UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 9 September 2024

Solution: c)

Saturn’s iconic rings will temporarily “disappear” from Earth’s view in March 2025 because of its axial tilt, which causes the rings to align edge-on from our perspective. This alignment occurs during Saturn’s equinox, a point in its 29.5-year orbit around the Sun when both of its hemispheres receive equal sunlight.

As a result, the rings become difficult to see from Earth, but they are not gone—they will reappear as Saturn continues its orbit. This phenomenon is a result of Saturn’s specific tilt and orbital dynamics.

Solution: c)

• The 2017 amendment to the Enemy Property Act expanded the definition of ‘enemy’ to include legal heirs and successors of individuals classified as enemies, regardless of their nationality or citizenship status.
• Prior to this amendment, only properties owned directly by those from enemy countries like Pakistan and China were considered enemy properties.

The change allowed the government to manage and even sell properties of individuals who had passed on their assets to heirs who may have become citizens of countries other than Pakistan or China.

Solution: d)

• The ‘INDIAsize’ initiative aims to create standardized body measurements specifically for Indian body types, addressing the issue of poor fitting caused by current sizing standards, which are largely based on US and UK models.
• Many brands use foreign size standards, which do not match the body dimensions of Indian consumers, leading to problems in clothing fit.
• This initiative seeks to collect data on Indian body types and provide an accurate size chart that brands can adopt, thereby improving customer satisfaction and reducing returns.

Solution: d)

• The Konyak people, before the widespread adoption of Christianity, practiced animism, worshipping natural objects and forces.
• Additionally, they were once renowned headhunters, a cultural practice where the taking of an enemy’s head was considered a sign of bravery and achievement.
• The Konyaks also have a patriarchal social structure, where leadership and family inheritance are traditionally male-dominated.

These cultural traits have been central to their identity, though many of these practices have faded with modernization and the spread of Christianity in the region.

Solution: b)

• The 2017 amendment to the Enemy Property Act allows for the sale of enemy property without the need for judicial intervention, enhancing the authority of the Custodian of Enemy Property, making Statement 1 correct.
• Additionally, it expanded the scope of the Act to include enemies who have changed their nationality, ensuring that their properties can still be seized and managed, making Statement 2 correct.

However, properties of citizens from China are not exempt under the Act, and the Act continues to apply to both Pakistani and Chinese citizens, making Statement 3 incorrect.

Solution: a)

VisioNxt combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) to forecast fashion trends, making Statement 1 correct. It also aims to reduce India’s dependence on foreign trend forecasting agencies by providing localized insights, making Statement 2 correct.

However, Statement 3 is incorrect as VisioNxt is not exclusive to large fashion brands and international designers; it is also intended to support smaller homegrown designers, weavers, and other stakeholders in the Indian fashion ecosystem. The platform aims to make trend forecasting accessible to a wider section of the Indian fashion industry.

Solution: c)

Saturn’s rings are composed primarily of ice, dust, and rock particles. These particles range in size from tiny dust grains to massive chunks as large as mountains. The rings are divided into several sections and are considered the most prominent ring system in the solar system. They are held in place and shaped by Saturn’s strong gravitational field, along with the gravitational influences of its moons. The materials in the rings are believed to be remnants of objects like comets, asteroids, or moons that were shattered by Saturn’s immense gravitational forces.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct as the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the first nuclear power facility in the Arab world, marking a significant milestone for the region.

Statement 2 is incorrect; while the plant will supply 25% of the UAE’s electricity needs, it is not intended to supply electricity to all GCC countries.

Statement 3 is correct, as the plant is part of the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify its energy sources and contribute to its goal of 50% renewable energy by 2050.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect because GNIICTT will be India’s second deep-water container transshipment terminal, with the first being the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala.

Statement 2 is correct as the GNIICTT project will be developed through a public-private partnership model.

Statement 3 is also correct, as one of the key objectives of the GNIICTT is to capture cargo that is currently being handled by international ports, enhancing India’s maritime trade capabilities.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct, as the Mithu vs. State of Punjab (1983) judgment held that a mandatory death sentence can result in unjust deprivation of life, violating Article 21.

Statement 2 is also correct, as the ruling emphasized the need for judicial discretion in sentencing, ensuring a case-by-case evaluation of capital punishment cases.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the ruling applies to all laws imposing mandatory death sentences, not just those under the Indian Penal Code.