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
The summit of the 21-member APEC in San Francisco was recently conducted which overshadowed by a bilateral meeting. US president Joe Biden had his second face-to-face meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The strategic rivalry between the countries, which initially played out in the form of trade war, took a more serious turn last year when the US rolled out export control policies on semiconductors and AI. In addition, the US and China are backing rivals in the geopolitical conflicts that have broken out over the last two years.
The trajectory of the trade war offers a sense of their limitations and also ways to manage the rivalry without slipping into direct conflict. It’s been five years since the US began to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, which covered over 60% of imports from the country. Consequently, China’s share in the US imports declined by over 5 percentage points to 16.3% in 2022. Once the focus is broadened to look beyond bilateral trade to supply chains, the picture is different. A World Bank paper last month did just that and found a compression in the US-China direct trade linkage was offset by indirect linkages.
The decline in China’s share of US imports was filled by a handful of other countries, notably Vietnam. The spurt in exports of these countries was, in turn, related to their deep links to China through supply chains. Their increased exports to the US were accompanied by larger imports from China. As WTO pointed out, we have seen trade fragmentation linked to geopolitics but not broader de-globalisation. The US-China rivalry has some inbuilt checks because neither side can extricate itself from a trade relationship built on complex supply chains. It’s noteworthy that Australian PM Anthony Albanese this month visited China with trade on the top of the agenda. The small impact of America’s Russia sanctions and other supply chain readjustments show that economic realities impose limitations on countries that aim to realise geopolitical goals through economic tools. The upside of this is that the US and China have an incentive to coordinate efforts to end hostilities in different theatres. There’s a lesson for India, which is rightly trying to capitalise on the trade fragmentation arising out of the US-China geopolitical rivalry. The biggest gainers so far have been countries that are part of deep supply chains.
Legal Reasoning
Promissory estoppel is a fundamental doctrine in contract law, ensuring fairness and preventing injustice when one party relies on the promise of another. This doctrine comes into play when a party makes a representation or promise to another party, who then acts upon that representation. Under promissory estoppel, the party making the representation is bound by it, particularly if the other party has relied on it to their detriment.
This principle serves as a crucial exception to the traditional requirement of consideration in contract formation. Typically, for a contract to be enforceable, there must be an exchange of value or consideration between the parties. However, promissory estoppel allows for the enforcement of promises even in the absence of consideration, provided certain conditions are met. The key elements include a clear and unequivocal promise, reliance on the promise by the promisee, and a detriment suffered as a result of that reliance.
For promissory estoppel to apply, the representation made must be legal in nature. It should be clear, unambiguous, and intended to induce action or forbearance on the part of the promisee. Once the promisee has relied on the promise, the promisor is “estopped” or prevented from reneging on their word. This legal mechanism ensures that the promisor cannot step back from their commitment if the promisee has already taken steps based on the representation, especially if retracting the promise would cause hardship or loss to the promisee.
The doctrine of promissory estoppel aims to uphold the integrity of commitments made in a variety of contexts. It is particularly relevant in scenarios where formal contracts may not exist, but where promises have nonetheless been made and relied upon. For instance, in business dealings, an employer’s assurance of a job offer may be enforceable under promissory estoppel if the prospective employee has resigned from a previous position based on that promise.
In summary, promissory estoppel plays a vital role in contract law by ensuring that promises, once made and acted upon, are honored. It protects parties from the unfair withdrawal of promises and underscores the importance of reliability and trust in contractual relationships. By doing so, it reinforces the legal and ethical obligation to fulfill representations that have induced significant reliance and action.
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Logical Reasoning
At the second edition of “World Food India 2023,” held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the remarkable ascent of India’s food processing industry, now recognized as a “sunrise sector.” This event, inaugurated by Modi, marked a significant milestone, underscoring the country’s diverse culinary heritage as a lucrative opportunity for global investors.
Over the past nine years, the food processing sector in India has seen a substantial influx of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), amounting to approximately ₹50,000 crore. This surge is attributed to the government’s policies, which are both industry and farmer-friendly. Modi emphasized the need for industry stakeholders to innovate in reducing post-harvest losses and to adopt sustainable packaging methods.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the government’s investor-friendly policies have propelled the food sector to new heights. Notably, India’s food processing capacity has expanded dramatically, leading to a 150% increase in the export of processed foods. The sector’s capacity has escalated from a modest 12 lakh tonnes to an impressive 200 lakh tonnes. India now ranks seventh globally, with an export value exceeding 50,000 million USD in agricultural produce.
Modi also mentioned the significant investments made in post-crop harvest infrastructure projects under the central Agri Infra Fund scheme. He highlighted several government initiatives, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the establishment of mega food parks, which have significantly contributed to the development of the food processing sector.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of Indian women in strengthening the food processing industry, citing their inherent capabilities. He also advocated for the inclusion of millets in the public distribution system, drawing parallels between the global acceptance of Yoga and the potential international recognition of millets. The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, aligning with India’s initiative to promote awareness of these grains.
During the event, Modi disbursed seed capital assistance to over one lakh self-help groups and inaugurated a “food street.” The “World Food India 2023” event, also attended by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, aims to position India as the world’s food basket and celebrate the International Year of Millets. The event, which was first held in 2017 but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, saw participation from over 80 countries, 200 speakers, and 12 partner ministries, departments, and commodity boards. The event concluded on November 5 with the presence of President Droupadi Murmu.
Quantitative Techniques
Directions: Read the following information and answer the questions that follow:
RBI Grade B phase II 2019 paper had three sections – ESI (Economic and social issues), FM (Finance & Management) and English with the maximum marks in each section being 100. Each section had questions with 1,2 and 3 marks. Each section had the same number of total questions and in each section the number of one-mark questions was one more than the number of two-mark questions which in turn was one more than the number of three-mark questions. The penalty for each wrong answer is also applicable for this exam which stands as 1/4th of the marks for that question.
General Knowledge
The Indian Army is poised to receive its inaugural three AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Boeing by December 2024. This delivery, initially anticipated between May and July, has faced a delay exceeding six months due to supply chain challenges. Following extensive negotiations between India and the United States, the delivery schedule was prioritized, emphasizing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The Apache helicopters, renowned for their advanced technology and combat capabilities, are specifically engineered for operations in desert environments, excelling in countering armoured threats, including tanks. However, their performance diminishes in high-altitude regions, such as mountainous terrains typical of Northern India.
To mitigate this limitation, India has embarked on developing the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) through Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. The LCH, equipped with advanced avionics and weapon systems, is optimized for high-altitude operations and is slated for deployment in the Ladakh region between 2024 and 2025. This dual approach to helicopter procurement enhances the Army’s versatility in various operational contexts. The formation of the 451 Aviation Squadron in Jodhpur in March marks a significant milestone for the Indian Army, as it prepares to operationalize the Apache helicopters. This squadron represents the Army’s second attack helicopter variant, complementing the LCH and underscoring its commitment to strengthening aviation capabilities. The establishment of this unit reflects a broader military strategy aimed at modernizing and expanding India’s aerial combat capabilities, particularly in light of evolving regional security dynamics.
In 2020, India formalized an $800 million procurement agreement with Boeing for six Apache helicopters, which includes comprehensive training for six Indian pilots and 24 technicians in the United States. This initiative not only enhances operational readiness but also fosters defense cooperation between India and the U.S. Additionally, the Indian Army has indicated a keen interest in acquiring more Apache helicopters, with a proposal for an additional 11 aircraft currently under evaluation. Strategically, a review led by the Chief of Defence Staff has highlighted the necessity for 39 heavy attack helicopters across the Indian armed forces. In response to this assessment, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 156 LCHs, with an estimated total cost of ₹45,000 crore. This strategic decision reflects India’s commitment to augmenting its aerial warfare capabilities in alignment with its defence policy goals.
Presently, the Indian Army’s operational fleet includes 75 Rudra helicopters, armed variants of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The integration of the Apache, LCH, and Rudra helicopters will significantly enhance the Army’s operational flexibility across diverse terrains, reinforcing its combat capabilities and readiness in a rapidly changing security environment. The emphasis on developing indigenous platforms alongside international collaborations signifies a balanced approach to enhancing national defence.