Q 1 . With reference to the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners , consider the following statements:
1. They are appointed under Article 326 of the Constitution.
2. The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners.
3. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed on the advice of a collegium with PM as chairman, CJI, Minister of Law and Justice, and Leaders of the Opposition as members.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(a) Only statement 2 is correct. Why in news? ■ Recently, the government introduced a Bill that seeks to replace the Chief Justice of India with a cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister in the committee of selection for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in India. ■ According to Article 324(2) : The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made on that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President. ■ Since there is no law made by parliament on this issue as provided in the Constitution, the Court felt the need to step in to fill the “constitutional vacuum.” ■ The Supreme Court gave a unanimous judgment in March and directed that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) should be appointed by the President based on a committee’s advice. This committee would include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the largest Opposition party leader, and the Chief Justice of India (CJI). ■ At present the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners. ■ The President makes the appointment on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Q 2 . In which one of the following regions Chokuwa rice , that has recently been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its uniqueness is mostly cultivated?
(a) Krishna-Godavari delta
(b) Kerala
(c) West Bengal
(d) Assam
(d) Why in news? ■ Chokuwa rice, also known as Magic rice, has recently been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its uniqueness. ■ This rice is cultivated in various parts of Assam , especially around the Brahmaputra area. ■ The low-amylose Chokuwa rice is used to make soft rice, which can be consumed after soaking in cold or lukewarm water. ■ The rice is pre-boiled, dried, stored, and then soaked before eating, making it convenient and nutritious.
Q 3 . An effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one’s security objectives without resorting to direct and substantial use of force. This is:
(a) Grey zone tactic
(b) Hybrid war
(c) Gunboat diplomacy
(d) Proxy war
(a) Why in news? ■ Since September 2020, China has increased its use of grey zone tactics by routinely sending aircrafts into Taiwan’s ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone).
Q 4 . With reference to Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) , consider the following statements:
1 . The LIBS technique involves using intense laser pulses to analyse materials, creating hot and localized plasma whose emitted light is then studied to determine the material’s elemental composition.
2 . India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Pragyan rover has Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard.
3 . India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Pragyan rover has confirmed the existence of sulphur on the moon’s surface near the south pole.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
(c) Why in news? ■ India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission’s Pragyan rover has confirmed the existence of sulphur on the moon’s surface near the south pole. ■ This discovery was enabled by the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard the rover. ■ The LIBS technique involves using intense laser pulses to analyse materials, creating hot and localized plasma whose emitted light is then studied to determine the material’s elemental composition. ■ The analysis has also revealed the presence of elements like aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon, and oxygen on the lunar surface.
Q 5 . Recently , an open-source software named the National Carbon Registry has been created by:
(a) United Nations Environment Programme
(b) United Nations Development Programme
(c) Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP)
(d) Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
(b) Why in news? ■ The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) has created an open-source software named the National Carbon Registry for effectively managing national data and processes related to trading carbon credits. ■ This software has received accreditation as a digital public good (DPG), utilizing open-source code that countries can adapt to their own requirements.
