Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 16th April 2025 - UPSC MCQ

1. Article 142 - Correctly matched. Article 142 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it.

2. Governor's Assent - Incorrectly matched. The recent Supreme Court ruling in the State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu case clarified that Governors cannot indefinitely delay assent to State Bills. The court imposed time limits on gubernatorial and presidential assent, indicating that indefinite delays are not permissible.

3. Judicial Review - Correctly matched. Judicial review is indeed the process by which the judiciary reviews the constitutionality of legislative actions. It is a fundamental aspect of the Indian legal system aimed at maintaining the supremacy of the Constitution.

4. Veto Power - Incorrectly matched. While the President of India does have the power to withhold assent to a bill, this is not termed as a "veto" in the traditional sense used in other democracies. The President can return a bill for reconsideration, but if the bill is passed again by Parliament, the President must give assent.

Thus, out of the given pairs, only two pairs (1 and 3) are correctly matched.

- Statement 1 is correct. The beetle species Clinidium lalitae was indeed discovered in the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Arunachal Pradesh, India. This sanctuary is a recognized biodiversity hotspot in the northeastern part of the country.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. The beetle was not named in honor of the Apatani tribe. Instead, it was named in honor of the late Dr. Lalita Ray Chaudhury, a notable coleopterologist. The statement about the Apatani tribe relates to their habitation in the sanctuary area but is not connected to the naming of the beetle.

- Statement 3 is correct. Clinidium lalitae is part of a rare group of ground beetles that inhabit forest floors and play a vital ecological role in nutrient cycling and maintaining soil health, contributing to the ecosystem's functionality.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3 only.

Statement-I correctly describes the process of delamination of the Indian Plate, where the lower section of the plate detaches and descends into the Earth's mantle. This is in line with the geological phenomenon discussed in the context of the Indian Plate undergoing significant geological changes.
Statement-II provides a general explanation of delamination, which involves the lower crust and/or lithospheric mantle of tectonic plates becoming denser and less buoyant, leading to their descent into the asthenosphere. This aligns with the scientific understanding of delamination in various tectonic settings.
Therefore, both statements are factually accurate, and Statement-II provides an explanatory basis for the process described in Statement-I. Hence, Option A is the correct choice.

The Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh holds great ecological significance as it is home to around 20 percent of India's floral and faunal species. This sanctuary, spanning approximately 337 square kilometers, serves as a biodiversity hotspot, showcasing a diverse range of plant and animal life. Protecting areas like the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is crucial for preserving India's rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems.

- Statement 1: This statement is correct. The 2015 Model BIT indeed emphasizes the need for the exhaustion of local remedies for a period of at least five years before investors can seek international arbitration. This provision reflects India’s approach to ensuring that domestic legal avenues are fully utilized before escalating disputes to the international level.

- Statement 2: This statement is incorrect. The dual-model BIT strategy does not aim to create uniform treaties for all countries. Instead, it proposes tailored treaties that align with India’s diverse relationships with both capital-exporting and capital-importing countries. The aim is to address the specific economic and investment dynamics between India and its treaty partners.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause has historical roots and plays a crucial role in ensuring non-discriminatory treatment among treaty partners. It is designed to enhance fairness and equality in the treatment of foreign investors under BITs.

Given the analysis above, statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

Let's evaluate each statement:

1. Hydrogen electrolysis is primarily used to stabilize the grid by producing hydrogen during periods of electricity shortage.

- This statement is incorrect. Hydrogen electrolysis is used to stabilize the grid by utilizing surplus electricity, not during shortages. When there is excess electricity, particularly from renewable sources, it can be used to produce hydrogen, which can then be stored and used later. This process helps in balancing the grid by absorbing excess power rather than addressing shortages.

2. The Indian government aims for a significant expansion of nuclear energy, targeting 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.

- This statement is correct. India has set ambitious goals to expand its nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by the year 2047. This is part of a broader strategy to meet rising power demands and reduce carbon emissions by relying on stable and low-carbon energy sources.

3. The variability and intermittency of solar and wind energy necessitate the integration of stable power sources like nuclear energy to manage grid stability.

- This statement is correct. Solar and wind energy sources are inherently variable and intermittent. To maintain grid stability, it is crucial to have reliable and continuous power sources. Nuclear energy provides a consistent and stable power output, making it an essential component in balancing the renewable energy mix and ensuring grid reliability.

Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C: 2 and 3 Only the correct answer.

The proposed dual-model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) strategy aims to create tailored treaties for different types of economic relationships. This strategy is suggested to align with India's diverse relationships with both capital-exporting and capital-importing countries, addressing the shortcomings of the existing 2015 Model BIT. By customizing treaties based on specific economic dynamics, India seeks to enhance its investment framework and attract more foreign investments.

1. Clinidium lalitae - Discovered in the Eastern Ghats: This pair is incorrectly matched. Clinidium lalitae was discovered in the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, which is in Arunachal Pradesh, not the Eastern Ghats.

2. Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary - Located in Arunachal Pradesh: This pair is correctly matched. The Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed located in Arunachal Pradesh, specifically in the Lower Subansiri district.

3. Apatani Tribe - Inhabitants of the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary: This pair is correctly matched. The Apatani tribe is known to inhabit the region around the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

4. Pleioblastus simone - A bamboo variety exclusive to Talle Valley: This pair is correctly matched. Pleioblastus simone is a bamboo variety that is exclusive to the Talle Valley region.

Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, making a total of three correctly matched pairs.

1. Statement 1: The Supreme Court of India invoked Article 142 of the Constitution to impose time limits on gubernatorial and presidential assent to State Bills. This is correct. The Court used Article 142, which allows it to pass any order necessary to do complete justice, to ensure that there is no indefinite delay by Governors or the President in responding to State Bills. Thus, the statement is accurate.
2. Statement 2: The judgment emphasizes that Governors can use their discretion to indefinitely withhold assent to State Bills. This statement is incorrect. The judgment specifically aims to prevent indefinite withholding of assent by Governors, emphasizing that they must act within a reasonable timeframe and provide reasoned orders when refusing assent, thereby ensuring accountability.
3. Statement 3: The Supreme Court's ruling in The State of Tamil Nadu vs Governor of Tamil Nadu aims to recalibrate executive-legislative relations at the State level. This is correct. By setting limits on the time Governors and the President can take to assent to State Bills, the judgment recalibrates the relationship between the executive and legislative branches at the State level, reinforcing the principle of legislative supremacy and accountability.
Given the above analysis, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option B: 1 and 3 Only the right choice.

Statement-I correctly highlights the need for a comprehensive reassessment of industrial processes and energy generation to achieve a net-zero economy, emphasizing the role of nuclear power and hydrogen. Statement-II accurately describes Thangjing Hill as a sacred site for the Meitei community in Manipur, symbolizing a significant aspect of Manipuri identity and heritage. The connection between the two statements lies in the importance of cultural and geographical aspects in shaping local identities and contributing to broader sustainability goals.