XV. Directions for questions 79 to 84: Children come in contact with the criminal justice system either as victims or witnesses to a crime or as
children in conflict with law (CICL). As CICL, they could be alleged of, accused or recognised as having
broken the law by committing a crime. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report
2021, India recorded a total number of 1,49,404 instances of crimes against children in 2021 — a rise of
over 16 per cent from the previous year. In terms of percentage, the top categories under crime against
children were kidnapping and abduction, followed by cases registered under the POCSO Act. Further, the
NCRB report revealed that of the total cases, 53,874 were registered under POCSO Sections. Sexual
offences against children shows a steady ascent, with 47,221 such cases being recorded in 2020, and
47,335 cases in 2019. In 2019, as many as 32,269 cases were registered across the country, while the
2021 report registered a decline of 3.5 per cent recording 31,170 cases.
The Criminal Justice system of any country broadly refers to agencies of the government charged with
enforcing law, adjudicating crime, and correcting criminal conduct. The main objective of the criminal justice
system is ‘deterrence’, i.e., to punish the 'transgressors and the criminals’ and to maintain law and order in
the society. Globally, children and young people are routinely exposed to various forms of violence if they
are before the criminal justice system. They are at risk of physical and psychological abuse, sexual assault,
and other harms, including inadequate educational opportunities, poor and outdated vocational training.
They face several challenges including mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. Children, who are
victims of violence or exposed to violence during childhood, are more likely to have difficulty in school,
abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, suffer from depression or other mental health problems and
engage in criminal behaviour as adults.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions from “Child Rights in the Criminal Justice System. Need for Law Reform:
written by Dr. Asha Bajpai published in the Journal of the National Human Rights Commission, India].
XV. Directions for questions 79 to 84: Children come in contact with the criminal justice system either as victims or witnesses to a crime or as
children in conflict with law (CICL). As CICL, they could be alleged of, accused or recognised as having
broken the law by committing a crime. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report
2021, India recorded a total number of 1,49,404 instances of crimes against children in 2021 — a rise of
over 16 per cent from the previous year. In terms of percentage, the top categories under crime against
children were kidnapping and abduction, followed by cases registered under the POCSO Act. Further, the
NCRB report revealed that of the total cases, 53,874 were registered under POCSO Sections. Sexual
offences against children shows a steady ascent, with 47,221 such cases being recorded in 2020, and
47,335 cases in 2019. In 2019, as many as 32,269 cases were registered across the country, while the
2021 report registered a decline of 3.5 per cent recording 31,170 cases.
The Criminal Justice system of any country broadly refers to agencies of the government charged with
enforcing law, adjudicating crime, and correcting criminal conduct. The main objective of the criminal justice
system is ‘deterrence’, i.e., to punish the 'transgressors and the criminals’ and to maintain law and order in
the society. Globally, children and young people are routinely exposed to various forms of violence if they
are before the criminal justice system. They are at risk of physical and psychological abuse, sexual assault,
and other harms, including inadequate educational opportunities, poor and outdated vocational training.
They face several challenges including mental, emotional, and behavioural disorders. Children, who are
victims of violence or exposed to violence during childhood, are more likely to have difficulty in school,
abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, suffer from depression or other mental health problems and
engage in criminal behaviour as adults.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions from “Child Rights in the Criminal Justice System. Need for Law Reform:
written by Dr. Asha Bajpai published in the Journal of the National Human Rights Commission, India].
XVI. Directions for questions 85 to 90: India is poised for rapid economic growth, potentially spurred by a young population driving production and
demand. In the process, inevitably, lifestyles are being dramatically altered for the worse. India now reports
the highest growth of ultra-processed food consumption among the youth, as well as low levels of exercise
and adequate sleep. Cultural changes, including smartphones and a preponderance of English in schools,
are also associated with weakened family relationships. Until recently, in the absence of extensive data, the
role of these factors on mental well-being, encompassing our full range of mental capability, was not well
understood. Recent findings based on a large database of over 1,50,000 individuals in India are beginning
to shed light on the correlates of mental well-being among adolescents. The findings are dire. There is a
silent epidemic of mental ill-health in India. Previous studies have found that ownership of smartphones is
“frying” the brain. Data also suggests that it is not merely the ownership of a phone but also the early age of
access that is associated with worse cognition and mental well-being as young adults. The young brain is
developing and must be nurtured. These gadgets are handed to adolescents, presumably more out of
convenience than sound logic. The American philosopher David Henry Thoreau remarked over 175 years
ago, “Technology is an improved means to an unimproved end.” This is an extreme position but one worth
mulling. India reports the highest growth in consumption of ultra-processed foods. Some evidence suggests
that these foods are as addictive as smoking. Recent data globally and from India shows a strong association
between the consumption of ultra-processed foods and poor mental well-being, particularly the capacities
for emotional and cognitive control.
[Source- V. Anantha Nageswaran and Shailender Swaminathan, “How our lifestyle is creating an epidemic
of mental ill health”, THE INDIAN EXPRESS, September 7, 2024]
XVII. Directions for questions 91 to 96: Read the information carefully and answer the questions based on the seating arrangement:
“Ram, Shyam, Rohit, Mohit. Rohan, Sohan, Mohan, Rakesh and Suresh are sitting around a circle facing
the centre. Rohit is third to the left of Ram. Rohan is fourth to the right of Ram. Mohit is fourth to the left of
Suresh who is second to the right of Ram. Sohan is third to the right of Shyam. Mohan is not an immediate
neighbour of Ram.”
[Note: The options for Q. 91, Q. 93, Q. 94, and Q. 96 have been modified.]
XVII. Directions for questions 91 to 96: Read the information carefully and answer the questions based on the seating arrangement:
“Ram, Shyam, Rohit, Mohit. Rohan, Sohan, Mohan, Rakesh and Suresh are sitting around a circle facing
the centre. Rohit is third to the left of Ram. Rohan is fourth to the right of Ram. Mohit is fourth to the left of
Suresh who is second to the right of Ram. Sohan is third to the right of Shyam. Mohan is not an immediate
neighbour of Ram.”
[Note: The options for Q. 91, Q. 93, Q. 94, and Q. 96 have been modified.]
XVIII. Directions for questions 97 to 102: Being a consultant, your work consists of a deep examination of the company’s environment and its internal
system to notice inefficiencies and potential improvements. The interaction with the company’s management
and different sections to decipher their objectives, opportunities, and processes. This means that, through
the use of data analysis, industry best practices, and the formulation of creative ways of solving all problems,
to come up with unique solutions to all problems to increase efficiency and productivity, and hence, increase
profitability for employers. This might entail operations such as logistics redesign, business process
reengineering, adopting new applications, systems, or even community relation programs. People
management is a critical component of change management, to make sure that all the relevant parties
interpret the potential alterations positively. Also, to offer orientation and create resources to explain the
changes to the group and make it comfortable with the shift. The general goal is the organization’s ability to
continue to grow and remain relevant with the shareholders and stakeholders in the industries it operates.
XVIII. Directions for questions 97 to 102: Being a consultant, your work consists of a deep examination of the company’s environment and its internal
system to notice inefficiencies and potential improvements. The interaction with the company’s management
and different sections to decipher their objectives, opportunities, and processes. This means that, through
the use of data analysis, industry best practices, and the formulation of creative ways of solving all problems,
to come up with unique solutions to all problems to increase efficiency and productivity, and hence, increase
profitability for employers. This might entail operations such as logistics redesign, business process
reengineering, adopting new applications, systems, or even community relation programs. People
management is a critical component of change management, to make sure that all the relevant parties
interpret the potential alterations positively. Also, to offer orientation and create resources to explain the
changes to the group and make it comfortable with the shift. The general goal is the organization’s ability to
continue to grow and remain relevant with the shareholders and stakeholders in the industries it operates.
XIX. Directions for questions 103 to 108: While a majority of homeless groups exist solely in modernized cultures, homelessness remains a problem
throughout the world. Everywhere there are people in constant search of food, water and shelter. Many of
these people have nowhere to go and can find no end or relief to their suffering. Homelessness was originally
believed to be a cultural problem but is now revealing itself as a global problem. It is a problem suffered by
all of humanity and must be faced and solved as such. Although this problem exists everywhere, it is more
severe in certain parts of the world. Due to the differing circumstances of homelessness around the world,
there can be no one solution or one set of guidelines for everyone to follow.
Even the United States constantly struggles with homelessness, despite being one of the wealthiest countries
in the world. According to a 2005 survey by the United Nations, 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing.
The causes vary depending on the place and person. Common reasons include a lack of affordable housing,
poverty, a lack of mental health services, and more. Homelessness is rooted in systemic failures that fail to
protect those who are most vulnerable. Approximately 580,000 people experience homelessness on any
given night in the United States, as stated by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of the
United States. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness varies by region, with urban areas
experiencing higher rates of homelessness compared to rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has
exacerbated homelessness and housing insecurity, leading to increased rates of eviction, unemployment,
and housing instability. Using social distancing measures to curb the virus’s transmission has presented
difficulties for homeless shelters and service providers in maintaining their capacity. The economic fallout
from the pandemic has further strained resources and support systems for individuals and families
experiencing homelessness.
(Extracted with revisions and modifications from an article ‘The impact of COVID-19 and housing insecurity
on lower-income women’ published in Journal of Social, Issues, October 3, 2022)
XIX. Directions for questions 103 to 108: While a majority of homeless groups exist solely in modernized cultures, homelessness remains a problem
throughout the world. Everywhere there are people in constant search of food, water and shelter. Many of
these people have nowhere to go and can find no end or relief to their suffering. Homelessness was originally
believed to be a cultural problem but is now revealing itself as a global problem. It is a problem suffered by
all of humanity and must be faced and solved as such. Although this problem exists everywhere, it is more
severe in certain parts of the world. Due to the differing circumstances of homelessness around the world,
there can be no one solution or one set of guidelines for everyone to follow.
Even the United States constantly struggles with homelessness, despite being one of the wealthiest countries
in the world. According to a 2005 survey by the United Nations, 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing.
The causes vary depending on the place and person. Common reasons include a lack of affordable housing,
poverty, a lack of mental health services, and more. Homelessness is rooted in systemic failures that fail to
protect those who are most vulnerable. Approximately 580,000 people experience homelessness on any
given night in the United States, as stated by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of the
United States. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness varies by region, with urban areas
experiencing higher rates of homelessness compared to rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has
exacerbated homelessness and housing insecurity, leading to increased rates of eviction, unemployment,
and housing instability. Using social distancing measures to curb the virus’s transmission has presented
difficulties for homeless shelters and service providers in maintaining their capacity. The economic fallout
from the pandemic has further strained resources and support systems for individuals and families
experiencing homelessness.
(Extracted with revisions and modifications from an article ‘The impact of COVID-19 and housing insecurity
on lower-income women’ published in Journal of Social, Issues, October 3, 2022)
XIX. Directions for questions 103 to 108: While a majority of homeless groups exist solely in modernized cultures, homelessness remains a problem
throughout the world. Everywhere there are people in constant search of food, water and shelter. Many of
these people have nowhere to go and can find no end or relief to their suffering. Homelessness was originally
believed to be a cultural problem but is now revealing itself as a global problem. It is a problem suffered by
all of humanity and must be faced and solved as such. Although this problem exists everywhere, it is more
severe in certain parts of the world. Due to the differing circumstances of homelessness around the world,
there can be no one solution or one set of guidelines for everyone to follow.
Even the United States constantly struggles with homelessness, despite being one of the wealthiest countries
in the world. According to a 2005 survey by the United Nations, 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing.
The causes vary depending on the place and person. Common reasons include a lack of affordable housing,
poverty, a lack of mental health services, and more. Homelessness is rooted in systemic failures that fail to
protect those who are most vulnerable. Approximately 580,000 people experience homelessness on any
given night in the United States, as stated by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of the
United States. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness varies by region, with urban areas
experiencing higher rates of homelessness compared to rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has
exacerbated homelessness and housing insecurity, leading to increased rates of eviction, unemployment,
and housing instability. Using social distancing measures to curb the virus’s transmission has presented
difficulties for homeless shelters and service providers in maintaining their capacity. The economic fallout
from the pandemic has further strained resources and support systems for individuals and families
experiencing homelessness.
(Extracted with revisions and modifications from an article ‘The impact of COVID-19 and housing insecurity
on lower-income women’ published in Journal of Social, Issues, October 3, 2022)
XIX. Directions for questions 103 to 108: While a majority of homeless groups exist solely in modernized cultures, homelessness remains a problem
throughout the world. Everywhere there are people in constant search of food, water and shelter. Many of
these people have nowhere to go and can find no end or relief to their suffering. Homelessness was originally
believed to be a cultural problem but is now revealing itself as a global problem. It is a problem suffered by
all of humanity and must be faced and solved as such. Although this problem exists everywhere, it is more
severe in certain parts of the world. Due to the differing circumstances of homelessness around the world,
there can be no one solution or one set of guidelines for everyone to follow.
Even the United States constantly struggles with homelessness, despite being one of the wealthiest countries
in the world. According to a 2005 survey by the United Nations, 1.6 billion people lack adequate housing.
The causes vary depending on the place and person. Common reasons include a lack of affordable housing,
poverty, a lack of mental health services, and more. Homelessness is rooted in systemic failures that fail to
protect those who are most vulnerable. Approximately 580,000 people experience homelessness on any
given night in the United States, as stated by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department of the
United States. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness varies by region, with urban areas
experiencing higher rates of homelessness compared to rural areas. The COVID-19 pandemic has
exacerbated homelessness and housing insecurity, leading to increased rates of eviction, unemployment,
and housing instability. Using social distancing measures to curb the virus’s transmission has presented
difficulties for homeless shelters and service providers in maintaining their capacity. The economic fallout
from the pandemic has further strained resources and support systems for individuals and families
experiencing homelessness.
(Extracted with revisions and modifications from an article ‘The impact of COVID-19 and housing insecurity
on lower-income women’ published in Journal of Social, Issues, October 3, 2022)
XX. Directions for questions 109 to 114: According to the estimates of the World Inequality Report 2022, in India, men earn 82 percent of the lobour
income, whereas women earn 18 percent of it. A woman agriculture field labourer makes Rs. 88 per day
lesser than her male counterpart, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s data for 2020-21. While a man is
paid Rs. 383 a day on an average, a woman makes a mere Rs. 294 a day. The gap in their daily wages is
more than the cost of two kilograms of rice. This gap differs from State to State. Field laborers, for instance,
make the most money in Kerala. While a man gets Rs. 789 per day, a woman is paid Rs. 537. While this is
the highest amount paid to a woman labourer in a State, it is also Rs. 252 lesser than what her male
counterpart was paid. As of 2020-21, Tamil Nadu has the highest gender wage gap among agriculture field
laborers at 112 per cent. It is followed by Goa (61 percent) and Kerala. The wage gap is the lowest in
Jharkhand and Gujarat (6 percent each), but the women laborers there get paid just Rs. 239 and Rs. 247 per
day, respectively.
Men earn more than women across all forms of work, the gap greatest for the self-employed. In 2023, male
self-employed workers earned 2.8 times that of women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned
24% more than women and male casual workers earned 48% more. The gender gap in earnings is still a
persistent phenomenon. However, there are differences in trends. The gender gap has increased for
self-employed workers, while falling for regular wage workers. Male regular wage workers earned 34%
more than women from 2019 to 2022, with the gap falling to 24% in 2023.
XX. Directions for questions 109 to 114: According to the estimates of the World Inequality Report 2022, in India, men earn 82 percent of the lobour
income, whereas women earn 18 percent of it. A woman agriculture field labourer makes Rs. 88 per day
lesser than her male counterpart, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s data for 2020-21. While a man is
paid Rs. 383 a day on an average, a woman makes a mere Rs. 294 a day. The gap in their daily wages is
more than the cost of two kilograms of rice. This gap differs from State to State. Field laborers, for instance,
make the most money in Kerala. While a man gets Rs. 789 per day, a woman is paid Rs. 537. While this is
the highest amount paid to a woman labourer in a State, it is also Rs. 252 lesser than what her male
counterpart was paid. As of 2020-21, Tamil Nadu has the highest gender wage gap among agriculture field
laborers at 112 per cent. It is followed by Goa (61 percent) and Kerala. The wage gap is the lowest in
Jharkhand and Gujarat (6 percent each), but the women laborers there get paid just Rs. 239 and Rs. 247 per
day, respectively.
Men earn more than women across all forms of work, the gap greatest for the self-employed. In 2023, male
self-employed workers earned 2.8 times that of women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned
24% more than women and male casual workers earned 48% more. The gender gap in earnings is still a
persistent phenomenon. However, there are differences in trends. The gender gap has increased for
self-employed workers, while falling for regular wage workers. Male regular wage workers earned 34%
more than women from 2019 to 2022, with the gap falling to 24% in 2023.
XX. Directions for questions 109 to 114: According to the estimates of the World Inequality Report 2022, in India, men earn 82 percent of the lobour
income, whereas women earn 18 percent of it. A woman agriculture field labourer makes Rs. 88 per day
lesser than her male counterpart, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s data for 2020-21. While a man is
paid Rs. 383 a day on an average, a woman makes a mere Rs. 294 a day. The gap in their daily wages is
more than the cost of two kilograms of rice. This gap differs from State to State. Field laborers, for instance,
make the most money in Kerala. While a man gets Rs. 789 per day, a woman is paid Rs. 537. While this is
the highest amount paid to a woman labourer in a State, it is also Rs. 252 lesser than what her male
counterpart was paid. As of 2020-21, Tamil Nadu has the highest gender wage gap among agriculture field
laborers at 112 per cent. It is followed by Goa (61 percent) and Kerala. The wage gap is the lowest in
Jharkhand and Gujarat (6 percent each), but the women laborers there get paid just Rs. 239 and Rs. 247 per
day, respectively.
Men earn more than women across all forms of work, the gap greatest for the self-employed. In 2023, male
self-employed workers earned 2.8 times that of women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned
24% more than women and male casual workers earned 48% more. The gender gap in earnings is still a
persistent phenomenon. However, there are differences in trends. The gender gap has increased for
self-employed workers, while falling for regular wage workers. Male regular wage workers earned 34%
more than women from 2019 to 2022, with the gap falling to 24% in 2023.
XX. Directions for questions 109 to 114: According to the estimates of the World Inequality Report 2022, in India, men earn 82 percent of the lobour
income, whereas women earn 18 percent of it. A woman agriculture field labourer makes Rs. 88 per day
lesser than her male counterpart, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s data for 2020-21. While a man is
paid Rs. 383 a day on an average, a woman makes a mere Rs. 294 a day. The gap in their daily wages is
more than the cost of two kilograms of rice. This gap differs from State to State. Field laborers, for instance,
make the most money in Kerala. While a man gets Rs. 789 per day, a woman is paid Rs. 537. While this is
the highest amount paid to a woman labourer in a State, it is also Rs. 252 lesser than what her male
counterpart was paid. As of 2020-21, Tamil Nadu has the highest gender wage gap among agriculture field
laborers at 112 per cent. It is followed by Goa (61 percent) and Kerala. The wage gap is the lowest in
Jharkhand and Gujarat (6 percent each), but the women laborers there get paid just Rs. 239 and Rs. 247 per
day, respectively.
Men earn more than women across all forms of work, the gap greatest for the self-employed. In 2023, male
self-employed workers earned 2.8 times that of women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned
24% more than women and male casual workers earned 48% more. The gender gap in earnings is still a
persistent phenomenon. However, there are differences in trends. The gender gap has increased for
self-employed workers, while falling for regular wage workers. Male regular wage workers earned 34%
more than women from 2019 to 2022, with the gap falling to 24% in 2023.
XX. Directions for questions 109 to 114: According to the estimates of the World Inequality Report 2022, in India, men earn 82 percent of the lobour
income, whereas women earn 18 percent of it. A woman agriculture field labourer makes Rs. 88 per day
lesser than her male counterpart, according to the Ministry of Agriculture’s data for 2020-21. While a man is
paid Rs. 383 a day on an average, a woman makes a mere Rs. 294 a day. The gap in their daily wages is
more than the cost of two kilograms of rice. This gap differs from State to State. Field laborers, for instance,
make the most money in Kerala. While a man gets Rs. 789 per day, a woman is paid Rs. 537. While this is
the highest amount paid to a woman labourer in a State, it is also Rs. 252 lesser than what her male
counterpart was paid. As of 2020-21, Tamil Nadu has the highest gender wage gap among agriculture field
laborers at 112 per cent. It is followed by Goa (61 percent) and Kerala. The wage gap is the lowest in
Jharkhand and Gujarat (6 percent each), but the women laborers there get paid just Rs. 239 and Rs. 247 per
day, respectively.
Men earn more than women across all forms of work, the gap greatest for the self-employed. In 2023, male
self-employed workers earned 2.8 times that of women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned
24% more than women and male casual workers earned 48% more. The gender gap in earnings is still a
persistent phenomenon. However, there are differences in trends. The gender gap has increased for
self-employed workers, while falling for regular wage workers. Male regular wage workers earned 34%
more than women from 2019 to 2022, with the gap falling to 24% in 2023.
XXI. Directions for questions 115 to 120: Mr. Das is working in a construction company. He has a family, including his wife and a daughter. His total
monthly income includes a salary of Rs. 9228/- and a 10% house rent allowance. Due to increasing inflation,
he is keeping a home budget that accounts for the income and expenses of the household. Out of his total
monthly income, he spends 25% on food expenses, 18% on paying the house rent, 9% on entertainment,
23% on the education of his child, 13% on medical expenses, and he saves 12% of his total monthly
income.
Based on the above information, answer the following questions.
XXI. Directions for questions 115 to 120: Mr. Das is working in a construction company. He has a family, including his wife and a daughter. His total
monthly income includes a salary of Rs. 9228/- and a 10% house rent allowance. Due to increasing inflation,
he is keeping a home budget that accounts for the income and expenses of the household. Out of his total
monthly income, he spends 25% on food expenses, 18% on paying the house rent, 9% on entertainment,
23% on the education of his child, 13% on medical expenses, and he saves 12% of his total monthly
income.
Based on the above information, answer the following questions.
XXI. Directions for questions 115 to 120: Mr. Das is working in a construction company. He has a family, including his wife and a daughter. His total
monthly income includes a salary of Rs. 9228/- and a 10% house rent allowance. Due to increasing inflation,
he is keeping a home budget that accounts for the income and expenses of the household. Out of his total
monthly income, he spends 25% on food expenses, 18% on paying the house rent, 9% on entertainment,
23% on the education of his child, 13% on medical expenses, and he saves 12% of his total monthly
income.
Based on the above information, answer the following questions.
XXI. Directions for questions 115 to 120: Mr. Das is working in a construction company. He has a family, including his wife and a daughter. His total
monthly income includes a salary of Rs. 9228/- and a 10% house rent allowance. Due to increasing inflation,
he is keeping a home budget that accounts for the income and expenses of the household. Out of his total
monthly income, he spends 25% on food expenses, 18% on paying the house rent, 9% on entertainment,
23% on the education of his child, 13% on medical expenses, and he saves 12% of his total monthly
income.
Based on the above information, answer the following questions.
