Advanced Quiz – 21 October 2026 | General Studies

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Article 341 empowers the President to specify Scheduled Castes, while Parliament can modify the notified lists through legislation.
• Statement 2 – Correct: The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, as amended, restricts SC status to persons professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Scheduled Tribe recognition under Article 342 does not carry an equivalent general religion-based exclusion.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Article 16(4) enables reservations for backward classes inadequately represented in State services.

Remember: Articles 341 and 342 concern Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes respectively. Loss of SC status following religious conversion does not automatically exclude a person from independently qualifying for OBC reservation under applicable laws.

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Energy losses during pumping, conveyance and generation mean that electricity recovered is lower than electricity consumed.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Surplus electricity pumps water to an upper reservoir, from which it is released to generate electricity during high-demand periods.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Closed-loop systems do not necessarily require connection to perennial rivers.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Pumped storage supports frequency regulation, operating reserves and grid stability.

Remember: Pumped storage is an energy storage technology, not a net energy source. It stores electricity as gravitational potential energy. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) assesses pumped storage potential in India.

Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Parametric insurance triggers payouts when predefined parameters, such as rainfall intensity or wind speed, cross specified thresholds.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Parametric insurance involves basis risk, where the payout may differ from the actual loss suffered.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Catastrophe risk pooling distributes financial exposure among participating governments, insurers and other institutions.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Forecast-based parametric arrangements can release funds before disasters cause their full impact.

Remember: Indemnity insurance compensates assessed losses, whereas parametric insurance pays according to predefined triggers. Faster payouts are an advantage of parametric insurance, but basis risk remains a limitation.

Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Act defines a child as an individual below eighteen years.
• Statement 2 – Correct: It provides for verifiable parental consent before processing children’s personal data, subject to exemptions.
• Statement 3 – Correct: The Act restricts tracking, behavioural monitoring and targeted advertising directed at children, subject to applicable exemptions.
• Statement 4 – Incorrect: The Act does not universally mandate biometric verification for age determination.

Remember: A Data Fiduciary determines the purpose and means of processing personal data, while a Data Principal is the individual to whom the personal data relates.

Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: Article 19(1)(a) protects speech and expression, including communication and access to information through digital media.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Article 19(1)(g) protects professional and commercial activities conducted through the internet.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Restrictions on different freedoms are governed by different constitutional provisions. Article 19(2) concerns speech, while Article 19(6) concerns trade and professional freedom.
• Statement 4 – Correct: The proportionality principle requires that restrictions should not be excessive and that less restrictive alternatives should be considered.

Remember: In Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020), the Supreme Court recognised constitutional protection for speech and trade conducted through the internet and held that indefinite internet suspension orders are impermissible.