Digitalization in Public Recruitment
Indian Railways' extensive adoption of Computer Based Tests (CBTs) and other digital tools to modernize, standardize, and ensure transparency in its large-sc...
The article highlights Indian Railways' significant recruitment drive, completing over 5.56 lakh recruitments since 2014 and introducing an Annual Calendar from 2024 for Group 'C' posts. This initiative aims to strengthen the workforce, ensure transparency, provide more opportunities, and expedite the recruitment process for various positions like Assistant Loco Pilots, Technicians, and RPF personnel. The information was provided in Lok Sabha by the Union Minister for Railways.
Durable syllabus ideas for revision — not article memory.
Indian Railways' extensive adoption of Computer Based Tests (CBTs) and other digital tools to modernize, standardize, and ensure transparency in its large-sc...
Government's efforts to streamline and make public sector recruitment transparent and efficient, exemplified by Indian Railways' mission-mode hiring and the ...
Previous year Prelims questions on overlapping themes and topics.
With reference to the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. A bill pending in the Lok Sabha lapses on its dissolution.
2. A bill passed by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
3. A bill in regard to which the President of India notified his/her intention to summon the Houses to a joint sitting lapses on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1: Correct. When the Lok Sabha is dissolved, any bill pending in the Lok Sabha automatically lapses. This is because the dissolution of the Lok Sabha ends its session, and all legislative business in progress becomes void. * Statement 2: Correct. If a bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha but is pending in the Rajya Sabha, it lapses upon the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. This is true even if the Rajya Sabha has not yet acted on the bill. * Statement 3: Incorrect. A bill regarding which the President has notified a joint sitting will not lapse on the dissolution of the Lok Sabha. It can be taken up in the next session after the Lok Sabha is reconstituted. A joint sitting is called only when there is a deadlock between the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Consider the following statements regarding 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam':
1. Provisions will come into effect from the 18th Lok Sabha.
2. This will be in force for 15 years after becoming an Act.
3. There are provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes Women within the quota reserved for the Scheduled Castes.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: There is no specific information available about which Lok Sabha session the provisions will be implemented. * Statement 2 is correct: The reservation will be provided for a period of 15 years. However, it shall continue till such date as determined by a law made by Parliament. * Statement 3 is also correct: In the seats reserved for SCs/STs, the Bill sought to provide one-third of the seats to be reserved for women on a rotational basis.
In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection ' to the Government's notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, having its headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem and Asansol. It collects and maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected every month. Statement 1 is correct. Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority concerning coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India. Statement 2 is correct. It is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines. Work such as permission for the opening and reopening of coal mines has been entrusted to the CCO. Statement 3 is correct. Under the Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957- the Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government's Notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing land and to furnish his reports to the Central Govt. Statement 4 is incorrect. Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time is not the function of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO).
Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha?
1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency
2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers
3. To impeach the President of India
Select the correct answer using the code given ' below:
* Statement 1 is incorrect: If the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or of any part of the territory thereof is threatened, whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, he may, by Proclamation, make a declaration to that effect in respect of the whole of India or of such part of the territory. * Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 75 of the Indian constitution, the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. It means that the ministry stays in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha. * Statement 3 is incorrect: When a President is to be impeached for violation of the Constitution, the charge shall be preferred by either House of Parliament.
Consider the following statements about the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of the Parliament of India:
1. Although members of this Committee are elected from both Houses of Parliament, the Chairperson of this Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
2. Twenty members are elected by the Rajya Sabha and ten members by the Lok Sabha.
3. No Minister, except for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, is eligible to be a member of this Committee.
4. Members are elected for a fixed term of two years from the date they enter their office.
Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Chairperson of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from amongst its members, not by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Committee consists of 30 members, out of which 20 are elected by the Lok Sabha and 10 are elected by the Rajya Sabha, not the other way around. Statement 3 is Incorrect: A Minister is strictly ineligible to be elected as a member of this Committee. If a member is appointed as a Minister after their election, they immediately cease to be a member of the Committee. There is no exception for the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment or any other minister. Statement 4 is Incorrect: The term of office of the members of the Committee does not exceed one year, not two years. It is reconstituted annually like other major standing parliamentary committees (e.g., Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee). Since all the statements are incorrect, there is no correct statement. Therefore, the correct option is D.
With reference to India, consider the following pairs:
| Organization | Union Ministry |
|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| I. The National Automotive Board | Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| II. The Coir Board | Ministry of Heavy Industries |
| III. The National Centre for Trade Information| Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
❌ Pair I: The National Automotive Board – Ministry of Commerce and Industry
* Incorrect. It functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not Commerce and Industry. ❌ Pair II: The Coir Board – Ministry of Heavy Industries
* Incorrect. The Coir Board is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. ❌ Pair III: National Centre for Trade Information – Ministry of MSME
* Incorrect. NCTI is linked to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not MSME.
Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in:
The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha, the two houses of India's Parliament, have different powers and functions. While the Lok Sabha is the lower house with members directly elected by the people, the Rajya Sabha is the upper house with members indirectly elected by the states. However, when it comes to amending the Constitution, both houses have equal powers. According to Article 368 of the Indian Constitution, any amendment to the Constitution requires the approval of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. Therefore, for a constitutional amendment to be valid, it must be approved by both houses of Parliament, giving them equal powers in the process.
Which of the following statements about the Ethics Committee in the Lok Sabha are correct?
1. Initially it was an ad-hoc Committee.
2. Only a Member of the Lok Sabha can make a complaint relating to unethical conduct of a member of the Lok Sabha.
3. This Committee cannot take up any matter which is sub-judice.
Select the answer using the code given below :
* Statement 1: Correct: The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha was initially an ad-hoc committee formed in 1952. It became a standing committee in 1997. * Statement 2: Incorrect: Any person can make a complaint to the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha against a Member of Parliament for unethical conduct. It doesn't necessarily have to be another Member of Parliament. * Statement 3: Correct: The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha cannot take up any matter that is sub-judice, meaning a matter that is currently under consideration by a court or other judicial authority. _Therefore, only statements 1 and 3 are correct._
Which of the following statements are correct in respect of a Money Bill in the Parliament?
1. Article 109 mentions special procedure in respect of Money Bills.
2. A Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States.
3. The Rajya Sabha can either approve the Bill or suggest changes but cannot reject it.
4. Amendments to a Money Bill suggested by the Rajya Sabha have to be accepted by the Lok Sabha.
Select the answer using the code given below :
* Article 109 of the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the special procedure for Money Bills. (Correct) * Article 109(1) states that a Money Bill shall not be introduced in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). It can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha (House of the People). (Correct) * Article 109(5) states that the Rajya Sabha can't reject a Money Bill. It can only make recommendations within 14 days, which the Lok Sabha may or may not accept. (Correct) * The Lok Sabha has the ultimate power regarding Money Bills. It is not bound to accept any amendments suggested by the Rajya Sabha. (Incorrect) Therefore, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
With reference to Finance Bill and Money Bill in the Indian Parliament consider the following statements:
1. When the Lok Sabha transmits Finance Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it can amend or reject the Bill.
2. When the Lok Sabha transmits Money Bill to the Rajya Sabha, it cannot amend or reject the Bill, it can only make recommendations.
3. In the case of disagreement between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, there is no joint sitting for Money Bill, but a joint sitting becomes necessary for Finance Bill.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: While a Finance Bill (Category I under Art 117) is introduced only in the Lok Sabha (similar to a Money Bill), it is passed according to the ordinary legislative procedure. Therefore, the Rajya Sabha has the power to reject or amend it. Statement 2 is correct: A Money Bill (Article 110) cannot be rejected or amended by the Rajya Sabha. It can only make recommendations which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject. Statement 3 is incorrect: While a Joint Sitting is not provided for Money Bills, it is available for Finance Bills. However, it is not "necessary" (mandatory) to hold one. Under Article 108, the President "may" summon a Joint Sitting to resolve the deadlock, but is not obliged to do so; the bill could simply be allowed to lapse.
Previous year Mains questions mapped to overlapping GS syllabus topics.
Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion.
Achieving sustainable growth with emphasis on environmental protection could come into conflict with poor people’s needs in a country like India – Comment.
How do you account for the growing fast food industries given that there are increased health concerns in modern society? Illustrate your answer with the Indian experience.
Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA.
Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.
MCQs drawn from today's published current affairs.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The article states that the Annual Calendar is for 'Group ‘C’ posts', not all gazetted posts. Statement 2 is incorrect: The article mentions '4.11 lakh' recruitments from 2004-05 to 2013-14, and '5.53 lakh' from 2014-15 to 2025-26, with a total of 'over 5.56 Lakh Recruitments Completed Since 2014 (Up to June 2026)'. This clearly indicates that recruitments since 2014 are more, not less, than the previous decade.
The article explicitly states the benefits of the Annual Calendar as: 'More opportunities for candidates; Opportunities to those becoming eligible every year; Certainty of exams; Faster Recruitment process, Training and Appointments'. Option B directly reflects these stated benefits. Options A, C, and D are not mentioned as benefits or are contrary to the information provided.
According to the '1st Stage/Single stage Computer Based Tests (CBTs) for 92116 posts have been completed. Details are as under:' table: - ALP: 18,40,347 candidates - RPF-Constable: 45,30,288 candidates - Non-Technical Popular Categories (Graduate): 58,41,774 candidates - Level-1 posts: 1,08,28,261 candidates Thus, Level-1 posts had the highest number of candidates.
Approach: Introduce the initiative and its context. Elaborate on its benefits for transparency (predictability, reduced malpractice), efficiency (faster process, planned recruitment), and opportunities (more chances, annual eligibility). Conclude with its broader impact on public service and governance.
Approach: Begin by acknowledging the scale of recruitment. Discuss its impact on direct and indirect employment, economic growth (through increased demand and infrastructure development), improved service delivery (efficiency, safety), and human resource development. Conclude with the strategic importance of a robust workforce in a vital sector like railways for national progress.