EDEN IAS

Menu
Daily MCQ UPSC Current Affairs

Daily MCQs for UPSC Current Affairs | 6TH OCTOBER 2022

/ EDEN Daily MCQ UPSC Current Affairs October 2022, EDEN Daily Prelims

Source: Indian Express

Question 1: Consider the following statements:

  1. Under Article 342 of the Constitution, the President may “specify the Castes, races or tribes which shall be deemed to be Scheduled Castes”.
  2. No person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of Scheduled Caste.
  3. The rights of a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe are independent of his/her religious

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 2 and 3
  3. 1 and 3
  4. 1,2 and 3

Correct Answer: B

Explanation

  • The Centre is likely to soon decide on setting up a national commission to study the social, economic and educational status of Dalits who converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
  • Why don’t Dalits who convert to Christianity and Islam get quota benefits?
  • The original rationale behind giving reservation to Scheduled Castes was that these sections had suffered from the social evil of untouchability, which was practiced among Hindus. Under Article 341 of the Constitution, the President may “specify the castes, races or tribes or parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes which shall…be deemed to be Scheduled Castes”.
  • The first order under this provision was issued in 1950 and covered only Hindus. Following demands from the Sikh community, an order was issued in 1956, including Sikhs of Dalit origin among the beneficiaries of the SC quota.
  • In 1990, the government acceded to a similar demand from Buddhists of Dalit origin, and the order was revised to state: “No person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of Scheduled Caste.”
  • The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) website states, “The rights of a person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe are independent of his/her religious faith.” Following the implementation of the Mandal Commission report, several Christian and Muslim communities have found place in the Central and state lists of OBCs.
  • The Ranganath Misra Commission, which submitted its report in May 2007, recommended that SC status should be “completely de-linked…from religion and…Scheduled Castes [should be made] fully religion-neutral like…Scheduled Tribes”.

Question 2: Consider the following statements:

  1. 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) introduced through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment.
  2. Members of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes can also apply for EWS quota.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. Neither 1 nor 2 Correct

Answer: D

Explanation

  • Members of the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes are shut out from applying under the 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) introduced through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment.

Question 3: Consider the Following statements with respect to eligibility for economically weaker section:

  1. In order to determine EWS status, the term ‘Family’ for this purpose will include the person who seeks benefit of reservation, his/her grandparents, parents and siblings below the age of 18 years as also his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years.
  2. Applicants belonging to SC, ST or OBC included in the Central List residing in any of the States/UTs are not eligible for EWS reservation in respect of posts/services of the Government of India.
  3. Total built up area of the residential unit/flat, including brick/pillar area including staircase area and common area, is to be taken into account for computation of measurement of the flat.
  4. Family monthly pension will not be counted in the family income while calculating the threshold limit for availing the EWS status.

Which of the above statements is/are not correct?

  1. 1, 3 and 4
  2. 1, 2 and 3
  3. 3 and 4
  4. 1 and 3

Correct Answer: A

Explanation

  • The property held by a “Family” in different locations or different places/cities would be clubbed while applying the land or property holding test to determine EWS status and the term ‘Family’ for this purpose will include the person who seeks benefit of reservation, his/her parents and siblings below the age of 18 years as also his/her spouse and children below the age of 18 years.
  • Will the property of grandparents not distributed among the parents of the applicants be counted towards calculating the assets held by the parents of applicants for the purpose of Income and Asset Certificate? Answer – Grandparent is not a part of a family.
  • Residential plot means a plot for the purpose of construction of residential house irrespective of the fact whether the house has been constructed or not.
  • Total built up area of the residential unit/flat, including brick/pillar area (excluding staircase area and common area), is to be taken into account for computation of measurement of the flat.
  • Applicants belonging to SC, ST or OBC included in the Central List residing in any of the States/UTs are not eligible for EWS reservation in respect of posts/services of the Government of India.
  • Therefore, if a person belongs to OBC in a State list but not in Central List, he/she can apply for Income and Asset Certificate for applying to posts and services of the Government of India to avail of EWS reservation.
  • In any recruitment year any vacancy earmarked for EWS cannot be filled up due to non-availability of a suitable candidate belonging to EWS, such vacancies for that particular recruitment year shall not be carried forward to the next recruitment year as backlog.
  • Whether money earned through Provided Fund, Gratuity or other pensionary benefits in a particular financial year at the time of retirement will be counted as family income? apart from asset holding test, persons whose family has gross annual income below Rs 8.00 Lakh (Rupees eight lakh only) are to be identified as EWSs for benefit of Income for the purpose shall include income from all sources i.e. salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc. for the financial year prior to the year of application. The income for this purpose will be. gross income taken into account for the purpose of Income Tax.
  • Will monthly pension/family pension be counted for family income? Answer- Yes.
  • To make it clear, it is stated that whether the children are not living with parents or separated from parents, property/income of parents shall be taken into account for computation of family income.
  • Whether the benefit of age relaxation and relaxation in number of attempts available to EWS candidates? Answer: No. The conditions prescribed for General category candidates in matters of Age and Number of attempts, would also apply to EWS candidates.

Question 4: Consider the following statements:

  1. National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) was first developed in 1996 based on principles of the World Health Organization.
  2. Once a drug is included in the NLEM, its prices are controlled by the central government and cannot be changed by companies themselves.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: C

Explanation

  • The National List of Essential Medicines list includes medicines that are needed to address the priority healthcare needs of the majority of the population.
  • The list usually includes medicines that are a part of government’s health programs, such as bed aquiline, included in the 2022, that is used in the country’s TB elimination program.
  • Framed on the principles of the World Health Organization’s essential medicine list, India’s first list was developed in 1996. It has since been modified four time – in 2003, 2011, 2015, and now in 2022.
  • Once a drug is included in the NLEM, its prices are controlled by the central government and cannot be changed by companies themselves.
  • Based on this list, the NPPA will decide the ceiling prices. The prices of medicines under the NLEM cannot be increased by the companies themselves, but every year the prices are increased or decreased as per the Wholesale Price Index, meaning the prices of these medicines cannot be increased unreasonably.

Read more about How can I study Ethics paper in the UPSC