Explanation : 

Correct Answer – b

Besnagar Cave

Besnagar is an archaeological site in Madhya Pradesh, India. While it is not particularly well-known for a Shaivite cave shrine, it is famous for the Heliodorus Pillar, an ancient Garuda Pillar dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Udayagiri Caves, which are located nearby, do contain ancient Hindu and Jain sculptures, but they are not specifically known as a Shaivite cave shrine.

Bhaja Cave

Bhaja Caves are a group of 22 rock-cut caves located in Maharashtra, India, and are well known for their Buddhist architecture and sculptures. They date back to the 2nd century BCE and are an important example of early Buddhist cave art in India.

Sittanavasal Cave

Sittanavasal is a small village in Tamil Nadu, India, famous for its Jain cave shrine known as Sittanavasal Cave. The cave contains ancient Jain frescoes and inscriptions dating back to the 7th-9th centuries CE.

Explanation : 

c. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Supreme Court Judgments on Reservation Policies

The Supreme Court of India has held in some judgments that the reservation policies made under Article 16(4) of the Constitution of India would be limited by Article 335 for the maintenance of efficiency of administration. This means that while providing reservation to certain groups, the efficiency of administration should not be compromised.

1. N.M. Thomas vs. State of Kerala (1976): The Supreme Court upheld the state government’s decision to extend reservation to SC and ST candidates in promotional posts. The court argued that such reservations were a way to ensure equality of opportunity, stating that Article 335 should not be interpreted in a manner that undermines the purpose of Article 16(4).

2. Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India (1992): Often referred to as the Mandal Commission case, this judgment declared that reservations could be valid but should not exceed 50% of the available positions, considering it essential to maintain an efficient administration as mandated by Article 335. The court also stated that the concept of ‘efficiency’ is not merely numerical but should be understood as an overall efficiency including the representation of backward classes.

3. M. Nagaraj & Others vs. Union of India & Others (2006): This case re-affirmed that reservations in promotions can be constitutionally valid but should be applied cautiously, with the state needing to show quantifiable data to justify such reservations. The court ruled that any reservation policy should not disturb the efficiency of administration, reiterating the balance mandated by Article 335.

Article 335 of the Constitution of India

Article 335 of the Constitution of India does not define the term ‘efficiency of administration.’ Article 335 states that the claims of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.

Article 335 in Constitution of India (indiankanoon.org)

Explanation : 

c. Both 1 and 2

What is Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) ?

CBDCs are digital versions of a country’s fiat currency, issued and controlled by the central bank. They can be used for transactions without involving the US dollar or the SWIFT system. The SWIFT system is an international network for financial messaging and communication between banks. CBDCs can potentially bypass this system, allowing for more direct transactions between countries and reducing reliance on the US dollar as the global reserve currency.

Digital Currency Programmability

A digital currency can be programmed with specific conditions, such as a time-frame for spending it. This is possible because digital currencies are built on blockchain technology, which allows for programmable money. Smart contracts can be used to define the conditions under which the digital currency can be spent, such as a specific time-frame or other criteria. This feature can be useful for various purposes, such as encouraging spending to stimulate the economy or targeting specific sectors for financial support.

Explanation : 

d. None

1. The acts done by the President before the date of the decision of the Supreme Court do not become invalid if the election of the President is declared void.

2. The election for the post of the President of India cannot be postponed on the ground that some legislative Assemblies have been dissolved and elections are yet to take place.

3. The Constitution does not prescribe any time limit within which the President has to declare his/her assent when a Bill is presented to him/her.

Explanation : 

a. Only One

1. The National Commission for Backward Classes – This body is a constitutional body as per Article 338B of the Indian Constitution, which was added through the 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018.

2. The National Human Rights Commission – This body is not a constitutional body. It is a statutory body established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

3. The National Law Commission –  There is a Law Commission of India, which is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body. It is an ad-hoc and advisory body constituted by the Government of India from time to time.

4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission – This body is not a constitutional body. It is a statutory body established under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

Explanation : 

c. It defines and limits the powers of government.

Purpose of a Constitution

The chief purpose of a constitution is to define and limit the powers of government. It establishes the structure, functions, and principles of a government, as well as the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. While a constitution may also serve other purposes, such as determining objectives for lawmaking, creating political offices, and securing social justice, its primary function is to provide a framework for governance and to ensure that government power is exercised within the bounds of the constitution. This helps to maintain a balance of power and prevent the abuse of authority.

Explanation : 

Correct Answer : a. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

In India, prisons are managed by State Governments, and each state has its own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons. This is because prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894, which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments (now State Governments). Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
Prisons in India – Wikipedia

Explanation : 

d. The Charter Act of 1833

Governor-General of India

Governor-General of Bengal was designated as the Governor-General of India by the Charter Act of 1833. This act centralized the British administration in India by consolidating the control of the British East India Company’s territories under a single authority. The Governor-General of India became the highest-ranking British official in India, responsible for directing and controlling all the company’s affairs in the country. This change in designation marked a crucial step in the process of establishing a centralized British administration in India.

Government of India Act 1833 – Wikipedia