2476: INSAT-3E, India's communication satellite, was launched in 2003 from:
(a) French Guyana
(b) Seychelles
(c) Mauritius
(d) Mauritania
2477: Of the following, the oldest Sanskrit poet, whose composition still remains in original classical style, is:
(a) Asvaghosa
(b) Dandin
(c) Kalidasa
(d) Bhavabhuti
2478: Read the following passage and answer the question that follow passage. Your answers to the question should be based on the passage only.
Passage:
In a typical Western liberal, context, deepening of democracy invariably leads to consolidation of 'liberal values'. In the Indian context, democratization is translated into greater involvement of people not as 'individuals' which is a staple to liberal discourse, but as communities or groups. Individuals are getting involved in the public sphere not as 'atomized' individuals but as members of primordial communities drawn on religious or caste identity. Community-identity seems to be the governing force. It is not therefore surprising that the so-called peripheral groups continue to maintain their identities with reference to the social groups (caste, religion or sect) to which they belong while getting involved in the political processes despite the fact that their political goals remain more or less identical. By helping to articulate the political voice of the marginalized, democracy in India has led to 'a loosening of social strictures' and empowered the peripherals to be confident of their ability to improve the socio-economic conditions in which they are placed. This is a significant political process that had led to a silent revolution through a meaningful transfer of power from the upper caste elites to various subaltern groups within the democratic framework of public governance.
Q. Greater democratization in India has not necessarily led to
(a) The dilution of caste and communal identities in the public sphere.
(b) Irrelevance of community identity as a governing force in Indian politics.
(c) Marginalization of elite groups in society
(d) Relative unimportance of hereditary identities over class identities.
2479: Consider the following statements regarding environment issues of India:
I. Gulf of Mannar is one of the biosphere reserves.
II. The Ganga Action Plan, phase II has been merged with the National River Conservation Plan.
III. The National Museum of Natural History at New Delhi imparts non-formal education in environment and conservation.
IV. Environmental Information System (ENVIS) acts as a decentralised information network for environmental information.
Which of these statements are correct ?
(a) I, II and IV
(b) I, II, III and IV
(c) II and III
(d) I, III and IV
2480: The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
(a) the executive and legislature work independently.
(b) it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.
(c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
(d) the head of the government cannot be changed without election.