The 2014 Codex
Questions 51 to 60 (Set A)
Turkey is located between
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
This requires a precise mental map of Eurasia.
Turkey is a transcontinental country situated primarily on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by the Black Sea along its entire northern coast, and the Mediterranean Sea along its entire southern coast (with the Aegean Sea to the west). The Caspian Sea is located further to the east (bordering Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, etc.).
Route: [REALM 122 TO 140: World Map Locations]The Anatolian Bridge
The Latitudinal Climb
What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?
1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
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Official Key: (c) 3-4-1-2
This maps the latitudinal positioning of major SE Asian capitals from South to North.
- 3. Jakarta (Indonesia): The southernmost capital among the options, firmly located in the Southern Hemisphere at approximately 6°S.
- 4. Singapore: Located just one degree north of the equator at approximately 1°N.
- 1. Bangkok (Thailand): Moving further up the Indochina peninsula, located at approximately 13°N.
- 2. Hanoi (Vietnam): The northernmost capital among the options, located in northern Vietnam at approximately 21°N.
The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2°C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?
1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source.
2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.
3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.
4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) 1 and 2 only
This question tests climate science projections while filtering out extreme, unscientific absolutes.
- 1 is True: At +3°C, extreme heat, droughts, and massive forest fires will cause global vegetation to die and decompose rapidly. The terrestrial biosphere will flip from absorbing carbon (a sink) to releasing it, becoming a net carbon source.
- 2 is True: Corals are exceptionally sensitive to thermal stress. A 3°C rise guarantees catastrophic, widespread ocean bleaching and coral mortality globally.
- 3 and 4 are False Absolutes: The words "ALL wetlands" and "not possible ANYWHERE" are classical traps. At +3°C, some wetlands will expand due to sea-level rise or permafrost melting. Similarly, while cereal crops will fail in the tropics, cultivation will shift and become possible in newly thawed higher latitudes (like Siberia or Canada).
The 3°C Threshold
The Motto's Origin
The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from
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Official Key: (d) Mundaka Upanishad
"Satyameva Jayate" translates directly to "Truth alone triumphs."
This powerful mantra was adopted as the National Motto of India when the Republic was formed on January 26, 1950. It is inscribed in the Devanagari script at the base of the Lion Capital of Ashoka (the National Emblem). The mantra is famously lifted from the ancient Vedic text, the Mundaka Upanishad (Mantra 3.1.6).
Route: [REALM 17: Vedic Literature & Upanishads]In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) Directive Principles of State Policy
This tests the precise location of constitutional ideals.
The mandate to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honorable relations between nations, and foster respect for international law is explicitly written in Article 51 of the Indian Constitution. Article 51 is the final article contained within Part IV, which exclusively houses the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Route: [REALM 49: DPSP (Article 51)]The Peace Directive
The Local Catchment
What are the benefits of implementing the 'Integrated Watershed Development Programme'?
1. Prevention of soil runoff
2. Linking the country's perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
3. Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
4. Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Watershed development is inherently a micro-level, highly localized ecological and agricultural strategy. It focuses entirely on conserving the water and soil resources within a specific catchment area.
- 1, 3, and 4 are True: By building check dams and contour trenches, the program effectively prevents soil runoff. This traps water locally, allowing rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. Consequently, the increased soil moisture enables the regeneration of natural vegetation.
- 2 is False: This is a massive scale trap. Linking perennial rivers with seasonal rivers is part of the mega-engineering "Interlinking of Rivers (ILR)" project, which has absolutely nothing to do with localized watershed management.
Which of the following are associated with 'Planning' in India?
1. The Finance Commission
2. The National Development Council
3. The Union Ministry of Rural Development
4. The Union Ministry of Urban Development
5. The Parliament
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (c) 2 and 5 only
This question tests the overarching, centralized macroeconomic "Planning" architecture of India prior to the NITI Aayog (the Five-Year Plans).
The Planning Commission drafted the Five-Year Plans. These draft plans were then sent to the National Development Council (NDC) (2)—the apex body comprising the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers—for review and final approval. Once the NDC approved it, the plan was presented to the Parliament (5) for statutory authorization. Thus, the NDC and Parliament are the core institutions formally associated with national "Planning".
The Finance Commission (1) deals purely with tax devolution (non-plan expenditure), not centralized planning. The Ministries of Rural (3) and Urban (4) Development are merely executive agencies that *implement* the schemes; they do not dictate the overarching national macroeconomic "Plan".
Route: [REALM 86: History of Economic Planning (NDC)]The Planning Hierarchy
The PM's Desk
Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat?
1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings
2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees
3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (c) 1 and 2 only
The Cabinet Secretariat functions directly under the Prime Minister of India, headed by the Cabinet Secretary (the highest-ranking civil servant).
Statements 1 and 2 are True: It is strictly an administrative and coordinating body. Its primary mandate is the smooth transaction of business in ministries, preparing the agenda for Cabinet Meetings, taking minutes, and providing secretarial assistance to all Cabinet Committees.
Statement 3 is False: The Cabinet Secretariat does NOT hold the purse strings. The allocation of financial resources to the various Ministries is the exclusive, constitutional jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance (specifically the Department of Expenditure).
Route: [REALM 76: The Prime Minister & Cabinet Secretariat]Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which
1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority
2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) 2 only
This is a profound conceptual test of political theory.
A "Constitutional Government" does not simply mean a government that has a written constitution (even totalitarian dictatorships have constitutions). The essence of true Constitutionalism is the doctrine of Limited Government.
The whole purpose of a constitution is to legally bind and place effective restrictions on the Authority of the State (2)—preventing tyranny and the arbitrary use of power by the ruling sovereign—specifically to safeguard individual liberty and fundamental rights. Statement 1 describes an authoritarian police state, the exact opposite of constitutionalism.
Route: [REALM 75: Constitutionalism & Limited Government]The Shield of Liberty
The Dual Hat
Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?
1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President's rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The Secret Whisper
Official Key: (b) 1 and 3 only
Discretionary powers are those the Governor exercises under the Constitution without requiring the "aid and advice" of the Council of Ministers.
- 1. Imposing President's Rule (True): Under Article 356, the Governor acts as an independent agent of the Centre when sending a report that the state constitutional machinery has failed.
- 3. Reserving Bills (True): Under Article 200, reserving a bill for the President's consideration is an explicit constitutional discretion of the Governor to prevent unconstitutional state laws.
- 2. Appointing Ministers (False): Article 164 explicitly mandates that Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor only on the binding advice of the Chief Minister. There is zero discretion.
- 4. Making business rules (False): Article 166 states the Governor makes rules for the convenient transaction of state business, but this is a formal executive action done entirely on the advice of the Council of Ministers.