3. Consider the following statements.
1) Indian follows western secularism where the state and the religion have a watertight
separation of power.
2) ‘Socialism’ and ‘Secularism’ are part of the basic structure of the constitution.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● Indian secularism is different from western secularism. In India, the state enjoys the
power to regulate the economic, financial, political and secular aspects associated with
religious practice. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
○ It can also provide for social welfare and reform in religious practices.
○ In Western secularism, the state and religion are strictly separated and the
government does not interfere in religious affairs.

Status in Preamble
● The original Preamble adopted on November 26, 1949, declared India a sovereign,
democratic, republic.
● The term ‘Secularism’ was also not used though various provisions of the Constitution
like the right to practise any religion, non-discrimination on the basis of religion in any
affairs of the state embodied the ‘secular’ values of our Constitution.
● The 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976 inserted the words ‘Socialist’, ‘Secular’ and
‘Integrity’ in the Preamble.
Current case and the Supreme Court’s Judgment
● A case filed in 2020 has opposed the insertion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the
Preamble. They argued that these were included during the Emergency and forced the
people to follow specific ideologies.
● They felt that since the date of adoption by the Constituent Assembly was mentioned in the
Preamble, no additional words can be inserted later by Parliament.
● The Supreme court dismissed the pleas and held that ‘socialism’ and ‘secularism’ are
integral to the basic structure of the Constitution. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● It observed that the Constitution is a ‘living document’ subject to the amendment power of
Parliament.
● The Court also said that this amending power extends to the Preamble as well and the date
of adoption mentioned in it does not restrict such power.

4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Digital Personal Data Protection
Act, 2023.
1. The Act applies to the processing of digital personal data within India.
2. The Act will not apply to the processing of personal data outside India if it is for offering
services in India.
3. Consent for usage of personal data can not be withdrawn at any point in time.

Answer: A
Explanation:
Applicability:
● The Act applies to the processing of digital personal data within India where such data
is: Hence statement 1 is correct.
○ collected online, or
○ collected offline and is digitised.
● It will also apply to the processing of personal data outside India if it is for offering
goods or services in India. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
● Personal data is defined as any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in
relation to such data.
● Processing has been defined as wholly or partially automated operation or set of
operations performed on digital personal data. It includes collection, storage, use, and
sharing.
Consent:
● Personal data may be processed only for a lawful purpose after obtaining the consent
of the individual.
● Consent may be withdrawn at any point in time. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.
● Consent will not be required for ‘legitimate uses’ including:
○ specified purpose for which data has been provided by an individual voluntarily,
○ provision of benefit or service by the government,
○ medical emergency, and
○ employment.
● For individuals below 18 years of age, consent will be provided by the parent or the legal
guardian.

5. Consider the following statements about the Horn of Africa.
1. The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that includes countries like Djibouti, Ethiopia
and Eritrea.
2. It is separated from the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula by the Bab el Mandeb strait.

Answer: C
Explanation:
● The Horn of Africa is a peninsula of East Africa that includes countries of Djibouti,
Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Sudan and Kenya are sometimes included as well. Hence
statement 1 is correct.

● It is one of the world's most conflict-prone and fragile regions.
● The region's countries are the countries of origin and host countries for a great number of
refugees and internally displaced persons.
● The Bab el Mandeb strait separates the Horn of Africa from the southern tip of the Arabian
Peninsula. Hence statement 2 is correct.

1. Which of the following countries are all part of The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity?

Answer: A
Explanation:
● The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched in Tokyo
(Japan) by the US and other Indo-Pacific countries in 2022.
● IPEF aims to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner
countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the
region.
● The framework includes 14 countries — Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, the
Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, Fiji and the United States. Hence answer is option A.
● Together, the participants account for about 40 percent of global GDP and 30 percent of
trade.

2. Consider the following statements about The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
1) UNFCCC currently has near-universal membership.
2) UNFCCC endorses the concept of common and equal responsibility.
3) The Baku Workplan, an outcome of COP29, aims to elevate the voices of Multinational
Companies in climate action.

Answer: C
Explanation:
About UNFCCC
● The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signed in 1992 at
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the
Rio Earth Summit), constitutes the foundational climate agreement that has provided
the platform for most subsequent international climate agreements.
● The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994. Today, it has near-universal membership. The
198 countries (including India) that have ratified the Convention are called Parties to the
Convention. Hence statement 1 is correct.

● The ultimate objective of the Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at
a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
● The UNFCCC endorses the concept of common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR)
in the climate context. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
○ This means that while developing country parties are expected to contribute to
climate mitigation, because of superior capacity to undertake mitigation and greater
contribution to the problem of climate change as a result of historical emissions,
developed countries are expected to take the lead in combating climate
change and the adverse effects thereof.

Outcomes of COP 29
● New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):
○ The NCQG is the amount that must be mobilised by developed countries every
year from 2025 onward to finance climate action in developing countries.
○ Developed countries have agreed to triple finance to developing countries, from
the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually, to USD 300 billion annually by
2035.
● Carbon Markets:
○ COP 29 agreed on the rules and methodologies for the international carbon
trading system envisioned by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
■ Article 6 sets out a system in which countries can trade emission reduction
credits between themselves so that an emission reduction in one country can
be counted against the emissions generated in another country.

● Baku Workplan:
○ The Baku Workplan adopted at COP29 aims to elevate the voices of Indigenous
Peoples and local communities in climate action. Hence statement 3 is
incorrect.

● COP29 Hydrogen Declaration:
● It endorsed the commitment to scale up renewable, clean/zero-emission and
low-carbon hydrogen production and accelerate the decarbonisation of existing
hydrogen production from unabated fossil fuels.

● COP 29 Declaration on reducing methane from organic wastes:
○ Around 30 countries, collectively responsible for nearly 50% of global methane
from organic waste emissions, endorsed the COP29 declaration on reducing
methane from organic waste.
○ It aims to set sectoral targets to reduce methane from organic waste.
■ India is not a signatory to the Declaration.