Ans: C

Exp:

Freedom is multi-dimensional in nature and is at the core of human society. The absence of external restraints as well as the existence of conditions in which people can develop their talents, are some of the essential aspects of freedom. It is the condition in which people can grow their creativity and abilities as well as expand their ability to freely express themselves. In this view, freedom allows for the complete development of an individual’s creativity, senses, and capacities, whether in sports, science, or the arts. Freedom is considered valuable because it allows us to make choices and exercise our judgement. It permits the exercise of the individual’s powers of reason and judgement. However, no individual living in society can expect to be free of all restraints and restrictions.  A free society would be one that allows all of its members to reach their full potential while imposing minimal societal restraints (reasonable restrictions).

 Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Democracy means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity. The principles of liberty, equality and fraternity are not to be treated as separate items in a trinity. They form a union of trinity in the sense that to divorce one from the other is to defeat the very purpose of democracy. 

Statement 2 is correct: Liberty cannot be divorced from equality, equality cannot be divorced from liberty. Nor can liberty and equality be divorced from fraternity. Without equality, liberty would produce the supremacy of the few over the many. Equality without liberty, would kill individual initiative.

Ans: C

Exp:

Affirmative action is based on the idea that it is not sufficient to establish formal equality by law. When we wish to eliminate inequalities that are deeply rooted, it is necessary to take some more positive measures to minimise and eliminate entrenched forms of social inequalities. Most policies of affirmative action are thus designed to correct the cumulative effect of past inequalities. Affirmative action can, however, take many forms, 

• preferential spending on facilities for disadvantaged communities, such as, scholarships and hostels, and 
• special consideration for admissions to educational institutions and jobs through quotas or reserved seats.
• Special assistance enables communities to overcome the existing disadvantages and then compete with others on equal terms, e.g., in education, employment, creation of barrier free environment for disabled people, social security of old age etc.

Ans: A

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct:  The President of India enjoys situational discretion in three cases. Firstly, he can send back the advice given by the Council of Ministers and ask the Council to reconsider the decision. When the President thinks that the advice has certain flaws or legal lacunae or that it is not in the best interests of the country, he can ask the Council to reconsider the decision.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Secondly, The President also has veto power, by which he can withhold or refuse to give assent to Bills (other than Money bills) passed by the Parliament. The President can send the bill back to Parliament, asking it to reconsider it. This ‘veto’ power is limited because if the Parliament passes the same bill again and sends it back to the President, then the President has to give assent to that bill. 

At last, in the case of the Hung assembly, he may exercise his discretion in selecting someone who, in his opinion, will be able to form a stable government. 

Ans: B

Exp:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Prime Minister decides the ministers in the Council of Ministers i.e., the Prime Minister allocates ranks and portfolios to the ministers. Depending upon their seniority and political importance, the ministers are given the ranks of cabinet minister, minister of State or deputy minister. However, the appointment of the ministers is done by the President of India.

Statement 2 is correct: Prior to the 91st Amendment Act (2003), the size of the Council of Ministers was decided by time constraints and situational demands. After that, an amendment was passed requiring that the total strength of the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister should not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the House of the People (or Assembly, in the case of the States).