UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 1 October 2024

Solution: c)

• Article 39(e) and (f) direct the State to protect children from abuse and provide them with opportunities for healthy development.
• Article 39(e) mandates that children should not be exploited in harmful employment, while Article 39(f) ensures that children grow up with dignity, freedom, and a healthy environment.

These provisions are part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, guiding the State to create policies for the welfare and protection of children, although not enforceable in a court of law.

Solution: a)

• Tomb of Balban contains India’s first true arch and dome (A-2).
• Jamali Kamali Mosque reflects the transition from Lodi to Mughal architectural elements (B-1).
• Rajon Ki Baoli is a stepwell reflecting water management (C-3).
• Gandhak ki Baoli is a Mughal-era structure with advanced design (D-4).

Solution: d)

The NAMASTE Programme, launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, focuses on empowering sanitation workers by turning them into “sanipreneurs” and eliminating manual hazardous cleaning practices. It provides them with entrepreneurial training, mechanized equipment, and safety gear, ensuring a dignified livelihood and safer working conditions.

Solution: b)

• Article 15(3) allows for special provisions for the welfare of children and women.
• Article 21 includes the right to life and personal liberty, encompassing protection from exploitation.
• Article 47 focuses on public health and nutrition but does not specifically focus on children.

Solution: a)

The Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus transmitted from fruit bats to humans, which can cause severe neurological symptoms, including encephalitis. Human-to-human transmission is possible, but no vaccine has been developed for Nipah, making statement 4 incorrect.

Solution: d)

The Pusa-44 rice variety has a long maturation period, which leads to delayed wheat sowing and contributes to stubble burning. This has been a significant factor in the air pollution issues faced in Northern India, especially in Punjab and Haryana.

Solution: c)

Statement 4 is incorrect.

The Mehrauli Archaeological Park contains over 100 historically significant monuments from different eras, including structures from the Tomar Rajputs, Khaljis, Lodis, Mughals, and British. It is located near the Qutb complex in Delhi, but it is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Solution: b)

One of the key objectives of the PLI scheme for the textile sector is to increase India’s textile exports to $100 billion by 2030. The scheme focuses on promoting the production of man-made fibers and technical textiles, enhancing India’s global competitiveness in the textile industry.

Solution: b)

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment is designed to detect dark matter particles. The concept of neutrino fog refers to interference caused by neutrinos, which complicates the detection of dark matter. The experiment is based in the U.S., not India, making statement 3 incorrect.

Solution: d)

Pillboxes were small concrete defense structures built during World War II. These structures were strategically placed along coastlines, including Visakhapatnam, to protect against enemy invasions. They provided soldiers with protection while allowing them to fire through small loopholes.