Haryana Civil Services Mock Test - 1 - HPSC (Haryana) MCQ

• The subjects that do not fall in any three lists are categorized as residuary subjects. According to Article 248 of the Constitution, the Union government can legislate on residuary subjects.

• This feature was borrowed from the Canadian Constitution. So, statement 1 is not correct.

• The Parliament cannot on its own change the arrangement of sharing of powers between the Union Government and the State governments. Any change has to be first passed by both the Houses of Parliament with at least a two-thirds majority. Then it has to be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the total States. So, statement 2 is not correct. Therefore option (d) is the correct answer

The post-facto environmental clearance granted to the private university is significant because it is the first project in Haryana to receive approval under the amended Forest Conservation Act. This change allows the government to approve projects that began operations without prior environmental clearance, reflecting a new approach to balancing development and environmental protection. This move could set a precedent for future projects in protected areas, making it essential to monitor its implications closely.

The Punjab government expressed that it has no surplus water to share with Haryana regarding the SYL canal issue. This statement underscores the ongoing tension between the two states related to water distribution, particularly as many areas in Punjab are facing severe over-exploitation of groundwater resources. The situation indicates a need for careful reassessment of water availability and equitable distribution.

The OTS scheme benefits taxpayers by allowing them to pay reduced amounts on disputed tax cases. Taxpayers with disputed taxes under ₹50 lakh can settle by paying only 30% of the outstanding amount, while those with amounts above ₹50 lakh can settle for 50%. This scheme aims to clear pending tax dues efficiently while providing financial relief to individuals and businesses.

The primary goal of the cashless health facility is to provide seamless and efficient healthcare services to government employees and their dependents. By enabling cashless transactions, the initiative aims to streamline the process of accessing healthcare, ensuring that employees receive timely medical treatment without the burden of upfront payments, thereby enhancing their well-being.

Vikas Rana made history by winning the first gold medal for India in the cross-country skiing championship held in Germany. This accomplishment is significant as it highlights the growing prominence of winter sports in India and serves as an inspiration for athletes, particularly women, in pursuing competitive sports on an international level.

The drop in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in Haryana underscores the ongoing challenge of female foeticide and gender imbalance in the state. Despite some improvements in SRB figures over the years, the concern remains significant, prompting the government to implement stricter regulations and awareness campaigns aimed at curbing the practice and promoting the value of girl children in society.

The Haryana government allocated ₹126 crores for waste management in Gurugram. This funding is part of an action plan designed to manage and process legacy waste effectively, reflecting the government's commitment to improving environmental sanitation and addressing the waste crisis in urban areas.

The Haryana government's decision to waive outstanding water charges aims to provide financial relief to rural households. By forgiving charges amounting to ₹372.13 crore, the initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burden on residents, especially in rural areas, thereby promoting sustainable access to water services and supporting the livelihoods of families.

The primary function of the committee established by the Haryana government is to determine compensation claims for accidents caused by stray animals. This initiative aims to provide support to victims and streamline the process of compensation, ensuring that those affected receive timely assistance while addressing the safety concerns associated with stray animals on roadways.

During the foundation laying of a new medical college in Panchkula, it was announced that the number of medical colleges in Haryana would increase to 29. This expansion is aimed at addressing the growing need for medical education and healthcare professionals in the state, thereby improving healthcare services for the population.

The objective of the "e-Adhigam" project is to provide personalized learning support to government school students through the distribution of tablets equipped with adaptive learning applications. This initiative aims to enhance the educational experience by allowing students to access supplementary learning materials tailored to their individual needs, promoting improved learning outcomes.

The "Bharatmala Project" primarily focuses on the development of national highways and road connectivity across India. Launched by the government, it aims to enhance the efficiency of transportation and logistics, thereby facilitating economic growth and improving access to various regions of the country.

The outcome of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Union of India Vs T N Godavarman case was that it extended the application of the Forest Conservation Act to all areas qualifying as forests based on their dictionary meaning. This landmark ruling emphasized the importance of environmental protection and conservation in India, ensuring that all forested areas receive the necessary legal protections against exploitation.

The initiative aimed at addressing the water situation in Haryana is the waiver of outstanding water charges for rural households. This decision seeks to alleviate financial burdens on rural residents and promote equitable access to water resources, thereby improving the overall water management in the state.

A key feature of the cashless health facility that enhances its efficiency is the use of a single platform for hospitals to claim expenses. This streamlined process allows for quicker approvals and reimbursements, making healthcare access more efficient for government employees and their dependents, thereby reducing administrative burdens and improving service delivery.

The Mukhymantri Shehri Nikay Swamitva Yojana aims to grant ownership rights to individuals who have occupied commercial land on rent or lease for over 20 years. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to empower urban residents and enhance property rights.

Explanation:

1. Coming of the festive season: During the festive season, there is an increase in consumer spending, which leads to increased demand for goods and services. This will encourage banks to lend more money, increasing the money supply in the economy.

2. Rise in interest rate: An increase in interest rates makes borrowing more expensive, which generally leads to a decrease in the money supply. This is because people are less likely to take out loans, and businesses are less likely to invest when borrowing is more expensive.

3. Injection of High-powered money in the economy: High-powered money refers to currency and reserves held by the central bank. When the central bank injects more money into the economy, it increases the money supply.

4. Decrease in interest rate: When interest rates decrease, borrowing becomes more attractive, leading to an increase in loans and investments. This, in turn, increases the money supply in the economy.

All are the objectives of the new methodology. RBI decided to shift from base rate to MCLR because the rates based on marginal cost of funds are more sensitive to changes in the policy rates. This is very essential for the effective implementation of monetary policy.PriortoN CLR system,different banks were following different Methodology for calculation of base rate/ minimum rate – that is either on the basis of average cost of funds or marginal cost of funds or blended cost of funds.

Thus, MCLR aims:

• Statement 1 is correct. To improve the transmission of policy rates into the lending rates of banks.

• Statement 4 is correct. To bring transparency in the methodology followed by banks for determining Interest rates on advances.

• Statement 3 is correct. To ensure availability of bank credit act interest rates which are fair to borrowers As well as banks.

• Statement 2 is correct. To enable banks to become more competitive and enhance the long run value and contribution to economic growth.

• When the economy has both Current Account Deficit and Fiscal Deficit, it is said to be facing the twin deficit. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.

• Both deficits often reinforce each other.

• The current account measures the flow of goods, services and investments into and out of the country. There is a deficit in Current Account if the value of the goods and services imported exceeds the value of those exported.

  It comprises of following components:

  • Trade of goods,

  • Services, and

  • Net earnings on overseas investments and net transfer of payments over a period of time, such as remittances.

• Hence, Current Account = Trade gap + Net current transfers + Net income abroad.

• It can be reduced by boosting exports and curbing non-essential imports such as gold, mobiles, and electronics.

• A fiscal deficit is a shortfall in a government's income compared with its spending. It is usually measured as percentage of GDP.

Introducing a Direct Tax code can be a prudent way to increase the Tax to GDP ratio. A Direct Tax code can simplify the tax laws, widen the tax base, and reduce the tax evasion, which can lead to an increase in tax collection and Tax to GDP ratio.

Lowering of the income tax exemption limit may increase the tax collection in the short term, but it can adversely impact the disposable income and demand, which can impact the economic growth.

Increasing excise duty on crude oil may increase the tax collection in the short term, but it can lead to an increase in inflation, which can negatively impact the economic growth.

Formalization of the labor market may increase the tax collection in the long term, but it can take time to implement, and it may not have an immediate impact on the Tax to GDP ratio.

However, the venture is its own entity, separate from the participants' other business interests.

Example: Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems have a joint venture company, Tata Boeing Aerospace (TBAL), Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS), a joint venture between Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. of Israel.

Mergers are a way for companies to expand their reach, expand into new segments, or gain market share. · The five major types of mergers are conglomerate, congeneric, market extension, horizontal, and vertical. · Example: Vodafone – Idea merger

• A proportional tax is a taxing mechanism in which the taxing authority charges the same rate of tax from each taxpayer, irrespective of income. This means that lower class, or middle class, or upper-class people pay at the same rate of tax. Hence statement 1 is correct.

• Since the tax is charged at a flat rate for everyone, whether earning higher income or lower income, it is also called a flat tax.

• A proportional tax is based on the theory that since everybody is equal, taxes should also be charged the same way.

• A progressive tax is a tax in which the tax rate increases as the taxable amount increases. This sort of system is meant to affect higher-income people more than low- or middle-class earners to reflect the presumption that they can afford to pay more.

• The redistribution objective is sought to be achieved through progressive income taxation (not proportional taxation), in which higher the income, higher is the tax rate. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

Benefits to Firms: Prospects for higher profits, Increased capacity utilisation, Prospects for growth, Way out to intense competition in domestic market, Improved business vision

• The type of vegetation which has grown on its own naturally without any aid from human beings or those which have been left untouched or undisturbed by the human beings for a long time are termed as “Virgin vegetation”.

• The virgin vegetation, which are purely Indian are known as endemic or indigenous species but those which have come from outside India are termed as exotic plants. Thus statement 3 is correct. Example - Unreachable areas of the Amazon rainforest, Trenches in the Ocean etc. Plant community which is endemic to a particular area is known as native species.

• Plant community formed due to primary succession in an ecosystem are known as Pioneer species. Plant community newly introduced in an ecosystem is known as exotic species.

Statement 1 is incorrect. Anaimudi is the highest peak of peninsular India. Peninsular India comprises Deccan Plateau and the mountain ranges – Aravali, Vindhya, Satpura, Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats.

Anamudi/Anamudi Peak of Munnar is Located at the junction of the Cardamom Hills, Anaimalai Hills and Palani Hills in Kerala. It is the highest peak of western Ghats. It has an elevation of 2,695 metres above sea level. The name Anamudi literally translates to “elephant’s forehead”.

Statement 2 is correct. Meghalaya includes the Khasi, Garo, Jaintia hills and the Assam ranges at its border. Meghalaya represents the extension of peninsular India towards the north-east. The height of the dissected Meghalaya Plateau is 150m to 1961m above sea level. This place is detached from the Indian peninsula

by the Malda Gap.

• The Canary Current (cold) is a wind-driven surface current that is part of the North Atlantic Gyre. This eastern boundary current branches south from the North Atlantic Current and flows southwest about as far as Senegal where it turns west and later joins the Atlantic North Equatorial Current. Hence option 1 is not correct.

• The Mozambique Current is an ocean current in the Indian Ocean, usually defined as warm surface waters flowing south along the African east coast in the Mozambique Channel, between Mozambique and the island of Madagascar. Hence option 2 is correct.

• The North Equatorial Current (warm) is found in the North Atlantic from about 7°N to about 20°N. Fortified by the Atlantic trade wind belt, the NEC is a broad westward flowing current that forms the southern limb of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. The current originates from the northwestern coast of Africa, where it is fed mainly by the cooler waters flowing from the northeast Atlantic. Hence option 3 is correct.

• Basic Needs Approach: This approach was initially proposed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Six basic needs i.e.: health, education, food, water supply, sanitation, and housing were identified. The question of human choices is ignored and the emphasis is on the provision of basic needs of defined sections. Hence statement 2 is correct.

• Capability Approach: This approach is associated with Prof. Amartya Sen. Building human capabilities in the areas of health, education, and access to resources is the key to increasing human development. Hence statement 3 is correct.

• Income Approach: This is one of the oldest approaches to human development. Human development is seen as being linked to income. The idea is that the level of income reflects the level of freedom an individual enjoys. The higher the level of income, the higher is the level of human development. Hence statement 1 is not correct.

• Welfare Approach: This approach looks at human beings as beneficiaries or targets of all development activities. The approach argues for higher government expenditure on education, health, social secondary, and amenities. People are not participants in development but only passive recipients. The government is responsible for increasing levels of human development by maximizing expenditure on welfare.

• During the south-west monsoon period after having rains for a few days, if rain fails to occur for one or more weeks, it is known as break in the monsoon. These dry spells are quite common during the rainy season. These breaks in the different regions are due to different reasons:

• Statement 1 is correct (i) In northern India rains are likely to fail if the rain-bearing storms are not very frequent along the monsoon trough or the ITCZ over this region. It also occurs if the ITCZ shifts northward over the foothills of Himalayas and causes heavy rainfall along the foothills of himalayas.

• This northward shift of the ITCZ creates a high pressure over the plains and thus the South West monsoon winds are not able to flow Statement 2 is correct (ii) Over the west coast the dry spells are associated with days when winds blow parallel to the coast. This fails to produce an orographic effect and thus leads to a break in monsoon. Such breaks are likely to occur in the month of August.

Important Passes of Western Ghats

• Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. Thal Ghat: It links Nasik to Mumbai.

• Pair 2 is incorrectly matched. Bhor Ghat: It links Mumbai to Pune.

• Pair 3 is correctly matched. Pal Ghat: It connects Kerala to Tamil Nadu (link Kochi to Chennai).

• Senkota pass: It is located between the Nagercoil and the Cardamom hills links Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai.