UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — SC permits green crackers for two days in Delhi-NCR

Q1. With reference to the freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Article 25 bars the State from making any law for social welfare and reform where such a law touches a religious practice.
  2. The freedom guaranteed by Article 25 is expressly made subject to the other provisions of Part III of the Constitution.
  3. Article 25 allows the State to regulate or restrict economic, financial, political or other secular activity associated with religious practice.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q2. With reference to the environmental provisions of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Article 48A, which directs the State to protect and improve the environment, was part of the Constitution as adopted in 1950.
  2. The duty to protect and improve the natural environment under Article 51A(g) cannot by itself be enforced in a court of law.
  3. Because Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable, courts may not refer to Article 51A(g) when interpreting the scope of the right to life under Article 21.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 only

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A person affected by severe air pollution can seek a remedy from a constitutional court even though Article 48A and Article 51A(g) are not enforceable in courts.
  2. The judiciary has interpreted the right to life under Article 21 to include the right to live in a pollution-free environment.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. During the transition towards winter, Delhi-NCR typically experiences a lower mixing height, a fall in ambient air temperature and calm to low wind speeds. With reference to the effect of these conditions on pollutants released near the ground, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A lower mixing height confines pollutants to a shallower layer of air, so the same emissions produce higher surface concentrations.
  2. Calm to low winds reduce the horizontal transport of pollutants away from where they are emitted, so they accumulate locally.
  3. The fall in surface air temperature strengthens convective lifting, which largely offsets the effect of a lower mixing height.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Certified green firecrackers eliminate particulate matter emissions altogether when compared with conventional firecrackers.
  2. Green firecracker formulations either improve upon or substitute barium nitrate, an oxidiser used in conventional crackers.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q6. With reference to the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It is a statutory body constituted under an Act of Parliament.
  2. Its jurisdiction extends to adjoining areas of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where pollution sources may adversely affect air quality in the NCR.
  3. Where its directions conflict with those of a State Government, the State Government's directions prevail.
  4. The law establishing it dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority set up in 1998.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q7. With reference to Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the rights under Article 25, the rights of religious denominations under Article 26 are not subject to public order, morality and health.
  2. Article 26 confers rights on religious denominations or sections thereof, whereas the freedom under Article 25 is available to all persons.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2