Question 1

With reference to the pardoning powers of the Governor in India, consider the
following statements:
1. Article 155 of the Constitution of India describes the power of the
Governor to grant pardons.
2. He can pardon, reprieve, respite, remit, suspend or commute the
punishment or sentence of any person convicted of any offence against
a State law.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution- b

Statement 1 is not correct: Article 161 of the Constitution of India describes

the Power of the Governor to grant pardons. Whereas Article 155 says that
the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under
his hand and seal.
Statement 2 is correct: The Governor can grant pardons, reprives, respites
and remissions of punishment or suspend, remit, and commute the sentence
of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to
which the executive power of the State extends. In other words, he can
pardon, reprieve, respite, remit, suspend or commute the punishment or
sentence of any person convicted of any offence against a State law.

Question 2
The ‘Section 433A’ of the Code of Criminal Procedure, recently mentioned in
the news, is related to:
a) It allows the use of armed forces to disperse an assembly.
b) It prohibits the assemblies of four or more individuals in areas where it is
enforced.
c) It mandates that a prisoner’s sentence can be remitted only after 14
years of jail.
d) It protects a person once convicted or acquitted not to be tried for the
same offence.
Solution- c

Option (c) is correct: The Supreme Court (SC) of India recently held that the
Governor of a State could pardon prisoners, even before they have served a
minimum 14 years of the prison sentence. The SC observed that the
Governor’s power to pardon under article 161 of the Constitution of India
overrides a provision in the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 433A, which
mandates that a prisoner’s sentence can be remitted only after 14 years of
jail.
“Section 433A of the CrPC cannot and does not in any way affect the
constitutional power conferred on the President/Governor to grant pardon
under Articles 72 or 161 of the Constitution... If the prisoner has not
undergone 14 years or more of actual imprisonment, the Governor has the
power to grant pardon... dehors the restrictions imposed under Section 433-
A... Such power is in the exercise of the power of the sovereign, though the
Governor is bound to act on the aid and advice of the State Government,” the
court observed.

Question 3
With reference to the Deep Ocean Mission, consider the following statements:
1. It aims to develop deep-sea technology and exploration of deep-sea
mineral resources.
2. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the nodal agency
for implementing the programme.
3. It is a central sector scheme, and no separate allocation for States is
envisaged.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1 and 3 only

Solution- d

Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science &

Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences said that
the Government had approved Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) to be
implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences at a total budget of Rs. 4077
Cr for 5 years.
Statement 1 is correct: The Deep Ocean Mission is a multi-ministerial multi-
disciplinary programme with aims to develop deep-sea technology,
exploration of deep-sea mineral resources and biodiversity, acquisition of a
research vessel for exploration, deep-sea observations, and capacity building.
Statement 2 is not correct: The Ministry of Earth Sciences is the nodal
agency for implementing the programme.
Statement 3 is correct: The Deep Ocean Mission is a central sector scheme,
and no separate allocation for States is envisaged. The funds are expected to
be allocated based on the above estimates. It is proposed to collaborate with
non-governmental organizations for research collaboration for various
components of the Deep Ocean Mission.

Question 4
The term ‘Minervarya Pentali’, recently seen in the news, is:
a) A newly-discovered flower species endemic to Guinea, West Africa.
b) A newly-discovered frog species endemic to the Western Ghats.
c) An Earth-size planet discovered in a Polar star's habitable zone.
d) A recently found fossil of Aratasaurus that roamed the Earth 115 million
years ago.

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: Recently, the Researchers from the University of Delhi
have named a newly-discovered frog species after former Vice-chancellor and
renowned plant geneticist Prof. Deepak Pental. The new species was
discovered from the globally recognized Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot
that extends along the southwest coast of the Indian peninsula. The newly-
discovered species, named Minervarya Pentali, is endemic to the southern
Western Ghats.

Question 5
In India, the mineral-rich ‘Dragon fruit’ is usually referred to as:
 a) Draksaphalam
b) Kamalam
c) Aamram
d) Narikelam

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: In a major boost to India's exports of farm produce,

consignments of mineral-rich ‘Dragon fruit’, have found their way to markets in
the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time. In India,
Dragon fruit is also referred to as Kamalam.
Scientifically referred to as Hylocereusundatus, the dragon fruit is grown in
countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, the US and Vietnam. At
present, dragon fruit in India is mostly grown in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.

Question 6
‘Talisman Sabre 2021’ is a biennial joint military exercise between which of
the following countries?
1. Australia
2. United States
3. India
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution- a

Option (a) is correct: Australia is keen that India join its biggest war games
‘Exercise Talisman Sabre’ in 2023, and a formal invite could be extended
during Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton’s visit to India, which is likely
in the next couple of months, according to official sources.
According to the Australian Defence Ministry, Talisman Sabre 2021, which
just concluded, was the largest bilateral combined training activity between
the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the U.S. military and saw the
participation of approximately 17,000 military personnel from seven nations on
land, air and sea. The other countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand,
South Korea and U.K.

Question 7
The report titled ‘Impact of Covid-19 on Rising Unemployment and Loss of
Jobs/Livelihoods in Organized and Unorganized Sectors' has been recently
published in India by the:
a) Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy
b) Indian Society of Labour Economics
c) Ministry of Labour & Employment
d) Parliament Standing Committee on Labour

Solution- d

Option (d) is correct: The ‘Parliament Standing Committee on Labour’ tabled

a report titled “Impact of Covid-19 on Rising Unemployment and Loss of
Jobs/Livelihoods in Organized and Unorganized Sectors” in both the Houses
of Parliament recently. The report peeved at the lack of data on
unemployment and welfare measures to workers, particularly those in the
unorganized sector. The report recommended measures such as universal
healthcare, additional workdays under MGNREGS and direct cash transfers
for workers.

Question 8
‘Turning Around the Power Distribution Sector’ is a report jointly prepared by
which of the following institutions?
1. NITI Aayog
2. International Chamber of Commerce
3. Ministry of Power
4. Rocky Mountain Institute
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 4 only
 c) 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: Recently, NITI Aayog today released a report that
presents reform pathways that can transform the country’s power distribution
sector in a step towards improving policymaking in this area. The report, titled
Turning Around the Power Distribution Sector, is co-authored by NITI Aayog,
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), USA and RMI India. The report presents a
review of reform efforts in the Indian and global power distribution sector. It
extracts the learnings and best practices from the wealth of policy experience
that exists in the country.

Question 9
Which of the following statements best describes ‘World War Zero’,
sometimes seen in the news?
a) An international organization that aims to bring down the extinction of
species.
b) An intergovernmental coalition to reduce the hunger rate to zero by
2030.
c) An international effort towards creating sustainable and resource-
efficient buildings with net-zero energy wastage.
d) An organization that aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions in the US
by 2050.

Solution- d

Option (d) is correct: Recently, US President Joe Biden announced that the
country would cut its Greenhouse Gas emissions by at least 50 per cent
below 2005 levels by 2030. Further, John Kerry, who is US’s climate envoy
and considered one of the chief architects of the Paris Climate agreement,
launched a bipartisan organization called World War Zero in 2019 to bring
together unlikely allies on climate change and with the goal of reaching net-
zero carbon emissions in the country by 2050.
Question 10
The Heritage coastal port of ‘Gopalpur’ was seen in the news recently. It is
located in:
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Odisha
d) Gujarat

Solution- c

Option (c) is correct: Indian Naval Ship Khanjar becomes the first Indian
Navy ship to call at the heritage coastal port of Gopalpur in Odisha. The two-
day visit, which concluded on 02 Aug 21, was organized as part of Aazadi ka
Amrit Mahotsav as well as Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations to commemorate
the 75th anniversary of Independence and 50th anniversary of the 1971 War.
The visit of the ship was aimed at enhancing ties and spreading awareness
with the local populace on aspects of coastal security and maritime
operations.

Question 11
Which of the following statements best describes ‘Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs)’?
a) An alternative vehicle that uses electricity stored in batteries for its
propulsion.
b) An alternative fuel vehicle designed to run on more than one fuel.
c) A vehicle with the insurance, providing security against the rising fuel
prices.
d) None of the above

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: Recently, the Union Road Transport and Highways
Minister emphasized on the roll-out of Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) in the Indian
auto market within a year. According to an official statement, the Minister met
a delegation of CEOs from the Society of India Automobile Manufacturers
(SIAM) comprising private, commercial and two-wheeler automobile
manufacturers.
A Flexible-Fuel Vehicle (FFV) is an alternative fuel vehicle with an internal
combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel - gasoline blended
with either ethanol or methanol fuel, and both fuels are stored in the same
common tank.

Question 12
With reference to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consider the following
statements:
1. It is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization.
2. The ISA’ membership is limited to countries that are partially or fully
located within the tropics.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution- a

Statement 1 is correct: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a treaty-

based intergovernmental organization launched by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi of India and Former President François Hollande of France. ISA's
mission is to provide a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar
resource-rich countries and the wider global community - including bilateral
and multilateral organizations, industry and other stakeholders - to support the
increasing use of solar energy.
Statement 2 is not correct: The ISA’ membership was earlier limited to 121
countries, which were partially or fully located within the tropics. Currently,
membership in the alliance is open to all member States of the United
Nations.
The Assembly of the ISA is the apex decision-making body that comprises of
representatives from each Member Country. The Assembly deliberates
matters of substance such as the selection of the Director-General,
achievement of ISA objectives, its functioning, approval of operating budget
and more.

Question 13
With reference to the Tribunals in India, consider the following statements:
1. The original Constitution of India did not contain provisions with respect
to tribunals.
2. Part XIVA of the Constitution of India deals with the tribunals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution- c

Recently, Lok Sabha cleared the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021 seeking to
replace an Ordinance brought out in April to abolish certain tribunals, which
according to the Government, have not helped in faster justice delivery.
Statement 1 is correct: The original Constitution of India did not contain
provisions with respect to tribunals.
Statement 2 is correct: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added a new Part
XIVA to the Constitution. This part is entitled as ‘Tribunals’ and consists of two
Articles–Article 323A dealing with administrative tribunals and Article 323B
dealing with tribunals for other matters.

Question 14
With reference to the International Seabed Authority (ISA), consider the
following statements:
1. It was established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea.
2. It has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine
environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed
related activities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution- c

Statement 1 is correct: The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an

autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994
Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (1994 Agreement).
Statement 2 is correct: ISA is the organization through which States Parties
to UNCLOS organize and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the
area for the benefit of mankind as a whole. In so doing, ISA has the mandate
to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful
effects that may arise from deep-seabed related activities.
ISA, which has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, came into existence on
16 Nov 1994, upon the entry into force of UNCLOS. ISA became fully
operational as an autonomous international organization in June 1996, when it
took over the premises and facilities in Kingston (Jamaica), previously used by
the United Nations Kingston Office for the Law of the Sea.

Question 15
Which one of the following organizations has launched a new report titled
‘Tightening the Net’?
a) Oxfam
b) The Energy and Resources Institute
c) United Nations Environment Programme
d) United Nations Development Programme

Solution- a

Option (a) is correct: Independent charitable organization Oxfam has said

that ‘net zero’ carbon targets that many countries have announced may be a
“dangerous distraction” from the priority of cutting carbon emissions.
Land-hungry ‘net zero’ schemes could force an 80 per cent rise in global food
prices and more hunger while allowing rich nations and corporates to continue
“dirty business-as-usual,” Oxfam has said in a new report titled ‘Tightening the
Net’ that has been released just a few months ahead of the United Nations
climate talks in Glasgow.
Question 16
The ‘Zero-Carbon Act’ commits to zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Act
has been passed by the Parliament of which of the following country?
a) Australia
b) New Zealand
c) United Kingdom
d) France

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: New Zealand’s Parliament passed the Zero-Carbon

Act, in 2019 which commits New Zealand to zero carbon emissions by 2050
or sooner as part of the country’s attempts to meet its Paris climate accord
commitments.
The Government’s Zero Carbon Act puts in place targets to reduce all
Greenhouse Gases:
• Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide have to reduce to net-zero by 2050.
• Methane has a 2030 target to reduce by 10% and a provisional target of
24-47% reduction by 2050.

Question 17
Recently, the Commercial services on the Haldibari-Chilahati railway link have
commenced. It connects India with:
a) Bangladesh
b) Nepal
c) Bhutan
d) Pakistan

Solution- a

Option (a) is correct: Recently, the Commercial services on the Haldibari-

Chilahati railway link between India and Bangladesh, which had been defunct
for over 50 years, commenced with a goods train travelling to the
neighbouring country.
The restored rail link was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on 17 Dec 2020. However, no
trains officially operated on the route after that due to the pandemic situation.
Question 18
The Rudreshwara Temple, popularly known as the Ramappa Temple, is
located in which one of the following States?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Telangana
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Kerala

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: Recently, Ramappa Temple in Telangana is included

in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. The Rudreshwara Temple, popularly known
as Ramappa Temple, is located in the village of Palampet, approximately 200
km northeast of Hyderabad, in the State of Telangana.
It is the main Shiva temple in a walled complex built during the Kakatiyan
period (1123–1323 CE) under rulers Rudradeva and Recharla Rudra. The
temple complex was built by Racherla Rudra Reddy during the period of the
Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. It was built using sandstone, and its
construction, which began in 1213 CE, is believed to have continued for over
four decades.

Question 19
The present-day National Flag of India is inspired by the design of:
a) M. N. Roy
b) Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer
c) Harendra Coomar Mookerjee
d) Pingali Venkayya

Solution- d

Option (d) is correct: A country is identified and distinguished by its flag,

emblem and anthem that are unique to it. To India, Pingali Venkayya, a
freedom fighter, gave India its unique identity by designing the national flag.
A flag is a symbolic expression of how the country sees and identifies itself.
For India, its national flag is the representation of its values and thoughts.
India’s Tiranga has a unique meaning that defines what the country believes
and strives for - the saffron on top symbolizes strength and courage, white in
the middle represents peace and truth, and green at the bottom stands for
fertility, growth, and auspiciousness of the land. The 24 spokes of the Ashok
Chakra show that there is life in movement and death in stagnation. The
present-day national flag is inspired by the design of Pingali Venkayya.

Question 20
India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ has been built at:
a) Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai
b) Cochin Shipyard Limited
c) Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam
d) Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata

Solution- b

Option (b) is correct: Recently, India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC)
‘Vikrant’ began its sea trials. INS Vikrant is designed by the Indian Navy's
Directorate of Naval Design (DND); the carrier has been built at Cochin
Shipyard Limited, a public sector shipyard under the Ministry of Ports,
Shipping and Waterways.
INS Vikrant is 262 metres long, 62 metres at its widest and 59 metres high,
including the superstructure. The ship has been designed with a high degree
of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability. INS
Vikrant has a top speed of around 28 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots
with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles. The ship can accommodate
an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.