UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 5 March 2025

Solution: A

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Protohistory is the period between prehistory and history and refers to the people who didn’t develop writing but were mentioned in the written records of a contemporary group.

Although the Harappans were literate people, their written materials could not be deciphered by historians. For the Vedic period, we don’t have written records but orally transmitted literature (the Vedas).

Solution: B

Statement 3 is incorrect.

About Habitat Rights:

• Habitat rights are granted under the Forest Rights Act and provide communities with rights over their customary territories, cultural practices, livelihood means, biodiversity knowledge, and protection of their natural and cultural heritage.
• Habitat rights help safeguard traditional livelihoods and ecological knowledge, and they empower PVTG communities to access government schemes and initiatives to develop their habitats.

The Mankidia community in Odisha has been granted habitat rights, making them the sixth Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) to receive this recognition under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Solution: D

Remote Sensing: It is the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, typically from aircraft or satellites. It collects data by detecting the reflected energy from the Earth. Hyperspectral imaging, sonar, and seismograms are common application of the remote sensing.

Solution: C

Option 4 is incorrect.

The disqualification of an MP convicted for an offence can happen in two instances.

First, if the offence for which he is convicted is listed in Section 8(1) of the Representation of the People Act of 1951. This includes certain specific offences such as promoting enmity between two groups, bribery and undue influence or personation at an election. Defamation does not fall under this list.

Second, if the lawmaker is convicted for any other offence but is sentenced for a period of two years or more. Section 8(3) of the RPA mandates that an MP can be disqualified if convicted and sentenced to not less than two years of imprisonment.

Solution: D

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) — the body that is responsible for approving proposals relating to genetically engineered organisms.

Bacillus thuringiensis cotton (or Bt cotton) is the only GM crop that has been approved for cultivation in India so far.

Mustard flowers contain both female (pistil) and male (stamen) reproductive organs, which makes the plant largely self-pollinating. The GM mustard developed by the DU scientists contains two alien genes — the first, ‘barnase’, gene interferes with pollen production and renders the plant male-sterile, and the resulting plant is crossed with fertile mustard flowers containing the second, ‘barstar’, gene which blocks the action of the barnase gene. The resulting plants are meant to be high-yield variants of mustard.

Solution: B

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Listeria or Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria found in soil, vegetation, water, sewage and even the faeces of animals and humans. Listeria-contaminated food can lead to an infection called listeriosis.

Most people who ingest listeria-infected food do not fall sick or develop symptoms. The bacteria can be present in the infected person’s system for up to two months until the symptoms present themselves, making it difficult to establish the connection between what was consumed and the infection.

Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation and fever.

People with compromised immune systems, pregnant persons and their offspring and the elderly (aged 65 and above) are vulnerable.

Solution: A

Statement 3 is incorrect.

India’s states have the power to tax mining activities, and collecting “royalties” from mining leaseholders is entirely separate from, and does not interfere with, the power to impose taxes, a nine-judge Constitution Bench ruled.

Following the judgment, states can generate additional revenues in the form of taxes on mining activities and on the land used to conduct these activities.

Royalties refer to the fees paid to the owner of a product in exchange for the right to use that product. For example, if a movie studio wants to use an existing piece of music by a specific artist in their new film, they will have to pay a royalty fee that goes to the artist.

Section 9 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDRA) requires those who obtain leases to conduct mining activities to “pay royalty in respect of any mineral removed” to the individual or corporation who leased the land to them.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Initiatives for Critical Minerals exploration:

Solution: C

Statement 4 is incorrect.

Article 102 deals with the disqualification of MPs from either house of the Parliament.

Part (1) of the article lists the reasons why an MP can be disqualified. These include,

(a) if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder;

(b) if he is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court;

(c) if he is an undischarged insolvent;

(d) if he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any acknowledgment of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State;

(e) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.

Solution: c)

The Supreme Court’s ruling in this case established a crucial procedural safeguard for arrested individuals. By mandating the written disclosure of arrest grounds at the time of arrest, it ensures transparency in the arrest process and allows the accused to understand the basis of their detention immediately. This requirement serves multiple purposes: it protects against arbitrary arrests, enables the accused to prepare their defense promptly, and upholds the fundamental right to personal liberty. The immediacy of this disclosure is particularly significant in the context of laws like PMLA, where bail provisions are stringent, making the validity of the arrest itself a critical factor in potential legal challenges.