Ques 1. Which of the following statements are correct in respect of GST Council?
- The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
- The Council makes recommendations on tax rates, exemptions, and threshold limits under GST.
- Every decision of the GST Council requires unanimity of all members.
Select the answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Ques 2. Consider the following statements:
Statement 1: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was initially created in 2001 by China, Russia, and four Central Asian countries.
Statement 2: The primary purpose of the SCO at its inception was to address terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the Central Asian region.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and statement 2 explains statement 1
b) Both statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and statement 2 does not explains statement 1
c) Statement 1 is correct, but Statement 2 is incorrect
d) Statement 2 is correct, but Statement 1 is incorrect
Ques 3. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: FDI is an investment made by a company or individual in one country into business interests located in another country.
Statement II: FDI brings capital, technology transfer, and managerial expertise into the host country.
Statement III: FDI always results in 100% ownership of companies in the host country by foreign investors.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I
b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement
c) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
Ques 4. Consider the following with reference to Kailash Manasarovar Yatra:
- The Yatra is organized annually by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India.
- It provides access to sacred Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which are of religious significance to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers.
- The Yatra can be undertaken through routes via both India–China border (Lipulekh Pass and Nathu La Pass) and Nepal.
How many of the above is/are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Ques 5. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) functions under which constitutional provision?
a) Article 243Q
b) Article 280
c) Article 371
d) Article 312
Answer
Ans 1.
Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
- According to Article 279A of the Constitution, the GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister. The Union Minister of State for Finance and the Finance/Taxation Ministers of all States are also members.
Statement 2 is correct:
- The GST Council’s mandate includes recommending on:
- Tax rates and exemptions,
- Threshold limits for GST registration,
- Special provisions for certain States,
- Model GST laws, place of supply rules, etc.
Statement 3 is incorrect:
- Decisions are not by unanimity. Instead, they are made by a weighted voting system:
- Union Government’s vote has 1/3rd weightage.
- All States together have 2/3rd weightage.
- For a decision to pass, at least 3/4th of the weighted votes of members present and voting is required.
Source: The Hindu (Page 11)
Ans 2.
Answer: a
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
- The SCO was established in 2001 at Shanghai by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. (Earlier these six were part of the “Shanghai Five” before Uzbekistan joined and SCO was formed.)
Statement 2 is correct:
- The founding members were concerned about security challenges after the Soviet Union’s collapse, particularly the rise of terrorism, ethnic separatism, and religious extremism in Central Asia. One of the first institutional mechanisms was the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
Source: The Hindu (Page 6)
Ans 3.
Answer: c
Explanation:
Statement 2 is correct:
- This is one of the key advantages of FDI. When foreign firms invest, they not only bring money but also:
- Technology (modern machinery, IT systems, etc.),
- Managerial skills (global best practices, efficiency),
- Employment opportunities.
- So, Statement II correctly explains the impact of Statement I.
Statement 3 is incorrect:
- FDI does not always mean 100% ownership. In India, for example:
- In some sectors, 100% FDI is allowed (e.g., telecom, single-brand retail).
- In others, only partial FDI is permitted with joint ventures. Thus, the word “always” makes the statement wrong.
Source: The Hindu (Page 6)
Ans 4.
Answer: c
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct:
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organizes the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra every year, in collaboration with the Government of China (Tibet Autonomous Region) and state governments like Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
Statement 2 is correct:
- For Hindus, Mount Kailash is the abode of Lord Shiva.
- For Buddhists, it is linked to Mount Meru, the cosmic center.
- For Jains, it is where their first Tirthankara, Rishabhdev, attained nirvana.
- For Bon (Tibetan faith), it is their most sacred mountain.
- Thus, it holds multi-religious significance.
Statement 3 is correct:
- Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand): Traditional, oldest route with tough trekking.
- Nathu La Pass (Sikkim): Motorable route, easier for elderly pilgrims.
- Nepal Route (via Kathmandu): Road/air to Tibet, shorter and more commercialized.
Source: The Hindu (Page 6)
Ans 5.
Answer: a
Explanation:
Option a is correct:
- The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 inserted Part IXA in the Constitution (Articles 243P–243ZG), dealing with Municipalities.
- Article 243Q specifically provides for the establishment of Municipalities, including Municipal Corporations for larger urban areas.
- The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) derives its constitutional basis from this provision.
Source: The Hindu (Page 3)