Daily Mock Test – 02 August 2025

Collective responsibility (of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha) and an independent judiciary have been upheld by the Supreme Court as part of the basic structure of the Constitution, meaning they cannot be altered even by a constitutional amendment. However, a bicameral legislature (two Houses of Parliament) is not considered part of the basic structure and can be changed (e.g., some Indian states have unicameral legislatures).

 Answer: 3. Free legal aid to the poor
 Explanation:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added Article 39A to promote equal justice and free legal aid for economically weaker sections.

In India, parametric insurance is mainly used in agriculture to provide quick payouts during weather-related crop losses, helping reduce the government’s subsidy burden under traditional crop insurance schemes.

Answer: 2. Promoting use of bio-fertilizers and reducing chemical fertilizers
 Explanation:
PM-PRANAM (Promotion of Alternate Nutrients for Agriculture Management Yojana) encourages states to reduce chemical fertilizer use and promote bio-inputs.

Vijayalaya Chola founded the Imperial Chola dynasty in the 9th century CE by capturing Thanjavur, marking the revival of Chola power in South India.

Correct Answer: 2 and 3 only

• Statement 1 is wrong – Ramsar Convention is for wetlands, not oceans.

• Statement 2 is correct – Montreux Record is part of Ramsar.

• Statement 3 is correct – India has 75+ Ramsar sites as of 2025.

India observes National Handloom Day on August 7th every year. The first such celebration was held on 7 August 2015 to commemorate the Swadeshi Movement launched on 7 August 1905, which promoted indigenous industries such as handloom weaving. This day honours the craftsmanship of weavers and highlights the cultural and economic significance of the handloom sector

Correct Answer: 3
Hawkish stance = Favoring high interest rates to curb inflation.

Correct Answer:  3. Dismissing a minister without CM’s advice

 Explanation:

• A Governor is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

• Dismissing a minister without the CM’s advice is unconstitutional (violates Article 164).

• ✅ Other options like reserving bills (Art. 200), report under Article 356, and even refusing to convene Assembly temporarily may be legally debatable but not strictly unconstitutional.

7th August was chosen as National Handloom Day because it marks the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905, which aimed to promote Indian-made goods, especially handloom products, as a symbol of self-reliance and resistance against British rule.

A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) happens when a natural dam (made of ice or loose rock) that holds a glacial lake suddenly bursts, releasing a large amount of water and causing floods downstream.

This is incorrect because the Cholas had a strong navy and even sent ships to Southeast Asia.
Other statements are correct – they had a good bureaucracy, village councils, and did regular land surveys.

Correct Answer: 3
Judicial Review: Articles 13, 32, and 226 provide for judicial review. Article 368 relates to amendments.

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation:
Fiscal drag happens when inflation increases people’s nominal income, pushing them into higher tax brackets, even if their real income hasn’t changed. As a result, tax revenues rise without a corresponding increase in purchasing power, reducing aggregate demand.

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) has many glaciers and glacial lakes, making it the most vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to melting ice and unstable natural dams.

Rajaraja Chola I built the magnificent Brihadeshwara Temple at Thanjavur in the 11th century CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Chola architecture.

Parametric insurance provides quick and fixed payouts based on measurable triggers (like drought, flood, or cyclone), making it ideal for climate-related disasters where speed and predictability are crucial.

While Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Uraiyur were all capital cities of the Cholas at different times, Chidambaram was a major religious and cultural center, not a political capital. It is famous for the Nataraja Temple, but was not used as a Chola capital.

Answer: 3. Loans become costlier
 Explanation:
Repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends to banks. An increase in repo means higher interest rates, making loans costlier, thereby reducing inflation.

Answer: 3. Special rights and immunities for performing legislative duties
 Explanation:
Parliamentary Privileges are special powers and immunities for MPs/MLAs to speak and act freely in the House without fear of legal action.

Correct Answer: Article 360

Article 360 allows the President to declare a Financial Emergency if India’s financial stability or credit is threatened.

• Article 352 – National Emergency

• Article 356 – President’s Rule (State Emergency)

• Article 365 – Failure of constitutional machinery in states

Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) help in GLOF preparedness by tracking temperature, rainfall, humidity, and sometimes water levels, which are key indicators of glacial lake stability and potential flood risks.

Aadi Thiruvathirai is celebrated in Tamil Nadu to honor Rajaraja Chola I, the great Chola ruler who built the Brihadeshwara Temple and expanded the Chola Empire. The festival marks his contributions to art, architecture, and administration.

Answer: 2. It had a unique water management system and stone architecture
 Explanation:
Dholavira (Gujarat) is known for stone construction, drainage, and reservoirs — unlike other mud-brick Indus Valley cities.

Answer: 2. Judiciary interpreting laws independently
📘 Explanation:
Separation of powers in India is maintained by the independent judiciary, which ensures that the executive and legislature stay within their powers.

The Brihadeshwara Temple is built in the Dravidian architectural style, characterized by pyramidal towers (vimanas), large gopurams, and intricate carvings, typical of South Indian temple architecture.

Monsoon withdrawal is a gradual process and does not cause sudden flooding.
Common triggers of GLOF events include avalanches, rockfalls, and earthquakes, which can suddenly disturb glacial lakes and cause them to burst.

🟩 Answer: 1
📝 Explanation:

• ✅ Arka Shreshta is resistant to ToLCV.

• ✅ Arka Vishal is rich in TSS, ideal for processing.

• ❌ Arka Abhijit is early maturing with good shelf life, not poor.

• ✅ Arka Samrat is suitable for transportation and large-scale marketing.

The Ministry of Textiles is the nodal agency responsible for organizing National Handloom Day celebrations, as it oversees the promotion, development, and welfare of India’s handloom sector and weavers.