UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 27 May 2024

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Constitution of India does not define the term ‘tribe’. Article 342 (i) empowers the President to specify Scheduled Tribes. Fifth Schedule establishes Tribes’ Advisory Councils. STs constitute 8.6% of the Population (census 2011). Draft National Tribal Policy, 2006 records 698 STs in India. Bhil is the largest tribal group (38%) followed by Gonds. Madhya Pradesh has the highest tribal Population in India. Santhal are the oldest Tribes in India.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/the-vital-role-played-by-tribal-communities-in-preserving-forests/

Ans: (b)

Explanation;

• Context: A dispute has arisen over the Election Commission’s (EC) handling of voter turnout data, particularly related to Form 17C.
  • Form 17C records detailed polling data, including the number of votes cast and rejected at each booth.
  • The Commission maintained there is no legal mandate for it to make public the total number of votes cast in each polling station. It says copies of Form 17C are shared with the polling agents present immediately upon the close of polling.
• About Form 17C:
  • The Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 require the EC to maintain two forms- Forms 17A and 17C. Form 17A records the details of every voter who enters a polling booth and casts their vote. Form 17C contains the total number of votes cast.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/form-17c/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: Ireland, Norway, and Spain plan to formally recognize the state of Palestine, highlighting a shift in international opinion. Recently, 143 countries, including India, called for UN recognition of Palestine. The International Criminal Court has sought arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and Hamas for war crimes.
• S1: The Palestinian territories include the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which are geographically separate and have distinct political and administrative contexts.
• S2: The Oslo Accords, signed in the 1990s, were a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) with the goal of achieving a peace treaty and establishing a framework for future relations.
• S3: Although Palestine is not a full member state of the United Nations, it has been granted non-member observer state status since 2012, which allows it to participate in General Assembly debates and activities.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/recognition-of-palestine/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/recognition-of-palestine/

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: The Pre-packaged Insolvency Resolution Process (PPIRP) has successfully facilitated the full settlement of operational creditors’ claims for five companies.
• Consolidation and Amendment: The primary objective of the IBC is to consolidate and amend laws related to reorganization and insolvency resolution for corporate persons, partnership firms, and individuals in a time-bound manner. This helps in promoting entrepreneurship, availability of credit, and balancing the interests of all stakeholders.
• Enactment in 2016: The IBC was enacted in 2016 to provide a streamlined, efficient process for resolving insolvencies. This helps in protecting the value of the debtor’s assets and ensuring their optimal use.
• Resolution Timeframe: The IBC stipulates that the insolvency resolution process for a corporate debtor should ideally be completed within 180 days, which can be extended by an additional 90 days if necessary, making a total of 270 days.
• Role of NCLT: The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) is designated as the adjudicating authority for the insolvency resolution of companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), playing a crucial role in the implementation of the IBC.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/the-pre-packaged-insolvency-resolution-process-ppirp/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949, by the Indian Parliament to regulate the chartered accountancy profession in the country. It operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, with its headquarters in New Delhi. As the world’s second-largest professional body of chartered accountants, ICAI is governed by a Council comprising elected and nominated members. Its functions include regulating the profession, conducting examinations and education, providing continuing professional education, formulating accounting standards, ensuring ethical standards, and exercising disciplinary jurisdiction. Additionally, ICAI contributes input on policy matters to the government.
• To practice as a chartered accountant in India, one must be a member of ICAI, ensuring adherence to professional standards and ethical guidelines.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/institute-of-chartered-accountants-of-india-icai/

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

• Context: IIT Madras-incubated ePlane Company is set to launch eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft in Bengaluru.
• S1 is Correct: eVTOL aircraft indeed rely on electric propulsion systems, which distinguish them from traditional fuel-powered aircraft.
• S2 is Incorrect: eVTOL aircraft are designed to take off and land vertically, allowing them to operate from a variety of locations, not just traditional airports. They can use helipads, vertiports, and other smaller areas.
• S3 is Correct: eVTOL aircraft are anticipated to help alleviate urban traffic congestion by providing an alternative, efficient mode of transportation over short distances, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
• S4 is Incorrect: eVTOL aircraft are generally considered more environmentally friendly than traditional helicopters because they use electric power, which can be sourced from renewable energy, and produce fewer emissions.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/evtol-electric-vertical-take-off-and-landing-aircraft/

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: Recently, twelve nations signed the Zero Debris Charter at the ESA/EU Space Council, committing to making space activities debris-neutral by 2030.
• The Zero Debris Charter aims to achieve debris-neutrality in space by 2030. The Charter is part of ESA’s comprehensive Zero Debris approach, which involves significant internal reforms and the development of debris mitigation technologies under its Space Safety Programme. ESA estimates over one million pieces of space debris larger than one-centimetre orbit Earth, posing severe risks to satellites and astronauts.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/zero-debris-charter/

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

• Context: Six people, including two children, drowned after their boat capsized in the Ujani dam backwaters in Maharashtra’s Pune district due to strong winds and rains.
• About Ujani Dam:
  • Ujani Dam is on the Bhima River near Ujjani village in Solapur district, Maharashtra. The dam generates 12 MW of hydroelectric power.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/ujani-dam/

Ans: (d)

Explanation: About Bhima River:

• It is also known as the Chandrabagha River, it is a major tributary of the Krishna River. Originates in the Bhimashankar hills near Karjat, Pune District, Maharashtra. Flows southeast through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, merging into the Krishna River at Kadlur, Karnataka. Pandharpur, an important pilgrimage centre, is situated on its right bank.

Refer: https://www.insightsonindia.com/2024/05/25/ujani-dam/