Ten MCQs on current International and national events - 149

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

A-Category MCQs -149

1. With reference to the Jharkhand High Court's intervention in the cancellation of civil-services examinations, consider the following statements:

1.     The State had cancelled multiple recruitment examinations following allegations of irregularities.

2.     The High Court held that already appointed officers could be removed without individual inquiry if the examination process was politically controversial.

3.     Principles of natural justice are relevant when regular appointments are sought to be terminated.

4.     Blanket cancellation should ordinarily be a last resort unless the examination process itself is demonstrably compromised.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation: Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct. The Jharkhand government had cancelled 22 recruitment examinations after protests over alleged irregularities. The High Court stayed the cancellation of the civil-services examinations and directed reinstatement of 342 officers. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Court stressed that regular appointments cannot be terminated without observing natural justice, particularly when individual involvement in malpractice has not been established. Elimination clue: examination integrity does not justify automatic collective punishment. The appropriate approach is evidence-based identification of actual beneficiaries of malpractice while protecting honestly selected candidates.

2. With reference to the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 controversy, consider the following statements:

1.     The disputed definition specifically refers to caste discrimination against SC, ST and OBC communities.

2.     Targeted safeguards for structurally disadvantaged groups are necessarily incompatible with universal equality.

3.     The Supreme Court has raised issues including segregation, sub-classification and omission of ragging.

4.     An anti-discrimination framework can combine targeted protection with remedies available to all students.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 3 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (a)