Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 15th May 2025 - UPSC MCQ

Statement-I correctly identifies the Shakargarh Bulge as a significant geographical region bordered by the Ravi and Chenab rivers. This area is strategically important due to its flat terrain and proximity to vital road and rail networks, making it a key corridor for military movements.
Statement-II accurately highlights the historical significance of the Shakargarh Bulge during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, specifically mentioning its role in the Battle of Basantar. This battle was a crucial engagement that occurred in the region, influencing the outcome of the war on the western front.
Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II provides historical context that explains the geographical significance mentioned in Statement-I.

The Chief Justice of India plays a crucial role in leading both the judicial and administrative functions of the Supreme Court. This includes constituting benches, allocating cases among judges, deciding the schedule of hearings, maintaining the court roster, supervising court staff and administration, and holding disciplinary authority over subordinate judicial officers. The CJI is recognized as the "first among equals" among Supreme Court judges, demonstrating leadership in both legal and administrative aspects of the judiciary.

- Statement 1: Correct. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) indeed has the exclusive authority to allocate cases among judges and decide the schedule of hearings. This role is part of the CJI's function as the "Master of the Roster," which is a well-recognized administrative power.

- Statement 2: Incorrect. While the President of India appoints the CJI according to Article 124, the appointment traditionally follows the senior-most judge principle. However, there have been exceptions to this tradition, such as the appointment of Justice A.N. Ray in 1973, which deviates from the norm of always appointing the senior-most judge.

- Statement 3: Correct. The CJI can indeed be removed from office only after an approval by both Houses of Parliament with a majority of the total membership and a two-thirds majority of members present and voting, on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity. This process is outlined in the Constitution and is meant to ensure judicial independence and accountability.

Therefore, based on the analysis of the statements, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. Colombia – Gateway of South America: Correct. Colombia is often referred to as the "Gateway of South America" due to its strategic location linking the continent with Central and North America.

2. Capital of Colombia – Quito: Incorrect. The capital of Colombia is Bogotá. Quito is the capital of Ecuador.

3. Colombia – Member of the OECD since 2020: Correct. Colombia became a member of the OECD in 2020, reflecting its commitment to global economic governance standards.

4. Major River in Colombia – Nile: Incorrect. The Nile is in Africa. Major rivers in Colombia include the Magdalena, Amazon, and Orinoco.

Thus, there are two correctly matched pairs: Pair 1 and Pair 3.

1. Adyar River Origin - Near Chembarambakkam Lake: Correct. The Adyar River originates near Chembarambakkam Lake in Kanchipuram district.

2. Adyar Estuary Designation Year - 1985: Incorrect. The Adyar Estuary was designated as a protected wildlife reserve in 1987, not 1985.

3. Adyar River Length - 44 kilometers: Incorrect. The Adyar River is actually 42.5 kilometers long, not 44 kilometers.

4. Catchment Area Coverage - 860 sq.km: Correct. The Adyar River collects surplus water from a catchment area of 860 sq.km.

The correctly matched pairs are 1 and 4.

1. Master of the Roster: Correctly matched. The Chief Justice of India does have the exclusive authority to decide on the composition of benches and allocation of cases. This role is crucial for the functioning of the Supreme Court, as it involves managing the judicial workload effectively.
2. Constitutional Interpretation: Incorrectly matched. While the CJI plays a significant role in constitutional interpretation, particularly in leading Constitution Benches, it is not a function reserved exclusively for the CJI alone. Interpretation of the Constitution under Article 145 involves the collective decision-making of the bench, which can include multiple judges.
3. Judicial Appointments: Incorrectly matched. The CJI does not appoint judges of the Supreme Court. The appointment is made by the President of India, with the CJI providing recommendations and consultations. The process is governed by the Memorandum of Procedure, and involves the Law Ministry and the Prime Minister.
4. Disciplinary Authority: Incorrectly matched. The CJI does not have disciplinary authority over the entire judiciary. The CJI has administrative control over the Supreme Court, but disciplinary mechanisms for judges follow specific procedures and are not solely under the CJI's purview.
Only the first pair is correctly matched.

1. The Adyar River originates near Chembarambakkam Lake in Kanchipuram district. This statement is correct. The Adyar River indeed originates near Chembarambakkam Lake, which is located in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu.

2. The Adyar Estuary was designated as a protected wildlife reserve in 1987. This statement is also correct. The Adyar Estuary, which covers about 300 acres, was designated as a protected wildlife reserve to preserve its ecological balance and biodiversity.

3. The Adyar River is free from pollution as effective waste management projects have been implemented. This statement is incorrect. The Adyar River is heavily polluted with most of Chennai's waste being discharged into it, and despite efforts, effective waste management projects have not been fully implemented to make it pollution-free.

Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct answer.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The revamped PLFS will indeed start providing monthly estimates of key labour market indicators beginning from January 2025. This change aims to offer more timely data and insights into the labour market dynamics.
2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the revamped survey will include quarterly estimates, the key change here is the inclusion of rural areas for the first time. The existing setup already provides quarterly estimates for urban areas, but the revamp introduces this for rural areas starting in August 2025. Thus, the statement is misleading as it does not specify the inclusion of rural areas.
3. Statement 3 is correct. The sample size for the revamped PLFS will indeed be approximately 2.72 lakh households, which is a significant increase aimed at enhancing the representation and reliability of the data collected. This increase in sample size is crucial for improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the survey findings.
Based on the analysis, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

The primary objective of the revamped Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is to provide reliable and timely data on various employment parameters, including employment and unemployment levels, labour force participation rate (LFPR), worker population ratio (WPR), unemployment rate (UR), and nature of employment. This initiative aims to address the critical gap in high-frequency employment data in India, facilitating effective tracking of labor market trends for stakeholders like the government, economists, and researchers.

Statement-I is correct because Colombia's participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative indeed reflects its strategic positioning and potential for fostering international partnerships. Statement-II is also correct as the Golden Dragon military exercise between Cambodia and China aims to strengthen military cooperation and strategic ties through joint counter-terrorism operations and humanitarian relief efforts. Statement-II explains why such military exercises like Golden Dragon are significant for enhancing collaboration between nations, including Cambodia and China.