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Daily Questions Challenge for IAS PRE (CSAT) Exam (06 November 2015)

Write and Discuss Your Answer with Q.No in Comment Box at the Bottom of Post.

1. Consider the following statements.

1) 93rd Amendment 2006 provides for reservation in educational institutions for SC, ST and OBC and other minority.
2) 52nd Amendment Act 1982 is related with Anti Defection law and the Tenth schedule.
3) By 14th Amendment Act 1962, Pondicherry was included in the First Scheduleas a Union Territory.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 2 only
(d) 1, 2 & 3 only

2. Consider the following statement.

1) An Amendment Bill can be introduced by a private member (Member of a parliament who is not a minister).
2) An amendment Bill can be initiated only by the Union government and can be introduced only in the parliament.
3) An Amendment Bill after being passed duly and sent to the President, it shall be given assent by the president.
4) An Amendment Bill can be initiated by state only if the state assembly has a special majority.

Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

(a) 1 & 4 only
(b) 1, 2 & 4 only
(c) 1, 2 & 3 only
(d) All of the above

3. Consider the following statements.

1) All treaties and agreements are signed by India in the name of the Prime Minister.
2) The President is not an integral part of the Parliament of India, but he enjoys the legislative power.
3) President can nominate 12 members of the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 & 3
(d) None of the above.

4. Consider the following statements.

1) The Oath of office to the president is administered by the senior most of judge Supreme Court.
2) In emergency, the president emoluments and allowances can be diminished during his term of office.
3) President can resign from his office at any time by addressing the resignation letter to the Lok Sabha.

Select the correct answer from the code given below.

(a) 1, 2 only
(b) 2, 3 only
(c) 1, 3 only
(d) 1, 2 & 3

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:: CSAT (Paper -2) ::

Direction : Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The current global food situation is very serious and hence, we need to understand the reasons for such a dramatic increase in food prices in a short period.

It is argued that increases in energy costs are resulting in cost push inflation but contribution of energy costs to overall costs in agriculture may not explain the huge increase in food prices.

Related to the current elevated energy prices there has been a diversion of corn and edible oils to bio-fuels, which is significantly influenced by policy mandates. Very clearly this diversion to bio-fuels is a policy induced new reality, which coincided with price escalation in precisely those products and hence, is noteworthy.

The financialisation of commodity trade and current extraordinary conditions in global financial markets could have influenced the spurt in prices. The recent reductions in interest rates in the US and the injection of liquidity have resulted in investors seeking new avenues such as commodity markets, in view of the turbulence in financial markets and the low returns in treasuries. The relatively easy liquidity and lowinterest rates, by themselves make holding of inventories attractive and thus induoe greater volatility in commoditymarkets. The weakening of theUS dollar is also advanced as a reason for the recent volatility in commodity markets, including food items. It is evident that this phenomenon is now also coinciding with the across the board rise in food prices.

In brief, while there are demand and supply side pressures on food items, there is considerable merit in the argument that the recent extraordinary increases in food prices are closely linked to public policy responses to high energy costs in advanced economies and the turbulence in financial markets and financial institutions. It is said that the impact of such policy induced diversion of food to bio-fuels is significant at this juncture and reflects a preference to fill the fuel tanks of automobiles rather than fill the empty stomachs of people. Similarly, it is sometimes held that the weight accorded to financial stability in public may now be at the expense of stability in real sector-especially of sensitive commodities like food.At the same time, there is a general consensus that public policy in regard to food in many economies around the world has not provided adequate incentive to farmers to increase the supply of food and other agricultural products to comfortably match the growing demand over the medium term.

1. The passage lays emphasis on which of the following central theme(s) ?

A. The abysmally throwaway prices offered for food commodities.
B. The worldwide acute shortage of food commodities.
C. Promoting the use of bio-fuel for automobiles.

(a) A only
(b) B only
(c) C only
(d) None of these

2. Which of the following statements is FALSE in the context of the passage?

A. Unusual conditions in global financialmarkets have aggravated the food price.
B. No government would prefer fueling vehicles to feeding the hungry.
C. Maintenance of financial stability in public policy will be at the cost of stability in the real sector.

(a) A and B
(b) Band C
(c) B only
(d) C only

Directions: Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word given in bold as used in the passage.