03 September 2024

Q1. With reference to the “Right to Be Forgotten” in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Right to Be Forgotten is explicitly recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, includes provisions for the Right to Be Forgotten.
3. The Supreme Court of India in the Puttaswamy case recognized the Right to Be Forgotten as absolute and unconditional.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: The Right to Be Forgotten is not explicitly recognized as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. However, it is derived from the Right to Privacy, which is a part of Article 21 as recognized by the Supreme Court in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case. So, 1 is incorrect.
• Statement 2: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, includes provisions for the Right to Erasure, which is similar to the Right to Be Forgotten, although its application in certain contexts remains ambiguous. So, 2 is correct.
• Statement 3: The Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy case recognized the Right to Be Forgotten but clarified that it is not absolute. It may be subject to limitations based on public interest, public health, archiving, research, or legal claims. So, 3 is incorrect.

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding the global perspective on the Right to Be Forgotten:

1. The Right to Be Forgotten was first established by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in 2014.
2. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Right to Be Forgotten is also known as the Right to Erasure.
3. The Right to Be Forgotten allows individuals to permanently delete all digital traces of their personal information from the internet.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: The Right to Be Forgotten was indeed first established by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in 2014 in the “Google Spain case,” where the court ruled that individuals have the right to request the removal of certain information from search engine results. So, 1 is correct.
• Statement 2: Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Right to Be Forgotten is officially known as the Right to Erasure, allowing individuals to request the deletion of their personal data under specific conditions. So, 2 is correct.
• Statement 3: The Right to Be Forgotten does not guarantee the permanent deletion of all digital traces, as there are exceptions based on public interest, legal obligations, and the need to maintain certain records. So, 3 is incorrect.

Q3. With reference to coastal erosion in India, consider the following statements:

1. The eastern coast of India is eroding at a faster rate than the western coast.
2. Ports and breakwaters contribute to coastal erosion by blocking the natural movement of sand.
3. Tamil Nadu has the longest coastline among Indian states.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: The study indicates that the eastern coast is eroding at a rate of 3 meters per year, while the western coast erodes at 2.5 meters per year. Therefore, this statement is correct.
• Statement 2: Ports, breakwaters, and groynes indeed interfere with the natural movement of sand, leading to erosion on the down-current side. Thus, this statement is also correct.
• Statement 3: Gujarat, not Tamil Nadu, has the longest coastline among Indian states. Hence, this statement is incorrect.

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the impacts of coastal erosion:

1. Coastal erosion can lead to the loss of land, affecting property and infrastructure.
2. It enhances the risk of saltwater intrusion, particularly affecting agricultural lands.
3. The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) has reported that over 50% of the Indian coastline is under accretion.

Which of the given above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Coastal erosion does indeed lead to land loss, impacting property and infrastructure. This statement is correct.
• Statement 2: Erosion can lead to saltwater intrusion, which negatively impacts agricultural land by reducing crop yields. This statement is correct.
• Statement 3: The NCCR observed that 26.9% of the Indian coastline is under accretion, not over 50%. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

Q5. With reference to the impact of high temperatures on aircraft operations, consider the following statements:

1. Reduced air density due to high temperatures decreases the lift generated by aircraft wings, requiring longer runways for takeoff.
2. High temperatures increase the oxygen content in the air, thereby improving engine performance.
3. High-altitude airports are particularly vulnerable to temperature-induced flight restrictions.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. High temperatures reduce air density, leading to a decrease in lift. This necessitates higher speeds and longer runways for safe takeoff.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. High temperatures decrease air density, which in turn reduces the oxygen content available for engine combustion, impairing engine performance rather than improving it.
• Statement 3: Correct. Airports at higher altitudes, where the air is already thinner, are more susceptible to flight restrictions during periods of extreme heat, such as weight limits and operational suspensions.