January 16 2025 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

• SEBI allowed the issuance of Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) bonds on Social Stock Exchanges (SSE), facilitating social enterprises to raise funds for social welfare initiatives.

Statements 1 and 2 are correct

• ZCZP bonds are securities issued by non-profit organisations (NPOs) listed on SSE.
• These bonds neither pay interest nor return the principal amount.
• The bonds mature either after 12 months or once the funded project concludes.

Statements 3 is incorrect

• The funds raised are considered donations, not investments, and are non-refundable.

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Both statements are incorrect

• The US administration’s new export regulation framework places India in the second tier, limiting its access to high-powered AI hardware like GPUs, potentially impacting its AI plans.
• Three-Tier Framework for AI Hardware Export Restrictions:
  • Tier 1 – Closest US Allies.
  • Tier 2 – Majority of Countries (Including India).
  • Tier 3- Countries of Concern.

• Validated End User (GVEU): A Special Provision:
  • Indian companies with this authorisation can use exported AI technology for civilian and military purposes, excluding nuclear use.
  • Chinese companies can only use the technology for civilian applications.
  • India and China are the only countries with this special provision.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

• World Monuments Watch (WMW): WMW was launched in 1996 by the World Monuments Fund.
• It is a biennial program highlighting endangered heritage sites to raise global awareness for their preservation.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad and Bhuj’s Historic Water Infrastructure have been included in the 2025 World Monuments Watch, highlighting their vulnerability to environmental and developmental changes.

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

• The Supreme Court ruled that maintenance and restitution of conjugal rights are independent legal matters. A wife can claim maintenance despite non-compliance with the conjugal rights decree.
• Legality of Restitution of Conjugal Rights:
  • Section 9, Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), 1955: Allows a spouse to seek a court decree to restore the other spouse to their matrimonial society if withdrawn without reasonable excuse.
  • Intended to protect traditional family unity but criticised for its relevance in an egalitarian society.
• SC Observations:
  • SC Ruling in the Present Case:
    • Restored maintenance order, emphasising the independent nature of conjugal rights & maintenance.
    • Conjugal rights findings were given undue weightage by the Jharkhand HC.
  • Maintenance vs. Conjugal Rights:
    • These are separate legal issues. Refusal to comply with a restitution decree doesn’t automatically disqualify the wife from maintenance.
    • Reference to prior judgments reinforced the dilution of Section 125(4) CrPC restrictions.
  • Case-Specific Considerations:
    • Each case must be assessed on individual facts.
    • Just cause, such as alleged ill-treatment, can justify a wife’s refusal to return to the matrimonial home.

Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Pairs 1, 2 and 3 are incorrect

Answer: (b) Only three; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Indian Army Day is celebrated on January 15 every year to mark the appointment of Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army in 1949, replacing British General Sir Francis Butcher.
• It Symbolizes India’s military autonomy post-independence.

Statement 2 is correct

• Key Events and Celebrations of Indian Army Day 2025:
• Location: Pune will host the Army Day Parade for the first time, making it the third city after Bengaluru (2023) and Lucknow (2024) to host the event.
• Parade & Ceremonial Events: Showcase of military regiments, advanced weaponry, tanks, and missiles.
• Gallantry Awards: Recognition of bravery with gallantry awards and unit citations.
• Cultural Programs: Celebrates the diversity of the Indian Army & its connection to India’s rich traditions.

Answer: (b) 2 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• After an El Niño event weather conditions usually return back to normal.
• However, in some years the trade winds can become extremely strong and an abnormal accumulation of cold water can occur in the central and eastern Pacific. This event is called a La Niña.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• La Niña actually tends to increase hurricane activity in the Atlantic.
• A strong La Niña occurred in 1988 and scientists believe that it may have been responsible for the summer drought over central North America. During this period, the Atlantic Ocean has seen very active hurricane seasons in 1998 and 1999.
• One of the hurricanes that developed, named Mitch, was the strongest October hurricane ever to develop in about 100 years of record keeping.

Statement 3 is incorrect

• Some of the other weather effects of La Niña include:
  • abnormally heavy monsoons in India and Southeast Asia,
  • cool and wet winter weather in southeastern Africa, wet weather in eastern Australia,
  • cold winter in western Canada and northwestern United States,
  • winter drought in the southern United States.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Hard

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrect

• INS Surat: Advanced Guided Missile Destroyer (Project 15B):
  • Most advanced Stealth destroyer with advanced strike capabilities & network-centric warfare features.
  • Equipped with surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes.
  • First AI-enabled warship in India, enhancing operational efficiency with indigenous AI solutions.
  • Features state-of-the-art weapons and sensors for comprehensive defence.
  • Speed: Over 30 knots (56 km/h) with a Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) propulsion system.
  • Part of Project 15B, developed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by MDL, Mumbai.
  • Commissioned as the fourth and final vessel of the class.

Pair 2 is incorrect

• INS Nilgiri: Advanced Stealth Frigate (Project 17A):
  • Multi-role, multi-mission frigate designed for deep-sea operations in blue water.
  • Anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
  • Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missile system and MRSAM system; Features 76mm upgraded gun and rapid-fire close-in weapon systems.
  • First of seven ships in the Project 17A class. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
  • Integrates “integrated construction” philosophy, reducing overall build time.

Pair 3 is correct

• INS Vaghsheer: Stealth Submarine (Scorpene Class, Project 75):
  • One of the world’s quietest diesel-electric submarines, designed for anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, armed with wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems.
  • Can undertake a variety of missions, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and special operations.
  • Future upgrades planned with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology from 2026 for enhanced submerged endurance.
  • Built in collaboration with the French Naval Group, designed under Project 75.
  • Commissioned as the sixth and final submarine in the Scorpene class.
  • Enhances India’s submarine capabilities with increased stealth and versatility.

Answer: (a) Only one; Difficulty Level: Hard