Answer: A
Explanation:
About IFSC
● An International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is a jurisdiction that provides world class
financial services to non-residents and residents in a currency other than the domestic
currency (Indian Rupee) of the location where the IFSC is located. Hence statements 1 and
2 are incorrect.
● Services provided by an IFSC:
○ Fund-raising services for individuals, corporations and governments
○ Asset management and global portfolio diversification undertaken by pension funds,
insurance companies and mutual funds
○ Wealth management
○ Merger and acquisition activities among trans-national corporations, etc.
● The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) was established in 2020
as a unified authority for the development and regulations of IFSCs in India.
● India’s 1st IFSC has been set up at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT
City) in Gandhinagar. Hence statement 3 is correct.

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.