UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 7 November 2024

Solution: c)

An intermediary, as defined by the IT Act, is an entity that facilitates the transmission, storage, or processing of information provided by third parties without exercising editorial control over that content. This distinguishes intermediaries from content creators or publishers, as intermediaries are not liable for third-party content if they comply with due diligence standards.

Solution: d)

Statement 1 is incorrect because Proba-3 focuses on the Sun’s corona, not deep space exploration.

Statement 2 is incorrect because Proba-3 is a two-satellite mission designed to conduct precise solar observations, using formation flying to create a coronagraph effect.

Statement 3 is incorrect, as ISRO and the European Union have collaborated on previous Proba missions.

Statement 4 is incorrect because Proba-3 is scheduled to launch from Sriharikota, India, not a European spaceport.

Solution: a)

Kowsar was developed for Earth observation with a focus on environmental monitoring and agriculture, falling under civilian applications rather than military. It was launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome on a Russian Soyuz rocket, contributing to Iran’s peaceful space expansion initiatives.

Solution: a)

Only statement 3 is correct.

The Chambal and Banas rivers are two prominent rivers that flow through parts of the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, supporting its biodiversity.

Statement 1 is incorrect as RTR is located at the meeting point of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, not the Western Ghats.

Statement 2 is incorrect because RTR has tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests, dominated by Dhok trees, not tropical moist evergreen forests.

Statement 4 is incorrect since RTR was a hunting ground for the rulers of Jaipur, not Udaipur.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is correct. The Maha Kumbh Mela involves performing sacred rituals with the goal of attaining spiritual liberation.

Statement 1 is incorrect because the Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years, not every 6 years.

Statement 3 is incorrect as the Maha Kumbh Mela rotates among four locations — Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.

Statement 4 is incorrect because the Maha Kumbh Mela is rooted in Hindu mythology with references dating back to the Maurya and Gupta periods, not specifically the Vedic period.

Solution: d)

About PM E-DRIVE Scheme:

• Launch date: October 1, 2024.
• Ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries.
• Budget: Financial outlay of Rs. 10,900 crores.
• Duration: Active until March 31, 2026.
• Objective: Encourage EV adoption, reduce environmental impact from transport, and support domestic EV manufacturing.

Key components:

• Subsidies: Incentives for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other EVs.
• Grants for Capital Assets: Fund e-buses, charging stations, and upgrade MHI testing facilities.
• Administration: Includes IEC activities and project management agency fees.

Eligibility criteria:

• Electric two-wheelers: Incentives are available for 24.79 lakh e-2Ws with advanced batteries, covering both private and commercial ownership.
• Electric three-wheelers: Around 3.2 lakh e-3Ws, including registered e-rickshaws and L5 vehicles, qualify if used commercially and equipped with advanced batteries.
• Electric ambulances: 500 crore supports e-ambulances, with standards set by the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.
• Electric trucks: 500 crore is allocated for e-trucks, requiring a scrapping certificate from a MoRTH-approved center.
• Electric buses: 4,391 crore funds 14,028 e-buses for large cities, prioritizing STUs that retire older buses under MoRTH guidelines.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is correct. Publishers exercise editorial control over the content on their platforms, deciding what content appears and making them directly responsible for any content violations.

Statement 1 is incorrect because publishers are liable for all content they produce or host, regardless of due diligence; due diligence does not shield them from liability as it does for intermediaries.

Statement 3 is also incorrect, as publishers are open to penalties for defamatory, inaccurate, or unlawful content due to their editorial authority.

Solution: c)

In its recent decision, the Supreme Court clarified that not all private properties fall under the classification of “material resources of the community” as per Article 39(b). This judgment restricts the scope of state control over privately owned assets, implying that only certain resources can be regarded as benefiting the common good.

Solution: b)

The Chola dynasty in South India, along with other dynasties, supported the Kumbh Mela, thereby contributing to its growth. British colonial records, such as those by James Prinsep, documented the socio-religious significance of the event in the 19th century.

Statement 1 is incorrect as the Kumbh Mela’s origins trace back further, though the Gupta period did elevate its prominence.

Statement 4 is incorrect because, rather than banning Hindu groups, Emperor Akbar allowed Hindu religious groups like the Naga Sadhus to lead the royal procession.

Solution: a)

Only Statement 3 is correct.

What are Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs)?

DFCs are specialized railway tracks designed solely for freight transport. These corridors, utilizing double-stack container and heavy-haul trains, increase capacity and ensure faster freight transit.

Eastern dedicated freight corridor (EDFC):

• Route:Covers approximately 1,856 km from Ludhiana (Punjab) to Dankuni (West Bengal).
• Key sections:Kanpur-Mughalsarai and Khurja-Bhaupur.
• Operations:Fully commissioned, handling nearly 200 trains daily, primarily transporting coal, steel, and agricultural products.
• Impact:Relieves congestion on existing tracks, improves passenger train punctuality, and boosts regional economic activities.