[MISSION 2023] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 10 Jan 2023

Ans: (a)

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. 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/2023/01/10/sc-dismisses-pil-challenging-committees-set-up-by-gujarat-and-uttarakhand-for-uniform-civil-code/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• If they are violated one cannot approach the court and seek their enforcement. Therefore, the government (Central, state and local) cannot be compelled to implement them. The Directive Principles, though non-justiciable in nature, help the courts in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law. The Supreme Court has ruled many a times that in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a court finds that the law in question seeks to give effect to a Directive Principle, it may consider such law to be ‘reasonable’ in relation to Article 14 (equality before law) or Article 19 (six freedoms) and thus save such law from unconstitutionality.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/01/10/sc-dismisses-pil-challenging-committees-set-up-by-gujarat-and-uttarakhand-for-uniform-civil-code/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• About PBD:
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India.
  • PBD Convention is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs and provides an important platform to engage and connect with the overseas Indians.
  • PBD conventions were held every year since 2003.
• S1: Since 2015, its format has been revised to celebrate the PBD once every two years.
• S2: During the Convention, selected overseas Indians are also honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to recognize their contributions to various fields both in India and abroad.
• S3: The 15th annual Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is held in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The first chapter of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held in 2003to recognise the contributions of NRIs in academic and professional fields across the world.
• Why PBD is celebrated on January 9?
  • January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.
  • Significance
  • These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.
  • These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/01/10/indians-abroad-history-spread-remittances/

Ans: (c)

Explanation: liquefied natural gas (LNG)

• LNG is natural gas reduced to a liquid state (liquefaction) through intense cooling to around -161 degrees Celsius (-259 Fahrenheit).
• This liquid gas is 600 times smaller than the original volume and is half the weight of water, thus, can be transported around the world by ship.
• After arriving at its destination, the cargo is regasified in a floating terminal and redistributed through pipelines.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/01/10/europe-turns-to-lng-instead-of-russia-gas-what-is-it-how-it-impacts-the-climate/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Coalbed methane (CBM):
• CBM, like shale gas, is extracted from what are known as unconventional gas reservoirs — where gas is extracted directly from the rock that is the source of the gas (shale in case of shale gas and coal in case of CBM).
• The methane is held underground within the coal and is extracted by drilling into the coal seam and removing the groundwater. The resulting drop in pressure causes the methane to be released from the coal.
• According to the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), CBM can be used for power generation, as compressed natural gas (CNG) auto fuel, as feedstock for fertilisers, industrial uses such as in cement production, rolling mills, steel plants, and for methanol production.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/01/10/europe-turns-to-lng-instead-of-russia-gas-what-is-it-how-it-impacts-the-climate/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Motion of Thanks: The first session after each general election and the first session of every fiscal year is addressed by the president. In this address, the president outlines the policies and programmes of the government in the preceding year and ensuing year. This address of the president, is discussed in both the Houses of Parliament on a motion called the ‘Motion of Thanks’. At the end of the discussion, the motion is put to vote. This motion must be passed in the House. Otherwise, it amounts to the defeat of the government.

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/01/10/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-january-2023/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The governor holds an independent office under the constitution. Options 2 and 3 are conventions and not mentioned in the constitution. It is solely on the discretion of the President on how he wants to appoint the Governor (given some qualifications mentioned in the constitution of India)

Refer: facts for prelims: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/01/10/mission-2023-insights-daily-current-affairs-pib-summary-10-january-2023/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Article 361. Protection of President and Governors
• No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a State, in any court during his term of office,
• Article 158: Conditions of Governor Office
• The emoluments and allowances of the Governor shall not be diminished during his term of office

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• The ‘Sarkaria Commission’ recommended that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the state and should be a detached figure without intense political links and that he should not have taken part in politics in recent past and should not be a member of the ruling party. See https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-governors-options/article17484467.ece

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Participatory Notes are Overseas Derivative Instruments that have Indian stocks as their underlying assets. They allow foreign investors to buy stocks listed on Indian exchanges without being registered. The instrument gained popularity as FIIs, to avoid the formalities of registering and to remain anonymous, started betting on stocks through this route.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2019