Test: Weekly Current Affairs: May 1st to 7th - UPSC MCQ

- Statement 1 is correct. Agent Orange was indeed composed of the herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, and it was contaminated with dioxin, a highly toxic compound.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. While dioxin is highly toxic and can persist in the environment for a long time, its half-life in the human body is up to 20 years, not 50 years. This persistence in the environment and the human body is a significant factor in its long-term health impacts.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. Agent Orange was not used to improve agricultural productivity; rather, it was used by the US military as a defoliant to remove forest cover and crops that could support enemy forces during the Vietnam War. Its use led to severe environmental damage and health issues in the region, rather than agricultural improvement.

Thus, only Statement 1 is correct, making Option A the correct answer.

Private Member's Bills (PMBs) in India's parliamentary system allow non-government MPs to introduce legislative proposals, enabling them to address issues of importance to their constituents. This mechanism provides an avenue for individual MPs to contribute to the legislative process independently of the government's agenda, fostering diversity and innovation in lawmaking.

1. Contribution to GDP - Services sector accounted for 55% (not 50%) of India's GVA in FY24-25. So, this pair is not correctly matched.

2. Skill Gaps - Correct. According to the World Economic Forum, only 5% of India's workforce is considered formally skilled.

3. Emperor Ashoka - Correct. Ashoka indeed sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta to Sri Lanka to establish Buddhism, which laid the foundation for Theravāda Buddhism.

4. Gupta Period - Incorrect. The Gupta period is known for promoting Mahayana Buddhism (not Theravāda) in Southeast Asia through scholarly exchanges and trade.

Hence, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched. Thus, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Statement-I indicates that a limited number of public-funded R&D organizations offer incubation support for startups, with a focus on deep-tech startups being even scarcer. This aligns with the information provided in the text, highlighting the challenges faced by startups in accessing support. Statement-II states that there is minimal collaboration with foreign industry partners, with a low percentage of institutions engaging in such partnerships. This also corresponds to the details presented in the text regarding the lack of collaborative efforts in the R&D ecosystem. Both statements are individually correct based on the information provided, but they are independent of each other and do not explain or relate to each other directly, hence option (b) is the correct choice.

The text highlights that 82.4% of the surveyed enterprises in India's services sector were Private Limited Companies, showcasing a dominant presence of this business structure in the sector. This statistic underlines the significant proportion of Private Limited Companies within the incorporated service sector, indicating a prevalent business model in this industry segment.

- Statement 1: The Supreme Court of India has indeed affirmed that digital access for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) is a fundamental right under Article 21. This statement is correct. Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, and in this context, it is interpreted to include the right to digital access, which is essential for participation in today's digital world.

- Statement 2: This statement is also correct. India's commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD, 2006) do require the development of inclusive infrastructure and the implementation of digital literacy initiatives to ensure equal participation for PwDs.

- Statement 3: This statement is incorrect. The digital divide affects a broader spectrum of individuals, including not only the disabled and rural communities but also senior citizens and economically weaker sections. The court has recognized these challenges, highlighting the need for universal digital access.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as both Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while Statement 3 is incorrect.

"Judicial despotism" pertains to the judiciary, particularly higher courts, exerting excessive or unchecked power, often surpassing its constitutional authority and encroaching on the functions of the legislature and the executive. This term highlights the concern of the judiciary overstepping its designated boundaries and wielding undue influence, potentially undermining the democratic system.

- Statement 1 is correct. Judicial despotism refers to the judiciary, especially higher courts, wielding excessive power that exceeds their constitutional mandate, thereby encroaching upon the functions of the legislature and executive. This excessive power can manifest as the judiciary making laws or intervening in administrative functions, which is beyond its constitutional role.

- Statement 2 is correct. The Supreme Court has indeed utilized Article 142 to issue broad directives, including directing states to enforce a minimum distance for liquor shops from national highways to reduce accidents. This is an example of judicial activism where the court uses its extraordinary powers to address societal issues.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. While Article 13 does declare that any law inconsistent with fundamental rights is void, it does not explicitly mention "judicial review." Judicial review as a concept is derived implicitly from various provisions, including Articles 13, 32, and 226, but is not explicitly mentioned in any single article of the Constitution.

Thus, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as statements 1 and 2 are accurate, while statement 3 is incorrect due to the explicit mention of judicial review, which is not present in Article 13.

Statement 1 is correct. The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) indeed evaluates the performance of Gram Panchayats using 435 unique local indicators across 9 themes aligned with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). This comprehensive approach helps in identifying development gaps and promoting evidence-based planning.

Statement 2 is incorrect. While it is true that over 2.16 lakh Gram Panchayats from 29 states and Union Territories have submitted data, the validation occurs at the state level, not the national level. This distinction is crucial as state-level validation ensures that the data reflects local governance realities and is more manageable for inter-state comparisons.

Statement 3 is correct. The PAI is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is part of India's broader vision to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047. By ranking Panchayats based on themes linked to SDGs, the PAI aims to empower local governance and drive sustainable development across the country.

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

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) is designed to evaluate the performance and progress of Gram Panchayats using unique local indicators across various themes. It serves as a composite index to assess how well Gram Panchayats are advancing in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other frameworks. By utilizing socio-economic indicators, the PAI helps identify development gaps and promotes evidence-based planning for local governance.

Statement-I correctly defines judicial despotism as the judiciary's exercise of excessive power beyond its constitutional limits. This involves undermining the roles of the legislature and the executive, highlighting the issue of unchecked authority.
Statement-II accurately describes judicial review as the power of constitutional courts to evaluate the constitutionality of laws and actions taken by the legislative and executive branches. It aligns with the fundamental function of courts to ensure that laws and actions adhere to the constitution, thereby providing a system of checks and balances within a democratic framework.

1. Agent Orange - Used to improve soil fertility in Vietnam: Incorrect. Agent Orange was used as a herbicide to defoliate trees and shrubs during the Vietnam War, not to improve soil fertility. Its use actually rendered areas unsuitable for agriculture for many years.

2. 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T - Components of Agent Orange: Correct. These two herbicides were indeed the primary components of Agent Orange.

3. Dioxin - Persist in soil and water for up to 100 years: Correct. Dioxin, a highly toxic contaminant found in Agent Orange, can persist in the environment, including soil and water, for up to 100 years.

4. Female Labour Force Participation - Increased from 2023 to 2024: Incorrect. The female labour force participation rate actually declined from 41.3% to 40.3% from 2023 to 2024.

Thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, making Option B the correct answer.

1. Incubation Support - Correct. The statement accurately reflects the challenge that only 1 in 4 public-funded R&D organizations provide incubation support, with even less focusing on deep-tech startups.

2. Foreign Collaboration - Incorrect. Only 15% of institutions engage in partnerships with foreign industry partners, not 50%.

3. Budget Allocation - Correct. There is a skewed budget allocation with significant spending directed towards strategic sectors, which indeed limits resources available for non-strategic sectors.

4. R&D Investment - Incorrect. India's gross expenditure on R&D is 0.64% of GDP, not 2%.

Thus, pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, corresponding to Option B: Only two pairs.

• Statement 1: Incorrect — MSMEs contribute about 30% of India’s GDP, not 45%.
• Statement 2: Correct — Around 90% of MSMEs are informal, which limits their access to formal credit and resources.
• Statement 3: Correct — MSMEs contribute nearly 45% of India’s total exports.

Statement-I is correct as it highlights the important parliamentary oversight mechanisms in India like Question Hour and Standing Committees. Statement-II is also correct as it mentions a constitutional provision (Article 111) that empowers the President regarding Bills. While both statements are factually accurate, Statement-II does not directly explain or relate to Statement-I. The two statements address different aspects of India's parliamentary system without one elaborating on the other, hence Option B is the correct choice.

Zero Hour in the Indian parliamentary system allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to raise important matters without prior notice. It typically follows the Question Hour and provides an opportunity to raise urgent issues that require immediate attention. This segment is crucial for addressing unforeseen developments and concerns that may not have been scheduled for discussion, enabling MPs to bring attention to pressing matters affecting the nation or their constituencies.

The primary purpose of using Agent Orange during the Vietnam War was to defoliate trees and shrubs, thereby clearing dense foliage to make it easier for troops to move through the terrain. This toxic chemical was utilized to deny enemy troops vital cover and visibility, making it easier for US forces to navigate through the environment.

Statement 1 is correct. The services sector contributes approximately 55% of India's Gross Value Added (GVA) as of FY 2024-25. This indicates the significant role the services sector plays in the Indian economy.

Statement 2 is correct. From April 2000 to December 2024, the services sector attracted USD 116.72 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which accounts for about 16% of India's total FDI inflows during this period. This highlights the importance of the services sector in attracting foreign investments.

Statement 3 is incorrect. According to the data provided, the services sector employs around 30% of India's workforce, not 50%. This figure includes industries such as information technology, finance, healthcare, education, tourism, and retail.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only, as only statements 1 and 2 are accurate based on the provided information.

1. Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Themes - Health and Sanitation
Correct. The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) includes themes that are aligned with Sustainable Development Goals, and health and sanitation are critical components of these goals.

2. Performance Categories in PAI - Achiever: Score above 90
Correct. The Achiever category in the PAI is indeed defined for scores above 90, although no Panchayat has achieved this category yet.

3. Key Challenge for Panchayats - Complete Devolution of Powers
Incorrect. The challenge is actually "Incomplete Devolution." The 73rd Constitutional Amendment mandates devolution of 29 subjects to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), but full compliance by states is lacking.

4. Measure to Enhance PRIs - Gender Inclusion with Resource Centres
Correct. Promoting gender inclusion through the establishment of Women Resource Centres is a suggested measure to enhance the effectiveness of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Thus, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. Article 75 of the Indian Constitution ensures the Council of Ministers is collectively accountable to the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha. This is a crucial aspect of the parliamentary system in India, where the executive is responsible to the lower house of Parliament.

2. Statement 2 is correct. Article 113 of the Indian Constitution does indeed require that government expenditure must be approved by Parliament through an Appropriation Bill. This is part of the financial oversight function of the Parliament, ensuring that government spending is subject to legislative approval.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Zero Hour is a feature of the Indian parliamentary system that allows Members of Parliament to raise urgent matters without prior notice. It commences immediately after the Question Hour, providing a platform for MPs to discuss pressing issues.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only. This option accurately reflects the correctness of the statements based on the constitutional provisions and parliamentary practices in India.

Deep-tech startups in India face a significant challenge due to the lack of risk-tolerant capital available for their ventures. These startups often require substantial upfront investment for research and development, which can be hard to secure in the current ecosystem. This scarcity of capital inhibits the growth and innovation potential of deep-tech startups, impacting their ability to compete on a global scale and contribute to technological advancements in the country.

Statement-I correctly states that the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is a species categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is indeed protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This is accurate information regarding the conservation status and legal protection of the species.
Statement-II correctly mentions that the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is one of the 24 species that are endemic to India. This signifies that this species is native to India and not found elsewhere, aligning with the concept of endemism.
Therefore, both statements are factually correct, and Statement-II provides additional information about the species being endemic to India, which supports and explains Statement-I.

1. Article 75: This article ensures the Council of Ministers is collectively accountable to the Lok Sabha, not the President. This makes the first pair incorrectly matched.

2. Article 111: This article indeed grants the President the power to assent, withhold, or return a Bill (except Money Bills) for reconsideration. This makes the second pair correctly matched.

3. Zero Hour: It allows MPs to raise urgent matters without prior notice and starts immediately after Question Hour. This makes the third pair correctly matched.

4. Standing Committees: These committees have a broad mandate, including scrutinizing Bills and policies, not just focusing on financial matters. They are involved in legislative oversight and policy review, which makes the fourth pair incorrectly matched.

Pairs 2 and 3 are correctly matched, while pairs 1 and 4 are incorrectly matched.

1. Article 142: This pair is correctly matched. Article 142 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.

2. Indian Trademarks Act, 1999: This pair is incorrectly matched. Section 66C is not part of the Indian Trademarks Act but is part of the Information Technology Act, 2000. It deals with identity theft and fraudulent use of electronic signatures, not the Trademarks Act.

3. Kesavananda Bharati Case: This pair is correctly matched. The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) established the basic structure doctrine, confirming that judicial review is a basic feature of the Constitution.

4. Right of Publicity: This pair is correctly matched. The right of publicity protects an individual's image and likeness from unauthorized commercial exploitation, akin to trademark rights, ensuring control over the use of one's persona.

Thus, only pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making the correct choice Option C: Only three pairs.

- Statement-I is correct as the PAI indeed evaluates Gram Panchayats using 435 unique local indicators across 9 LSDG-aligned themes.
- Statement-II is also correct as the PAI ranks 2.16 lakh panchayats based on themes linked to SDGs. Furthermore, Statement-II explains the purpose and methodology behind the PAI, providing additional context to Statement-I.