Instructions: –
1. Attempt all the questions.
2. Once you have completed all the questions of a particular section click on the submit button for scores and explanations then move to the next sections.
3. For each correct answer, you receive 1 mark. For this mock, there is no negative marking.
English Language
Each set of questions in this section is based on a single passage. Please answer each question based on what is stated or implied in the corresponding passage. In some instances, more than one option may be the answer to the question; in such a case, please choose the option that most accurately and comprehensively answers the question.
In the quiet village of Alton, nestled in the rolling hills of the English countryside, the passage of time was marked not by the ticking of clocks but by the changing of seasons and the ebb and flow of the local river. Life in Alton seemed to move at a pace that was impervious to the rapid changes of the modern world. The villagers, wrapped in their routines and traditions, lived in a harmony with the natural rhythms of their surroundings. The village was dominated by an ancient manor house, its weathered stones bearing witness to centuries of history. Within its walls, Lady Evelyn Wren, the last of the Wren lineage, resided in a state of contemplative solitude. An accomplished scholar of history and literature, Lady Evelyn had spent her life immersed in the pages of old manuscripts and the study of bygone eras. Her library, a labyrinth of books and artifacts, was her sanctuary—a place where the past came alive through the written word.
One autumn afternoon, as the leaves turned to shades of gold and crimson, Lady Evelyn discovered a hidden compartment in an old oak desk, a relic from her ancestors. Inside, she found a collection of letters, their parchment delicate and their ink faded with age. These letters, written in elegant script, detailed an affair between her great-grandmother and a prominent poet of the Victorian era. The revelation was both thrilling and unsettling, as it unveiled a hidden chapter of her family’s history, long obscured by time and secrecy.
As she read through the letters, Lady Evelyn was struck by the intensity of the emotions conveyed and the eloquence of the prose. The correspondence between her great-grandmother and the poet revealed a love that defied the conventions of their time, a passion that had been suppressed and concealed. The discovery of these letters became a catalyst for Lady Evelyn’s own reflections on love, loss, and the passage of time. In the stillness of her study, surrounded by the echoes of the past, she pondered the ways in which history shapes an identity and how personal narratives intertwine with the grand tapestry of human experience. The letters were not merely relics; they were living connections to a past that continued to resonate in the present. In the quiet village of Alton, amidst the changing seasons and the steady flow of the river, Lady Evelyn’s discovery served as a poignant reminder that history is not a static archive but a dynamic and living part of our lives, continuously influencing and enriching the present.
Quantitative Techniques
In 2022, the Finance Department of a regional government and a private company both conducted detailed budget analyses to better allocate their resources. The government allocated its budget as follows: 30% on infrastructure development, 20% on healthcare, 15% on education, 10% on public safety, 5% on environmental initiatives, and 20% on administrative expenses. The total government expenditure for 2022 was ₹ 1,50,000.
On the other hand, the private company allocated its budget in 2022 as follows: 25% on research and development (R&D), 18% on marketing, 12% on employee training, 20% on operations, 15% on infrastructure, and 10% on other expenses. The total expenditure of the private company in 2022 was ₹ 80,000.
Logical Reasoning
Renewable energy technologies have made significant strides in recent years, transforming the global energy landscape. Advances in solar, wind, and hydropower technologies have enabled the efficient harnessing of natural resources, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. As governments and organizations aim to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, the evolution of these technologies plays a crucial role in achieving these goals.Solar energy has seen remarkable progress with the development of more efficient photovoltaic cells and innovative solar panel designs. These advancements have led to a significant reduction in the cost of solar energy, making it a more accessible and viable option for both residential and commercial use. Solar farms, once a niche market, are now becoming a common sight, contributing substantial amounts of clean energy to the grid.
Wind energy is another area where technological advancements have made a substantial impact. Modern wind turbines are more efficient and capable of generating electricity even at lower wind speeds. Innovations in turbine design, such as larger blades and improved materials, have enhanced their performance and reliability. Offshore wind farms, in particular, have become increasingly popular due to their ability to capture stronger and more consistent winds, further boosting their energy output.
Hydropower, a longstanding player in the renewable energy sector, continues to evolve with new technologies that increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The development of small modular hydro systems and the use of innovative turbine designs have allowed for the generation of hydroelectric power in smaller, less intrusive ways. These advancements help mitigate the ecological impact traditionally associated with large dam projects. Despite these advancements, the renewable energy sector faces challenges that must be addressed to ensure its continued growth. One of the major challenges is energy storage, as renewable sources like solar and wind are intermittent and depend on weather conditions. The development of efficient and cost-effective energy storage solutions, such as advanced batteries and grid-scale storage systems, is essential for balancing supply and demand and ensuring a reliable energy supply.
Another challenge is the integration of renewable energy into existing energy infrastructure. Upgrading power grids to accommodate the variable nature of renewable energy and ensuring reliable distribution across regions are critical for maximizing the benefits of these technologies. In summary, the evolution of renewable energy technologies is crucial for creating a sustainable energy future. While advancements in solar, wind, and hydropower technologies offer significant benefits, addressing challenges related to energy storage and infrastructure integration will be key to their successful implementation.
Legal Reasoning
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has issued a directive for the preservation of call details of policemen involved in the arrest of an accused individual. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar acknowledged the violation of police officials’ right to privacy but emphasized that the accused’s right to a fair trial, protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, takes precedence.
The court asserted that denying the accused access to electronic records, admissible under Sections 65-A and 65-B of the Indian Evidence Act, would result in a miscarriage of justice. Section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) plays a crucial role in ensuring a fair resolution by making relevant evidence available to the court, aiding in informed decision-making and a just outcome.
This ruling stemmed from a plea filed by Paramjit Kaur challenging the dismissal of her application under Section 91 CrPC by the Additional Sessions Judge. Kaur contended that her husband faced a false drug case due to his complaints against police officials. The preservation of call location records of the arresting policemen was deemed necessary to challenge the agency’s claims regarding the time and place of the arrest.
In response to concerns raised by the state counsel about exposing secret informers, the court maintained that the preservation of call details and tower locations was essential to prevent the loss of crucial evidence. It emphasized the constitutional recognition of the accused’s right to invoke Section 91 CrPC for obtaining documents supporting their defense.
While acknowledging the privacy concerns of police officials, the court clarified that these considerations should not override the right to a fair trial and investigation of the accused. It highlighted that any order for the production of call details/tower location should be based on the accused proving the necessity and relevance of such evidence.
The court underscored the importance of adhering to principles of natural justice as an integral part of a fair trial under Article 21. Denial of the best available evidence or an effective hearing for the accused in proving their defense would constitute a denial of a free and fair trial.
In conclusion, the High Court set aside the trial court’s order and directed it to issue necessary directions under Section 91 CrPC for preserving and producing the call details/tower location details relevant to the case. The ruling emphasized the legislative intent behind Section 91 CrPC, ensuring that no vital material or evidence remains undiscovered during the investigation, inquiry, trial, or other proceedings.
It’s noteworthy that a previous single bench of the Punjab & Haryana High Court had dismissed a similar plea to preserve the call records of a police officer, citing the need to balance the possibility of creating evidence in favor of the accused with the privacy concerns of the officer.
Current Affairs & General Knowledge
The three recently sanctioned criminal laws, the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (which is to replace the Indian Penal Code-IPC 1860), the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (which is to replace the Code of Criminal Procedure- CrPC) and the Bhartiya Sakhya Adhiniyam (which is to replace the Indian Evidence Act, 1872) have come into force from July 1, 2024. The content and narrative of the Indian Evidence Act (IEA), 1872 have changed little as far as the Bhartiya Sakhya Adhini yam (BSA) is concerned. The purview of secondary evidence has been slightly broadened and some alterations have been made in the provisions linked to electronic evidence in the BSA. The Bhartiya Sakhya Adhini yam 2023 represents a noteworthy modernization of the original Indian Evidence Act, 1872. The Bhartiya Sakhya Adhini yam, originally enacted in 1872, has been the cornerstone of India’s legal system, governing the rules of admissibility, relevancy, and burden of proof in legal proceedings. Over the years, amendments have been made to accommodate societal and technological changes. The 2023 amendments aim to address contemporary issues such as digital evidence, cybercrimes, and technological innovations, which have transformed the way evidence is collected and presented in courts. The Bhartiya Sakhya Bill 2023 is a consequential legislative proposal composed to transform the foundations of evidential practices in India’s progressing legal landscape The proposed revisions are more than just adjustments; they represent a radical shift in how evidence is conceptualized, presented, and adjudicated in the Indian legal system. The Bhartiya Sakhya Adhiniyam 2023 introduces significant reforms to enhance legal procedures for digital and electronic evidence. It streamlines the collection, preservation, and authentication of electronic data, including blockchain and AI-generated evidence, while establishing guidelines for e-signatures and encryption. The Act addresses AI accountability and ethical concerns, revises privacy protections in light of the Putta swamy judgment, and strengthens cybercrime provisions by improving the admissibility and integration of cybercrime evidence. It also clarifies joint trials, allowing for trials involving absconding accused, and permits oral evidence to be presented electronically, reflecting modern advancements in legal processes.
The Bhartiya Sakhya Adhiniyam 2023 faces several implementation challenges, including the need for specialized training for law enforcement and the judiciary on advanced technologies like blockchain and AI. Additionally, modern infrastructure for digital evidence collection and preservation is lacking, and robust cybersecurity protocols are essential to prevent tampering. However, the 2023 reforms offer opportunities for improvement, such as enhancing global cooperation for cross-border cybercrime and leveraging blockchain technology to create secure, transparent evidence-collection mechanisms. Addressing these challenges and capitalizing on these opportunities can significantly advance the effectiveness of the legal framework in dealing with modern cybercrimes.
