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?

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 3
  • D. 4

Q2. 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?

  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).
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. 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?

  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.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

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?

  • A. Immediate imposition of a civil penalty
  • B. Issuance of an Improvement Notice giving reasonable time to rectify the lapse
  • C. Compounding of the offence under Section 48
  • D. Launch of criminal prosecution before a court

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

  • A. Completely deleting the offence from the statute book
  • B. Replacing imprisonment provisions with civil or monetary penalties while the conduct remains an offence
  • C. Granting pardon to all persons previously convicted of the offence
  • D. Transferring the trial of the offence to civil courts

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

  • A. Ease-of-living improvements (67 provisions)
  • B. Appointment of adjudicating officers
  • C. Decriminalisation of offences (717 provisions)
  • D. Compounding of pending offences

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?

  • A. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • C. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
  • D. NITI Aayog

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

  • A. Combining several separate offences into a single composite charge
  • B. A settlement in which the accused pays a prescribed sum to avoid or end prosecution
  • C. Automatically doubling the penalty for repeat offenders
  • D. Mandatory imprisonment imposed in lieu of a fine

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

  • A. Bureau of Indian Standards
  • B. Department of Food and Public Distribution
  • C. Department of Consumer Affairs
  • D. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

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

  • A. Rajya Sabha
  • B. Both Houses simultaneously
  • C. Lok Sabha
  • D. A Joint Parliamentary Committee

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?

  • A. 1 year
  • B. 2 years
  • C. 3 years
  • D. 5 years
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