Test: October 2023 Weekly Current Affair - 4 - UPSC MCQ

• As the superintendence and control over all aspects of the election process is vested in the EC, it exercises direction and control over civil servants deployed for election-related work. This means that bureaucrats engaged in the administrative aspects of elections, including police officers with law and order duties, are also amenable to the EC’s jurisdiction.
• This power enables the EC to monitor both the manner in which civil servants perform their election-related duties, and prevent activities which may be seen as partisan.
• The EC often cites its vast powers under Article 324 to transfer or suspend officials during election time, even though they normally come under the disciplinary purview of the government of India or the State governments. There have been instances of the EC transferring not only Returning Officers, but also Commissioners of Police and Superintendents of Police.

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development implements “naari adalat” (women’s courts) led by women’s collectives in the country in a phased manner as an alternate grievance redressal mechanism to resolve “petty” disputes at the gram panchayat level.
• The scheme is part of the Ministry guidelines for the Mission Shakti umbrella scheme. The umbrella scheme comprises of sub-schemes for women’s safety and empowerment.
• The naari adalat scheme “will promote gender justice in society and family”. These will resolve “petty cases” such as harassment, curtailment of rights or entitlements.

The Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt.

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• The Government of India Act of 1935 gave women separate electorates but did not reserve seats for them in the legislature. It marked a step toward political participation for women.
• The issue of women’s reservation was discussed in the Constituent Assembly debates. However, it was rejected on the grounds that a democracy should provide representation to all groups.
• The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution, which mandated all State governments to reserve one-third of the seats for women in local bodies.

Statement 3 is incorrect.

India has recently introduced a National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) after a prolonged delay.

The NHEQF is meant to streamline higher education qualifications, but it has several shortcomings.

• NHEQF coexists with other frameworks, such as the National Credit Framework and the Academic Bank of Credits, creating confusion and defeating the purpose of a unified framework.
• Certain disciplines like agriculture, law, medicine, and pharmacy are not included, despite their importance.
• The NHEQF draws heavily from the European Bologna process, which may not fully suit India’s diverse and complex higher education system.

• Paryushan Parv is a significant festival in Jainism, observed by both Digambara and Shwetambar communities.
• Spiritual Significance: Paryushan Parv inspires individuals to cultivate virtuous qualities. It involves fasting, penance, meditation, and self-reflection, aiming for soul purification and vowing to avoid future transgressions. It’s a time for seeking righteousness and spiritual purity, ultimately aiming for salvation.
• Five Duties of Paryushan: These include Samvatsari (forgiveness and reconciliation), Keshlochan (introspection and self-improvement), Pratikraman (seeking forgiveness for past wrongdoings), Penance (commitment to spiritual growth), and self-criticism and apology for past mistakes.

The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) is a regulatory body established by the Indian government to oversee the equitable distribution and management of the Cauvery River’s waters among the riparian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (founded 1999; HQ: Hyderabad) is a statutory body (under the IRDA Act 1999) and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and is tasked with regulating and licensing the insurance and re-insurance industries in India.

• The Agumbe Rainforest Complex (ARC) in Karnataka, known for its high rainfall, has seen a decline in its peak monsoon rainfall over the past two years, losing its reputation to lesser-known towns in the Udupi district.
• Agumbe has historically been famous for receiving over 8,000 mm of rainfall during the monsoon and was nicknamed the ‘Cherrapunji of the South.’ However, towns like Nadpal and Mudradi in Udupi district have recorded higher rainfall than Agumbe recently.

Only statement 1 is correct.

• Researchers at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) have discovered a new species of marine tardigrade in Mandapam, south-east Tamil Nadu.
• Tardigrades are tiny eight-legged animals that are extremophiles, capable of surviving in extreme conditions for up to 30 years without food or water. When faced with harsh environments, they enter a state of suspended animation called the “tun” state, where their bodies dry out and appear lifeless. Their diet primarily consists of plants, but some tardigrades are predatory carnivores. Tardigrades can be found in various ecosystems beyond just aquatic environments.

Only Statement 1 is correct.

• Convertibility is the quality that allows money or other financial instruments to be converted into other liquid stores of value.
• Convertibility is an important factor in international trade, where instruments valued in different currencies must be exchanged.

• Under Article 105(2) of the Constitution, “no Member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said…in Parliament or any committee thereof”. However, MPs don’t enjoy the freedom to say whatever they want inside the House.
• The speech of MPs is subject to the discipline of the Rules of Parliament, “good sense” of its Members, and the control of proceedings by the Speaker. These checks ensure that MPs cannot use “defamatory or indecent or undignified or unparliamentary words” inside the House.
• Rule 380 (“Expunction”) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha says: “If the Speaker is of opinion that words have been used in debate which are defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified, the Speaker may, while exercising discretion order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House.”
• Rule 381 says: “The portion of the proceedings of the House so expunged shall be marked by asterisks and an explanatory footnote shall be inserted in the proceedings as follows: ‘Expunged as ordered by the Chair’.”

Only Statement 1 is correct.

Western Ghat Mountain Range or Sahyadri Range extend from the Tapi river valley to the Nilgiri. It is divided into two parts- the North Sahyadri and the south Sahyadri.

Some of the important passes of Western Ghats:

• Thal Ghat: It links Nasik to Mumbai.
• Bhor Ghat: It links Mumbai to Pune.
• Pal Ghat: It connects Kerala to Tamil Nadu.
• Senkota pass: It links Thiruvanathpuram and Madurai

E-commerce Rules define fall-back liability as ‘the liability of the marketplace e-commerce entity where a seller registered with such entity fails to deliver the goods or services ordered by a consumer due to negligent conduct, omission or commission of any act by such seller in fulfilling the duties and liabilities in the manner as prescribed by the marketplace e-commerce entity which causes loss to the consumer.

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• Reduction in mortality normally leads to a rising population. A drop-in fertility, on the other hand, slows down population growth, ultimately resulting in absolute declines. The total fertility rate (TFR) — the number of babies an average woman bears over her lifetime.
• A TFR of 2.1 is considered as “replacement-level fertility”. Simply understood, a woman having two children basically replaces herself and her partner with two new lives. Since all infants may not survive to realise their reproductive potential, the replacement TFR is taken at slightly above two. It ensures that each generation replaces itself.
• Populations can keep growing even with TFRs falling. De-growth requires TFRs to remain below replacement levels for extended periods. The effects of that — fewer children today becoming parents tomorrow and procreating just as much or less — may reflect only after a couple of generations.

• A semiconductor is a material which has an electrical conductivity value falling between that of a conductor, such as copper, and an insulator, such as glass. 
• All modern-era digital devices, as well as future innovations, rely on the semiconductor sector. These discrete, yet very sophisticated elements drive almost all upcoming technologies, including AI, cloud computing, quantum computing, enhanced wireless networks, blockchain applications, bitcoin mining, 5G, IoT, self-driving vehicles, drones, robots, gaming, and wearables.
• The Centre has sanctioned the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) and Design Linked Incentive (DLI) schemes to encourage the manufacturing of various semiconductor goods within India.

Statement 3 is incorrect.

• In a historic move, the Rajya Sabha Chairman has formed an all-women panel of 13 Vice-Chairpersons in the Rajya Sabha in connection with the Women’s Reservation Bill, known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023.
• Under the Rules of Rajya Sabha, the Chairman nominates from among the members a panel of VCs and any one of them can preside over the House in the absence of the Chairman/ Deputy Chairman.

• The architecture and landscape of Santiniketan emphasize a deep connection with nature, embodying principles of conservation and sustainability.
• Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, Santiniketan, located in West Bengal, was founded by Rabindranath Tagore based on the idea of learning from and living in harmony with nature. Classes were conducted outdoors, under trees, reinforcing the belief in nature’s role as an educator.
• The architecture and design of Santiniketan’s buildings, inspired by local tribal structures, reflect an environmentally conscious approach. The use of mud and thatched roofs provides natural insulation against extreme weather conditions.
• Santiniketan’s architectural ensemble combines various global and local influences, notably, Far East Asian styles, including Japanese and Chinese influences.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Initiatives taken by India for Critical Minerals:

• India just joined the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)as the newest partner, which aims to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI)is currently focused on exploring critical and deep-seated minerals to boost the growth of the mining sector.
• KABIL: A Joint Venture Company among NALCO, HCL and MECL named Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) was formed in August 2019 to ensure the supply of Critical Minerals.

Critical raw materials are substances that are of high economic importance and are essential for the production of various goods, technologies, and industries. These materials are considered critical due to their potential supply chain risks, geopolitical concerns, and their importance for strategic sectors.

Examples of critical raw materials include:

Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities

(1) Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same

(2) No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the State or receiving aid out of State funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language or any of them.

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in the Hague (Netherlands). It is the only one of the six principal organs of the United Nations not located in New York (United States of America). The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies. The International Court of Justice functions in accordance with its Statute.
• The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council.
• In order to ensure a measure of continuity, one third of the Court is elected every three years.

• The international Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States;
• Originating from an ad hoc gathering of finance ministers in 1973, the G7 has since become a formal, high-profile venue for discussing and coordinating solutions to major global issues, especially in the areas of trade, security, economics, and climate change.

Statement 1 is incorrect.

• The International Criminal Court (ICC), located in The Hague, is the court of last resort for prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
• It does not have the capacity to arrest suspects and depends on member states for their cooperation.
• The International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, is the main judicial organ of the UN.

Statement 3 is incorrect.

• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is creating the ‘Bima Sugam’online platform, which is described as a ‘game-changer’ and a ‘UPI moment’ for the insurance sector.
• It will serve as a one-stop destination for insurance-related needs, including policies, portability, agent changes, and claims.
• The platform aims to centralize data, facilitate policy porting, offer a wide range of policy choices, reduce intermediary commissions, and enable the acceptance of new products.
• The launch date for Bima Sugam is set for June 2024, following delays from the original deadlines.
• Ownership: Life insurance and general insurance companies will own a 47.5 per cent stake each, while brokers and agent bodies will own 2.5 per cent each.

Option 4 is incorrect.

Abraham Accord

• Brokered by the USA, the Abraham Accord (2020) is a normalization agreement between the UAE and Israel to establish formal diplomatic relations. The accord was later joined by Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco and in exchange Israel would suspend its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. With this accord, UAE becomes the third Arab nation to recognize Israel after Egypt (in 1979) and Jordan (1994)