PIB Policy Dossier: केंद्रीय शिक्षा मंत्री श्री प्रल्हाद जोशी ने राष्ट्रीय शैक्षिक योजना एवं प्रशासन संस्थान (एनआईईपीए) के नए शैक्षणिक भवन का उद्घाटन किया
Autonomous verified briefing of government policy notifications, Cabinet decisions, and high-yield Prelims MCQs for 2026-10-29.
Executive Summary
⚡ Today's Prelims Practice Quiz
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the institutional framework and funding for rural water supply and sanitation in India, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Constitution of India, both water supply and sanitation are classified as State subjects. 2. Between 2009-10 and 2018-19, the share of budgetary allocations towards drinking water increased, while the share for rural sanitation declined. 3. While Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) guidelines mandate that 8% of earmarked funds be spent on Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, actual spending has consistently lagged behind this target. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct: Water supply and sanitation are State subjects under the Constitution, and while SBM-G mandates an 8% allocation for IEC activities to drive behavioral change, actual spending has hovered around 1% to 4%. Statement 2 is incorrect because the budgetary priority shifted in the opposite direction; the share allocated to drinking water fell from 87% to 31%, while rural sanitation's share rose from 13% to 69%.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the constitutional framework and provisions regarding the 'Office of Profit' in India, which one of the following statements is correct?
- [A] The Constitution of India explicitly defines the term 'office of profit' under Articles 102 and 191.
- [B] The primary intent behind the disqualification under the office of profit law is to enforce the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive.
- [C] The Supreme Court has ruled that a post is deemed an office of profit only when a substantial quantum of financial profit is received.
- [D] Under Article 164 (1A), the constitutional limit on the number of ministers for the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is set at 15% of its strength.
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Option B is correct because the office of profit law aims to prevent executive influence over legislators, thereby safeguarding the constitutional principle of separation of powers. Option A is incorrect as the Constitution does not explicitly define an 'office of profit'. Option C is incorrect because court interpretations hold that the amount of financial profit is immaterial. Option D is incorrect because the limit for Delhi is 10%, whereas 15% applies to state assemblies.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the underwriting auction for the sale of Government Securities in India, consider the following statements: 1. The underwriting auction follows a multiple price-based framework governed by the underwriting commitment scheme notified in November 2007. 2. Primary Dealers (PDs) are required to submit their bids for the Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction electronically through the Reserve Bank of India’s e-Kuber system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. The underwriting auction for Government Securities utilizes a multiple price-based underwriting auction framework governed by the extant underwriting commitment scheme notified in November 2007. Furthermore, Primary Dealers (PDs) submit their electronic bids for the Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) auction through the Reserve Bank of India's e-Kuber core banking system.