Daily Current Affairs MCQ: 19th September 2024 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

India's recent notice to Pakistan aims to request a review and modification of the Indus Waters Treaty. This action indicates India's intention to reassess the treaty, which has been in place for over 60 years, in light of significant changes in circumstances, including geopolitical issues and environmental concerns. This move is significant as it reflects India's shifting approach to water resource management in the context of regional relations.

Modifications to the Indus Waters Treaty can be made under Article XII, which allows for changes to be ratified through an agreement between India and Pakistan. This provision underscores the treaty's flexibility in adapting to changing circumstances, although such modifications require mutual consent, reflecting the complexities of international water agreements.

Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is allocated the rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Beas, while Pakistan receives the rivers Sindh, Jhelum, and Chenab. This allocation is crucial for managing water resources in the region, with Pakistan receiving approximately 80% of the total water from the Indus river system, which highlights the treaty's role in addressing water-sharing disputes between the two nations.

The High Level Committee on One Nation, One Election was established to recommend the implementation of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local government bodies. This initiative aims to streamline the electoral process in India and reduce the frequency of elections, thereby promoting greater efficiency in governance and saving costs. An interesting fact is that the concept of simultaneous elections has been a topic of debate in India for several years, with proponents arguing it could lead to stable governance.

The premature dissolution of the fourth Lok Sabha in 1971 is considered a pivotal moment that led to the decline of simultaneous elections in India. This event disrupted the established cycle of concurrent elections and set a precedent for future dissolutions, complicating the electoral landscape. An additional interesting fact is that the National Emergency declared in 1975 further extended the term of the Lok Sabha, which contributed to the fragmentation of the election cycle.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is tasked with developing a unified electoral roll for all elections, which includes Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats. This initiative aims to enhance the consistency and efficiency of the electoral process across different levels of government. An interesting aspect of this plan is that a single electoral roll can help reduce confusion among voters and streamline the voting process, making it more accessible.

The Naga King Chilli, also known as raja mircha or Bhoot Jolokia, is primarily cultivated in areas with large bamboo groves in Nagaland. This spice is renowned for its extreme heat, measuring over 1 million Scoville heat units, making it one of the hottest chillies in the world. The Geographical Indication tag was granted in 2008, which helps protect the unique qualities of this local product.

The Venus Orbiter Mission aims to study the atmospheric processes on Venus, along with understanding its surface and subsurface characteristics. This mission is crucial for investigating how Venus evolved, particularly given its similarities to Earth and the transformation it underwent, which may have eliminated its potential habitability.

The NPS Vatsalya scheme requires a minimum annual contribution of Rs. 1000 from subscribers. This scheme is designed for minors and allows the account to be managed by a parent or guardian, ensuring that it can be converted into a regular National Pension Scheme account once the child reaches adulthood. This initiative aims to secure the financial future of children through systematic savings.

The budget allocated for the Chandrayaan-4 mission is ₹2,104.06 crore, and its primary objective is to retrieve rock samples from the Moon's surface and return them to Earth. This mission builds on the successes of previous lunar missions and aims to advance India's capabilities in lunar exploration, contributing to a better understanding of the Moon's geology and potential resources. Notably, Chandrayaan-4 is part of India's long-term vision for lunar exploration, which includes aspirations for a manned Moon landing by 2040.