DART 24-07-26 - Questlink IAS

#133 Gov

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Fast Track Courts (FTCs) in India:

Fast Track Courts are established under a specific constitutional provision.
They are intended to ensure the speedy disposal of specified categories of cases.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

The Union Government has announced the setting up of Fast Track Courts for paper leak cases to ensure speedy justice.
Fast Track Courts are not established under any specific provision of the Constitution. They are created through executive decisions and schemes in consultation with the judiciary. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
Fast Track Courts are meant for the expeditious disposal of specified categories of cases, such as sexual offences, MP/MLA cases, and the proposed paper leak cases. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#220 Env

Q2. With reference to Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), consider the following statements:

It is native to the alpine and sub-alpine regions of the Himalayas.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
It is included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The medicinally important part of the plant is its fibrous root.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Himachal Pradesh has pioneered a sustainable stolon-based cultivation method for the endangered Himalayan medicinal herb Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), helping conserve the species while improving farmers' incomes.
Kutki is a medicinal herb native to the alpine and sub-alpine regions of the Himalayas, generally found at elevations of 2,700–4,500 metres. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
Kutki is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to overharvesting and habitat pressures. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
It is included in Appendix II of CITES, meaning international trade is permitted only under regulated conditions through export permits to ensure sustainability. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
The medicinally valuable part is not the fibrous root but the stolon (a creeping stem). The new harvesting technique removes only the stolons while leaving the mother plant intact, enabling perennial cultivation. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q3. How many of the following sectors/models permit 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India?

Inventory-based model of e-commerce for domestic retail trade
Marketplace model of e-commerce
Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce
Inventory-based model of e-commerce exclusively for exports
Single Brand Retail Trading (SBRT)

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(d) All five

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The Government has recently relaxed the FDI policy by permitting 100% FDI in the inventory-based model of e-commerce exclusively for exports, while retaining restrictions on domestic inventory-based B2C e-commerce.
FDI is not permitted in the inventory-based model of e-commerce for domestic retail trade. Hence, Statement 1 is not correct.
100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route in the marketplace model of e-commerce, subject to prescribed conditions. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
100% FDI is permitted under the automatic route in Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
Following the recent policy amendment, 100% FDI is permitted in the inventory-based model of e-commerce exclusively for exports of domestically manufactured/produced goods. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
100% FDI is permitted in Single Brand Retail Trading (SBRT), subject to the applicable policy conditions, including local sourcing norms where relevant. Hence, Statement 5 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#131 Pol

Q4. The ‘right to protest’ in India is primarily guaranteed under which one of the following provisions of the Constitution?

(a) Article 14

(b) Article 21

(d) Article 32

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The recent protests at Jantar Mantar have highlighted the constitutional basis of the right to protest in India.
Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.
Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
While courts have linked peaceful protest to democratic values, the specific constitutional guarantee is under Article 19.
The right to protest flows primarily from Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression) and Article 19(1)(b) (right to assemble peacefully and without arms), subject to reasonable restrictions under Articles 19(2) and 19(3).
Article 19(2) allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech and expression in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence.
Article 19(3) permits the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the right to assemble peacefully and without arms in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India and public order.
Article 32 provides the right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights; it is not the source of the right to protest.

Hence, Option (c) is correct.

#110 His

Q5. The following description refers to which one of the following freedom fighters?

He hailed from the small town of Vatlagundu. He travelled extensively across villages, inspiring people to dedicate themselves to India's freedom struggle with the slogan "Vande Mataram." Along with the legendary freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, he was imprisoned by the British colonial government for his unwavering commitment to India's freedom.

(a) Alluri Sitarama Raju

(b) Thiru Subramania Siva

(d) Lala Lajpat Rai

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently paid tribute to Thiru Subramania Siva, one of the earliest nationalist leaders from Tamil Nadu.
Thiru Subramania Siva hailed from Vatlagundu (Tamil Nadu). He travelled widely propagating the freedom movement with the slogan "Vande Mataram" and was imprisoned by the British along with V. O. Chidambaram Pillai.
Alluri Sitarama Raju led the Rampa Rebellion (1922–24) against British rule in the Andhra tribal region and is not associated with the description.
Bipin Chandra Pal was a prominent nationalist leader from Bengal and one of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, but he is not the freedom fighter described.
Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as the "Punjab Kesari", led nationalist movements in Punjab and died following injuries sustained during the protest against the Simon Commission.

Hence, option (b) is correct.