique and charming feature of the Terah Taali dance is the inclusion of mimetic actions where the dancer simulates everyday domestic chores. These include activities like churning butter, grinding wheat, and spinning yarn, all performed while maintaining the rhythmic striking of the manjiras. This blending of spiritual devotion with the depiction of rural life is a hallmark.

Explanation

European engravings brought by Jesuits taught Mughal painters linear perspective and modelling, so Statement I is correct. Mughal artists did use light and shade, so Statement II is incorrect.

Explanation

Gondwana coal is older and of metallurgical grade, found mostly in the peninsula, while Tertiary coal is younger, mostly lignite, and found in the north-east and in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

Explanation

Terah Taali is a central feature of the Ramdevji fair, where Kamad women dance while men play the tandoora and sing devotional bhajans. This creates a complete spiritual atmosphere. While it is popular across western Rajasthan, it did not originate in the Shekhawati region, which is better known for its own distinct folk forms like the Geendad dance.

Explanation

Mewar painting used bold colours with emotion, Kishangarh is known for the Bani Thani with elongated eyes, Bundi for landscapes, rain and hunting scenes and Kangra for lyrical lines on Radha-Krishna themes. This gives A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii.

Explanation

Article 161 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Governor to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment. This power extends to any person convicted of an offense against a state law. While similar to the President’s power under Article 72, the Governor’s authority is limited to the executive jurisdiction of the state and excludes certain powers like pardoning death sentences. This mercy power allows the Governor to address cases of legal hardship or provide relief based on humanitarian grounds. It is a significant executive power that ensures the justice system has a mechanism for clemency. However, it must be exercised on the advice of the state government, reflecting the parliamentary nature of the executive.

Explanation

Jharia, Raniganj, and Singrauli are major coalfields belonging to the Gondwana geological period, which accounts for the bulk of India’s coal production. Makum, located in Assam, is a Tertiary coalfield. Tertiary coal is geologically much younger and generally contains more moisture and sulphur compared to the older Gondwana coal. This distinction is based on the different eras of carboniferous deposition in India.

Explanation

During a Terah Taali performance, the dancer uses graceful hand movements to mime traditional household tasks such as kneading dough, spinning a charkha, and churning curd. These actions are synchronized with the rhythmic clashing of cymbals. However, riding a camel is not a standard part of this domestic-themed mimetic repertoire, as the dance focuses more on sedentary, everyday tasks.

Explanation

Pre-Mughal Jain manuscript painting came first, then the Mughal atelier under Akbar, then Jahangir’s album paintings, and later the peak of Kangra. The order is III, I, IV, II.