CAPF (AC) 2014 (Paper-1) (Question 1-50)

In 1327, Muhammad bin Tughlaq's transferred his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (in present-day Maharashtra) in the Deccan region of India. The primary reasons were it would protect him from direct Mongol invasion from the North-Western frontier.

The shift to Daulatabad would give him a chance to establish control over Deccan and Gujarat. Also, it would provide access to the Western and Southern ports. Thus, option (d) is the correct answer.

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (PMEAC) in India has recommended phased dilution of Government stake in Public Sector Banks from 58 per cent to 51 per cent.

The Union Cabinet gave its approval to allow Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to dilute government holding up to 52 per cent in a phased manner. This was done to raise over Rs. 1.68 lakh crore to meet their additional capital requirements. Thus, option (b) is the correct answer.

The major cleavage in global human rights discourse has been between civil and political rights versus economic, social and cultural rights. Civil and political rights protect individual's freedom from infringement by government, social and individuals.

Economic, social and cultural rights are seen as requiring high levels of investment. These are necessary for leading a better life. So, option (d) is the correct answer.

The Brahmo Samaj was a monotheistic sect of Hinduism. The movement began through meetings of Bengalis in Calcutta in 1828. One of the leading figures was Ram Mohun Roy. This group was known as the Brahmo Sabha.

It opposed idolatry and emphasized the worship of one God without the mediation of priests. However, it did not consider Vedic scriptures as infallible.

• The Brahmo Samaj was at the forefront of socio-religious reforms in India, challenging deeply entrenched social and religious practices and advocating for a more equitable and enlightened society.
• Abolition of Sati: One of the Brahmo Samaj's most significant achievements was its campaign against the practice of Sati. The movement's efforts, led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, culminated in the British government's abolition of Sati in 1829 during Lord William Bentick’s rule.
• Child Marriage: The Brahmo Samaj also sought to eliminate the practice of child marriage, advocating for age-appropriate marriages and emphasising the importance of education and empowerment for young girls.
• Widow Marriage Advocacy: The Brahmo Samaj advocated for widow remarriage, challenging the social stigma associated with widows in Indian society. It sought to provide widows with equal opportunities for marriage and social participation, reflecting its commitment to gender equality and social justice.
• Women's Education and Status: The Brahmo Samaj pushed for equal education and job opportunities for women, challenging traditional gender roles and promoting gender equality. Its focus on women's education helped advance social reform in India and set the stage for future efforts to empower women.

The General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) is an anti-tax avoidance law in India to curb tax evasion and avoid tax leaks. It came into effect on 1st April 2017.

It is specifically aimed at cutting revenue losses that happen to the government due to aggressive tax avoidance measures practiced by overseas investors/ companies. Thus, option (b) is the correct answer.

The marginal rate of substitution (MRS) is the willingness of a consumer to replace one good for another good, as long as the new good is equally satisfying. When the law of diminishing MRS is in effect, the MRS forms a downward, negative sloping, convex curve showing more consumption of one good in place of another. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

• The law of diminishing marginal utility explains that as a person consumes more of an item or product, the satisfaction (or the utility) they derive from it wanes.
  Demand curves are downward sloping in microeconomic models as each additional unit of a product or service is put toward a less valuable use. There are several laws of diminishing marginal units, each of which is tangentially related across the life cycle of a product.

The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame H. P. Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in New York in 1875. In 1882, the headquarters of the Society were established in Adyar, near Madras (now Chennai) in India. Theosophy was a philosophy combining mysticism and spiritualism (with heavy influences from Buddhist and Hindu thought) with metaphysics.

The Society was fashioned as a 'brotherhood' promoting unity. The Society was also concerned with preparing the world for the coming of the 'World Teacher' when he arrived on Earth. Thus, all the statements are correct and the option is (d).

Recently SBI allowed withdrawal of up to 1000 from any shop/trader with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. POS is a critical piece of a point of purchase, refers to the place where a customer executes the payment for goods or services and where sales taxes may become payable.

According to RBI current norms, the limit on cash withdrawal through debit cards at POS devices is up to 1,000 per day in Tier-I and II centres and 2,000 per day in Tier-III to VI centres.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Assurances examines the assurances, promises and undertakings given by ministers from time to time on the floor of the House and reports on the extent to which they have been carried through.
Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. The Lok Sabha comprises 15 members while the Rajya Sabha consists of 10 members.

• Cabinet committees are extra-constitutional in nature. They are not mentioned in the Constitution. However, These are established under the Rules of Business.
• Cabinet committees are of two types—standing and ad hoc. Standing committees are of a permanent nature, while the latter is of a temporary nature. Ad hoc committees are established from time to time to deal with special problems.
• Cabinet committees are set up by the Prime Minister according to the exigencies of the time and requirements of the situation. Hence, their number, nomenclature, and composition vary from time to time.
• They not only sort out issues and formulate proposals for the consideration of the Cabinet but also make decisions. However, the Cabinet can review their decisions.
• They are an organizational device to reduce the enormous workload of the Cabinet. They also facilitate in-depth examination of policy issues and effective coordination. They are based on the principles of division of labour and effective delegation.

The Regulating Act of 1773 is of great constitutional importance as it was the first step taken by the British Government to control and regulate the affairs of the East India Company in India. Some of the important features of the act were as follows: (a) It introduced Parliamentary supervision over the East India Company.

(b) The Government of Bengal was vested in a Governor-General and 'the Council of four members. (d) The Governor-General was vested with a casting vote. Thus, option (c) is the correct answer as the act did not change the power of the vote in the Court of Proprietors by removing all restrictions on qualifications.