Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 13th July 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Sanjay Gandhi's "Five-Point Programme" during the Emergency period in India aimed to address social issues such as adult education, abolition of dowry, tree plantation, family planning limited to two children, and the eradication of the caste system. This program was a significant aspect of the socio-political landscape during that time, reflecting the government's policies and priorities towards social reform.

Let's analyze each statement:
1. Article 352 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to proclaim an emergency if India's security is threatened by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
- This statement is correct. Article 352 provides the President the authority to declare an emergency in case of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
2. The 44th Amendment of the Indian Constitution removed "internal disturbance" as grounds for the imposition of an emergency.
- This statement is correct. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 specifically removed "internal disturbance" as a ground for proclaiming an emergency, which was previously included and used during the 1975 Emergency.
3. The Supreme Court, in ADM Jabalpur vs. Shivkant Shukla (1976), ruled that detention without trial was illegal during an emergency.
- This statement is incorrect. In the ADM Jabalpur vs. Shivkant Shukla case, the Supreme Court ruled that detention without trial was legal during an emergency. Justice H.R. Khanna was the sole dissenter in this case.
Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2.

Statement-I correctly highlights the current issue faced by the Mackenzie River, which is experiencing low water levels due to intense heat and minimal precipitation. However, Statement-II is incorrect. The Mackenzie River actually originates from Great Slave Lake and terminates at the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean. Therefore, while Statement-I is accurate, Statement-II provides inaccurate information about the river's origin and endpoint.

Chromium exists in two primary forms: trivalent chromium (chromium-3) and hexavalent chromium (chromium-6). Trivalent chromium is essential in the human diet and is found in various foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, grains, and yeast. On the other hand, hexavalent chromium is found naturally through environmental erosion of chromium deposits or through industrial processes. The industrial activities like leather and tanning, petroleum and ore refining, electroplating, and pulp industries contribute to chromium pollution in water sources. Hexavalent chromium poses significant health risks due to its high solubility and mobility, leading to various health issues.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. Hexavalent chromium is indeed found naturally through environmental erosion of chromium deposits, but it is also significantly introduced by industrial activities such as leather tanning, petroleum refining, electroplating, and pulp industries. Hence, it is incorrect to say that it is primarily found through natural processes and rarely introduced by industrial activities.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. Trivalent chromium (chromium-3) is essential in the human diet and can be found in various foods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, grains, and yeast. It plays a role in the metabolism of macronutrients and is important for insulin function.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Hexavalent chromium poses significant health risks due to its high solubility and mobility. Exposure to hexavalent chromium can lead to severe health issues, including pulmonary congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, and liver damage, among other ailments.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D.

Statement-I correctly describes chromium as a metallic element that is odorless and tasteless, which is accurate. Statement-II correctly associates hexavalent chromium with its sources, mentioning that it is primarily found through environmental erosion of chromium deposits or industrial processes, aligning with the information provided in the text. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides additional information that supports Statement-I, making option (a) the correct answer.

1. Apophis - Correctly matched. Apophis is an asteroid that will pass close to Earth in 2029.

2. CERT-IN - Correctly matched. CERT-IN is an entity under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

3. Squalus hima - Correctly matched. Squalus hima is a new species of deep-water dogfish shark discovered in Kerala.

4. DART Mission - Incorrectly matched. The DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission is an initiative by NASA, not ISRO, aimed at studying and potentially deflecting asteroids.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

- Statement-I is accurate. ISRO's planetary defense initiative indeed focuses on developing the capabilities to detect and potentially deflect asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth, as mentioned in the provided text.
- Statement-II is also correct. CERT-IN, the cybersecurity watchdog, operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in India and is mandated to respond to computer security incidents promptly. However, there is no direct connection or explanatory relationship between the two statements.

- Statement 1 is correct. The concept of Special Category Status indeed originated during the Fourth Five-Year Plan by the Planning Commission in 1969. This status was introduced to tackle the development disparities among Indian states.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The 15th Finance Commission did not explicitly address the allocation of Special Category Status. Instead, it allocated a significant portion of devolved taxes to northeastern and hilly states, which is a different mechanism from explicitly addressing SCS.

- Statement 3 is correct. Under the Gadgil formula, 30% of the plan assistance funds were reserved for states with Special Category Status to address regional development disparities.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

1. Gadgil formula - Prioritized economic deprivation and population

Correct. The Gadgil formula, used by the Planning Commission, did prioritize economic deprivation and population for fund allocation.

2. 14th Finance Commission - Addressed Special Category Status explicitly

Incorrect. The 14th Finance Commission did not address Special Category Status explicitly but allocated higher grants to certain states.

3. NITI Aayog - Emphasized performance-based incentives and outcome-oriented funding

Correct. NITI Aayog focuses on performance-based incentives and outcome-oriented funding mechanisms.

4. Concessions in customs duties - Reduce the cost of imported raw materials for industries in SCS states

Correct. Concessions in customs duties do indeed reduce the cost of imported raw materials for industries in SCS states, fostering economic growth.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.