Test: Weekly Current Affairs: July 15th to 21st - UPSC MCQ

The primary purpose of a lighthouse in maritime navigation is to guide ships and mark safe routes, helping sailors navigate safely through hazardous coastlines, shoals, and reefs. Lighthouses emit light from lamps and lenses, aiding mariners in determining their location and navigating through challenging waters.

Statement-I is incorrect as lighthouses are not solely meant for entertainment but primarily serve as navigational aids for maritime purposes. Statement-II correctly highlights the essential role of lighthouses in guiding ships and marking dangerous coastlines, emphasizing their critical function in ensuring maritime safety. Hence, Option B is the correct choice as both statements are individually correct but are not interrelated in terms of explanation.

1. Incorrect. The classification of a bill as a money bill limits the Rajya Sabha to only recommending changes; it does not have the power to amend or reject the bill. This is one of the significant concerns regarding the use of money bills, as it undermines the bicameral nature of the Parliament by reducing the role and influence of the Rajya Sabha.

2. Incorrect. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha's decision to certify a bill as a money bill under Article 110 is not subject to judicial review. This raises concerns about potential misuse of power, as this certification can be used to bypass the Rajya Sabha.

3. Correct. Certain amendments, such as those in the Aadhaar Act of 2016, have been passed as money bills, leading to controversy and concerns about the misuse of this classification. The classification of such amendments as money bills has been challenged, highlighting issues related to legislative accountability and transparency.

Thus, only statement 3 is correct.

All the statements given are correct:

1. Statement 1The Ministry of Earth Science has indeed initiated the process of scientific deep drilling of the Earth’s crust to a depth of 6 km. This initiative is being supported by the Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) in Karad, Maharashtra, and it has already reached a depth of 3 km.

2. Statement 2: The drilling process employs multiple techniques including rotary drilling, percussion drilling (air hammering), hydraulic fracturing (fracking), and geophysical surveys. These methods help in penetrating deep into the Earth’s crust and studying its various aspects.

3. Statement 3: One of the significant findings from the deep drilling mission is that the Koyna region is highly stressed and susceptible to small perturbations that can trigger earthquakes. This information is crucial for understanding earthquake mechanisms and managing geohazards.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D

Statement-I correctly describes India's Deep Drill Mission, which is focused on drilling the Earth's crust to a depth of 6 km for scientific purposes, as mentioned in the provided information. However, Statement-II is incorrect as scientific deep drilling, as discussed in the text, is not primarily aimed at extracting fossil fuels but rather at studying the Earth's composition, structure, geological formations, and processes.

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023 grants individuals the right to access, correct, and erase their personal data, thereby giving them more control over their information. This feature ensures that individuals have the power to manage and safeguard their personal data according to their preferences and requirements, enhancing their data privacy rights.

Statement-I correctly highlights that passing contentious amendments as a Money Bill enables the government to bypass the Rajya Sabha, impacting the bicameral nature of Parliament. This is a key concern associated with the use of Money Bills.
However, Statement-II is incorrect. The classification of a bill as a Money Bill does limit the Rajya Sabha's powers, but it goes beyond just recommending changes. In reality, under Article 109 of the Indian Constitution, the Rajya Sabha cannot amend or reject a Money Bill. Therefore, the statement that the Rajya Sabha can recommend changes is inaccurate.

• Article 110 defines a “Money Bill” as one containing provisions dealing with taxes, regulation of the government’s borrowing of money, and expenditure or receipt of money from the Consolidated Fund of India, among others, whereas Article 109 delineates the procedure for the passage of such a Bill and confers an overriding authority on the Lok Sabha in the passage of Money Bills.
• A major difference between money and Financial Bills is that while the latter has the provision of including the Rajya Sabha’s (Upper House) recommendations, the former does not make their inclusion mandatory. The Lok Sabha has the right to reject the Rajya Sabha’s recommendations when it comes to Money Bills.
• What differentiates a Money Bill from any ordinary Bill or Financial Bill is that while an ordinary Bill can originate in either house, a Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha, as laid down in Article 117 (1). Additionally, no one can introduce or move Money Bills in the Lok Sabha, except on the President’s recommendation. Amendments relating to the reduction or abolition of any tax are exempt from the requirement of the President’s recommendation.
• The two prerequisites for any financial Bill to become a Money Bill are that first, it must only be introduced in the Lok Sabha and not the Rajya Sabha. Secondly, these bills can only be introduced on the President’s recommendation.

1. Tangasseri Lighthouse, Kerala - Tallest lighthouse in Kerala: Correct. Tangasseri Lighthouse in Kollam is indeed the tallest lighthouse in Kerala.

2. Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, Tamil Nadu - Built by the British in 1901: Incorrect. Mahabalipuram Lighthouse was built next to an ancient lighthouse commissioned by Mahendra Pallava of the Pallava dynasty, not by the British in 1901.

3. Kaup Beach Lighthouse, Karnataka - Constructed by the Pallava dynasty: Incorrect. Kaup Beach Lighthouse was constructed by the British in 1901, not by the Pallava dynasty.

4. Fort Aguada Lighthouse, Goa - Portuguese structure: Correct. Fort Aguada Lighthouse is a well-preserved Portuguese structure.

Hence, only the pairs 1 and 4 are correctly matched.

Statement 1: Correct. The UNEP Foresight Report 2024 predicts that human activities will affect over 90% of land by 2050.

Statement 2: Incorrect. The UNEP report projects that global temperatures are expected to rise by 2.1-3.9°C by 2100, not 4.1-5.9°C.

Statement 3: Correct. The report indicates that developed nations are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global temperature changes.

Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

In scientific deep drilling, one of the techniques employed to penetrate deep into the Earth's crust is Percussion Drilling, also known as Air Hammering. This method utilizes high-pressure air to power a hammer that efficiently breaks rock and flushes out cuttings. It is a crucial technique in the process of studying the composition, structure, and processes of the Earth's crust.

1. Rotary Drilling: Correctly matched. Rotary drilling indeed uses a rotating drill bit attached to a drill string, cooled by drilling mud to cut through rock formations.
2. Percussion Drilling: Incorrectly matched. Percussion drilling, also known as air hammering, uses high-pressure air to power a hammer that efficiently breaks rock and flushes out cuttings, not hydraulic pressure.
3. Geophysical Surveys: Correctly matched. Geophysical surveys do employ seismic, magnetic, and gravitational methods to map subsurface structures.
4. Hydraulic Fracturing: Incorrectly matched. Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, enhances fluid flow in rock formations using pressurized liquid, not high-pressure air.
Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched.

The China Plus One strategy aims to diversify manufacturing and supply chains by establishing operations in countries other than China. This approach helps mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on a single country and addresses concerns related to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.

1. Aadhaar Act, 2016: Classified as a Money Bill - Correct. The Aadhaar Act, 2016 was classified as a Money Bill, leading to significant controversy.

2. Finance Act, 2017: Classified as a Finance Bill - Incorrect. The Finance Act, 2017 was also classified as a Money Bill, and this classification faced challenges.

3. Prevention of Money Laundering Act Amendments: Faced challenges regarding classification as Money Bill - Correct. Amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act did face challenges regarding their classification as a Money Bill.

4. Article 110: Defines Money Bill - Correct. Article 110 of the Constitution defines what constitutes a Money Bill, focusing on specific financial matters.

Thus, pairs 1, 3, and 4 are correctly matched, while pair 2 is not.

The primary role of a shadow cabinet in parliamentary democracies is to mirror and critique the actions of the ruling government across various departments and ministries. By shadowing specific ministries, members of the shadow cabinet gain in-depth knowledge and expertise, allowing them to effectively challenge government policies during parliamentary debates. This mechanism ensures robust scrutiny of executive actions, fosters informed debates on public policies, and presents the opposition as a credible alternative to governance.

1. Right to Data Protection - Correct. The DPDP Act 2023 empowers individuals with rights to access, correct, and erase their personal data.

2. Data Localisation - Incorrect. The DPDP Act 2023 mandates that sensitive data must be stored and processed within India, not outside India.

3. Data Breach Notification - Correct. The Act requires organizations to promptly notify individuals and the Board of any data breaches.

4. Parental Consent - Correct. Section 9 of the DPDP Act mandates verifiable parental consent for processing children's data.

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

- Statement-I is incorrect because the concept of a shadow cabinet is primarily found in parliamentary democracies, not presidential democracies. In parliamentary systems, the shadow cabinet mirrors the portfolios of government ministers and is led by the Leader of the Opposition.

- Statement-II is incorrect as well because the shadow cabinet does not serve as a formal advisory body to the President in parliamentary democracies. Instead, it acts as a mechanism for the Opposition to scrutinize and challenge the actions of the ruling government across various departments and ministries.

- Statement 1: This statement is incorrect. The DPDPA requires that sensitive data must be stored and processed within India, not all personal data. This requirement is aimed at enhancing data security and facilitating law enforcement, but it does not apply to all personal data.

- Statement 2: This statement is correct. Section 9 of the DPDPA requires verifiable parental consent for processing children's data. This provision is designed to protect children from harmful data processing and ad targeting.

- Statement 3: This statement is correct. The Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) is indeed responsible for overseeing compliance, handling disputes, and imposing penalties for violations, ensuring that the Act is effectively implemented.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 2 and 3 Only.

In recent years, India's maize industry has witnessed a remarkable transformation with a significant shift from primarily using maize as feed to becoming a crucial component in the fuel and industrial sectors. This shift signifies a broader green revolution in maize, similar to the advancements seen in wheat and rice production. This evolution has been largely driven by private-sector innovations, marking a significant change in the maize industry's landscape.

Remember, the shift towards using maize for industrial purposes highlights the industry's adaptability and responsiveness to changing demands and opportunities in the market.

Statement-I correctly highlights the increase in women's representation in the Indian Parliament over the years, reflecting a positive trend. However, Statement-II is incorrect as India does not rank among the top 10 countries globally in terms of female representation in the lower house of Parliament. In fact, as per the provided information, India ranks 143 among 185 countries in this aspect, lagging behind several nations with higher percentages of women representatives.

1. Correct. India is indeed the fifth largest maize producer, accounting for 2.59% of global production in 2020.

2. Incorrect. Maize is the third most important cereal crop in India after rice and wheat, not the second.

3. Correct. The private sector dominates over 80% of maize cultivation in India, especially through hybrid varieties.

Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 3 only.

Statement I accurately reflects the significant increase in India's maize production over the years as outlined in the text, highlighting the growth from 11.5 million tonnes to over 35 million tonnes annually since 1999-2000. However, Statement II is incorrect as maize is mentioned as the third most important cereal crop in India after rice and wheat, not the most important. The text specifies that maize accounts for around 10% of total food grain production in the country, indicating its significant but not primary status in comparison to rice and wheat.

• Context: The Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched the ASMITA project to develop 22,000 books in Indian languages over the next five years.
• This initiative, in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, aims to promote Indian languages in education.
• The project includes three key components: ASMITA, Bahubhasha Shabdkosh, and Real-time Translation Architecture.
• These initiatives are expected to enhance learning in Indian languages, empower students, and preserve linguistic traditions, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP).
• Thirteen nodal universities will lead the project, with a standard operating procedure (SOP) guiding the book-writing process.

• Context: The Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) launched the ASMITA project to develop 22,000 books in Indian languages over the next five years.
• This initiative, in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, aims to promote Indian languages in education.
• The project includes three key components: ASMITA, Bahubhasha Shabdkosh, and Real-time Translation Architecture.
• These initiatives are expected to enhance learning in Indian languages, empower students, and preserve linguistic traditions, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP).
• Thirteen nodal universities will lead the project, with a standard operating procedure (SOP) guiding the book-writing process.

According to Article 341, the President has the authority to specify the castes, races, or tribes which shall be deemed to be Scheduled Castes in a particular state or union territory. This specification is done through a public notification.