Despite the Union government’s claims on improving the environment, India remains one of the world’s worst five in an environmental performance index consisting of 180 nations prepared by two leading US institutions
The Environmental Performance Index of 2024 released earlier this month positioned India at a marginal better position than the EPI 2022 that put the world’s most populous country at the bottom (180th position) of the chart.
Between 2000 and 2012, India’s position among 180 nations varied between 122 and 127. The southern journey began since 2014 and accelerated in the last eight years. Out of 180 countries, India’s position was at 177 in 2018; 168 in 2020; 180 in 2022
Scientists who prepared the index, however, noted that India made certain improvements in environmental performances, but its position still remains close to the bottom, possibly due to better performances from other countries.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/india-

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Passage 2

The Patna High Court on June 20 set aside the amendments passed by the Bihar legislature in 2023 to increase the reservation Backward Classes (BC), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) from 50% to 65% in educational institutions and government jobs. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition was filed in the Patna High Court on November 27, 2023, challenging the decision of the Bihar Government to increase reservation in the State from 50% to 65%. Advocate General P.K. Shahi argued on behalf of the State Government. He had told the court that the State Government had given this reservation due to a lack of adequate representation of these classes. The State Government had not given this reservation on a proportionate basis. In these petitions, the law passed by the State Government on November 9, 2023, was challenged. In this, 65% reservation was given to SC, ST, EBC and OBC, while only 35% of posts could be given to general category candidates in government service.

Source- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bihar/

5th July 2024 CLAT

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Passage 1

1.Which of this released Environmental Performance Index 2024, benchmarking 180 countries on 58 Performance Indicators worldwide?

A. World Economic Forum

B. Yale Center for Environmental Law

C. Columbia Center for International Earth Science Information Network

D. Both B and C

2. India has marginally improved from its bottom position in EPI 2022 to ____th place.

A. 175

B. 176

C. 177

D. 178

3.Which of this country topped the Environment performance Index 2024 with the score of 75.3?

A. Finland

B. UK

C. Greece

D. Estonia

4. Globally, which country was ranked bottom in the index of 180 countries?

A. Pakistan

B. Bangladesh

C. Myanmar

D. Vietnam

5. Which of the following is not correct about the Environment Performance Index 2024?

A. The Environment Performance Index 2024 has three policy objectives which are Climate Change, Ecosystem Vitality and Environmental Health

B. Only 5 countries, Finland, Greece, Timor-Leste, Estonia and the United Kingdom are right on the track to cut the GHC emission to net zero by 2050

C. Bangladesh is reported as the largest emitter of the transboundary pollution in South Asia

D. None of the Above

Passage 2

6. The Patna HC struck down the amendments brought by the Bihar Government which increased reservation to 65% for backward classes, SCs and STs. Who was the main petitioner in this case who challenged the legislation?

A. Gaurav Kumar

B. Jaya Thakur

C. Prashant Kishor

D. None of the above

7. Which of the following was the basis of Bihar government’s legislation to increase the reservation for backward classes, SCs and STs to 65%?

A. World Bank Inequality Report

B. The State of Inequality in India Report

C. Caste Based Survey by Bihar Government

D. All of the above

8. Which of the following the following bench of the Patna High Court Struck down the impugned legislation ?

A. Single Judge

B. Division