UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre eases metrology rules for first-time violators

Question 1

The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 consolidated and replaced how many earlier central enactments relating to weights and measures?

Accepted Answer

2

Answer

1

Answer

3

Answer

4

Question 2

With reference to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, consider the following statements:
1. It replaced the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976.
2. It came into force in the year 2011.
3. It applies only to inter-State trade and not to intra-State transactions.
4. It establishes standard units based on the International System of Units (SI).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 3

With reference to the Improvement Notice mechanism introduced for the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, consider the following statements:
1. It was introduced through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
2. It is available to first-time procedural violators to rectify deficiencies before penal action.
3. On a second offence, a civil penalty is imposed.
4. It grants permanent immunity from all future penalties under the Act.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 4

Under the graduated enforcement approach introduced for first-time violators, which is the FIRST step taken before any penal action under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009?

Accepted Answer

Issuance of an Improvement Notice giving reasonable time to rectify the lapse

Answer

Immediate imposition of a civil penalty

Answer

Compounding of the offence under Section 48

Answer

Launch of criminal prosecution before a court

Question 5

In the context of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Acts, what does 'decriminalisation' of an offence most precisely mean?

Accepted Answer

Replacing imprisonment provisions with civil or monetary penalties while the conduct remains an offence

Answer

Completely deleting the offence from the statute book

Answer

Granting pardon to all persons previously convicted of the offence

Answer

Transferring the trial of the offence to civil courts

Question 6

Of the 784 provisions amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, the single largest group pertains to which objective?

Accepted Answer

Decriminalisation of offences (717 provisions)

Answer

Ease-of-living improvements (67 provisions)

Answer

Appointment of adjudicating officers

Answer

Compounding of pending offences

Question 7

The cross-ministry Jan Vishwas exercise of decriminalising minor offences to improve ease of doing business is spearheaded at the central level by which body?

Accepted Answer

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Answer

Ministry of Law and Justice

Answer

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Answer

NITI Aayog

Question 8

In the decriminalisation framework, what does 'compounding of an offence' refer to?

Accepted Answer

A settlement in which the accused pays a prescribed sum to avoid or end prosecution

Answer

Combining several separate offences into a single composite charge

Answer

Automatically doubling the penalty for repeat offenders

Answer

Mandatory imprisonment imposed in lieu of a fine

Question 9

Which is the nodal agency at the central level for implementation of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009?

Accepted Answer

Department of Consumer Affairs

Answer

Bureau of Indian Standards

Answer

Department of Food and Public Distribution

Answer

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

Question 10

In which House of Parliament was the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 first introduced?

Accepted Answer

Lok Sabha

Answer

Rajya Sabha

Answer

Both Houses simultaneously

Answer

A Joint Parliamentary Committee

Question 11

Under Section 48 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the benefit of compounding is denied to a person who commits the same or similar offence within how many years of the first offence being compounded?

Accepted Answer

3 years

Answer

1 year

Answer

2 years

Answer

5 years

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre eases metrology rules for first-time violators

Q1. The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 consolidated and replaced how many earlier central enactments relating to weights and measures?

Q4. Under the graduated enforcement approach introduced for first-time violators, which is the FIRST step taken before any penal action under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009?

Q5. In the context of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Acts, what does 'decriminalisation' of an offence most precisely mean?

Q6. Of the 784 provisions amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, the single largest group pertains to which objective?

Q7. The cross-ministry Jan Vishwas exercise of decriminalising minor offences to improve ease of doing business is spearheaded at the central level by which body?

Q8. In the decriminalisation framework, what does 'compounding of an offence' refer to?

Q9. Which is the nodal agency at the central level for implementation of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009?

Q10. In which House of Parliament was the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 first introduced?

Q11. Under Section 48 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the benefit of compounding is denied to a person who commits the same or similar offence within how many years of the first offence being compounded?