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
After Athens lost the so-called Peloponnesian War (431-404) against Sparta, however, the principle of parrhesía came under fire: many observers attributed the defeat to the popular assembly, under the guidance of ‘evil demagogues’, making bad decisions. Plato opposed the democratic order of his time, in part because of exaggerated freedom of speech. Plato’s teacher Socrates seems to praise the rhetoric Gorgias for his lack of bashfulness, an apparent example of parrhesía; but the philosopher intends it as a damning characterisation of a man lacking any sense of responsibility, a flaw that Plato depicted as characteristic of Athenian democracy. In contrast, Plato’s prominent younger contemporary Demosthenes defined parrhesía as his particular virtue, claiming that he possessed superior knowledge and that he was willing to risk telling the truth.
Despite their different views on the merits of democracy, Demosthenes and Plato shared the conviction that it was not enough for anyone to simply say anything, rather the competence to speak meaningfully should not be simply based on equality but must be connected with personal and intellectual authority. With the emergence of large monarchical states in the Mediterranean world since Alexander the Great (336-323), democracies have lost in importance. Correspondingly, parrhesía developed into the virtue of an elite, and especially of philosophers. They were of course men – few ancient writers deemed women capable of acting (speaking) with parrhesía – who possessed both the intellectual capacity and the personal authority to use parrhesía. They could do this in public, but their main field was personal relationships. Thus, frankness became an interpersonal virtue.
The Epicureans and Plutarch (usually not a friend of the Epicureans) both insisted on the duty of friends to exhibit parrhesía. One had the obligation to not just frankly criticise the moral mistakes that friends committed, but also to accept frank criticism from friends without any anger or vengefulness. Plutarch did, however, differ from Epicureans when it came to the way in which parrhesía should be expressed. Epicurean philosophers deemed it necessary to endure even the most vicious criticism as long as it was cogent; Plutarch stressed that criticism had to be tactful and well-timed. The parrhesiastaí (those doing the criticising) were expected to risk losing their friends.
Parrhesía remained an important political virtue in this epoch. Acting with parrhesía became a positive trait of royal counsellors. Every orator would underline that he spoke with parrhesía, yet this move could in some cases be nothing more than a rhetorical device to flatter the supposed recipient of the candour: claiming to use parrhesía implied that the criticised was virtuous enough to hear and weigh criticism. At the same time, cynics were notorious for their provocative frankness that spared neither friend nor foe and could even be aimed at the emperor. Sometimes punished, the cynics often received high praise for their courage. Perhaps, most of all, their love of truth commanded respect.
Also learn: CLAT Previous Year Question Papers
Legal Reasoning
In contract law, the mode of acceptance is a critical aspect that can influence the formation and enforceability of a contract. The acceptance of an offer must generally comply with the stipulated mode of acceptance specified by the offeror. However, non-compliance with the stipulated mode does not necessarily invalidate the acceptance if the intent behind the stipulation is not compromised. For instance, if the acceptance reaches the offeror on time, despite not following the specified mode, the acceptance may still be valid.
When the stipulated mode of acceptance is adhered to, the contract becomes binding the moment the acceptance is put into the course of transmission. This means that if the offer specifies acceptance via mail, the contract is formed once the acceptance letter is mailed, not when it is received. Conversely, if the stipulated mode is not followed, the acceptance becomes binding only when it actually reaches the offeror.
In cases involving instantaneous modes of acceptance, such as telephone calls or emails, the timing of when the acceptance becomes binding is slightly different. Here, the contract is considered binding when the acceptance comes to the knowledge of the offeror. This ensures that both parties are aware of the acceptance simultaneously, maintaining clarity and mutual understanding in the contract formation process.
In summary, while compliance with the stipulated mode of acceptance is generally required, non-compliance does not automatically negate the acceptance as long as the fundamental intent and timing are preserved. For stipulated modes, the contract is binding upon transmission, while for non-stipulated modes, it is binding upon receipt. Instantaneous acceptances become effective once communicated to and understood by the offeror, ensuring a clear and immediate mutual agreement.
Logical Reasoning
The 6th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), scheduled in New Delhi from October 30 to November 2, will be a confluence of leaders from 116 nations, presided over by RK Singh, Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister. This assembly will focus on enhancing energy security, facilitating energy transition, and expanding access to energy.
Key discussions at the assembly will revolve around the universalization of energy access through solar mini-grids, mobilizing finance for solar deployment, and diversifying solar energy supply chains and manufacturing. A high-level conference on November 1, 2023, will address climate change and solar energy deployment, marking a significant event in the assembly.
The ISA will release three flagship reports, highlighting advancements in solar technology, market trends, and investment patterns. The World Solar Technology Report 2023 emphasizes crystalline silicon technology’s dominance in the solar PV market, projected to constitute a significant portion of the renewable energy share by 2050. The World Solar Market Report 2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of the solar market’s evolution, noting a significant market expansion in 2022 and a shift in regional dynamics of solar adoption.
RK Singh emphasized ISA’s commitment to member countries, focusing on programmatic support, capacity-building, and regulatory understanding. He highlighted the ISA’s role in fostering investment-friendly environments and ensuring energy availability to meet global demands. The assembly aims to expedite the adoption of solar power, with a focus on decentralized solutions and green hydrogen.
India’s experience in renewable energy growth, particularly in solar energy, is highlighted as a model for reliability and dependability. Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, MNRE Secretary, noted the increase in countries ratifying the ISA Framework Agreement, emphasizing ISA’s objectives for global energy transition, national energy security, and local energy access.
Ajay Mathur, ISA Director General, pointed out the significant growth in clean energy investment, driven by solar and wind projects. He advocated for enhanced collaboration with international financial organizations and governments to boost investment in developing economies.
In summary, the 6th Assembly of the ISA represents a pivotal step towards a sustainable and equitable energy future, with solar power playing a central role in the global energy landscape.
Quantitative Techniques
Mehta electronics deals in Air conditioners (ACs) of only three companies namely Samsung, LG and Lloyd. Each AC is of one of two types namely split and window. In January, total number of ACs sold by Mehta electronics was 198. The following information is also known about the number of ACs of different companies sold:
For Samsung: Number of windows ACs sold in February was 20% more than that in January. However, number of split ACs sold in February was 25% less than that in January.
For LG: Number of ACs sold in January was 1 more than that in February, even though number of windows ACs sold in February was 8 more than that in January.
For Lloyd: Number of windows ACs to number of split ACs, sold in January were in the ratio 7:8 and this ratio changed to 7:5, in February. Total number of ACs sold in February was 36 more than that in January.
Also,
- Out of total number of windows ACs sold in February, ratio of number of Samsung, LG and Lloyd, window ACs, sold in February was 9:8:14, respectively.
- In January, number of Lloyd ACs sold was equal to number of LG ACs sold. Number of Samsung ACs sold in January was 78.
General Knowledge
Ever since the historical grouse against each other, India and China witnessed a dramatic turn of events after their Indo-China War of 1962, which was actually a full-scale conflict over disputed border areas like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh. The war left its indelible marks on India, changing its policy of strategic defense for decades to come. India’s democratic socialism now locked horns with China’s revolutionary communism, adding a layer of rivalry that is not easy to explain. Following this, both countries made numerous feeble attempts at stabilizing relations through various agreements, such as the 1993 Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement and the 1996 Confidence-Building Measures along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). However, their diplomatic overtures have always been undercut by the periodic border flare-ups, the most notable of which was the Doklam standoff in 2017. The two countries ended up in a military standoff for over two months on a plateau of strategic import to both; it only goes to show China’s growing assertiveness in South Asia and India’s determination to safeguard its regional influence.
The face-off in the Galwan Valley back in 2020 pushed tensions to their highest in decades. The violent confrontation by troops from either side of the LAC was the first kill there since more than 40 years ago and sent shockwaves to the peace that has existed, however fragilely so, since the war in 1962. While diplomatic talks have followed, this only adds to the trust deficit. However, four years after the Galwan incident, India and China are engaged diplomatically once again at the international level during the BRICS summit 2024 at Russia. While both side articulated an officially committed self to multilateral cooperation under the framework of BRICS, the tensions underlying this engagement and the strategic mistrust surrounding the system were pretty evident. With a stated purpose of boosting economic collaboration, the BRICS meeting cannot avoid the strategic mistrust between India and China, particularly regarding their disparate geopolitical visions.
For India, the “String of Pearls” strategy of China, which suggests building up a network of military and commercial establishments along the Indian Ocean, is a direct threat to the country’s maritime security. Moreover, in combination with Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it creates deep concern for New Delhi about the encirclement tactics meant by Beijing to restrict India’s regional influence through closer relationships with neighbors Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Trade relations, despite these hostilities, have grown incredibly. China is India’s largest trading partner, but this interdependence is fraught with economic imbalance and political discomfort. Calls within India for reducing reliance on Chinese imports intensified following the Galwan clash, yet decoupling from the Chinese economy remains an elusive goal given the depth of economic ties, especially in sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications.