ASKiIMAN™
NEXUS / 2024 / GS1
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UPSC 2024: Nexus 91—100

Geopolitical Instability, Parliamentary Procedure & Welfare Frameworks. [Set A Final]

Question 91

Geopolitics & Conflict

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.

Statement-II:

There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

The Core Concept: The Sahel is the ecoclimatic transition zone in Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Sudanian savanna. In recent years, it has suffered catastrophic instability and a severe deterioration of security (Statement-I is true). This volatility is directly explained by the cascading series of military coups d'état that have violently overthrown civilian governments across the region, notably in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea (Statement-II is true and acts as the causal explanation).

Tethered to: REALM 107: Global Crises in Current Affairs

SAHEL REGION Mali Burkina Faso Niger Military Takeovers (Coups) Drive Worsening Security
INDIAN CUSTOMS US Imported ✅ Statement I is False ❌ GM Food Requires GEAC Statement II is True ✅

Question 92

Trade & Biosafety Regulations

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

India does not import apples from the United States of America.

Statement-II:

In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

The Core Concept: Following the resolution of a WTO dispute and the lifting of retaliatory tariffs in 2023, India absolutely does import massive quantities of premium apples from the USA (specifically Washington State), rendering Statement-I factually false. However, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, India maintains strict biosafety laws: the import of any Genetically Modified (GM) food or organism is legally prohibited without the explicit prior approval of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) (Statement-II is true).

Tethered to: REALM 321: GM Crops & GEAC

Question 93

Parliamentary Officers

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements:
While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration

  1. He/She shall not preside.
  2. He/She shall not have the right to speak.
  3. He/She shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official Verdict: (a) 1 only

The Core Concept: Article 96 of the Constitution clearly delineates the Speaker's rights during their own removal proceedings. The Speaker shall not preside over the sitting (Statement 1 is true). However, as a member of the House defending themselves, they shall have the right to speak and take part in the proceedings (Statement 2 is false). Furthermore, they are entitled to vote in the first instance on the resolution for their removal, but they cannot cast a deciding/casting vote in the event of a tie (Statement 3 is false).

Tethered to: REALM 134: Officers of Parliament

Cannot Preside (1) ✅ CAN Speak (2) ❌ CAN Vote 1st (3) ❌ ARTICLE 96
LOK SABHA DISSOLVES 1. Pending in LS LAPSES ✅ 2. Passed by LS, in RS LAPSES ✅ PR 3. Joint Sitting Notified SURVIVES! ❌

Question 94

Legislative Mechanics

With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:

  1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution.
  2. A bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
  3. A bill in regard to which the President of India notified his/her intention to summon the Houses to a joint sitting lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official Verdict: (b) 1 and 2

The Core Concept: The dissolution of the Lok Sabha kills bills that rely on it. Any bill pending in the Lok Sabha (whether originating there or transmitted by the RS) lapses entirely (1 is true). Any bill passed by the Lok Sabha but still pending in the Rajya Sabha also perishes with the dissolved house (2 is true). However, under Article 108(5), if the President has formally notified a joint sitting of both Houses to resolve a deadlock before the Lok Sabha dissolves, the bill is saved and does not lapse (3 is false).

Tethered to: REALM 136: Legislative Procedure in Parliament

Question 95

Executive & Legislative Interface

Consider the following statements:

  1. Prorogation of a House by the President of India does not require the advice of the Council of Ministers.
  2. Prorogation of a House is generally done after the House is adjourned sine die but there is no bar to the President of India prorogating the House which is in session.
  3. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is done by the President of India who, save in exceptional circumstances, does so on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official Verdict: (c) 2 and 3

The Core Concept: India follows a strict parliamentary model. The President exercises their powers to summon and prorogue Parliament (Article 85) strictly on the binding advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the PM, not independently (Statement 1 is false). Normally, the President issues a prorogation order after the presiding officer adjourns the house sine die, but the President has the constitutional right to prorogue a House even while it is actively in session (Statement 2 is true). Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is also executed by the President acting on the advice of the CoM, except in rare constitutional crises (e.g., if the CoM has lost its majority) (Statement 3 is true).

Tethered to: REALM 135: Sessions of Parliament

CoM Advice PRES Prorogue Dissolve Does NOT require advice is False (1) ❌
Net-Zero Industry Act (St I ✅) Carbon Neutrality by 2040 ❌ Actual Target: 2050 Develop ALL clean tech ❌ Actual Target: Manufacture 40%

Question 96

Global Climate Policy

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

The European Parliament approved The Net-Zero Industry Act recently.

Statement-II:

The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

The Core Concept: To combat US and Chinese dominance in green subsidies, the European Parliament formally approved the monumental Net-Zero Industry Act (Statement-I is true). However, the details in Statement-II are entirely incorrect. The EU's legally binding target under the European Green Deal is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 (not 2040). Furthermore, the Act does not aim to build "all" of its own clean tech; its realistic strategic goal is to manufacture at least 40% of the EU's annual deployment needs for net-zero technologies (like solar panels and batteries) domestically by 2030 (Statement-II is false).

Tethered to: REALM 202: Intended Nationally Determined Contributions

Question 97

Geopolitical Economies

Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.

Statement-II:

Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Official Verdict: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

The Core Concept: Despite sitting on the absolute largest proven crude oil reserves in the world (surpassing Saudi Arabia) (Statement-II is true), Venezuela remains trapped in one of the most severe, prolonged economic and humanitarian crises in modern history. Plagued by hyperinflation, corruption, and sanctions, there has been no "rapid recovery," and over 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country as refugees across Latin America and the US border (Statement-I is patently false).

Tethered to: REALM 107: Global Crises in Current Affairs

VENEZUELA #1 Oil Reserves Statement II ✅ Still in Crisis / Fleeing Statement I ❌
Digitized Cadastral Maps (2) ✅ Local Transliterate (3) ✅ Any Schedule 8 100% Central Fund (1) ✅ DILRMP Full Execution

Question 98

Digital Governance & Land Reforms

With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements:

  1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding.
  2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised.
  3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Official Verdict: (d) 1, 2 and 3

The Core Concept: The DILRMP was revamped as a Central Sector Scheme, meaning it is 100% funded by the Government of India (1 is true). A core objective of the program is the complete digitization of land records, specifically the vectorization and digitization of cadastral maps (property boundaries) (2 is true). To enhance accessibility and break language barriers in land management (e.g., for banks reading RoRs from other states), the government launched a pan-India initiative to transliterate Records of Rights (RoRs) from local state languages into all 22 languages recognized by the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution (3 is true).

Tethered to: REALM 95: E-Governance Applications

Question 99

Maternal Health Welfare

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements:

  1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
  2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official Verdict: (b) 2 only

The Core Concept: The PMSMA guarantees a minimum package of comprehensive and quality antenatal care free of cost to pregnant women on the 9th of every month. While it covers women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters, it specifically does not cover the "six months post-delivery" (postnatal) phase (Statement 1 is false). A unique feature of the scheme is crowd-sourcing: private sector OB/GYNs and physicians are strongly encouraged to volunteer their services at government clinics to support pregnant women on these designated days (Statement 2 is true).

Tethered to: REALM 180: Health & Nutrition Schemes

9th 2nd & 3rd Trimester ✅ Antenatal Care 6 Months Post-Delivery ❌ (St 1 is False) Private Doctors Volunteer (2) ✅
Entry Age 21-40? ❌ 18-40 ✅ Age Specific Contribution ✅ ₹3000 /mo at age 60 ✅ Family Pension Spouse only (50%) ✅ No Unmarried Daughters ❌

Question 100

Social Security for Unorganised Sector

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements:

  1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years.
  2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary.
  3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years.
  4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official Verdict: (b) 2 and 3 only

The Core Concept: PM-SYM is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for unorganized workers. Statement 1 is false: the eligible entry age is 18 to 40 years, not 21 to 40. Statement 2 is true: the monthly contribution is age-specific, ranging from ₹55 (if entering at 18) to ₹200 (if entering at 40), matched 50:50 by the Central Government. Statement 3 is true: it guarantees an assured minimum pension of ₹3,000 per month upon reaching 60 years of age. Statement 4 is false: in the event of the subscriber's death, the family pension (50% of the pension) is strictly applicable only to the spouse; children/unmarried daughters are explicitly not eligible under the scheme.

Tethered to: REALM 180: Poverty Alleviation & Employment Schemes