29th April 2021 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

The probable reasons behind the decline number of birds in/around Chandigarh wetlands according to the recent Bird Census are:
Increasing human footprints, disturbance, especially around the specific habitats for the migratory birds like regulatory ends of Sukhna Lake, along with increasing water level of water bodies are among major reasons for this trend.
Contractual fishing, cultivation of water chestnuts at certain water bodies, unregulated human activities are among other reasons behind the disturbance in the habitats of birds. Increasing water level in Sukhna Lake is also a matter of concern. A majority of waterfowl especially migratory birds prefer shallow water bodies for easy availability of food.

Statement 1 is correct while statement 2 is incorrect.
The G4 nations comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan are four countries which support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. Unlike the G7, where the common denominator is the economy and long-term political motives, the G4’s primary aim is the permanent member seats on the Security Council.

Statement 1 is incorrect while statement 2 is correct.
The Fundamental Duties are confined to the citizens of India only and do not extend to the foreigners unlike some of the Fundamental Rights which extend to all persons whether citizens or foreigners.
The Fundamental Duties are also non-justiciable like the Directive Principles of State Policy. The Constitution does not provide for their direct enforcement by the courts. Moreover, there is no legal sanction against their violation. However, the Parliament of India is free to enforce them by suitable legislation.

The Constitution of India does not specify the castes or tribes which are to be called the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes. It leaves to the President of India, the power to specify as to which castes or tribes in each State and Union Territory are to be treated as the SCs and STs.

Articles 358 and 359 of the Constitution of India describe the effect of a National Emergency on the Fundamental Rights.
According to Article 358, when a proclamation of National Emergency is made, the six Fundamental Rights under Article 19 are automatically suspended. No separate order for their suspension is required.
Article 359 authorises the President to suspend the right to move any court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights during a National Emergency. This means that under Article 359, the Fundamental Rights as such are not suspended, but only their enforcement.
However, the 44th Amendment Act of 1978 restricted the scope of Article 359 in two ways. Firstly, the President cannot suspend the right to move the Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights guaranteed by Article 20 (Right to protection in respect of conviction for offences) and Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty). Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.