UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, Social Work, January-2025

Total Questions: 100

91. Directions (Qs. No. 91-95): Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

When the Supreme Court exercises its discretionary jurisdiction under Article 136 of the constitution, it is in the order to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.

If finding of acquittal by high court is found to be misconceived and perverse, this court can quash such order of acquittal under Article 136 of the Constitution.

This power is not, however, to be exercised by the Supreme Court so as to entertain an appeal in any case where no appeal is otherwise provided by the law or the Constitution.

It is special power which is to be exercised only under exceptional circumstances and the Supreme Court has already laid down the principles according to which this is extraordinary power shall be used, e.g. where there has been a violation of the principles of natural justice. An appeal by special leave is not regular appeal.

Merely because a different view is possible on the evidence adduced at the trial is no ground for the court to upset the opinion of the courts below. The court would reappreciate evidence only to find out whether there has been any illegality, material irregularity or miscarriage of justice.

In civil cases, a special leave to appeal is granted only when:

Correct Answer: 1. Lower court failed to appreciate the evidence produced
Solution:

Under Article 136 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court may grant special leave to appeal in civil cases only under exceptional circumstances, especially when there is a miscarriage of justice.

The passage clearly states that the Court may reappreciate evidence only to determine if there has been any illegality, material irregularity, or miscarriage of justice.

A key example of such irregularity is when the lower court fails to properly evaluate or appreciate the evidence presented at trial.

In civil matters, public interest may be a broader factor, but the Court's discretionary power is specifically exercised to correct judicial errors in reasoning or interpretation, including misreading of evidence.

Thus, the correct answer is 1: Lower court failed to appreciate the evidence produced.

92. An appeal by special leave is not a regular appeal because:

Correct Answer: 4. Irregularity of justice is noted
Solution:

The passage clearly states:
"An appeal by special leave is not a regular appeal... The court would reappreciate evidencе only to find out whether there has been any illegality, material irregularity or miscarriage of justice."

This highlights that special leave appeals are not routine appeals but are invoked only when justice has been compromised through illegality or irregularity.
Thus, the correct answer is 4: Irregularity of justice is noted.

93. Among the following, which does not constitute exceptional circumstances under Article 136?

Correct Answer: 3. When a regular appeal is not entertained by the lower court
Solution:

The passage mentions:
"This power is not, however, to be exercised... where no appeal is otherwise provided by the law or the Constitution.

This implies that the inability to file a regular appeal is not itself an exceptional circumstance under Article 136.

Exceptional circumstances include:

  • Perverse acquittal
  • Miscarriage of justice
  • Violation of principles of natural justice

Hence, the correct answer is 3: When a regular appeal is not entertained by the lower court.

94. Reappreciation of evidence is entertained in the event of:

Correct Answer: 3. Any possible illegality is observed
Solution:

The passage states:
"The court would reappreciate evidence only to find out whether there has been any illegality, material irregularity or miscarriage of justice."

This confirms that re-eyaluation of evidence is not done routinely, but only when there is an indication of illegality or procedural flaw.

Other options like hiding or destroying evidence may contribute, but the Court's trigger for reappreciation is the presence of illegality or injustice, not just failure of investigation.
Thus, the correct answer is 3: Any possible illegality is observed.

95. Article 136 of the Constitution of India empowers............ to appeal against an order passed by any court.

Correct Answer: 2. Appellant
Solution:

Under Article 136 of the Constitution of India, an appellant (person or party aggrieved by a judgment) can approach the Supreme Court with a special leave petition (SLP) to appeal against the decision of any court or tribunal in India (except military tribunals).

• This article does not automatically give a right to appeal; rather, it allows the appellant to seek permission (leave) from the Supreme Court.

• The Court decides whether or not to entertain such a petition based on the nature of injustice.
Thus, the correct answer is 2: Appellant.

96. Directions (Qs. No. 96-100): Read the following passage and answer the questions below:

To understand the reasons for why the social sector is lagging in comparison to other sector, it is necessary to understand its nature.

In India, the voluntary sector draws its strength from humanitarian values rooted in religious philosophy, with a greater role of social institutions and communities to respond to needy people.

The voluntary sector is also synonymous with the people's sector, referred to as the third sector, and more popularly, civil society. It appears to be systematically marginalized by both the market and the Government.

The social sector thus become dependent on private charities, and foreign contributions than government grants.

With the more improved push of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds which seem to take on welfare and development programmes, the free market mechanisms are taking over the social sector through specifically design programmes of transferring public services to private sector such as public-private partnerships, user-pay models, performance based contracts etc.

The governments, therefore, are relieving themselves from their welfare responsibilities, need not unduly worry about funding or where funding is associated; there appear to be poor statuary mechanisms and limited supports.

What role does the voluntary sector play in India's social welfare system?

Correct Answer: 1. It draws strength from humanitarian values rooted in religious philosophy.
Solution:

The passage states that in India, the voluntary sector derives its strength from humanitarian values rooted in religious philosophy, emphasizing the traditional and moral role of social institutions and communities in supporting the needy.

• This reflects that social welfare in India is community-centered and culturally rooted rather than primarily state-driven.
• Options mentioning government funding or CSR are mentioned as external or recent developments, not the foundational role.

Thus, the correct answer is 1: It draws strength from humanitarian values rooted in religious philosophy.

97. What is the impact of growing emphasis on corporate social responsibilities in social sector?

Correct Answer: 2. Increased reliance on private charities and foreign contribution
Solution:

The passage mentions that with the rise of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the free market mechanisms are taking over the social sector, while government support is declining.

  • Consequently, the social sector becomes more dependent on private charities and foreign contributions, not less.
  • Rather than enhancing or strengthening institutions, this transition weakens traditional welfare structures.

Thus, the correct answer is 2: Increased reliance on private charities and foreign contribution.

98. What is the consequence of the government reduced involvement in welfare responsibilities?

Correct Answer: 1. A shift of welfare programmes to the private sector through public-private partnership.
Solution:

The passage clearly explains that as the government reduces its welfare responsibilities, it adopts models like Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), user-pay systems, and performance-based contracts.

  • This shift indicates a transfer of service delivery responsibility from the public to the private sector.
  • It does not lead to stronger welfare laws or increased statutory support-in fact, the passage states the opposite.

Thus, the correct answer is 1: A shift of welfare programmes to the private sector through publicprivate partnership.

99. How the social sector been affected by market-driven forces?

Correct Answer: 2. Private sector mechanisms like publicprivate partnerships have started dominating the social sector
Solution:

According to the passage, market-driven forces have deeply affected the social sector through mechanisms like:

  • Public-private partnerships
  • User-pay models
  • Performance-based contracts

These models are indicators of privatization and corporate influence, leading to the domination of the social sector by the private sector.

Thus, the correct answer is 2: Private sector mechanisms like public-private partnerships have started dominating the social sector.

100. What is the reason for the lagging development of the social sector in India?

Correct Answer: 2. The marginalization of the voluntary sector by the market and government.
Solution:

The passage explicitly states:
"It (the voluntary sector) appears to be systematically marginalized by both the market and the government".

This marginalization causes the social sector to lag in comparison with other sectors, as it becomes dependent on foreign contributions and private charity instead of receiving robust institutional or government support.

Thus, the correct answer is 2: The marginalization of the voluntary sector by the market and government.