Q1 . Consider the following statements with respect to public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) :
1 . It is declared by the United Nations.
2 . States(countries) are not legally bound to respond promptly to a PHEIC.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 2 both
(d) None of the above
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Why in news?
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, recently declared, on the basis of advice from the emergency committee (comprising independent experts), that the COVID-19 pandemic was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Ten important facts on public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)
1 . A public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) is a formal declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of :
(a) “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”,
(b) formulated when a situation arises that is “serious, sudden, unusual, or unexpected”,
(c) which “carries implications for public health beyond the affected state’s national border” and
(d) “may require immediate international action”.
2 . Under the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR), states have a legal duty to respond promptly to a PHEIC.
3 . The declaration is publicized by an IHR Emergency Committee (EC) of international experts, which was developed following the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak.
4 . Between 2009 and 2022, there were seven PHEIC declarations: the 2009 H1N1 (or swine flu) pandemic, the 2014 polio declaration, the 2013–2016 outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa, the 2015–2016 Zika virus epidemic, the 2018–2020 Kivu Ebola epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022–2023 mpox outbreak.
5 . The recommendations are temporary and require reviews every three months.
6 . The PHEIC criteria include a list of diseases that are always notifiable. SARS, smallpox, wild type poliomyelitis, and any new subtype of human influenza are always a PHEIC and do not require an IHR decision to declare them as such.
7 . A PHEIC is not only confined to infectious diseases, and may cover an emergency caused by exposure to a chemical agent or radioactive material.
8 . It can be seen as an “alarm system”, a “call to action”, and “last resort” measure.
9 . A declaration of a PHEIC may appear as an economic burden to the state facing the epidemic. Incentives to declare an epidemic are lacking and the PHEIC may be seen as placing limitations on trade in countries that already are struggling.
10 . Debate exists regarding whether the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance may constitute a PHEIC.
Q 2 . The official campaign of candidates during elections officially ends:
(a) 12 hours before polling closes.
(b) 24 hours before polling closes.
(c) 36 hours before polling closes.
(d) 48 hours before polling closes.
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Why in news?
The Congress recently moved the Election Commission of India (ECI) to complain against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for violating the ‘silence period’ under the model code of conduct (MCC) by releasing a video appeal to the voters of Karnataka long after campaigning ended.
What is the duration of official campaign?
The official campaign lasts at least two weeks from the drawing up of the list of nominated candidates, and officially ends 48 hours before polling closes.
What is a Model Code of Conduct?
During the election campaign, the political parties and contesting candidates are expected to abide by a Model Code of Conduct evolved by the Election Commission on the basis of a consensus among political parties.
The model code lays down broad guidelines as to how the political parties and candidates should conduct themselves during the election campaign.
What is the purpose of Model Code of Conduct?
It is intended to maintain the election campaign on healthy lines, avoid clashes and conflicts between political parties or their supporters and to ensure peace and order during the campaign period and
thereafter, until the results are declared.
The model code also prescribes guidelines for the ruling party either at the Centre or in the state to ensure that a level field is maintained and that no cause is given for any complaint that the ruling party has used its official position for the purposes of its election campaign.
Q 3 . Consider the following statements:
1 . The Supreme Court can use its extraordinary discretionary power under Article 142(1) of the Constitution to grant divorce by mutual consent to couples trapped in bitter marriages.
2 . Under the Hindu Marriage Act, irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not yet a ground for divorce.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 2 both
(d) None of the above
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Why in news?
Recently , the Supreme Court in a judgement said that it could grant divorce on the grounds of an “irretrievable breakdown of marriage” if the “separation is inevitable and the damage is irreparable”.
Leaning on the “guiding spirit” of Article 142(1) of the Constitution to do “complete justice” in any “cause or matter”, the Constitution Bench said it could use this extraordinary discretionary power to grant divorce by mutual consent to couples trapped in bitter marriages.
Under the Hindu Marriage Act, irretrievable breakdown of marriage is not yet a ground for divorce.
The grant of divorce would not be a “matter of right, but a discretion which is to be exercised with great care, keeping in mind that ‘complete justice’ is done to both parties.”
Several factors would be considered by the Supreme Court before invoking Article 142 in matrimonial cases, including duration of marriage, period of litigation, the time the couple has stayed apart, the nature of pending cases, and attempts at reconciliation.
The Court will have to be satisfied that the mutual agreement to divorce was not under coercion.
The Court could use Article 142 to quash pending criminal or legal proceedings, be it over domestic violence or dowry, against the man or woman.
In India, while divorcees have doubled in number over the past two decades, the incidence of divorce is still at 1.1%, with those in urban areas making up the largest proportion.
But the divorce numbers do not tell the whole story; there are many women, particularly among the poor, who are abandoned or deserted.
Q 4 . Halari Donkey are mostly found in which region of India?
(a) Himachal Pradesh
(b) Gujarat
(c) Andhra Pradesh
(d) West Bengal
Answer: (b)
Q 5 . Consider the following statements with respect to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV):
1 . It is easily transmitted to humans from cattle.
2 . This virus is very contagious among cattle and can lead to serious respiratory and intestinal conditions.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 & 2 both
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Why in news?
The first gene-edited calf with resistance to the bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), which costs the U.S. cow industry billions of dollars every year, has been created by scientists working together.
About bovine viral diarrhoea virus
Since it was first identified in the 1940s, experts have been investigating BVDV, one of the major viruses affecting the health and well-being of cattle globally.
Although it doesn’t affect people, this virus is very contagious among cattle and can lead to serious respiratory and intestinal conditions.
BVDV can be disastrous to pregnant cows because it can infect developing calves, causing spontaneous abortions and low birth rates.
Some infected calves survive to birth and remain infected for life, shedding massive amounts of virus to other cattle.
Despite more than 50 years of vaccine availability, controlling BVDV disease remains a problem since vaccines are not always effective in stopping transmission.
