UPSC Editorials Quiz : 4 January 2024

Solution: c)

The word sovereignty appears in the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of India, as the first attribute of the independent republic of India. Its placement as the first among the core principles of the republic underlines its importance in the Constitution.

Sovereignty is mentioned in the Constitution under Fundamental Duties, which are to be followed by all Indian citizens but cannot be legally enforced. Article 51A(c) states that it is the duty of all citizens “to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.”

It is also mentioned in the oaths for positions like the Chief Justices, Union Ministers and Members of Parliament under the Third schedule: “…I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established, that I will uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India…”

Solution: c)

October 2 marks the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904-1966).

Post-independence, he served in the UP state government and the central government, before becoming Prime Minister in 1964 after the death of PM Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964). While he had an eventful two-year stint at the helm of the country, he passed away suddenly in Tashkent (present-day Uzbekistan), with his death still heavily speculated upon.

Shastri was born in Mughalsarai in 1904. At an early age, Shastri displayed the beginnings of a social consciousness and dropped his birthname “Varma”.

Source

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Across the world, there are numerous languages having their own script and alphabets. Then the Toto community, which speaks the Toto language, why does not have their own script. In the pursuit to find the answer to this pressing question, I happened to create the script and alphabets for my language,” said Dhaniram Toto (59), a Toto (Dengka) language preserver, whose name was announced as one of the recipients of Padma Shri award in the field of Literature & Education on the eve of Republic Day.

Toto is a small tribal community having a population of around 1,630 people living in Toto Para in Alipurduar district, on the edge of north Bengal near the India-Bhutan border, and speaking the eponymous language.

Source

Solution: a)

Only Statement 1 is correct.

The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is found in the Brahmaputra valley, parts of North Bengal, and parts of southern Nepal. It has a single black horn that can grow up to 60 cm, and a tough, grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives the animal its characteristic armour-plated look.

The Indian rhino is listed as vulnerable (better than endangered, worse than near threatened) in the IUCN Red List; it was earlier placed in the endangered category.

According to the WWF, there are around 3,700 Indian rhinos in the wild today. Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP) alone has 2,613 animals, according to a census carried out in March 2022. There are more than 250 other rhinos in the Orang, Pobitora, and Manas parks.

Rhinos have been poached for their horn, which is prized in some cultures.

Source

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

• The Model Code of Conductis a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections mainly with respect to speeches, polling day, polling booths, portfolios, election manifestos, processions, and general conduct. This set of norms has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code in its letter and spirit.
• The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately on the announcement of the election schedule by the commission for the need of ensuring free and fair elections.
• Its main purpose is to ensure that ruling parties, at the Centre and in the States, do not misuse their position of advantage to gain an unfair edge.