INSIGHTS CURRENT AFFAIRS ( 31 March 2021) REVISION THROUGH MCQS

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The term ‘law’ in Article 13 has been given a wide connotation so as to include the following: (a) Permanent laws enacted by the Parliament or the state legislatures; (b) Temporary laws like ordinances issued by the president or the state governors; (c) Statutory instruments in the nature of delegated legislation (executive legislation) like order, bye-law, rule, regulation or notification; and (d) Non-legislative sources of law, that is, custom or usage having the force of law. Thus, not only a legislation but any of the above can be challenged in the courts as violating a Fundamental Right and hence, can be declared as void.
• Further, Article 13 declares that a constitutional amendment is not a law and hence cannot be challenged. However, the Supreme Court held in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) that a Constitutional amendment can be challenged on the ground that it violates a fundamental right that forms a part of the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution and hence, can be declared as void.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/freedom-of-religion/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• A Uniform Civil Code is one that would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc. Article 44 of the Constitution lays down that the state shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for the citizens throughout the territory of India.
• Article 44 is one of the Directive Principles of State Policy. These, as defined in Article 37, are not justiciable (not enforceable by any court) but the principles laid down therein are fundamental in governance.
• Fundamental Rights are enforceable in a court of law. While Article 44 uses the words “state shall endeavour”, other Articles in the ‘Directive Principles’ chapter use words such as “in particular strive”; “shall in particular direct its policy”; “shall be obligation of the state” etc.
• Article 43 mentions “state shall endeavour by suitable legislation”, while the phrase “by suitable legislation” is absent in Article 44. All this implies that the duty of the state is greater in other directive principles than in Article 44.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/uniform-civil-code-4/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• S3: Anyone who is applying for OCI card should hold a valid Passport of another country.
  • Individuals who do not have citizenship of any other country are not eligible to gain an OCI status.
  • Individuals whose parents or grandparents hold citizenship of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible to apply.
• S2: People of Indian origin and the Indian diaspora having Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards will not have to carry their old, expired passports for travel to India, as was required earlier, according to a government notification.
• S1: Government of India launched the ‘Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme’ by making amendments to Citizenship Act, 1955 in 2005.
  • On 09 January 2015, the Government of India discontinued the PIO card and merged it with OCI card.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/overseas-citizens-of-india-oci-2/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• S1 & S2: The code comes into force on the announcement of the poll schedule and remains operational till the process is concluded, as provided in the notification. It is also applicable to a “caretaker” government on premature dissolution of a State Assembly, as was the case in Telangana.
• S3: According to the EC, the code states that the party in power — whether at the Centre or in the States — should ensure that it does not use its official position for campaigning. Ministers and other government authorities cannot announce financial grants in any for No project or scheme which may have the effect of influencing the voter in favour of the party in power can be announced, and Ministers cannot use official machinery for campaign purposes.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/model-code-of-conduct-2/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S1 & S2: The Agreement on the New Development Bank entered into force in July 2015, with the official declaration of all five states that have signed it. The five founding members of the Bank include Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
  • Bank’s Articles of Agreement specify that all members of the United Nations could be members of the bank, however the share of the BRICS nations can never be less than 55% of voting power.

• S3: Headquartered in Shanghai, China.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/new-development-bank-ndb/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Released by the U.S. State Department.
• The report, which is submitted each year to the U.S. Congress, is retrospective and contains a country-wise discussion of the state of human rights.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/2020-human-rights-report/

Ans: (b)

Explanation: About the Sabarmati river:

• It is one of the west flowing rivers along with Narmada and Tapti.
• It Originates from Aravalli hills near Tepur village in Udaipur Dist of state Rajasthan.
• Mouth of the river: Gulf of Cambey ( Khambhat).
• Ahmedabad city is located along the bank of this river.

Refer: facts for prelims:

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve in India established in 2001, located in the southernmost end of the Western Ghats
• It encompass the wildlife santiaries Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve became part of World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. Is also under UNESCO’s world list of biosphere reserve.
• Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan:
  • It is a new butterfly species discovered in the Agasthyamalai in the Western Ghats.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/03/31/insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-31-march-2021/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• S3: The Biosphere Reserves in India are declared by the State or Central Government through Nomination under the UNESCO’S Man & Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
• S2: The Panna Biosphere Reserve covering a total area of about 542 km² only is the smallest biosphere reserve in India. This reserve was established in the year 2011 and is a part of Panna and Chhatarpur District of Madhya Pradesh.
• S1: Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere reserves in India.

Refer: http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/BiosphereReserves_8225.aspx

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Point Calimere: Tamil Nadu
• Haliday Island: West Bengal

Refer: http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/MPA_8098.aspx