UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 6 May 2024

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Spices Board was constituted on 26th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act 1986 (No. 10 of 1986) with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960). Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It is an autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom (Small & Large).

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/issues-with-indias-food-regulatory-system/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India recently wrapped up its #PlayTrue Campaign, attracting over 12,133 participants.
• What is the #PlayTrue Campaign?
  • The #PlayTrue Campaign, organized by NADA India, aims to raise awareness about clean sports and anti-doping practices. Through activities like quizzes and awareness sessions, it promotes fair play and integrity in sports, aligning with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) vision.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/playtrue-campaign/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: South Africa prepares to commemorate 30 years of freedom amidst ongoing challenges of inequality, poverty, and a tense upcoming election.
• What was Apartheid?
  • It was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994. Under apartheid, non-white South Africans, particularly black people, were systematically oppressed and denied basic rights, including the right to vote and access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
  • For example, the apartheid government enforced laws such as the Group Areas Act, which designated specific residential areas for different racial groups, leading to forced removals of non-white communities from their homes to segregated townships.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/30-years-since-apartheid-ended-in-south-africa/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on whether private properties can be considered ‘material resources of the community’ under Article 39(b) of the Constitution.
• Article 39(b) directs the state to distribute material resources for the common good, while Article 31C empowers the state to take over such resources. Additionally, Article 39(c) aims to prevent wealth concentration.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/article-39b-of-the-constitution/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) (est. 1898; HQ: Nagpur; under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry), was established during British rule as the Department of Explosives. It oversees the administration of various acts including the Explosives Act, 1884, and the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934. PESO regulates the import, export, transport, storage, and usage of petroleum products, explosives, and flammable materials. It operates autonomously under the Chief Controller of Explosives. PESO frames rules and regulations for various sectors such as cinematography, gas cylinders, petroleum, and explosives. Its officers are selected through the Union Public Service Commission into the Indian Petroleum and Explosives Safety Service cadre.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/draft-new-explosives-bill/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is the chief national competition regulator in India. It is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act, 2002 to promote competition and prevent activities that have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. The CCI looks into cases and investigates them if the same has a negative impact on competition.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/standard-essential-patents-seps/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The completion ceremony for the TAO telescope site was held in Santiago, Chile.
• The Atacama Desert is famous for its extreme aridity, making it the driest desert on Earth. Its unique climate conditions have led to its reputation as one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/the-university-of-tokyo-atacama-observatory-tao-project/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Salt flats, also known as salars, are a prominent geological feature of the Atacama Desert. These vast expanses of dried salt lakes create a surreal landscape that adds to the desert’s unique allure.

Rfer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/the-university-of-tokyo-atacama-observatory-tao-project/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Shaksgam Valley (also called Trans-Karakoram Tract) is an area of about 5,200 km2 north of the Karakoram watershed, administered by China, but claimed by India. While under Pakistan’s control since 1947, Pakistan recognized Chinese sovereignty over it in the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement. India disputes this claim, asserting it is part of the Kashmir region. The Shaksgam Valley is strategically important due to its proximity to the Siachen glacier, a critical area amidst India-China tensions.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/shaksgam-valley-of-pakistan-occupied-kashmir/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Accused persons in prison can contest polls but are barred from voting. The legal status distinguishes between the right to vote and the right to be elected.
• In 1975, the Supreme Court in the case of Indira Gandhi v Raj Narain recognised that free and fair elections are a part of the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution of India, and any laws or policies that would violate this principle could be struck down.
• Though free and fair elections have been placed on the highest constitutional pedestal, the Supreme Court has held that the rights to elect and be elected do not enjoy the same status. For instance, a five-judge constitution Bench in 2006, in the case of Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India held that the right to vote (or the right to elect as it was called) is “pure and simple, a statutory right”. This means that voting is not a fundamental right and can be repealed.
• The same was held for the right to be elected by the Bench, ruling that laws enacted by Parliament could regulate both these statutory rights.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/04/election-rights-of-prisoners/