UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 14 May 2025

Solution: b)

• Statement 1 is correct. Operating in the stratosphere presents significant challenges, including ensuring reliable power systems (often solar panels and energy storage like batteries or regenerative fuel cells) for long endurance missions, and designing materials for the envelope that can withstand extreme cold (as low as -60°C), intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and ozone corrosion.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The primary applications of the stratospheric airship are for Earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, communication relays, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. While it enhances strategic capabilities, it is not designed for direct offensive strikes like UCAVs; it’s a surveillance and monitoring platform.

Solution: b)

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The title “Vatapikonda” (Conqueror of Vatapi) was adopted by the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I after he defeated Pulakesin II and captured the Chalukya capital, Vatapi (Badami). Vikramaditya I, son of Pulakesin II, later reclaimed Vatapi from the Pallavas but did not adopt this specific title; he was known by titles like “Rajamalla”.
• Statement 2 is correct. The Badami Chalukyas are credited with introducing and patronizing the Vesara style of temple architecture, which is characterized by its synthesis of elements from the northern Nagara style and the southern Dravida style. This architectural innovation flourished under their rule in sites like Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. The Badami Chalukya kingdom was described as a “plateau kingdom” where land revenue was limited. Consequently, they often relied on military expansion and plunder to augment their resources, rather than being a predominantly agrarian power sustained by fertile river valleys alone. They also maintained a maritime fleet, indicating diverse economic and strategic interests.

Solution: c)

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Tendu leaves (Diospyros melanoxylon) are classified as a Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), also referred to as Minor Forest Produce (MFP) in some contexts, despite their significant economic value. The term “Major Forest Produce” typically refers to timber.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The collection of tendu leaves is predominantly undertaken by tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers, often on a household or individual basis, rather than by skilled labourers employed by large private corporations owning forest lands. Forest land ownership largely rests with the state, and communities have collection rights.
• Statement 3 is correct. Chhattisgarh has set a high procurement price for tendu leaves (e.g., ₹5,500 per standard bag). This comparatively higher price, aimed at benefiting local collectors, has created an incentive for illegal smuggling of tendu leaves from adjoining states where procurement prices may be lower. This has become a concern for the Chhattisgarh authorities during the collection season.

Solution: d)

• Statement I is incorrect. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is indeed a statutory body established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016. However, it functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), not under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Statement II is correct. The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, is the legislation that provides statutory backing to Aadhaar. This Act empowers the UIDAI to issue the 12-digit unique Aadhaar number to residents of India. A crucial part of its mandate and the provisions of the Act includes establishing procedures and policies for maintaining the security and privacy of the identity information and authentication records collected.

Solution: a)

• Statement-I correctly states the widely recognized advantages of Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) for bulk cargo: it is generally more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than road and rail transport.
• Statement-II provides valid reasons for these advantages. IWT systems, particularly for large barges, typically exhibit lower fuel consumption per tonne-kilometer of cargo moved, which directly translates to reduced operational costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to trucking. Furthermore, while initial dredging and terminal construction are necessary, the maintenance costs of natural waterways can be lower than those for roads and railways, and the existing river systems often provide a natural infrastructure base.

Solution: c)

A key provision of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, concerning satellite communication is the move towards administrative allocation of spectrum for certain satellite-based services, rather than auctioning it. This approach is often favored for satellite spectrum due to its global nature and the specific technical requirements of satellite operations, which may not be well-suited to traditional auction mechanisms designed for terrestrial spectrum.

Option (a) is incorrect as the Act does not nationalize private services.

Option (b) is incorrect; while promoting indigenous manufacturing is a goal (Make in India), mandating exclusive use of Indian satellites is not the primary regulatory change for service provision.

Option (d) is also incorrect; foreign satellites play a crucial role, and the regulation aims to govern their use, not ban it outright. The shift to administrative allocation for satellite spectrum is a major policy change.

Solution: d)

• Statement 1 is correct. IN-SPACe has been established as the autonomous, single-window nodal agency for promoting, authorizing, and supervising various space activities of non-governmental entities (NGEs) in India, including satellite launches and operations.
• Statement 2 is correct. A major driver for reforming satellite communication regulations is to create a more conducive environment for attracting domestic and foreign investment and enabling the rapid expansion of services like satellite-based internet connectivity, especially in remote and underserved areas.
• Statement 3 is correct. Satellite communication operates across various frequency bands, each with different characteristics suitable for specific applications. Common bands include L-band, S-band, C-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band.
• Statement 4 is incorrect. While the new framework aims to provide regulatory certainty, licenses are typically granted for specific durations (e.g., 20 years) and are subject to renewal, rather than being granted in perpetuity.

Solution: a)

• Statement-I is correct. The Human Development Index (HDI) is widely recognized as a broader and more holistic measure of national development compared to purely economic indicators like GNI per capita. GNI per capita only reflects the average income and does not capture other crucial dimensions of human well-being.
• Statement-II correctly explains why HDI is more comprehensive. It is a composite index that includes three key dimensions: a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy at birth), being knowledgeable (measured by mean years of schooling for adults and expected years of schooling for children), and a decent standard of living (measured by GNI per capita). By integrating health and education indicators alongside income, HDI provides a better reflection of human capabilities and overall well-being.

Solution: b)

Piprahwa, located in Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, is a highly significant archaeological site in the context of Buddhism. Excavations at Piprahwa have yielded reliquary caskets containing bone fragments, ashes, and other artifacts. Many scholars identify Piprahwa with ancient Kapilavastu, the capital of the Shakyas and the childhood home of Prince Siddhartha, who later became Gautama Buddha. The inscriptions found on a casket from the site are interpreted by some as indicating that the relics belong to the Buddha himself, enshrined by his Shakya kinsmen.

Solution: a)

• Statement 1 is incorrect. Civil Defence in India is governed by the Civil Defence Act, 1968, which provides statutory backing for raising Civil Defence Corps and outlining their duties. While it relies heavily on volunteers, it is not purely voluntary without legal framework.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The primary role of Civil Defence is to save life, minimize damage to property, and maintain continuity of essential services during hostile attacks and natural or man-made disasters. It is a non-combatant role focused on civilian protection, not direct engagement in combat operations alongside armed forces.
• Statement 3 is correct. Civil Defence volunteers are trained in a variety of essential emergency response skills, including first aid, casualty carrying, basic fire fighting, search and rescue operations, and unexploded ordnance reconnaissance, to enable them to assist the community effectively during crises.