UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — On paddy field conservation in Keralam

Q1. With reference to rice paddies and the wetland concept under the Ramsar Convention, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Convention's definition, an area can be a wetland even if it was created by human activity rather than formed naturally.
  2. An area that is under water only for part of the year can still qualify as a wetland under the Convention's definition.
  3. Converting seasonally flooded paddy fields into built-up land tends to reduce local water storage and increase surface runoff after heavy rain.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q2. With reference to Money Bills in a State Legislature under the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A Bill qualifies as a Money Bill only if it contains nothing other than provisions on the matters listed in the Constitution, such as taxation, State borrowing and the Consolidated Fund of the State.
  2. A Bill does not become a Money Bill merely because it provides for fines, pecuniary penalties or fees for licences.
  3. In a State that has a Legislative Council, a dispute over whether a Bill is a Money Bill is decided finally by the Chairman of the Legislative Council.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q3. Consider the following facts: A State enacted a law in 2008 to conserve paddy land. A State department issued circulars in 2008 and 2011 on land conversion. In 2015, a State Finance Act inserted a provision into the 2008 law regularising certain earlier unauthorised conversions on payment of a fee, contrary to those circulars. Which of the following inferences can validly be drawn from the above?

  1. To the extent of any conflict, the 2015 statutory provision prevails over the earlier departmental circulars.
  2. The 2015 provision is invalid because it contradicts executive circulars that were already in force.
  3. The department could have achieved the same regularisation simply by issuing a fresh circular, without amending the law.
  4. A protective statute can be weakened in its effect without being repealed.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q4. With reference to Bills dealing with the financial matters listed in Article 199 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A Bill making provision for such matters cannot be introduced in a State Legislative Council.
  2. Such a Bill may be introduced in the Legislative Assembly without the Governor's recommendation if it only imposes a new tax.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2

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

  1. Since India's national wetland rules are framed under a central environmental law, a State Legislature lacks competence to enact its own law restricting the conversion of paddy land.
  2. Transfer and alienation of agricultural land is a matter enumerated in the State List of the Seventh Schedule.
  • 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