Daily Current Affairs MCQs: 26th May 2025 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

The case involving Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad raises significant issues regarding freedom of speech, specifically under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees this right. The case poses questions about what constitutes unpopular speech and whether such speech can be criminalized under specific laws. This highlights the delicate balance between protecting free expression and maintaining public order.

Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, carries the most severe punishment, with a potential prison term of up to seven years. This section penalizes acts that threaten the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. Understanding these legal provisions is crucial as they reflect the government's stance on maintaining national integrity while addressing concerns about free speech.

India's agricultural exports in FY25 amounted to $52 billion, reflecting a growth of 6.3% from the previous fiscal year. This figure, while an improvement, still highlights the challenges in meeting the ambitious target of $100 billion by 2030, indicating that further strategic efforts are necessary to enhance agricultural export performance.

The length of India's coastline was revised from 7,516.6 km to 11,098.8 km, a significant increase attributed to more precise measuring techniques rather than geological changes. This phenomenon is known as the coastline paradox, which illustrates how the complexity and detail of coastlines can lead to greater measurements as the scale of measurement becomes finer.

The central legal question in the Golaknath v. State of Punjab case was whether Parliament has the authority to amend fundamental rights as outlined in Article 368 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that fundamental rights are sacrosanct and cannot be amended by Parliament, asserting that such amendments are subject to judicial review. This landmark decision significantly reinforced the judiciary's role in protecting civil liberties.

The Tianwen-2 mission focuses on studying the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo‘oalewa, aiming to collect samples from it. This mission marks China's inaugural attempt at asteroid sample return, placing it alongside countries like the United States and Japan that have successfully returned samples from asteroids. Kamo‘oalewa is particularly interesting because it is a quasi-satellite of Earth, remaining in close proximity to our planet.

The Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) aims to significantly enhance the accuracy of weather predictions through its high-resolution data, achieving a resolution of 6 km, which is the highest globally. This allows for precise forecasting of localized weather events, such as heavy rainfall and cyclones, thereby improving the overall effectiveness of meteorological services in India. The BFS is powered by advanced technology, including the Arka supercomputer, which supports its capabilities.

The PLI scheme offers financial incentives ranging from 1% to 4% on incremental sales, encouraging drug manufacturers to enhance their domestic production capacity. This initiative aims to reduce import dependency, particularly on key pharmaceutical products, and stimulate employment opportunities while improving the competitiveness of Indian industries on a global scale.

The increase in the length of India's coastline from 7,516.6 km to 11,099 km is primarily due to the adoption of high-resolution mapping techniques. These advanced methods, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and LIDAR-GPS, allow for a more detailed assessment of coastal features, capturing nuances that previous low-resolution maps missed. This change underscores the impact of technology on geographic data accuracy and its implications for maritime security and disaster management.

Operation Sindoor represents a pivotal shift in India's military strategy, emphasizing the proactive use of air power as a central element in national security operations. This change is significant as it moves away from a primarily land-centric approach, allowing for more flexible and immediate responses to threats. The evolution reflects a broader understanding of the complexities of contemporary security challenges faced by India.