UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 11 February 2025

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

The first BIMSTEC Youth Summit is being hosted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, not Kathmandu. However, the summit’s theme revolves around fostering intra-BIMSTEC exchange among young leaders. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of External Affairs are the primary organizers, with CII Young Indians as the knowledge partner.

About BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025:

• Origin: BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 was conceptualized or proposed during the 4th BIMSTEC Summit (Held in Nepal).
• Host: Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Organised by: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of External Affairs, with the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Young Indians (CII YI) as the knowledge partner.
• Theme: ‘Youth as a bridge for intra-BIMSTEC exchange’
• Aim: The Summit provides a platform for young leaders from BIMSTEC nations to engage in discussions on regional cooperation and emerging challenges.

Key Features & Functions:

• Leadership & Skill Development: Focus on training youth in AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and digital technologies.
• Innovation & Entrepreneurship: Proposal to create a regional startup network within BIMSTEC nations.
• Youth Policy & Governance: Sessions on policy discussions for regional youth empowerment.
• Cultural & Heritage Exchange: Promoting mutual cooperation through cultural engagements and visits like Dandi Kutir.
• Sustainable Development & Digital Growth: Discussions on technology, climate resilience, and economic sustainability.
• Viksit Bharat @2047: India’s vision of a developed nation by 2047, chaired by Raksha Khadse.

Solution: c)

The Cook Islands is a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, meaning it has its own government and legal system but relies on New Zealand for defense and foreign affairs. It is not a full UN member but can independently engage in international treaties and agreements.

About Cook Islands:

• Region: The Cook Islands are in Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean. They have 15 islands spread over a large area.
• Terrain: The islands are a mix of volcanic islands and coral atolls, with lush landscapes, lagoons, and coral reefs.
• Capital: Avarua, situated on Rarotonga Island, serves as the political and economic hub of the Cook Islands.
• Highest Point: Te Manga (652m) is the tallest peak, located on Rarotonga, featuring steep volcanic slopes and dense vegetation.

Relationship with New Zealand:

• Political Status: The Cook Islands is a self-governing territory. It is in free association with New Zealand. This means it governs itself but keeps strong ties with Wellington.
• Citizenship: All Cook Islanders hold New Zealand citizenship, allowing them to live, work, and travel freely in New Zealand.
• Support from New Zealand: New Zealand gives financial aid, defense help, and manages foreign affairs for the Cook Islands. This strengthens their long-standing partnership.

Solution: d)

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary was chosen for cheetah reintroduction because of its open savanna-like habitat, historical presence of cheetahs, and controlled predator population. The sanctuary has been managed to ensure a stable prey base and minimize competition from leopards, making it an ideal cheetah habitat.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location:

• • Situated in northwestern Madhya Pradesh, along the Madhya Pradesh-Rajasthan border.
  • Covers 368 sq. km and lies within the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forest ecoregion.
  • Divided into two parts by the Chambal River, forming a diverse habitat.

• Habitat & Climate:

• • Climate: Semi-arid, with hot summers and moderate winters.
  • Vegetation: Northern tropical dry deciduous forests and scrublands, providing ideal open grasslands for cheetahs.
  • Key Flora: Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu, and Palash trees.

• Fauna: Rich Biodiversity

• • Herbivores (Prey for Cheetahs): Chinkara, Nilgai, Spotted Deer.
  • Carnivores: Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena, Jackal (managed to prevent conflicts).

• Unique Features of the Sanctuary:

• • Designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
  • Prehistoric Rock Art & Human Settlement: The Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), feature prehistoric cave paintings depicting early human life, including hunting scenes with spotted animals resembling cheetahs.
  • Once a Cheetah Habitat: Oral traditions and local folklore suggest that cheetahs once roamed the region before their extinction in India in 1952.

• Why Gandhi Sagar is Suitable for Cheetahs?

• • Open savanna-like habitat, resembling African cheetah ecosystems.
  • Prey base management: Spotted deer and Nilgai introduced to maintain sufficient food supply.
  • Low predator density: Leopards population is actively controlled to reduce competition, ensuring cheetah survival.

• First Cheetah Reintroduction Site in India:

• • Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh: Hosted first cheetah translocation from Namibia (8) and South Africa (12) in 2022-2023.
  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary now selected as second cheetah habitat to expand the species’ range and ensure long-term conservation.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The study suggests that the Shiv Shakti Point region formed due to volcanic activity and impact processes. The site is surrounded by three large impact craters (Manzinus, Boguslawsky, and Schomberger), making it geologically significant. However, no direct evidence of liquid water has been found at the site; hydrated minerals indicate past interactions with solar wind rather than liquid water presence.

Solution: d)

SRY is crucial only for early gonadal differentiation, not for sperm production in adulthood (which depends on hormones like FSH and LH).

The development of external male genitalia is determined by testosterone and DHT, not directly by SRY.

Turner Syndrome (45, X) is caused by the complete absence of the second sex chromosome (X or Y), not by SRY loss.

About Baby Sex Determination:

• What is Sex Determination?
  • Sex determination is the biological process that decides whether a baby develops as a male or female, influenced by genetic and hormonal factors.
• Role of Chromosomes in Sex Determination:

• • Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, including one pair of sex chromosomes: XX (female) or XY (male).
  • Egg cells always carry an X chromosome, while sperm cells carry either X or Y.
  • If a sperm with an X chromosome fertilizes an egg, the baby is female (XX); if a Y-carrying sperm fertilizes the egg, the baby is male (XY).

About SRY Gene:

• What is the SRY Gene?
  • The SRY (Sex-determining Region Y) gene is found on the Y chromosome and acts as the master switch for male development.
  • Function: It activates a cascade of genes that trigger the formation of testes in the embryo, which then produce testosterone, promoting male characteristics.
  • SRY Absence: If the SRY gene is missing or non-functional, the embryo develops female reproductive structures by default.
• How SRY Gene Influences Sex Determination?
  • Normal Process: If the SRY gene is present and functional, the embryo develops into a male; if absent, it follows the female pathway.
  • Rare Exceptions: Sometimes, the SRY gene translocates (moves) from the Y chromosome to the X chromosome due to mutation. This can lead to:
    • SRY-Positive Males (XX): Individuals with an SRY-bearing X chromosome develop as males but remain sterile.
    • SRY-Positive Females (XX): In exceptional cases, females carrying the SRY gene develop normally due to biased X chromosome inactivation, preventing the gene’s function.

Solution: a)

The NCSK has no judicial authority to conduct legal trials or punish violators. It primarily acts as a monitoring and advisory body, recommending welfare measures and investigating grievances. The enforcement of laws, including prosecution, is the responsibility of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.

About National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK):

• What it is: A government body working for the welfare of Safai Karamcharis (sanitation workers)
• Established in: 1994 under the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Ministry Under: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Aim: Ensure the social, economic, and working condition improvement of sanitation workers and eliminate manual scavenging
• Headed by: Chairperson (Rank: Minister of State), Vice-Chairperson, and five members

Powers & Functions of NCSK:

• Recommends welfare programs to eliminate inequalities for Safai Karamcharis
• Monitors the implementation of social and economic rehabilitation schemes.
• Investigates complaints of scheme violations, unsafe working conditions, or discrimination.
• Evaluates safety standards in sanitation work and makes recommendations.
• Takes suo motu action on issues affecting Safai Karamcharis.
• Advises governments on policy and legal measures to safeguard sanitation workers.
• Oversees compliance with the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
• Monitors Supreme Court directives, including compensation for sewer deaths (₹30 lakh per fatality).

How the Commission Works?

• Field Visits: Members travel across the country to assess the living and working conditions of Safai Karamcharis.
• Grievance Redressal: Receives complaints and works with authorities for resolution.
• Proactive Monitoring: Takes Suo motu action based on media reports or petitions.
• Policy Recommendations: Suggests welfare measures and rehabilitation plans to the government.

Solution: a)

The SCoR zone was created in 2025 in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, to address regional demands and improve railway infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. However, it does not replace East Coast Railway as the largest freight revenue-generating zone. India has created multiple railway zones post-independence, making option (c) incorrect. Moreover, while the headquarters is in Visakhapatnam, the jurisdiction is not over the entire Andhra Pradesh but specific divisions.

About South Coast Railway Zone (SCoR):

• Established in: 2025 (approved by the Union Cabinet on February 7, 2025).
• Headquarters: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Jurisdiction: Covers parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, including key divisions like Vijayawada, Guntur, and Visakhapatnam.
• Reason for Bifurcation: The government implemented this to meet the goals of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. It aims to improve logistics, boost industrial growth, and enhance tourism in the area.

Solution: c)

The ICC does not have universal jurisdiction; it can only prosecute individuals from member states or cases referred to it by the UN Security Council. While it focuses on serious international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression), it does not primarily function as a human rights enforcement body.

About International Criminal Court (ICC):

• Established: It was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute.
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
• Jurisdiction: Prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression
• Members: 125 countries; major non-members include the U.S., China, Russia, India, and Israel

Working Procedure:

• Referral Mechanisms: Cases can be referred by member states, the UN Security Council, or initiated by the ICC Prosecutor
• Complementarity Principle: Acts only when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute
• Investigation & Trial Process:
  • The Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) examines referrals, gathers evidence, and initiates prosecutions
  • Judicial Divisions oversee pre-trial, trial, and appeals proceedings
  • Registry handles administrative functions

Functions & Powers:

• Prosecutes individuals for grave international crimes.
• Issues arrest warrants for those responsible for human rights violations.
• Cooperates with nations and organizations for legal assistance and enforcement.
• Ensures justice when national courts fail to act.

Solution: b)

BIMSTEC does not have a common trade bloc like the EU. While it promotes economic cooperation, it does not function as a customs union. The BIMSTEC Youth Summit indeed focuses on AI, cybersecurity, and startup ecosystems. Also, BIMSTEC is not exclusively South Asian; it includes Thailand and Myanmar from Southeast Asia.

About BIMSTEC:

• Established: 6 June 1997 (Formed under the Bangkok Declaration as BIST-EC)
• Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh (Permanent Secretariat since 2014)
• Founding Declaration: BIMSTEC Declaration (2004)
• Member Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand
• Current Secretary-General: Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey (India)

Solution: c)

The sanctuary is located along the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh, making statement 1 correct. The Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters contain prehistoric cave paintings, depicting hunting scenes and early human life, making statement 3 correct. However, Gandhi Sagar is not the only Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in India; there are several others, making statement 2 incorrect.