Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 1st March 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Statement 1 is correct. The Hague Service Convention is indeed a multilateral treaty that aims to simplify the process of serving legal documents internationally in civil and commercial matters by providing a standardized method that operates through designated Central Authorities within member countries.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the SEC has explored alternative methods like email or social media for serving documents, these are not permissible under the Hague Service Convention in India due to India's reservations about alternative methods outlined in Article 10 of the Convention. India does not allow service via postal channels or direct service by foreign judicial officers, making such alternative methods not feasible under the Convention in India.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Under the Hague Service Convention, service requests in India must go through a designated Central Authority, which is responsible for verifying and processing the requests. This ensures that the service is conducted in accordance with local laws and protects the rights of the defendants.

Therefore, the only statements that are correct are 1 and 3. Hence, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

1. The Hague Service Convention: Incorrectly matched. It is a multilateral treaty that simplifies the process of serving legal documents internationally in civil and commercial matters, not criminal matters.

2. FCPA Enforcement: Correctly matched. The Trump administration had temporarily paused enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for 180 days, but the pause does not apply retroactively, allowing ongoing investigations to proceed.

3. Oarfish: Correctly matched. In Japanese folklore, the oarfish is associated with impending natural disasters and is considered a harbinger of such events.

4. Exercise Desert Hunt 2025: Correctly matched. This exercise was conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur, involving the Indian Armed Forces, focusing on enhancing interoperability among Special Forces units.

Pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while Pair 1 is incorrectly matched. Hence, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs.

1. SUIT Instrument - Developed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc): Incorrect. The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) was developed by the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in collaboration with ISRO, not the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

2. Ocelot Quantum Chip - Developed by Amazon Web Services (AWS) Team at California Institute of Technology: Correct. The Ocelot quantum computing chip was indeed developed by the AWS team at the California Institute of Technology.

3. Kundi System - Traditional rainwater harvesting method in Rajasthan: Correct. The Kundi system is a traditional rainwater harvesting method found in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in districts like Churu, Jaisalmer, and Barmer.

4. BRO Motto - "Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam": Correct. The motto of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is "Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam," which translates to "everything is achievable through hard work."

Pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 1 is incorrectly matched. Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

The primary objective of the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) aboard the Aditya-L1 mission is to analyze the dynamic interactions within the solar atmosphere, focusing on energetic phenomena like jets, flares, filament evolution, and eruptions. By studying these interactions, scientists aim to gain insights into the behavior of the Sun and its impact on space weather, which can have significant effects on Earth's technology and infrastructure.

1. Auroville Founder - Mirra Alfassa, known as the 'Mother': Correctly matched. Auroville was founded by Mirra Alfassa, known as the 'Mother,' on February 28, 1968, with the aim of exploring alternative ways of living and working together peacefully.
2. Auroville Location - Kerala, India: Incorrectly matched. Auroville is located in Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry, not in Kerala.
3. NASM-SR - Developed by DRDO and Indian Navy: Correctly matched. The Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) has been developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Navy.
4. NASM-SR Terminal Guidance - Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker: Correctly matched. The NASM-SR uses an Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker for terminal guidance.
Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1: This statement is correct. The Union Cabinet has indeed approved all 14 amendments proposed by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

2. Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. While the Bill initially proposed the appointment of a non-Muslim Chief Executive Officer on waqf boards, the JPC amended this provision to ensure that a Joint Secretary-level officer must be involved, along with a member with expertise in Muslim law and jurisprudence. Thus, the final amendment does not include the provision for a non-Muslim CEO.

3. Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Waqf Tribunal has been empowered to grant extensions for the registration of waqf properties if valid reasons are provided by the mutawalli, ensuring flexibility in the registration process.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3. Hence, Option C: 1 and 3 Only is the correct answer.

- Statement 1 is correct. Auroville was indeed founded by Mirra Alfassa, known as the 'Mother', on February 28, 1968. Its purpose is to promote peace, harmony, and sustainable living, aligned with the vision to explore alternative ways of living and working together peacefully.

- Statement 2 is correct. The township has transformed significantly from a barren desert into a thriving 3,000-acre area with over 3 million trees, contributing to its rich biodiversity. This transformation is part of Auroville's commitment to environmental sustainability.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. While Auroville falls under the administrative control of the Ministry of Education and is governed by the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988, it is not entirely funded by the Government of India. The government provides partial funding through grants, but Auroville is not fully funded or operated by the government. The community operates with a degree of independence and receives support from various sources, including international contributions.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only.

The main objective of Auroville as an experimental international township is to explore alternative ways of living and working together peacefully. Founded with the vision of promoting peace, harmony, and sustainable living, Auroville aims to create a community that embodies these ideals. Through its focus on sustainable practices and communal living, Auroville serves as a model for peaceful coexistence and environmental stewardship.

Statement-I correctly mentions the request made by the SEC to the Indian government under the Hague Service Convention. Statement-II accurately describes the functioning of the Hague Service Convention through Central Authorities to ensure efficient service and protect defendants' rights. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides additional context that explains Statement-I.

The Hague Service Convention serves to simplify the process of serving legal documents internationally in civil and commercial matters. This convention standardizes the procedure for delivering legal summons across borders, ensuring efficient service while protecting the rights of defendants. It operates through Central Authorities in member countries to facilitate this process and maintain international legal cooperation.