Daily MCQs for UPSC Preparation » Daily MCQs 4 August

Daily MCQs 4 August

Q 1. With reference to National Education Policy-2020, consider the following statements:

1. M.Phil courses will be discontinued and all the courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level will now be interdisciplinary.

2. Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as a single umbrella body for the entire higher education including medical and legal education.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (A)

On the occasion of 2 years completion of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the central government has launched several educational initiatives

Key features of the higher education learning plan as per National Education Policy, 2020:

    • Holistic Undergraduate education with a flexible curriculum can be 3 or 4 years with multiple exit options and appropriate certification within this period.
    • M.Phil courses will be discontinued and all the courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level will now be interdisciplinary. (Statement 1 is correct)
    • Academic Bank of Credits to be established to facilitate Transfer of Credits.
    • Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), at par with IITs, IIMs, to be set up as models of best multidisciplinary education of global standards in the country.
  • The National Research Foundation will be created as an apex body for fostering a strong research culture and building research capacity across higher education. 
  • Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will be set up as a single umbrella body for the entire higher education, excluding medical and legal education. (Statement 2 is not correct)
  • Public and private higher education institutions will be governed by the same set of norms for regulation, accreditation and academic standards. Also, HECI will be having four independent verticals namely,
  • National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation,
  • General Education Council (GEC) for standard setting,
  • Higher Education Grants Council (HEGC) for funding,
  • National Accreditation Council (NAC) for accreditation.
  • Affiliation of colleges is to be phased out in 15 years and a stage-wise mechanism to be established for granting graded autonomy to colleges.
  • Over a period of time, every college is expected to develop into either an autonomous degree-granting College, or a constituent college of a university.

Q 2.  With reference to Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), consider the following statement:

1. Thiamine is a fat-soluble vitamin, an essential micronutrient.

2. It cannot be produced by in the body.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

The government is promoting the production of Vitamin B1 under the “Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Bulk Drugs”

Statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct: Thiamine is a water-soluble vitamin, an essential micronutrient, which cannot be made in the body. It is found in food and commercially synthesized to be a dietary supplement or medication. Food sources of thiamine include whole grains, legumes, and some meats and fish. Beriberi is a deficiency of thiamin.

  • Vitamins are organic compounds that are required in small amounts in our diet, but their deficiency causes specific diseases. Vitamins which are soluble in fat and oils but insoluble in water are known as Fat soluble vitamins. These are vitamins A, D, E, and K. They are stored in liver and adipose (fat-storing) tissues. Vitamin B and C are water soluble.

Q 3. With reference to Loktak Lake, consider the following statements

1. Keibul Lamjao National Park is situated in the Loktak Lake.

2. Loktak Lake comes under both Ramsar Site and under Montreux record.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Manipur government’s Loktak Development Authority (LDA) issued a notice to remove/dismantle all ‘athaphums’ (circular fish culture ponds) and huts on ‘phumdis’ (floating organic mass) from the lake, in order to safeguard the environment and biodiversity of the lake.

Statement 1 is correct: Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India and is famous for the phumdis floating over it. Keibul Lamjao National Park is also situated in the same lake. The National Park is the only floating national park in the world and is the last natural refuge for endangered Sangai deer

Statement 2 is correct: The lake serves as a source of water for irrigation, drinking water supply and hydropower generation. The lake comes under both Ramsar Site and under Montreux record.
Currently only two Indian lakes are under Montreux record, the other being Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

Q 4. Regarding the office of the Lok Sabha speaker, consider the following statements:

1. He/she holds the office during the pleasure of the President.

2. If he/she intends to resign, the letter of his/her resignation has to be addressed to the Deputy Speaker.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (B)

Recently, Lok Sabha suspended four (Member of Parliament) MPs and Rajya Sabha also suspended 23 MPs as they were disrupting the proceedings of the house.

The general principle is that it is the role and duty of the Presiding Officer — Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha — to maintain order so that the House can function smoothly. In order to ensure that proceedings are conducted in the proper manner, the Speaker/ Chairman is empowered to force a member to withdraw from the House.

Statement 1 is not correct: The Lok Sabha speaker is elected by the members of Lok Sabha from amongst its members (as soon as may be, after its first sitting). Whenever the office of the Speaker falls vacant, the Lok Sabha elects another member to fill the vacancy. The date of election of the Speaker is fixed by the President. Usually, the Speaker remains in office during the life of the Lok Sabha. 

Statement 2 is correct: He has to vacate his office earlier in any of the following three cases:

  • If he ceases to be a member of the Lok Sabha.
  •  if he resigns by writing to the Deputy Speaker; 
  • If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the Lok Sabha. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days advance notice. 

Q 5.  With reference to Family Courts, consider the following statements:

1. The Family Courts Act, 1984 was enacted for the establishment of Family Courts with a view to promote conciliation, and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs and related matters.

2. The State Government may, with the concurrence of the High Court, appoint one or more persons to be the Judge or Judges of a Family Court.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 only

(C) Both 1 and 2

(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 which seeks to amend the Family Courts Act, 1984 to establish family courts in Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Statement 1 is correct: The Family Courts Act, 1984 was enacted for the establishment of Family Courts with a view to promote conciliation, and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs and for related matters.

Statement 2 is correct: The State Government may, with the concurrence of the High Court, appoint one or more persons to be the Judge or Judges of a Family Court. The State Government may provide with a Family Court of:

  • Institutions or organizations engaged in social welfare.
  • Persons professionally engaged in promoting the welfare of the family.
  • Persons working in the field of social welfare.
  • Any other person whose association with a Family Court would enable it to exercise its jurisdiction more effectively in accordance with the purposes of this Act.