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

1. Exercise Sampriti - Air Force Exercise: Incorrect. Exercise Sampriti is a joint military exercise between the Indian and Bangladeshi armies, not the air forces.

2. India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline - Transports high-speed diesel: Correct. This pipeline is indeed used to transport high-speed diesel between India and Bangladesh, enhancing energy cooperation between the two nations.

3. Major Indian Export to Bangladesh - Jute goods: Incorrect. While jute goods are a significant import from Bangladesh to India, India's major exports to Bangladesh include items such as cotton, petroleum products, engineering goods, and chemicals.

4. BIMSTEC - Multilateral forum involving India and Bangladesh: Correct. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional organization involving several countries, including India and Bangladesh, aimed at fostering cooperation in various sectors.

Thus, two pairs are correctly matched: 2 and 4.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status does not provide full political rights. Specifically, OCI cardholders do not have the right to vote, contest elections, or hold constitutional offices in India. The OCI status is more of a long-term visa with certain privileges, but it is not equivalent to full citizenship.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. Article 9 of the Indian Constitution clearly states that any person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country will automatically lose their Indian citizenship. This constitutional provision prohibits dual citizenship, which is a significant constraint on the implementation of such a policy in India.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. Many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, allow their citizens to hold dual or multiple citizenships. These countries provide frameworks that enable their citizens to maintain ties with more than one nation, which India is being urged to consider as a potential policy shift given the large Indian diaspora.

In conclusion, statements 2 and 3 are correct, making Option C the right choice. The discussion around dual citizenship in India involves these complexities, particularly the constitutional and policy comparisons with other nations.

1. Statement 1: The Anti-Defection Law was enacted in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment of the Constitution of India. This statement is correct. The Anti-Defection Law was indeed introduced through the 52nd Amendment, which added the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, aiming to curb political defections and promote stable governments.

2. Statement 2: The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly must decide on disqualification petitions within 30 days as per the current provisions. This statement is incorrect. The current provisions of the Anti-Defection Law do not mandate a specific timeframe within which the Speaker must decide on disqualification petitions. This lack of a deadline often leads to delays in decision-making, which is a critical issue discussed in the context of the law's effectiveness.

3. Statement 3: The Supreme Court of India, under Article 142, can compel constitutional authorities to act within a reasonable timeframe to ensure complete justice. This statement is correct. Article 142 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to pass any decree or order necessary to do complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it. This includes mandating actions from constitutional authorities to ensure timely justice, as highlighted by the Court in contexts of delayed decisions on anti-defection cases.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C.

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 aims to enhance the coastal shipping sector by increasing its freight share from 5% to a higher percentage, thereby reducing reliance on roadways and railways. This initiative is designed to promote cost-effective and sustainable coastal trade, ultimately lowering logistics costs, alleviating traffic congestion, and reducing pollution. Coastal shipping's potential is significant, as other regions like the EU utilize it extensively for freight transport.

The NITI NCAER States Economic Forum portal serves as a crucial resource by providing extensive historical economic data spanning over 30 years. This data covers various sectors such as demography, economy, fiscal indicators, health, and education, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions based on historical trends and real-time data.

Statement-I highlights the importance of compassion in primary healthcare, emphasizing its role in addressing mental health challenges and enhancing healthcare quality. This statement is accurate, as compassion is indeed crucial for improving the overall healthcare experience and outcomes for patients.

However, Statement-II inaccurately suggests that compassion in healthcare is primarily driven by sympathy and empathy. In reality, while sympathy and empathy are important components, compassion in healthcare goes beyond these, involving taking action to alleviate suffering actively. Therefore, Statement-II is incorrect as it oversimplifies the concept of compassion in healthcare.

1. Statement 1 is correct. Rabindranath Tagore indeed supported the Swadeshi movement, particularly during the Partition of Bengal in 1905. He composed several unifying songs like "Amar Sonar Bangla," which played a significant role in fostering a sense of national identity and unity among Indians.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. Tagore's nationalism was not isolationist; rather, it was cosmopolitan. He believed in an inclusive and spiritual form of nationalism that emphasized human values and the interconnectedness of cultures. He cautioned against aggressive Western-style nationalism and advocated for global peace and understanding.

3. Statement 3 is correct. Tagore renounced his knighthood after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in 1919. This act was a protest against the British colonial government's violence and policies in India, demonstrating his commitment to ethical nationalism and human rights.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3, making Option C: 1 and 3 Only the accurate answer.

• Statement 1 is correct, as the Bangkok Vision 2030 focuses on economic integration and resilience.
• Statement 2 is incorrect, as the claim about achieving net zero emissions by running 35 hydrogen trains is unverified and overly specific.
• Statement 3 is incorrect, as nano-satellite development and remote sensing are not part of the BIMSTEC Centres of Excellence.

The main theme of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit was "BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open," which aimed to enhance regional cooperation and address significant challenges faced by member countries. This theme underscores the importance of economic integration and resilience to global challenges, promoting a collaborative approach to regional development.

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is a significant initiative aimed at transporting high-speed diesel between the two nations. This pipeline serves as a crucial component of energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh, enhancing their bilateral ties in the energy sector.

- Statement 1 is correct. Bangladesh is indeed India's largest trade partner in South Asia, with the bilateral trade amounting to USD 12.9 billion in FY 2023-24. This highlights the significant economic relationship between the two countries.

- Statement 2 is correct. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is the first cross-border energy pipeline between the two countries. It enhances energy cooperation by transporting high-speed diesel, thereby strengthening their bilateral energy ties.

- Statement 3 is incorrect. India and Bangladesh do participate in joint military exercises. These include Exercise Sampriti (Army) and Exercise Bongosagar (Navy), which are conducted to bolster military collaboration between the two nations.

Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 2 only.

The primary objective of the Anti-Defection Law (ADL) enacted in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment Act is to maintain party discipline and prevent opportunistic political defections among legislators. This law aims to promote stable governments by discouraging elected members from switching parties for personal gain or other non-ideological reasons. By setting criteria for disqualification and outlining consequences for defying party whips, the ADL seeks to uphold the integrity of the democratic process and ensure accountability to the electorate.

1. Statement 1 is correct. The NITI NCAER States Economic Forum Portal indeed provides a comprehensive repository of data covering various sectors, including fiscal indicators across Indian states, spanning from 1990-91 to 2022-23.

2. Statement 2 is incorrect. The portal's State Fiscal and Economic Dashboard does not only feature numerical data; it also includes graphical representations of key economic variables, which help users easily analyze and interpret the data.

3. Statement 3 is correct. The portal serves as a centralized platform for accessing extensive state-level economic data, which supports informed decision-making and effective policy formulation by providing a one-stop research hub for scholars, policymakers, and stakeholders.

Thus, only statements 1 and 3 are correct, making Option C the correct answer.

1. Statement 1: The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 indeed introduces a simplified licensing mechanism for Indian ships, aimed at removing unnecessary requirements, which is a key provision of the bill to enhance coastal trade efficiency. This statement is correct.

2. Statement 2: The Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 aligns Indian laws with the Cape Town Convention, which strengthens legal protections for aircraft financiers and lessors. By doing so, it enhances India's compliance with international standards, thereby potentially reducing leasing costs for Indian airlines. This statement is correct.

3. Statement 3: The Coastal Shipping Bill mandates the creation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan. This plan is intended to facilitate the integration of coastal shipping into the broader multimodal transport network, which is a significant step towards reducing logistics costs and enhancing trade efficiency. This statement is correct.

Since all three statements accurately represent the provisions and goals of the respective bills, the correct answer is Option D.

Statement-I is correct because the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 indeed aims to enhance coastal shipping's freight share, reducing the dependency on roadways and railways, as mentioned in the key takeaways of the bill.
Statement-II is also correct as the Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 is designed to align with international standards to provide legal protections for aircraft financiers and lessors, as highlighted in the additional details provided for the bill. Moreover, this alignment is crucial for strengthening legal safeguards in the aviation sector. Thus, both statements are correct, and Statement-II logically supports the objectives of Statement-I.

The primary objective of the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 is to enhance the coastal shipping sector in India and reduce the dependency on roadways and railways for transportation. By promoting cost-effective and sustainable coastal trade, this bill aims to lower logistics costs, traffic congestion, and pollution. It seeks to increase the share of freight transported through coastal shipping from the current 5% to a higher percentage, aligning with the goal of improving India's overall transport infrastructure.

(Note: The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 focuses on boosting coastal shipping in India to reduce reliance on traditional transportation modes and improve logistics efficiency.)

The 6th BIMSTEC Summit resulted in the introduction of a 21-point Action Plan by India for enhanced regional cooperation. This plan aimed at fostering collaboration and strengthening ties among the BIMSTEC nations across various sectors. Such initiatives are crucial for promoting regional prosperity and stability, aligning with the summit's theme of "BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient, and Open."

Statement-I incorrectly attributes the focus of the Vision 2030 Document to enhancing cultural ties, whereas the document primarily emphasizes economic integration and resilience to global challenges. Statement-II accurately describes the BODHI Program introduced at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which indeed aims to promote skill development across the BIMSTEC nations. Therefore, both statements are factually correct, but they are not interrelated or explained by each other.

1. Vision 2030 Document - Correctly matched. It is indeed a strategic framework that emphasizes economic integration and resilience to global challenges.

2. BODHI Program - Correctly matched. This program is launched for skill development across BIMSTEC nations.

3. Train Collision Avoidance System - Incorrectly matched. This system is related to Indian Railways' safety initiatives, not part of the Vision 2030 Document or related to BIMSTEC.

4. Strategic Partnership with Thailand - Correctly matched. It includes the promotion of cultural exchanges and deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora.

Pairs 1, 2, and 4 are correctly matched, but pair 3 is incorrectly matched. Thus, the correct answer is Option B: Only two pairs are correctly matched.

1. Tenth Schedule - Anti-Defection Law: Correctly matched. The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law, which was enacted in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment to curb political defections.

2. Article 142 - Powers to enforce Anti-Defection Law decisions: Incorrectly matched. Article 142 deals with the Supreme Court's power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it. While the Supreme Court can intervene in anti-defection cases under its general powers for complete justice, Article 142 is not specific to enforcing Anti-Defection Law decisions.

3. Fentanyl - Plant-based opioid: Incorrectly matched. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, not plant-based. It is known for its high potency and is entirely synthesized in laboratories.

4. Narcotics Control Bureau - Established Anti-Synthetic Narcotics Task Force in Haryana: Correctly matched. The Narcotics Control Bureau in Haryana has indeed set up an Anti-Synthetic Narcotics Task Force to tackle the rise in synthetic drug trafficking.

Thus, pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched, while pairs 2 and 3 are not. Therefore, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Implementing dual citizenship in India is argued to enhance global soft power by fostering deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora worldwide. This engagement can lead to increased investment, cultural exchanges, and a stronger presence on the international stage. By allowing Indians to hold citizenship in more than one country, India can potentially leverage the influence and resources of its expatriate population to further its interests globally.

Rabindranath Tagore's view on nationalism emphasized an inclusive and spiritual concept, focusing on human values rather than hatred and extreme patriotism. He believed in the strength of diversity and unity, and his nationalism was cosmopolitan rather than isolationist, advocating for global peace and harmony through understanding and acceptance of different cultures and viewpoints.

1. Gitanjali - Novel: Incorrect. Gitanjali is not a novel; it is a collection of poems for which Rabindranath Tagore received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.

2. Amar Sonar Bangla - Song for Swadeshi Movement: Correct. "Amar Sonar Bangla" was composed by Tagore in 1905 during the Swadeshi movement, which protested against the partition of Bengal by the British.

3. Visva-Bharati University - Founded in 1921: Correct. Rabindranath Tagore founded Visva-Bharati University in 1921 at Santiniketan, emphasizing a holistic and international approach to education.

4. Jana Gana Mana - National Anthem of India: Correct. "Jana Gana Mana" is indeed the National Anthem of India, written by Tagore in 1911.

Out of the four pairs, three pairs are correctly matched.

1. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) - Provides full political rights in India: Incorrect. The OCI cardholders do not have full political rights in India. They cannot vote, hold public office, or own agricultural land.

2. Article 9 of the Indian Constitution - Prohibits dual citizenship: Correct. Article 9 of the Indian Constitution clearly states that a person automatically loses their Indian citizenship if they voluntarily acquire the citizenship of another country.

3. Remittances to India - Exceed foreign direct investment in 2024: Correct. The key takeaway mentions that India received USD 129 billion in remittances in 2024, exceeding its foreign direct investment.

4. Supreme Court's ruling in Prayagraj case - Emphasized right to shelter under Article 21: Correct. The Supreme Court highlighted that the right to shelter is integral to the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, condemning the arbitrary demolitions.

Thus, pairs 2, 3, and 4 are correctly matched.

The Global South's tradition of non-alignment is a crucial factor that establishes it as a credible mediator in international diplomacy. This tradition allows countries from the Global South to maintain impartiality and engage in dialogue with various parties without being tied to specific alliances or influences. Non-alignment helps in fostering trust among conflicting parties and enables the Global South to play a constructive role in mediating disputes.