UPSC Daily Current Affairs - 30th June 2024 - UPSC MCQ

Patents can be of two types: product patent, which protects the rights to the final product, and process patent, which allows others to manufacture the patented product by modifying certain processes. India initially adopted process patenting but now allows product patenting as well due to obligations under the TRIPS Agreement.

ICMR collaborated with BBIL at every step of developing the Covaxin vaccine, signing an agreement outlining each organization's responsibilities. This collaboration included providing virus strains, testing the vaccine on animals and humans, and sharing intellectual property rights.

Not listing all inventors in patent filings, especially in the U.S., can lead to patent application rejection. Properly listing inventors is crucial for the patent approval process to proceed smoothly and to avoid potential legal issues.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) was indeed established under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, hence statement 1 is correct. The NCPCR's primary objective is to monitor and promote the rights of children, defined as individuals below the age of 18 years, not 21 years, making statement 2 incorrect. Statement 3 is correct as the NCPCR oversees the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was established under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, which makes statement 1 correct. The NCB operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, not the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, making statement 2 incorrect. India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, thus statement 3 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 3 Only.

The 'Prahari' portal does aim to conduct quarterly awareness activities on drugs and substance abuse in schools, making statement 1 correct. However, 'Prahari' clubs are managed and run by children, not teachers, making statement 2 incorrect. The Joint Action Plan (JAP) indeed aims to prevent the reach of pharmaceutical drugs and other goods used as intoxicants by children, so statement 3 is correct. Therefore, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

1. National Testing Agency (NTA) - Set up in 2017: Correct. The NTA was established in 2017.

2. Educational Testing Service (ETS) - Model for NTA: Correct. The NTA was modelled after the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of the US.

3. NEET-UG - Conducted by CBSE: Incorrect. NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA, not CBSE.

4. Radhakrishnan Committee - Headed by former ISRO chief: Correct. The high-level panel is headed by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan.

1. UGC-NET - Conducted by NTA: Correct. The UGC-NET is conducted by the NTA.

2. NEET-UG - First exam conducted in 2010: Incorrect. NEET-UG was not first conducted in 2010; it was first conducted in 2013.

3. NTA - Registered under Societies Registration Act 1860: Correct. The NTA is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

4. NIC - Engaged as a technical partner for NTA: Incorrect. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) does not have the capacity or IT infrastructure needed, so third-party technical partners are engaged instead.

1. NTA - Conducts JEE (Main): Correct. The NTA conducts JEE (Main).

2. NTA - Autonomous and self-sustaining organisation: Correct. The NTA is set up as an autonomous and self-sustaining organisation.

3. NTA - Formed under the Union Ministry of Health: Incorrect. The NTA is under the Union Ministry of Education, not the Ministry of Health.

4. NTA - Operates six verticals focusing on different exams: Correct. The NTA operates six verticals, each focusing on different examinations.

Statement-I correctly states that the Teesta River originates from the Tso Lhamo Lake in North Sikkim. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the Teesta River flows through two countries, India and Bangladesh, and not through Bhutan. Therefore, the correct answer is option (c).

Statement-I is incorrect as the 2011 Teesta Water Sharing Proposal suggested that India would receive 42.5% and Bangladesh 37.5% of the Teesta River's water flow during the lean season. Statement-II correctly highlights West Bengal's significant dependence on the Teesta River for agriculture, which has contributed to the opposition to the water sharing treaty. Therefore, the correct answer is option (d).

Statement-I correctly mentions that the Teesta River flows through the Rangpur Division in Bangladesh. However, Statement-II is incorrect as the construction of dams and barrages on the Teesta River has indeed raised environmental concerns. Therefore, the correct answer is option (c).