2016

Statement 1 is incorrect: Bitcoins are not tracked by central banks in the same way as traditional fiat currencies. Instead of a centralized tracking system, Bitcoin transactions are recorded on a decentralized public ledger called the blockchain. However, this ledger does not inherently link transactions to individual users, as Bitcoin addresses function pseudonymously rather than being tied directly to identities.

Statement 2 is correct: Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from another Bitcoin address. These addresses function similarly to account numbers but do not necessarily require identity verification, making transactions more accessible and less dependent on traditional banking systems.

Statement 3 is correct: Bitcoin enables online payments with a degree of anonymity. While all transactions are permanently recorded on the blockchain, the identities of the sender and receiver are not explicitly revealed, only their Bitcoin addresses appear. However, absolute anonymity is not guaranteed, as advanced blockchain analysis can sometimes trace transactions back to individuals.

Hence the correct answer is option B. 2 and 3 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Mahayana sect of Buddhism, not the Hinayana (or Theravada) sect. The Hinayana sect emphasizes the ideal of the Arhat, who achieves personal liberation, whereas the Mahayana tradition focuses on the Bodhisattva ideal.

Statement 2 is correct. The Bodhisattva is a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism, representing a being who has attained a high level of enlightenment but delays their full enlightenment (Nirvana) to compassionately help others achieve liberation.

Statement 3 is correct. The Bodhisattva is characterized by a commitment to the enlightenment of all sentient beings, rather than seeking individual liberation. The Bodhisattva willingly delays their own attainment of Nirvana in order to guide and assist others on the path to enlightenment.

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is an intergovernmental organization located in Luxembourg City, which operates under public international law for all eurozone Member States having ratified a special ESM intergovernmental treaty.

It was established on 27 September 2012 as a permanent firewall for the eurozone, to safeguard and provide instant access to financial assistance programmes for member states of the eurozone in financial difficulty, with a maximum lending capacity of 500 billion.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India under the Ministry of Shipping had proposed to guide and support Rajasthan government for building an Inland Shipping Port at Jalore.

The port and the terminal that are to be created will help develop inland navigation facilities in western Rajasthan and will also bring about socio-economic development of the region.

Business development opportunities along the canal for limestone, gypsum, lignite, and cement factories are to be explored by the state government.

Net metering (also known as net energy metering) is a solar incentive that allows you to store energy in the electric grid. When your solar panels produce excess power, that energy is sent to the grid and in exchange, you can pull from the grid when your system is under-producing like during night-time.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister of the state. While Article 166 of the Constitution stipulates that all executive actions of a state government are taken in the name of the Governor, the actual authority to select and appoint the Chief Secretary rests with the Chief Minister. In administrative practice and for the purposes of the UPSC examination, the Chief Minister is recognized as the appointing authority, not the Governor.

Statement 2 is incorrect: There is no fixed tenure for the post of Chief Secretary. The duration of their service in this role is at the discretion of the state government (the Chief Minister). An officer can be removed or transferred from the post at any time before their retirement.

Statement 1 is Incorrect: A bill pending in the Lok Sabha does not lapse on prorogation. Prorogation refers to the formal end of a parliamentary session, but it does not affect the pending business of the House. When the Lok Sabha reconvenes in the next session, all pending bills remain active and can be resumed from where they were left.

Statement 2 is Correct: A bill pending in the Rajya Sabha, which has not been passed by the Lok Sabha, does not lapse upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. This is because the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body that is not subject to dissolution. The new Lok Sabha can take up such bills from where they were left.

Key Difference: - Prorogation is a temporary suspension of parliamentary business; pending bills remain unaffected. - Dissolution permanently ends the term of the Lok Sabha, causing pending bills in the Lok Sabha to lapse. However, bills in the Rajya Sabha do not lapse due to its continuous nature.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The minimum age to be a member of a Panchayat is 21 years, not 25 years, as per the Indian Constitution.

Statement 2 is correct: If a Panchayat is reconstituted after premature dissolution, it does not get a fresh five-year term. Instead, it functions only for the remainder of the original term of the dissolved Panchayat, as specified under Article 243E of the Constitution.

Hence, the correct answer is option B. 2 only.

As per Article 249 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of India can legislate on a subject in the State List if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution stating that it is necessary in the national interest. This resolution must be approved by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.

Once passed, this resolution empowers Parliament to make laws on the specified subject for a period of one year, which can be extended further by passing another resolution.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Under Section 12 of the Gram Nyayalaya Act, 2008, Gram Nyayalayas have criminal jurisdiction, meaning they can hear and decide certain criminal cases. Additionally, under Section 13, they also have civil jurisdiction over specific types of disputes. Thus, Gram Nyayalayas exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction, making the given statement incorrect.

Statement 2 is correct: According to Section 26, Gram Nyayalayas must make efforts for conciliation and settlement of civil disputes before proceeding with formal adjudication. To implement this, Section 27 mandates that the District Court, in consultation with the District Magistrate, prepare a panel of Conciliators. These Conciliators are village-level social workers with integrity, possessing the qualifications and experience prescribed by the High Court. Their role is to assist in dispute resolution, promoting amicable settlements.

Hence, the correct answer is option B.