UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 12 January 2024

Solution: c)

Anabatic Winds – These Winds are upslope winds driven by warmer surface temperatures on a mountain slope than the surrounding air column.

Katabatic Winds – Katabatic winds are downslope winds created when the mountain surface is colder than the surrounding air and create a downslope wind.

Source

Solution: a)

Only Statement 2 is correct.

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or Juice, mission from its spaceport in French Guiana on an Ariane 5 launcher. Planned to reach Jupiter in 2031, the mission aims to carry out a detailed exploration of the Solar System’s largest planet and its icy moons, which potentially have habitable environments.

Only two other spacecraft have ever examined Jupiter: the Galileo probe, which orbited the gas giant between 1995 and 2003, and Juno, which has been circling the planet since 2016. Notably, by the time Juice reaches Jupiter, another spacecraft, NASA’s Europa Clipper, would already be orbiting the planet — scheduled to be launched in October this year, Europa Clipper would arrive at Jupiter in 2030 and aims to study its Europa moon.

According to ESA’s website, the Juice “will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons — Ganymede, Callisto and Europa”, by using remote sensing, geophysical and in situ instruments.

Scientists for quite some time have known that these three moons of Jupiter possess icy crusts, which they believe contain oceans of liquid water underneath, making them potentially habitable. Juice will help probe these water bodies by creating detailed maps of the moons’ surfaces and enable the scientists, for the first time, to look beneath them.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Decisions taken under Chapter VII, such as economic sanctions or other sections like international security, are binding on UN members; the Security Council is the only UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions. The UNGA can only make recommendations in this regard.

Decisions that are vetoed by the P-5 cannot be submitted for the review of the UNGA. Also, the UNSC is the authority under the UN charter to take action in situations threatening international peace and security.

Solution: c)

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed its judgement in the Menaka case in the subsequent cases. It has declared the following rights as part of Article 21:

(1) Right to live with human dignity.

(2) Right to decent environment including pollution free water and air and protection against hazardous industries.

(3) Right to livelihood.

(4) Right to privacy.

(5) Right to shelter.

(6) Right to health.

(7) Right to free education up to 14 years of age.

(8) Right to free legal aid.

(9) Right against solitary confinement.

(10) Right to speedy trial.

(11) Right against handcuffing.

(12) Right against inhuman treatment.

(13) Right against delayed execution.

(14) Right to travel abroad.

(15) Right against bonded labour.

(16) Right against custodial harassment.

(17) Right to emergency medical aid.

(18) Right to timely medical treatment in government hospital.

(19) Right not to be driven out of a state.

(20) Right to fair trial.

(21) Right of prisoner to have necessities of life.

(22) Right of women to be treated with decency and dignity.

(23) Right against public hanging.

(24) Right to hearing.

(25) Right to information.

(26) Right to reputation.

(27) Right of appeal from a judgement of conviction

(28) Right to social security and protection of the family

(29) Right to social and economic justice and empowerment

(30) Right against bar fetters

(31) Right to appropriate life insurance policy

(32) Right to sleep

(33) Right to freedom from noise pollution

(34) Right to electricity

Solution: c)

While Uttaramerur has multiple inscriptions spanning centuries, the most famous one is from the reign of Parantaka I (907-953 AD). These provide a detailed description about the village’s self-governance and have been cited by historians and political leaders alike as evidence of India’s history of democratic functioning.

Uttaramerur lies in present-day Kanchipuram district, approximately 90 km southeast of Chennai. It is known for its historic temples built during Pallava and Chola rule.

The inscription found there is like a local constitution for the gram sabha. It tells how the assembly should be run, what should be the qualification of members, what should be the process to elect the members, and how a member would be disqualified.