With reference to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, consider the following
statements:
1. It seeks to completely eliminate criminal liability under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,
1940.
2. It expands the scope of compounding of offences under Section 32B of the Act.
3. It was framed with the objective of improving ease of living and doing business.

1) Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is incorrect. The amendment does not remove criminal liability altogether. It
only allows compounding of specified minor or technical offences, meaning prosecution can be
avoided on payment of a prescribed amount. Serious offences continue to attract criminal
prosecution.
Statement 2 is correct. The amendment enlarges the list of offences that can be compounded
by expanding the scope of the relevant section dealing with compounding.
Statement 3 is correct. The stated objective of the amendment is to decriminalize and
rationalize minor offences to improve ease of living and ease of doing business.
Hence, statements 2 and 3 only are correct

With reference to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), consider the following statements:
1. FTAs necessarily lead to the complete elimination of tariffs on all goods traded between
partner countries.
2. FTAs generally include provisions related to trade in services and protection of
intellectual property rights.
3. FTAs aim to create a predictable and transparent environment for trade and investment.

Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is Incorrect: FTAs provide for reduction or elimination of tariffs on qualified
goods, not necessarily all goods.
Statement 2 is Correct: FTAs cover services trade and intellectual property protection.
Statement 3 is Correct: FTAs seek to create a predictable and transparent trading and
investment environment.

Consider the following statements regarding the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve:
1. It is the first Biosphere Reserve to be notified in India.
2. It spans across the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
3. It forms a part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotsp

Statement 1 is correct:
 The Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve was established in 1986, making it India’s first
biosphere reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
 Its early notification reflects the high ecological value of the region and the urgent need
for conservation due to increasing human pressures.
Statement 2 is correct:
 The reserve extends over three southern states:
o Tamil Nadu (largest share),
o Kerala, and
o Karnataka.
 It includes several well-known protected areas such as Bandipur National Park,
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and Nagarhole National
Park, ensuring landscape-level conservation.
Statement 3 is correct:
 The Nilgiris lie within the Western Ghats, which is recognized globally as a
biodiversity hotspot due to:
o Extremely high species richness and endemism, and
o Severe threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.
 The reserve supports diverse ecosystems including tropical evergreen forests, moist
deciduous forests, shola–grassland complexes, and montane forests.
4

Consider the following statements:
1. Only the Bar Council of India has the authority to designate an Advocate as ‘Senior
Advocate’.
2. Only the ‘Advocates-on-Record’ are entitled to file a matter or document before the
Supreme Court.
3. Only the ‘Senior Advocates’ and the ‘Advocates-on-Record’ can argue a matter in the
Supreme Court

Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is incorrect: Senior Advocates are Advocates who are designated as such by the
Supreme Court of India or by any High Court.
Statement 2 is correct: Only Advocates-on-Record are entitled to file any matter or document
before the Supreme Court. They can also file an appearance or act for a party in the Supreme
Court.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Other Advocates are advocates whose names are entered on the roll
of any State Bar Council maintained under the Advocates Act, 1961 and they can appear and
argue any matter on behalf of a party in the Supreme Court but they are not entitled to file any
document or matter before the Court.

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Consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution of India provides for the use of the International form of Indian
numerals for official purposes.
2. "Vande Mataram” was adopted as the National Song of India at the first sitting of the
Constituent Assembly.
3. Elephant was adopted as the symbol of the Constituent Assembly.

Statement 1 is correct:
 Article 343(1) declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.
 The same Article explicitly provides that the international form of Indian numerals shall
be used for official purposes of the Union.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
 Vande Mataram was accorded the status of National Song on
24 January 1950.
 This was done through a resolution of the Constituent Assembly.
 The resolution was adopted two days before the Constitution came into force (26
January 1950).
Statement 3 is correct:
The Elephant was adopted as the official symbol (seal) of the Constituent Assembly of India.
It appeared on:
 Official papers and publications of the Constituent Assembly
 The Assembly’s seal during its functioning (1946–1950)
In Indian tradition, the elephant symbolises:
 Strength
 Wisdom
 Dignity
 Stability

With reference to the philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya, consider the following statements:
1. Adi Shankaracharya propounded Advaita Vedanta, asserting oneness of Atman
(individual soul) and Brahman (Supreme Reality).
2. He is believed to have established Mathas as centres for propagating Advaita Vedanta
across India

) Answer: (C)
Statement 1 is correct:
 Advaita (Non-dualism): Adi Shankaracharya was the chief exponent of the Advaita
Vedanta school.
 Oneness: He propounded that the individual soul (Atman) and the Supreme Reality
(Brahman) are not distinct entities but are essentially the same. The realization of this
oneness is the ultimate truth.
Statement 2 is correct:
 He established Mathas (monastic centres) across India to propagate Advaita Vedanta,
preserve Vedic learning, and train renunciates, thereby institutionalising his
philosophy.

Consider the following statements about Geological Survey of India (GSI):
1. It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
2. GSI Identify and Safeguards Geo-Heritage Sites in India.
3. GSI plays a role in disaster management by providing scientific knowledge and data
during disasters..
4. GSI classifies and re-classifies major minerals in the country.
5. Currently, it is an attached office to the Ministry of Earth scienc