Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 2nd September 2024 - UPSC MCQ

La Niña is indeed characterized by the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, leading to specific weather patterns globally. However, the statement that La Niña leads to decreased rainfall during the monsoon season in Southeast Asia and Australia is incorrect. In fact, La Niña is typically associated with increased rainfall in certain regions, including Southeast Asia and parts of India, due to its impact on global weather patterns. Thus, Statement-I is correct as it accurately describes La Niña, while Statement-II is incorrect in portraying its effects on monsoon rainfall.

The "Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme" aims to provide support to retired athletes by equipping them with career skills and knowledge, thereby boosting their employability and enabling them to make meaningful contributions to the sports ecosystem. This initiative acknowledges and leverages the vast experience and skills of retired athletes, ensuring they have opportunities for personal and professional growth beyond their active sports careers.

The increase in undocumented Indian immigrants entering the U.S. can be attributed to the overall growth in global migration since the pandemic, as highlighted by the statistics provided. This rise is indicative of a trend where the number of encounters has significantly increased, reflecting the impact of global migration patterns post-Covid.

Statement 1: Correct. The Supreme Court in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022) upheld several provisions of the PMLA, confirming the Enforcement Directorate's extensive powers in investigating and arresting those accused of money laundering.

Statement 2: Correct. Section 45 of the PMLA does indeed require the accused to prove they did not commit an offense under the PMLA and are unlikely to do so while on bail, effectively reversing the standard burden of proof in criminal cases.

Statement 3: Correct. Section 436A of the CrPC, which allows for bail release of individuals detained for up to half the maximum period of imprisonment, was extended to apply to PMLA cases in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022).

All three statements are correct and accurately reflect the legal interpretations and rulings related to the PMLA as discussed in the provided content. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: 1, 2 and 3.

The correct answer is:

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.

Explanation:

• Statement-I is correct because the Supreme Court ruling in Vijay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India (2022) upheld the constitutionality of several provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), affirming the Enforcement Directorate’s extensive powers in investigating and arresting individuals accused of money laundering.

• Statement-II is also correct as the Supreme Court in Pankaj Bansal v. Union of India (2023) emphasized that an accused has a fundamental right under Article 20 of the Constitution to be informed of the grounds of their arrest. If the grounds of arrest are not provided in writing, the arrest would be deemed illegal.

However, Statement-II does not explain Statement-I because they refer to different legal cases and different legal issues.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India is primarily responsible for certifying films, trailers, documentaries, and advertisements before they can be shown to the public in India. This certification process involves categorizing films into different age-appropriate categories like U (Universal), UA (Parental Guidance), A (Adult), or S (Special) based on their content. This ensures that films conform to certain standards before being exhibited to audiences.

Statement-I is correct as it is about the rise in undocumented Indian immigrants entering the U.S. on foot. The Vande Bharat Express trains are a separate initiative by Indian Railways aimed at enhancing domestic rail travel, not related to immigration matters.
but both statements are correct and are not related to each other.

1. Correct. The CBFC operates under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which indeed provides the legal framework for its operations. This Act permits reasonable limitations on the freedom of speech and expression in films for reasons including national security, public order, decency, and morality.
2. Correct. The CBFC certifies films into categories such as U (Universal), UA (Parental Guidance), A (Adult), and S (Special).
3. Incorrect. The final decision on a film's certification is not always made by the chairperson. The certification is primarily determined based on the unanimous or majority report from the Examining Committee. If the committee members disagree, the chairperson has the final say, but this occurs only in cases of disagreement among committee members. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, but statement 3 is not, making Option B: 1 and 2 Only the correct answer.

1. Reopening of Borders Post-Covid-19: This statement is correct. The reopening of borders after the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an overall growth in global migration, including an increase in the number of undocumented Indian immigrants entering the U.S.

2. Sophisticated Smuggling Routes: This statement is also correct. Smugglers have been using increasingly sophisticated routes that extend from the Middle East through Europe and Africa to South America, finally reaching northern Mexico before crossing into the U.S.

3. Highest Number of Encounters at the Southern Border: This statement is incorrect. While there have been significant encounters at the Southern border (41,770), the Canadian border saw a notable number of encounters as well (30,010). The statement inaccurately implies that the Southern border had the highest number, without acknowledging the substantial figures at the Canadian border.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: 1 and 2 Only. This solution matches the provided answer key and accurately reflects the detailed explanation.

Answer: (B)Lie-detector tests can only be conducted with the accused's consent and with formal documentation before a judicial magistrate.
In the landmark case of Selvi v. State of Karnataka (2010), the Supreme Court of India ruled that lie-detector tests (also known as Deception Detection Tests, or DDTs) can only be conducted on an individual with their consent. The Court emphasized the right against self-incrimination under Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, which protects individuals from being forced to provide evidence that could incriminate themselves. Additionally, the Court mandated that the consent of the accused must be formally documented before a judicial magistrate, and those who volunteer for the test must be informed of the potential physical, emotional, and legal consequences, and must have access to legal counsel. The Court also required strict adherence to the guidelines set by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for conducting such tests.