October 27-28 2024 Current Affairs MCQs

Explanation

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect

• Aadhaar is a unique 12-digit identification number assigned by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to every resident of India.
• The SC ruled that Aadhaar cards cannot be used as proof of date of birth (DOB). The case was related to compensation in cases of death under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (MVA).
• The SC referred to the 2018 Constitutional Bench judgement that Aadhaar primarily serves as proof of identity, not age. Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act 2016 specifies that Aadhaar does not establish citizenship or domicile rights.
• Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 specifies that the matriculation or equivalent certificate, not Aadhaar, should be used to determine age, especially in juvenile cases.
• Legal Clarifications on the Use of Aadhaar as an Identity Document:
  • In the State of Maharashtra vs. UIDAI (2022), the Bombay High court clarified Aadhaar’s limited use as proof of identity and residence only—not citizenship or date of birth.
  • Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a memorandum stating that Aadhaar is not inherently proof of date of birth, as it relies on supporting documents.
  • Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) removed Aadhaar from its accepted list of documents for date of birth verification in its retirement fund administration.
• Evolution of Aadhaar’s Mandate:
  • Originally introduced by the UPA government, Aadhaar aimed to provide unique IDs to economically weaker sections to streamline access to government schemes.
• Expansion and Legislative Journey:
  • Early Legislative Challenges: Political and administrative disagreements initially delayed Aadhaar’s adoption. The National Identification Authority of India (NIAI) Bill faced rejections and was withdrawn, primarily due to security concerns and issues over illegal immigration.
  • 2016 Passage as Money Bill: The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill was introduced in 2016 as a money bill.
• Current Status:
  • Voluntary Registration: Despite being ‘voluntary‘, Aadhaar registration has expanded significantly.
  • Private Entities: These are used by companies like Amazon for identity verification.
  • Mandatory for Employment: Aadhaar made mandatory for workers under the MGNREGS.

Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2 | Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• Protectionism refers to economic policies restricting imports to protect domestic industries through tariffs, quotas, and regulations.
• Historical Context of Protectionism in India:
  • Protectionist Policies Pre-1990s: India’s post-independence strategy used high tariffs (averaging 125% in the 1980s) to shield domestic industries and limit imports and foreign investment.
  • 1991 Liberalization Shift: Facing a financial crisis, India cut tariffs from 125% to 35% by 2001, attracting FDI and boosting GDP growth to 7-8% annually in the early 2000s.
  • Return to Protectionism Post-2017: From 2017, tariffs on imports like electronics rose (10% to 20%) under “Make in India,” reducing imports from China by 30% and promoting local production.
  • Atmanirbhar Bharat (2020) raised duties to support self-reliance, making India a competitive hub in renewable energy. E.g. 15% duty on solar components.

Answer: (c) Economic policies restricting imports to protect domestic industries through tariffs, quotas, and regulations | Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (a) is correct

• Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) 2024 between India & UAE replaced the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) to enhance economic cooperation between them.
• UAE constitutes 3% of India’s total FDI receipts and has invested $19 billion from 2000 to 2024.

• History of India-UAE Relations:
  • Strategic Partnership Declaration (2015): The Indian PM’s visit to the UAE established a strategic partnership that enhanced cooperation across various sectors.
  • Cultural Engagement (2019): India participated as the Guest of Honour at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, showcasing the strong cultural ties between the two countries.
  • COVID-19 Solidarity (2020-2021): The UAE supported India during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing essential medical supplies and vaccines, reinforcing bilateral solidarity.
  • Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (2022): The signing of the CEPA aimed to significantly enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, focusing on various sectors.
  • Challenges in India-UAE Relations:
    • Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs): UAE’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) have hindered Indian exports, particularly in poultry, meat, and processed foods.
    • China’s Economic Influence: China’s provision of low-interest loans in the UAE has crowded out Indian companies, challenging India’s economic interests in the region.
    • Middle Eastern conflicts, like the Israel-Palestine, threaten India’s IMEC projects and strain relations with Iran and other Arab nations after the UAE’s normalisation with Israel through the Abraham Accords.
    • Kafala System undermines the rights of Indian blue-collar workers in the UAE, granting employers undue control over their immigration and employment.
    • UAE’s financial support to Pakistan, a country linked to sponsoring terrorism against India, raises significant national security concerns for India.
    • India’s low ranking in contract enforcement may deter UAE investors, limiting FDI despite improved terms in the BIT.
• Way Forward
  • Strategic Dialogue Platforms: Initiate dialogues like the 2+2 format with the U.S. and Russia to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors.
  • Align with UAE’s Vision 2021: Utilize opportunities in renewable energy, startups, and fintech to deepen economic engagement while supporting the UAE’s diversification away from oil.
  • Strengthen defence ties like COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) between India and the U.S., enabling India’s military to access secure and encrypted communication.

Answer: (a) U.A.E | Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Answer: (b) Only two | Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statement 1 and 2 are incorrect

• Though the office of the CJI is constitutionally mandated under Article 124 (1), it does not specify a detailed procedure for appointing the CJI.
• Appointment: CJI is appointed by the President under Article 124(2) of the Constitution.
  • Whenever there is any doubt about the seniormost Judge’s fitness to hold the office of the CJI, consultation with other Judges, as envisaged in Article 124 (2) of the Constitution, would be made for the appointment of the next CJI.

Statement 3 and 4 are correct

• Tenure: IC does not specify a fixed tenure for SC judges. However, it states that a judge serves until the age of 65. Any questions regarding a judge’s age are to be determined by an authority and manner provided by Parliament.
• Convention: The outgoing CJI traditionally recommends their successor strictly based on seniority—not age, but the duration of service in the Supreme Court.
• Government‘s Role: The Central government does not directly appoint the CJI. The Union Law Minister seeks the incumbent CJI’s recommendation and forwards it to the PM, who then advises the President.
• Eligibility for CJI:
  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must have at least five years of experience as an HC Judge or in succession across multiple HCs OR at least ten years of experience as an advocate in an HC or succession across multiple HCs Or must be a distinguished jurist, in the President’s opinion.

• Removal: The CJI can only be removed by an order from the President following an address by Parliament, supported by a special majority (i.e., a majority of the total membership of each House and at least two-thirds of the members present and voting).
  • Grounds for removal: Proven misbehaviour or incapacity (Article 124(4)).

• In 2019, the SC ruled that the office of Chief Justice of India (CJI) comes under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.

Answer: (b) Only two | Difficulty Level: Medium

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct

• The First Livestock Census was conducted in 1919-20.
• Data, under the report, is presented separately for urban and rural areas.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• It is conducted every five years.
• About livestock census:
  • Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) launched the 21^st Livestock Census.
  • The 20^th Livestock Census was the first to use mobile technology.
  • Agency: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, MoFAHD.
  • Carries out a headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals in the country.
  • Takes into account information about the species, breed, age, sex, and ownership status of the animals.

• 21^st Livestock Census will capture new data points like:
  • Data on pastoral animals, the contribution of pastoralists to the livestock sector, their socio-economic status, and livestock holding.
  • Proportion of households whose major income comes from the livestock sector.
  • Data on the gender of stray cattle.

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only | Difficulty Level: Easy

Explanation

Option (c) is correct

• A ‘digital arrest’ involves cybercriminals using deception and fear to control a victim’s digital communication and movement to extract money or information.
• Fraudsters claim to be officers of an investigative government agency or law enforcement like CBI, Narcotics, TRAI, or customs officials and use deepfake videos, fake arrest warrants, etc, to impersonate officials of law enforcement agencies
• They approach the intended target using audio or video calls first to intimidate people and then extort money from them while confining them in one location under the false pretence of an ‘arrest’.

Answer: (c) A cybercrime where fraudsters

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 and 3 are incorrect

• It is the largest of the three subspecies of Indian pythons and one of the largest snake species globally.
• It is an excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water. It can also stay in water for 30 minutes but mostly stays on land. These non-venomous snakes are also good climbers.
• Size: Can grow to 20 feet and weigh more than 250 pounds, with females being larger than males.
• Unique Jaw Structure: Unlike many other species, they have a lower jawbone that is not fused at the front, allowing for an impressive gape (jaw opening).
• Native Range: Northeastern India, southern China, Southeast Asia, and the Malay Peninsula, but it is absent from the Philippines.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable.

Answer: (a) Only one | Difficulty Level: Medium