UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 26 May 2025

Solution: b)

• The Energy Conservation Act, 2022 Amendment plays a crucial role in bolstering India’s domestic carbon market by creating a robust framework for trading carbon credits and promoting energy efficiency across sectors.
• This initiative aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which include achieving a 45% reduction in emission intensity of GDP by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
• However, while the amendment supports the broader goals of the NDCs, its primary focus lies in facilitating energy conservation and establishing the carbon market infrastructure. The emission intensity reduction is a more comprehensive target, encompassing various policies and measures beyond the amendment itself.
• Thus, while both statements are correct, Statement-II does not exclusively explain Statement-I, as the latter is part of a broader spectrum of measures aimed at meeting India’s climate commitments.

Solution: d)

The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, safeguards the judiciary’s independence by penalizing actions that undermine its authority or interfere with the administration of justice.

What is Judicial Accountability?

• Judicial accountability refers to the principle that judges must take responsibility for their decisions and actions. It ensures transparency in decision-making and mandates judges to act within the framework of the law, upholding the trust vested in them by society.

Provisions for Judicial Accountability:

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 124(4) and 124(5):Allows impeachment of Supreme Court judges for proven misbehavior or incapacity.
• Article 217:Impeachment of High Court judges based on similar grounds.
• Article 235:Empowers High Courts to control and supervise subordinate courts.
• Restatement of Judicial Values (1997):Acts as a code of conduct for higher judiciary members.

Solution: a)

Statement 1 is correct as Articles 124(4) and 124(5) outline the impeachment process for Supreme Court judges.

Statement 2 is also correct as the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, provides a mechanism to investigate judicial misconduct.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the Restatement of Judicial Values, 1997, is a code of conduct but not legally binding.

What is Judicial Accountability?

Judicial accountability refers to the principle that judges must take responsibility for their decisions and actions. It ensures transparency in decision-making and mandates judges to act within the framework of the law, upholding the trust vested in them by society.

Legal Provisions:

• Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968:Establishes a mechanism to investigate misconduct through a three-member panel.
• Contempt of Courts Act, 1971:Ensures that judiciary functions independently without undue influence.
• Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill (pending):Aims to enhance transparency in judicial conduct and strengthen oversight mechanisms.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is correct as road transport contributes 66% of logistics in India.

Statement 2 is correct since waterways are cost-effective for heavy goods.

Statement 3 is incorrect because rail is suited for bulk goods and long-haul transportation, not short-haul.

Modes of Logistics Movements in India:

• Road:Largest contributor, with 66% share; key for short-haul and last-mile delivery.
• Rail:31% share, suited for bulk goods and long-haul transportation; expanding with dedicated freight corridors.
• Waterways:3% share; cost-effective for heavy goods; potential for coastal and inland navigation.
• Air: 1% share; critical for high-value, time-sensitive goods.

Solution: b)

The PM Gati Shakti program is an initiative aimed at transforming India’s infrastructure landscape by integrating multi-modal transportation systems and fostering seamless connectivity across various sectors.

Statement 1 is correct as it highlights the program’s goal of creating a unified infrastructure network that includes roads, railways, ports, and other modes of transport.

Statement 3 is also correct because the program emphasizes improved coordination among stakeholders, such as government agencies and private entities, to avoid delays and optimize resource allocation in infrastructure projects.

However, Statement 2 is incorrect because PM Gati Shakti is not limited to rural road networks; it adopts a comprehensive approach, focusing on the development of transportation and logistics infrastructure across urban and rural areas.

Solution: b)

WHO Priority List of Pathogens:

• Purpose:Focus global efforts on diseases with high epidemic potential and insufficient medical countermeasures.
• Pathogens Listed:Includes Ebola, Marburg, Lassa fever, Nipah, Rift Valley fever, Zika, and Disease X.
• Criteria:High mortality, rapid spread, and lack of vaccines or treatments.

Patterns of Emerging Diseases:

• Zoonotic Origins:About 70% of emerging diseases come from animals.
• Environmental Factors:Deforestation, urban sprawl, and intensive agriculture increase risks.
• Globalization:Interconnected travel and trade amplify local outbreaks into pandemics.
• Undiscovered Threats:Over 1.7 million unknown viruses in wildlife could infect humans.

Solution: d)

The Carter Doctrine was announced by then U.S. President Jimmy Carter in his 1980 State of the Union Address, primarily in response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. This event significantly heightened Cold War tensions and raised alarm in the United States about the Soviet Union’s potential to expand its influence into the strategically critical Persian Gulf region, which is rich in oil resources.

The doctrine declared that any attempt by an external force to gain control of the Persian Gulf would be viewed as an assault on the vital interests of the United States, warranting a military response. This policy underscored the U.S. commitment to protecting its energy supplies and countering Soviet aggression in the region.

Solution: c)

Rocket launches using chlorine-based propellants significantly deplete the ozone layer.

However, black carbon, released during launches, has a much greater warming potential than carbon dioxide, absorbing sunlight 500 times more efficiently. Hence, Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Major Sources of Space Pollution:

• Defunct Satellites:Non-operational satellites remain in orbit, contributing to debris.
• Rocket Stages:Spent stages left in orbit after launches.
• Fragmentation Debris:Pieces from satellite collisions and explosions.
• Satellite Burnup Ash:Metallic residues released during atmospheric re-entry.

Rockets Impact Pollution:

• Emission Composition:Rocket launches release carbon dioxide, black carbon, and water vapor.
• Black Carbon Effects:Absorbs sunlight 500 times more efficiently than CO₂, amplifying warming.
• Ozone Depletion:Chlorine-based propellants disrupt the ozone layer.
• Energy Intensity:Rocket manufacturing consumes large amounts of energy and resources.

Solution: c)

ESA’s ClearSpace-1 mission is a pioneering initiative in active debris removal, aiming to tackle the growing issue of space debris threatening operational satellites and future space missions. What sets it apart is its targeted approach to removing a single large piece of debris, specifically a defunct payload adapter left in orbit after a 2013 Vega launch. Using a robotic spacecraft equipped with four articulated arms, the mission will capture the debris and safely guide it for a controlled atmospheric re-entry.

Unlike other conceptual or theoretical solutions, ClearSpace-1 focuses on real-world implementation to demonstrate the feasibility of debris removal technologies. It highlights the importance of cleaning up Earth’s orbits to ensure the sustainability of space activities.

Solution: d)

Dissent in the judiciary plays a crucial role in enriching democratic and legal discourse by offering alternate interpretations of the law. It allows judges to voice differing opinions, fostering a culture of critical analysis and deliberation within the judicial system. While majority opinions hold legal authority, dissenting judgments often highlight potential flaws, explore overlooked aspects, or predict future legal developments. Such opinions can influence future cases, provide guidance for legislative improvements, and preserve a record of diverse perspectives for posterity.

By challenging the prevailing consensus, dissent ensures that judicial reasoning is robust and inclusive of minority viewpoints, preventing conformity that might overlook essential nuances. It also serves as a safeguard against potential judicial errors and reinforces the independence of the judiciary.