UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 14 March 2024

Ans : (b)

Explanation:

• Context: India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024.
• What is EFTA?
  • EFTA, the European Free Trade Association, is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1960 to promote free trade among its member states, which include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. It operates independently of the European Union (EU).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/india-efta-trade-and-economic-partnership-agreement-tepa/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) is a trade agreement between India and the EFTA countries. It focuses on market access, investment promotion, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and other trade-related aspects to enhance economic cooperation between India and the EFTA states.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/india-efta-trade-and-economic-partnership-agreement-tepa/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Sponge iron, also known as direct reduced iron (DRI), is primarily produced through the direct reduction of iron ore in the presence of a reducing agent such as natural gas or coal. This process occurs in a direct reduction furnace, where iron ore pellets or lump ore are heated at a temperature range of 800°C to 1050°C. The reducing agent reacts with the iron oxide in the ore, resulting in the reduction of iron oxide to metallic iron. This method is distinct from traditional iron-making processes like the blast furnace, electric arc furnace, or open hearth furnace, making option B the correct choice.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/sponge-iron-industry/

Ans : (a)

Explanation:

• Only statement 2 is correct.
• In 1985 the Tenth Schedule, popularly known as the anti-defection law, was added to the Constitution.
• The law specifies the circumstances under which changing of political parties by MPs invite action under the law. The law covers three types of scenarios with respect to an MP switching parties. The first is when a member elected on the ticket of a political party “voluntarily gives up” membership of such a party or votes in the House contrary to the wishes of the party. The second possibility is when an MP who has won his or her seat as an independent candidate after the election joins a political party. In both these instances, the MP lose the seat in the House on changing (or joining) a party.
• The third scenario relates to nominated MPs. In their case, the law specifies that within six months of being nominated to the House, they can choose to join a political party.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/sc-judgement-on-rajya-sabha-elections/

Ans : (b)

Explanation:

• Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
• Parliamentary privileges are certain rights and immunities enjoyed by members of Parliament, individually and collectively, so that they can “effectively discharge their functions”. When any of these rights and
• Immunities are disregarded, the offense is called a breach of privilege and is punishable under law of Parliament.
• A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either House against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.
• A member may, with the consent of the Speaker or the Chairperson, raise a question involving a breach of privilege either of a member or of the House or of a committee thereof. The rules however mandate that any notice should be relating to an incident of recent occurrence and should need the intervention of the House.
• The Speaker/RS chairperson is the first level of scrutiny of a privilege motion. The Speaker/Chair can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/sc-judgement-on-rajya-sabha-elections/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Conext: R. Bommai case completes 30 years
  • The S.R. Bommai case (involving 9 judge bench) refers to the legal battle initiated by S.R. Bommai, the former Chief Minister of Karnataka after his government was dismissed in 1989 under Article 356 of the Constitution. The case, which concluded in 1994, resulted in a landmark Supreme Court verdict that restricted the arbitrary dismissal of state governments by outlining specific guidelines.
• Article 356 empowers the President to issue a proclamation, if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
• Notably, the president can act either on a report of the governor of the state or otherwise too (ie, even without the governor’s report).
• A proclamation imposing President’s Rule must be approved by both the Houses of Parliament within two months from the date of its issue. If approved by both the Houses of Parliament, the President’s Rule continues for six months.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/s-r-bommai-case-completes-30-years/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: India, downgraded to an “electoral autocracy” in 2018, has further declined to become “one of the worst autocracies,” according to the ‘Democracy Report 2024’ by the V-Dem Institute.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/democracy-report-2024/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Statement 2 is not correct.
• Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) exercising powers under the Insurance Act, 1938 and IRDA Act, 1999, has framed regulations (IRDAI (Protection of Policyholders’ Interests and Allied Matters of Insurers) Regulations, 2024) consolidating 8 separate regulations into a unified framework.
• The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (founded 1999; HQ: Hyderabad) is a statutory body (under the IRDA Act 1999) and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and is tasked with regulating and licensing the insurance and re-insurance industries in India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/irdai-new-regulation/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: Karnataka bans harmful dyes in Gobi Manchurian, cotton candy, imposing imprisonment of up to seven years and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh for violators.
  • Rhodamine B is usually “illegally” added to preparations such as gobhi manchurian, potato wedges, butter chicken, pomegranate juice, ice-creams produced in small scale, or cotton candies.
• Chemicals banned:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/karnataka-bans-harmful-dyes/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Blue Leaders High-Level Event on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction took place in Belgium recently.
• What is the Blue Leaders alliance?
  • It is a coalition of 24 countries advocating for urgent action to address the threats facing the global ocean, including the climate crisis, overfishing, pollution, and other challenges.
  • Key members include Belgium, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Italy etc. India is not a member, but it endorsed the treaty’s implementation at the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration in 2023

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/03/13/blue-leaders-alliance/