CNA 17 Nov 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Moscow talks on Afghanistan C. GS 3 Related BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT 1. Compensation against damage due to Climate Change D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials POLITY 1. This unseating of vice chancellors is faulty GOVERNANCE 1. Quest for transparency in FTA negotiations INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Baghdad gets a government, but violence haunts Iraq F. Prelims Facts G. Tidbits 1. Missile attack in Poland 2. Artemis Mission 3. Polavaram Project H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Moscow talks on Afghanistan
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains: Various Dialogue platforms on Afghanistan and their significance
Context: India participated in the latest meeting of the ‘Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan’ that was held recently in Moscow.
Moscow Format:
- The Moscow format is one of the several dialogue platforms on Afghanistan. It began before the Taliban takeover of Kabul.
- It was set up by Russia for peace and stability in Afghanistan in the year 2017.
- The Moscow format was introduced on the basis of the six-party mechanism for consultations between special representatives from Russia, Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Iran and India.
- The present meeting includes a group of 10 nations including India, China, Pakistan, Iran and the Central Asian republics with Taliban officials.
Highlights of the recent meeting:
- India also participated in the fourth meeting of the Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan held in Moscow.
- Special Envoys and Senior Officials from Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also participated in the meeting.
- Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were present at the meeting as guests.
- During the meeting, the participants discussed various issues related to Afghanistan including the current humanitarian situation and the ongoing efforts of various stakeholders to provide assistance, intra-Afghan talks, formation of an inclusive and representative government, efforts to counter threats of terrorism and ensuring regional security.
- The meeting underscored that an economic meltdown in Afghanistan would lead to a mass exodus of refugees, promote extremism, terrorism and instability while expressing concerns about the aggravation of the migration situation around Afghanistan, which could pose a threat to the peace and stability in neighbouring countries.
- Participants also emphasised the creation of a truly inclusive government in Afghanistan, which would reflect the interests of the key ethno-political groups and the need to remove the terrorist, drug and other threats emanating from that country.
- The participants also expressed support for the Afghan authorities in developing crop substitution programmes and cracking down on narcotics production and trafficking.
- In the meeting, it was decided to continue coordinating regional efforts to promote inter-Afghan national reconciliation, and enhance security and stability in the region under the auspices of the Moscow Format of Consultations on Afghanistan and other efficient mechanisms.
- On the sidelines of the Moscow Format meeting, the Indian delegation led by the Joint Secretary (for Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran), Ministry of External Affairs also held discussions with Special Envoys of the participating countries.
- As a contiguous neighbour of Afghanistan with strong historical and cultural links, India’s approach to Afghanistan is guided by our historical friendship and special relationship with the Afghan people.
Read more on India-Afghanistan relations.
Nut Graf: The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan is becoming more complex as the West has shifted its focus toward the conflict in Ukraine. Several states have still not recognised the Taliban thus aggravating the current crisis. Platforms such as the ‘Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan’ are important to ensure regional stability and security not only in Afghanistan but in the neighbouring countries as well.
C. GS 3 Related
Category: BIODIVERSITY AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Compensation against damage due to Climate Change
Syllabus: International Environment Agencies & Agreements
Mains: Importance of “Polluter Pays” principle in addressing climate change
Context: At the recent G-20 summit in Bali, several developed countries have pledged USD 20 billion to wean Indonesia off coal.
Introduction:
- The United States, Japan, Canada and six European countries signed the accord with Indonesia on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali to ensure a “just power sector transition” away from Indonesia’s coal-dependent economy.
- Under the deal, Indonesia, home to the world’s third-largest rainforest, pledges to be carbon-neutral by 2050, 10 years earlier than previously planned, and to almost double its renewable energy generation by 2030.
- The U.S. and Japan have led the International Partners Group to mobilise funds from the public and private sectors to support Indonesia’s efforts. These countries pledged to raise at least $20 billion to help Indonesia.
Compensation against loss and damage due to climate change:
- Climate reparations are loss and damage payments which are based on the concept of reparations. Climate reparations are a form of climate justice, in which compensation is necessary to hold countries accountable for loss and damage resulting from historical emissions, and is an ethical and moral obligation.
- Between 1900 and now, developed countries have benefited from industrial development, which also led to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Data from the Global Carbon Project shows that between 1751 and 2017, 47% of the CO2 emissions came from the U.S. and European countries. In total, this makes just 29 countries.
- Study shows that emissions attributable to the U.S. over 1990-2014 caused losses that are concentrated around 1–2% of per capita GDP across nations in South America, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia, where temperature changes have likely impacted labour productivity and agricultural yields.
- Communities that are highly vulnerable to climate impacts are particularly prone to experiencing loss and damage when they experience climate impacts beyond what they can adapt to due to a lack of access to finance to implement adaptation measures.
- Developing countries were relatively late in starting out on economic development and they are contributing to emissions now, but it is unfair to ask them to stop economic development in light of climate change instead of strict actions by developed countries.
- Historical responsibility is important because carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, and it is the cumulative accumulation of this carbon dioxide that causes global warming.
Image Source: UNCTAD.org
India’s emissions:
- India is among the top seven emitters. India along with China, the EU-27, Indonesia, Brazil, the Russian Federation and the U.S. plus international transport, accounted for 55% of global GHG emissions in 2020.
- Collectively, G-20 members are responsible for 75% of global GHG emissions.
- In the context of India’s population, its emissions are far lesser per head, compared to other countries.
- World average per capita GHG emissions were 6.3 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2020.
- The U.S. is at 14, followed by 13 in the Russian Federation and 9.7 in China.
- India remains far below the world average at 2.4.
Read more on India’s Climate Targets.
Nut Graf: Deliberations in the ongoing COP27 summit showed little sign of a concerted effort the world over to keep emissions low so as to retain global warming within the 1.5°C range. Developed countries are expected to utilise COP27 to demonstrate solidarity with vulnerable countries by finally taking steps to identify a process and establish funding arrangements for loss and damage in a time-bound manner.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. This unseating of vice chancellors is faulty
Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Prelims: Article 254 of the Constitution
Mains: Critical evaluation of the recent Supreme Court Judgements on the appointment of vice-chancellors (VC)
Context: Two recent judgments on the appointment of vice-chancellors (VC) in State universities by the Supreme Court have come under the limelight.
Supreme Court Judgements
Gambhirdan K. Gadhvi v/s The State Of Gujarat Case (March 2022)
- In this case, the Supreme Court overruled the appointment of the incumbent VC of Sardar Patel University in Gujarat.
- The apex court quashed the appointment on the grounds that the “search committee” failed to set up a panel for the appointment of VC in accordance with the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations of 2018.
- The court also held that since the State law with respect to the appointment of VC had violated (repugnant to) the UGC regulations, the UGC regulations would prevail and the appointment of the VC under the State Law had become void ab initio (from the beginning).
Professor (Dr) Sreejith P.S vs Dr. Rajasree M.S. (October 2022)
- In this case, the appointment of the VC of the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technological University in Thiruvananthapuram was questioned.
- The appointment of the VC was challenged on the ground that the search committee had only recommended one name which again violated the UGC regulations.
- The Supreme Court upheld the challenge and quashed the appointment of the VC on the ground that the provision relating to the search committee in the University Act was repugnant to the UGC regulations, and was hence declared void.
- This judgement by the apex court triggered an unprecedented development in the State with the State Governor of Kerala who is the ex-officio Chancellor of all state universities directing about 11 VCs of other state universities to resign on the ground that even their appointments had become void after this judgment by the Supreme Court.
- None of the VCs has resigned and a case is now before the High Court of Kerala.
- Meanwhile, in another case, the High Court of Kerala overruled the appointment of the VC of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies on the ground that the appointment violated UGC regulations.
- This development has further intensified the existing tussle between the incumbent Kerala State Government and the Governor.
Read more about – Role of the Governor as Chancellor of Universities
The core issue in the appointment of VCs
- Education, which was earlier a State subject, was shifted to the Concurrent list through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976 and both the Union and the State can legislate on this subject.
- In both cases, the key issue highlighted by the Supreme Court is whether the appointment of VCs is made according to the UGC regulations or the provisions of the State University Act.
- A VC is appointed by the Chancellor as per the provisions of the respective University Act. However, the apex court took into account Article 254 of the Constitution to decide whether the provisions of the State law are repugnant to the provisions of the Union law which make the State law void.
- In both recent cases, the Supreme Court had observed that the search committee recommended only one name for the appointment of VC which violates the UGC regulations as the regulations mandated the recommendation of three to five names. Hence the SC has declared the State law is void.
Article 254 of the Constitution
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Criticism on the judgement of the Supreme Court
- Experts point out that the provisions of Article 254 apply only to State law and a substantive law made by Parliament and it excludes the rules or regulations framed by subordinate authorities such as the UGC.
- Therefore the repugnancy can only occur between the provisions of the University Acts and the UGC Act, and not any regulations of the UGC.
- Rules and regulations framed and formulated by subordinate authorities such as UGC are laid before the Parliament but they do not go through a similar process as a law because they usually do not require President’s assent or approval.
- These rules and regulations when compared to an Act or a Law have an inferior status and hence cannot be equated with Acts or Laws.
- The Constitution of India does not define the term “Law” in general terms and the definition of “Law” mentioned under Article 13(2) is applicable only to that Article. Therefore, the term “Law” does not include the rules, regulations, etc. for the purpose of Article 254.
- Furthermore, the rules and regulations devised by subordinate authorities of the Union overriding a Law formulated by a State legislature would amount to the violation of principles of federalism enshrined in the Constitution as they result in the negation of the concurrent legislative power granted to the State by the Constitution.
- Experts also point out that the UGC regulations on the appointment of VCs are outside the purview of the main provisions of the UGC Act as none of its provisions refers to the appointment of VCs.
Way forward
- Article 254 must be analysed in depth before such judgements are made in accordance with the provisions of the Article.
- Further, such issues which particularly affect the rights of States and the federal principles must be accorded the highest priority and serious thought must be given to it.
- The Supreme Court in S. Satyapal Reddy v/s Govt. of A.P. in 1994 had held that “the court has to make every attempt to reconcile the provisions of the apparently conflicting laws and the court would endeavour to give harmonious construction…The proper test would be whether effect can be given to the provisions of both the laws or whether both the laws can stand together”.
- This way, there would be no need to strike down a State law based on repugnancy with the Union Law.
Nut graf: The rules and regulations formulated by the subordinate authorities of the Union such as the UGC, overpowering the Act or Laws devised by the elected State Governments will have serious consequences on the federal principles enshrined in the Constitution and therefore such judgments that have accorded higher status to such regulations must be re-examined urgently.
1. Quest for transparency in FTA negotiations
Syllabus: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
Prelims: Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Mains: Comparison between the mechanism available for negotiating important treaties in India and in the U.K. and important recommendations for India.
Context: India is trying to negotiate free trade agreements (FTAs) with countries like those of the European Union, Canada, the U.K., and Israel with a view to achieving the export target of $2 trillion by 2030.
Details
- The FTAs that are in the negotiation phase cover various aspects such as tariff reduction that impacts the manufacturing and the agricultural sectors; rules on services trade; intellectual property rights; digital issues and investments.
- However, India’s FTA negotiations have mainly been closed-door affairs with very little information on the objectives and processes followed which negates thorough scrutiny.
- However, other countries including those with whom India is negotiating FTAs have robust mechanisms for scrutiny with even institutional apparatuses which enable the scrutiny of the actions of the executive, during and after the signing of the FTA.
Read more about – Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
FTA negotiations in the U.K.
- In the U.K, there are several mechanisms in place that ensure a certain degree of transparency in the FTA negotiations which are discussed below.
- The Department of International Trade (DFIT), issues a policy paper that contains all the strategic objectives of FTA and its significance.
- The policy paper also lists out specific advantages of signing an FTA which include economic advantages, distributional impacts, environmental impact, and the labour and human right impacts of signing an FTA.
- The policy paper issued or published by the DFIT also consists of the various inputs and suggestions provided by key stakeholders like businesses and NGOs and highlights government views on these specific suggestions and inputs.
- Further, in the U.K., the strategic objectives of the FTA are scrutinised by the U.K. Parliament.
- The International Agreements Committee (IAC) of the British Parliament is tasked with this job and the IAC examines expert witnesses on the FTA and offers key recommendations if required. The U.K. government then responds to these recommendations.
- As per the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act, 2010 of the U.K., the executive must lay down the treaty before the British Parliament for 21 sitting days with an explanatory memorandum before ratifying it.
- This allows Parliament to be informed about the treaty that the executive is going to ratify.
Know more about – India-UK FTA
FTA negotiations in India
- In India, there are no mechanisms for parliamentary scrutiny of the executive’s FTA negotiations.
- While the Indian parliamentary system permits department-related parliamentary committees to discuss various topics of importance and offer recommendations, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce (PSCC) rarely scrutinises the objectives behind negotiating and signing an FTA.
- Also, there is no mechanism for any role of Parliament in the ratification of treaties including FTAs as entering into treaties, negotiations, signing and ratification are within the constitutional competence of Parliament.
- However, the Parliament has not exercised these powers in the last 70-plus years thereby giving unchecked freedom to the executive in this matter.
- Further, in India, no document which mentions the need, significance and impacts of the signing of an FTA is published.
- The Ministry of Commerce is the nodal ministry dealing with FTAs and very little information about FTA negotiations is published on its website.
- The Ministry also conducts stakeholder consultations and inter-ministerial meetings but the discussions and the government’s response are not available to the public.
Recommendations
- There is a need for India to develop a law that governs and scrutinises the negotiations and signing of treaties which includes FTAs.
- It is important that the executive provides clear economic and strategic reasoning for negotiating and signing various treaties such as FTAs.
- It should be made binding on the executive to undertake consultations with all relevant stakeholders, and respond to their concerns and such consultations and responses must be made available to the public.
- The Indian Parliament must establish a committee similar to that of the U.K.’s IAC which helps in scrutinising the strategic objectives behind entering into an FTA.
- Further, the executive must be mandated to place treaties such as FTAs on the floor of Parliament and allow the Parliament to debate them, before ratifying such treaties.
Nut graf: As signing and ratification of important international treaties such as FTAs have far-reaching impacts on the economy and society as a whole, the power of negotiating, signing and ratifying such treaties should be exercised in a manner that is transparent and accountable as they are an integral facet of democracy.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Baghdad gets a government, but violence haunts Iraq
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries
Mains: The political chaos in Iraq and the path ahead.
Context: After almost three years of caretaker administrations, an elected government is finally in place in Iraq.
Background
- The divide among the Kurds of Iraq came to an end recently as the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) withdrew its insistence on nominating the country’s President and accepted the claim of its rival group the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) as PUK proposed its candidate Abdul Latif Rashid for the office of President.
- Abdul Latif Rashid was approved as President with majority support in Parliament on the 13th of October and he nominated Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as the new Prime Minister of Iraq.
- Mohammed Shia al-Sudani was granted parliamentary approval for himself and his cabinet on the 27th of October.
Political system in Iraq
- The Muhasasa (apportionment) system is the heart of the political system in Iraq.
- This system was transferred to the country during the occupation by the US in 2003.
- According to the Muhasasa system, post the elections, Iraq’s political order will function on a “spoils” basis, with offices being shared among Shia, Sunni and Kurdish political groups.
- This system has played a key role in making sure that the effective power has remained with the tight coalition of Shia parties and the remaining influence being shared with Sunni and Kurd communities.
- Further, this system has provided Iran with a central presence in Iraq’s politics as most of the Shia parties and the militants are sponsored and supported by Iran.
Protests against the system
- Protests against the Muhasasa system started in October 2019, as several young people demonstrated across Iraq and raised their voices about the absence of effective governance and external influences (Iranian and American) in their country.
- The State resorted to violence to quell these protests which led to the death of over 600 people and injured many. This led to the fall of the elected government and started a series of caretaker administrations that were tasked to bring about reforms to the political system of the country.
- The last caretaker Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi brought in electoral reforms and organised free and fair elections in October 2021.
- However, the elections led to a conflict among the various Shia groups:
- One side led by the Muqtada al-Sadr promoted a “majority national government” wherein the government would consist of different sects and ethnic groups which would be independent of foreign influence.
- The other side consisting of a “Coordination Framework” which was a collection of pro-Iran Shia parties and militia, endorsed government formation based on Shia unity that would maintain Shia domination.
- After a period of political stalemate, Muqtada al-Sadr asked the members of his coalition to resign their parliamentary seats thinking that this would lead to fresh elections.
- However, as per Iraqi law, a resigning member would be replaced by the candidate who was placed second in the election and therefore al-Sadr’s coalition members lost their parliamentary strength and the Coordination Framework obtained a parliamentary majority.
- Following this, al-Sadr announced his “retirement” from politics and resorted to bluster and violence.
Path ahead for Iraq
- Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ’s cabinet has affirmed that Iraq’s muhasasa political system would remain intact as his cabinet comprises ministers from various Shia, Sunni and Kurdish groups.
- Muqtada al-Sadr’s coalition has no representation in the present cabinet and al-Sudani has promised fresh elections within one year to appease al-Sadr.
- Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has prioritised fighting corruption, economic development and delivery of services but the general public is sceptical about these assurances as effective anti-corruption drives will affect close aides of the Prime Minister as well.
- Further, the oil revenues of $60 billion obtained in the first six months of 2022 can help extend the required resources for economic recovery and delivery of services but these revenues have failed to make any difference in the past to the lives of the citizens.
- Muqtada al-Sadr, who is now out of power, has remained a serious challenge and is expected to play a populist role in pressurising the government.
Nut graf: The political chaos in Iraq which began in October 2019 seems to have eased finally with the appointment of an elected government in Baghdad after three years. However, experts believe that violence could continue to define Iraqi politics which threatens to disrupt the delicate peace existing in the West Asian region.
F. Prelims Facts
Nothing here for today!!!
G. Tidbits
- Two Polish citizens have been killed after a missile landed in eastern Poland about 15 miles from the country’s border with Ukraine.
- This is the first confirmed instance of the Russia-Ukraine conflict having caused casualties directly in another country.
- The missile was an S-300 rocket made in the Soviet Union but there is no evidence that it was launched by Russia.
- As per Poland and NATO, the missile was probably a stray fired by Ukraine’s air defences and not a Russian strike.
Read more on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.
- NASA’s Artemis 1 mission was recently launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
- The Artemis 1 mission was earlier scheduled to launch on November 14 but it had to be postponed because of tropical storm Nicole.
- Artemis was launched on the Space Launch System (SLS), which is the most powerful rocket in the world. The SLS rocket was designed for missions beyond low-earth orbit (LEO). It can take cargo and crew to the moon and beyond.
- The SLS rocket is carrying the Orion spacecraft from the Earth to lunar orbit.
- Artemis II is expected to follow in Artemis I’s footsteps.
- Unlike Artemis I, Artemis II will have a crew aboard Orion and will be a test mission to confirm that all of the spacecraft’s systems will operate as designed when it has humans on board.
Image Source: Evening Standard
- Telangana recently informed the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) that the floods in the Godavari river in July 2022 inundated 103 villages, submerging 40,446 acres in the State.
- As much as 892 acres of agricultural land will be submerged in the backwaters of the Polavaram project in five villages on either side of the Godavari within the State.
- The submergence will be caused by standing water at the full reservoir level (FRL) of 150 ft.
- Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation project which has been accorded national project status by the central government.
- This dam across the Godavari River is under construction and located in West Godavari District and East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh state and its reservoir spreads in parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha States also.
- The reservoir covers the famous Papikonda National Park.
- It will also provide drinking water supply to Visakhapatnam Township and other towns and villages en route and industrial water supply to the Visakhapatnam coast-based steel plant and other industries in the vicinity.
- It is also envisaged to generate hydel power, provide navigation facilities, develop pisciculture, boost urbanisation and offer recreational facilities as well.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following pairs: (Level-Difficult)
Saree State
- Chanderi Madhya Pradesh
- Jamdani Dhakai West Bengal
- Paithani Maharashtra
- Patola Gujarat
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
- Only one pair
- Only two pairs
- Only three pairs
- All four pairs
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Pair 01 is correctly matched, Chanderi sari is a traditional sari made in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh. The weaving culture of Chanderi emerged between the 2nd and 7th centuries. It is situated on the boundary of two cultural regions of the state, Malwa and Bundelkhand.
- Pair 02 is correctly matched, Jamdani is a fine muslin textile produced for centuries in South Bangladesh and West Bengal. The historic production of jamdani was patronised by imperial warrants of the Mughal emperors.
- Jamdani is typically woven using a mixture of cotton and gold thread.
- In 2013, the traditional art of weaving jamdani was declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- In 2016, Bangladesh received geographical indication (GI) status for Jamdani Sari.
- Pair 03 is correctly matched, Paithani is a variety of sari, named after the Paithan town in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.
- Paithani is characterised by borders of an oblique square design, and a padar (end of the sari) with a peacock design.
- Pair 04 is correctly matched, Patola is a double ikat woven sari, usually made from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat, India.
- Patola are usually woven in Surat, Ahmedabad and Patan. But velvet patola styles are majorly made in Surat.
- It received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2013.
- Patola sarees are highly valued in Indonesia and became part of the local weaving tradition there.
Q2. With respect to Kartar Singh Sarabha, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level-Medium)
- Kartar Singh was a key member of the Ghadar Party.
- He was sent to trial in the Lahore Conspiracy case.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, Kartar Singh Sarabha was Ghadar Party’s youngest founding member. He was one of the most active fundraisers in the organisation, holding meetings in the rural areas where the farmers donated generously.
- Statement 02 is correct, In 1915, Kartar Singh Sarabha was arrested and put on a trial for what came to be called the Lahore conspiracy case which resulted in the execution of 24 Ghadris including him.
Q3. Which of the following are the books written by Swami Dayananda Saraswati? (Level-Difficult)
- Satyartha Prakash
- Sanskarvidhi
- Rigved Bhashyam
- Vedic chronology and Vedanga Jyotisha
Options:
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Major literary works by Swami Dayananda Saraswati are Satyartha Prakash, Sanskarvidhi, Rigved Bhashyam, etc.
- Vedic chronology and Vedanga Jyotisha were authored by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Q4. Which of the following are the objectives of Artemis missions? (Level-Medium)
- Demonstrate new technologies, capabilities, and business approaches needed for future exploration including Mars.
- Broaden the commercial and international partnerships of NASA.
- Inspire a new generation and encourage careers in STEM.
- Study the Moon to learn more about the origin and history of Earth, the Moon, and our solar system.
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
- 3 and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The main objectives of the Artemis mission are:
- Demonstrate new technologies, capabilities, and business approaches needed for future exploration including Mars.
- Study the Moon to learn more about the origin and history of Earth, the Moon, and our solar system.
- Establish American leadership and a strategic presence on the Moon while expanding our U.S. global economic impact.
- Broaden NASA’s commercial and international partnerships.
- Inspire a new generation and encourage careers in STEM.
Q5. Consider the following statements: DNA Barcoding can be a tool to:(Level-Medium) (CSE-PYQ-2022)
- Assess the age of a plant or animal.
- Distinguish among species that look alike.
- Identify undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is incorrect, To measure the age of plant and animal remains scientists use the carbon dating method.
- Statement 02 is correct, DNA barcodes help to objectively identify species – even from small, damaged, or industrially processed material. It can be used to distinguish among species that look alike.
- Statement 03 is correct, DNA barcoding helps to identify the undesirable animal or plant materials in processed foods.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- The Supreme court’s conclusion that the provisions of the State University Act are repugnant to the regulations of the University Grants Commission under Article 254 is faulty. Examine. (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS-2; Polity)
- In India, there is no mechanism for any role of Parliament in the ratification of free trade agreements. Explain.(10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS-2; International Relations)
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CNA 17 Nov 2022:- Download PDF Here
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