[MISSION 2024] RTM(Revision through MCQs)- 19 December 2023

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: The Arctic Report Card for 2023, published by NOAA, reveals the Arctic experiencing its warmest summer on record, with temperatures rising four times faster than elsewhere.
• About Arctic Report Card – It is issued annually since 2006, and provides timely, peer-reviewed information on the current state of various components of the Arctic environmental system in comparison to historical records.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/arctic-report-card-for-2023/

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Context: The Rajya Sabha’s Subordinate Legislation Committee has criticized the Union government for prolonged delays in framing rules for Acts passed by Parliament.
• Subordinate legislations refer to regulations or rules created by authorities or bodies under the powers delegated to them by the primary or enabling legislation. These rules provide details or mechanisms for implementing the broader policies set out in the primary legislation.
• Option D is incorrect. Subordinate legislations do not have equal legal standing as the Constitution of a country. They derive their authority from primary legislation and are subject to the Constitution and other higher legal norms.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/subordinate-legislation/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The Rajya Sabha’s Subordinate Legislation Committee has criticized the Union government for prolonged delays in framing rules for Acts passed by Parliament.
• Committee of Subordinate Legislation examines and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rule, sub-rules and by laws delegated by the parliament or conferred by the constitution to the executive are being properly exercised by it. In both the houses the committee consists of 15 members. It was constituted in 1953.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/subordinate-legislation/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The fourth unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-4) in Gujarat, with a capacity of 700 MWe, achieved criticality recently, marking the initiation of a controlled fission chain reaction.
• In PHWRs, heavy water serves a dual role as both a coolant and a neutron moderator. The heavy water moderates the speed of neutrons, increasing the probability of further nuclear reactions, and it also helps in transferring heat away from the reactor core.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/kakrapar-4-nuclear-reactor/

Ans: (b )

Explanation:

• Context: Scientists using data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft have discovered hydrogen cyanide, a crucial molecule for life formation, in the oceans of Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus.
• Hydrogen cyanide inhibits cellular respiration by interfering with the cytochrome c oxidase enzyme in the mitochondria, preventing cells from utilizing oxygen for energy production.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/hydrogen-cyanide/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently added noma, a severe gangrenous disease of the mouth and face, to its list of neglected tropical diseases (NTD).
• Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) continue to disproportionately impact the most impoverished members of the international community, living in areas with inadequate water safety, sanitation and access to health care, said a new World Health Organization (WHO) report.
• NTDs are a diverse group of 20 conditions mainly prevalent in tropical areas — caused by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/noma/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: The November 26 coup attempt in Sierra Leone was driven by political instability post-President Bio’s contested re-election and economic challenges, including a high cost of living and poverty
• Sierra Leone, located on West Africa’s southwest coast, shares borders with Liberia and Guinea. Freetown serves as the capital and largest city.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2023/12/19/sierra-leone/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Article 18 of the constitution justifies this. Under Right to equality, A18 abolishes titular privileges (except military or academic) granted to citizens of India.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2017

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• The 42^nd Amendment added new Directive Principles, viz Article 39A, Article 43A and Article 48A.
• Article 43A deals with ‘Participation of workers in management of industries’.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2017

Ans: (c )

Explanation:

• Option C: The philosophy of rights is grounded in preventing the exploitation of the citizen by the state. So, essentially it is the claim of an individual against the state.
• Option B: This is wrong because rights are not privileges, they are the bare minimum for the formation of a democratic state. Also, the constitution abolishes the concept of special privileges.

Refer: UPSC CSE 2017