17th February 2014 IAS PCS Questions of the Day

Question 1. Consider the following dance forms

1. Katha Keertan

2. Huttari

3. Lovani

4. Yakshagana

5. Dashavatar

6. Dahikala

7. Ghumara Sanchar

Which among the above folk dance/tribal dance forms are assuming Maharashtra?

(a) 1,2 ,3 and 4

(b) 1,3, 4 and 5

(c) 1,3, 5 and 6

(d) All of these

Solution 1. (c) Katha Keertan, Lovani, Dashavtar, Dahikala are the dance forms of Maharashtra. Huttari and Yakshagana are the dance forms of Karnataka.

Question 2. Which of the following statements regarding the Adjournment Motion in Parliament is incorrect?

(a) Adjournment motion cannot be taken up by Rajya Sabha

(b) Support of not less than 50 members is needed to grant leave to introduce the adjournment motion

(c) Even if the adjournment motion passes, the government of the day does not have to resign

(d) Adjournment motion is used to raise issues of general importance to the nation like unemployment, law and order situation, communal harmony etc

Solution 2. (d) Statement (a) is correct, because adjournment motion involves a motion of censure against the present government and constitutionally, the government is responsible to the Lok Sabha. Thus, the motion is taken up only in Lok Sabha.

Statement (b) is also correct, according to the procedure of Parliament. Though adjournment motion is a censure against the present government, but there is no rule that the government will have to resign.

It will however raise doubts about the support to the government (c) is correct. Statement (d) however is incorrect, since the adjournment motion can only be taken up on recent issues of urgent importance, which are definite and have a factual based and not on the general environment prevailing in the country. Thus, the right answer is (d).

Question 3. Consider the following statement regarding the exceptions to Fundamental Rights

1. Law placed in 9th Schedule of the Constitution are saved from violation of any Fundamental Right.

2. Fundamental Rights of members of armed forces can be restricted by Parliament by law.

3. Laws to give effect to directive principles under Article 39 (b) and (c) cannot be declared unconstitutional for violation of any Fundamental Right.

Which of the statement given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3 

(c) Only 2

(d) Only 3

Solution 3. (c) Statement 1 is correct but not fully. According to Article 31B, laws placed in the 9th Schedule cannot be declared as unconstitutional for violation of any of the Fundamental Rights. However, according to Supreme Court judgement in 2007, laws placed in the 9th Schedule after 24th April, 1973 can be challenged for violation of Fundamental Rights under Article 14,15, 19 and 21.

Statement 2 is correct as such a provision has been provided for in Article 33 of the Constitution and Parliament has enacted several laws, under this article to abridge some of the Fundamental Rights of members of armed forces. Statement 3 is incorrect. The relevant provision in Article 31(c) provides that laws to give effect to directive under Article 39 (b) and (c) cannot be declared unconstitutional for violation of Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 and 19 and not all Fundamental Rights. Thus, the right answer is (c).

Question 4. Consider the following statements related to Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) and exchange rate.

(a) PPP is a technique used to determine the relative value of currencies, estimating the amount of adjustment needed on the exchange rate

(b) There is no difference between PPP and exchange rate. PPP is specifically used in buying goods and exchange rate is specifically used for both goods and services

(c) Market exchange rates are used to compare international income, as they are mostly stable

(d) None of the above

Solution 4. (a) PPP is the amount of money required to buy the same goods and services, in two different countries. So, the exchange rate should be adjusted to bring equality between the two currencies. That adjustment is known as PPP. Regarding Statement (c), it is the PPP which is used to compare incomes on international level because, they are stable, but market based exchanges rates are highly volatile.

Question 5. One of the important goals of the Economic Liberalization Policy is to achieve full convertibility of the Indian rupee.  This is being advocated because

(a) Convertibility of the rupee will stabilize its exchange value against major currencies of the world 

(b) it will attract more foreign capital inflow in India

(c) it will help promotion of exports

(d) it will help India secure loans from the world financial markets on attractive terms

Solution 5. (d) Convertibility refers to the freedom of the holder of a currency to freely convert it into any other foreign currency. The current account convertibility is largely restricted to exports and imports though certain associated aspects are also permitted under it like remittances (what Indians living abroad send to their friends and relatives in India). Convertibility for investment and borrowing abroad comes under capital account convertibility. Tarapore Committee recommended for full account convertibility i.e., for both current and capital account convertibility. Presently in India, there is only current account convertibility.

Question 6. Consider the following statements regarding fuller capital account convertibility

1. India to go for fuller capital amount convertibility need to reduce fiscal deficit, increase the foreign exchange resource and control inflation.

2. Free financial market is must to accrue the benefit from capital account convertibility.

3. Full capital account convertibility can stabilize the economy during crisis time.

Which of the statement given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) Only 1

(d) All of these

Solution 6. (c) Statement 2 is wrong, because a country needs regulated financial markets to utilize the benefit of capital account convertibility. Otherwise, free financial market will create instability. Statement 3 is also wrong, because capital account convertibility is dangerous in crisis time, because the companies can pull away from the economy easily.

Question 7. Consider the following statements

1. Terai region is made up of stones and pebbles. It is so highly porous that rivers disappear in this region.

2. In Bhabhar region, rivers re-emerge and this region is very marshy. This is the region of dense forests and high biological diversity.

3. Khadar region is made up of new alluvium

4. Bhangar region is made up of old alluvium.

Which of the statement given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 3 and 4

(c) All of these

(d) None of these

Solution 7. (b) Bhabhar Region This region is found along the foothills of Shivalik from Indus to Tista without any break. Since, it is made up of stones and pebbles, it is so highly porous that rivers disappear in this region.

Terai Region This region is found to the South of the Bhabhar region. Due to the  very high humidity caused due to the re-emergence of rivers, this region is very marshy. The speed of river flow in this region is slow. This is the region of dense forests and high biological diversity.

Khadar Region It is made up of newer alluvium. In this region, floods bring newer alluvium every year.

Bhangar Region It is that higher part of the plains, where the flood water cannot reach. It is made up of old alluvium.

Question 8. Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation. In this context, consider the following statement

1. Coffee plant requires a hot and humid climate of tropical areas, whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and sub-tropical areas.

2. Coffee is propagated by seeds, but tea is propagated by stem cuttings only.

Which of the statement given above are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) None of these

Solution 8. (a) Ideal climatic conditions to grow coffee are related to temperature and rainfall; temperature in the range of 73 degree F (23 degree C) and 82 degree F (28 degree C) with rainfall incidence in the range of 60-80 inches (1.5-2.0 m) followed by dry spell of 2-3 months suit the Arabica variety. Cold temperature closer to freezing conditions are not suitable to grow coffee. Where the rainfall is less than 40 inches (1.0 m), providing irrigation facilities is essential. In the tropical region of the South Indian hills, these conditions prevail leading to coffee plantations flourishing in large numbers whereas tea can be cultivated in both tropical and subtropical regions.

Tea plants are propagated from seed and by cuttings only. It takes about 4 to 12 years for a tea plant to bear seed and about 3 years before a new plant is ready for harvesting.

Question 9. Consider the following statements about the caste system

1. Basic characteristics of the caste system involve purity, heredity, marriage and food.

2. Dharma in the three pursuits: Dharma, Artha, Kama means caste rules ordained by sastras.

3. Anirabasita means the varna samkara's.

4. Process of proliferation of castes is described in the Purusha Sukta.

Which of the statement given above are correct?

(a) 1,2 and 3

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 2 and 4

Solution 9. (a) The basic characteristics of the caste system involve purity heredity, marriage and food. Dhamma in the three pursuits : Dharma, Artha, Kama mean caste rules ordained by sastras. Anirabasita means the varna samkara's.

Question 10. It is said that, in order to ensure that rising foreign exchange reserves do not lead to rise in inflationary pressures, a policy of sterilization should be adopted, which implies

(a) compliance with export and import regulations

(b) withdrawing equivalent amount of domestic currency form circulation

(c) ensuring that counterfeit currency is not circulated

(d) ensuring that black money is accounted for

Solution 10. (b) Capital inflows result in a buildup of foreign exchange reserves. As, these reserves are used to buy domestic currency, the domestic monetary base expands without a corresponding increase in production: too much money begins to chase too few goods and services. Therefore, inflation is bound to take place. To ease the threat of currency appreciation or inflation, central banks often attempt what is known as the sterilization of capital flows. In a successful sterilization operation, the domestic component of the monetary base (bank reserves plus currency) is reduced to offset the reserve inflow, at least temporarily.

In theory, this can be achieved in several ways, such as by encouraging private investment overseas or allowing foreigners to borrow from the local market. The classical form of sterilization, however, has been through the use of open market operation, i.e., selling treasury bills and other instruments to reduce the domestic component of the monetary base.