UPSC 2023: Weekly GK and Current Affairs Quiz Jan 07 - Jan 13

• New Caledonia is a French special collectivity located in the southwest Pacific Ocean that is now controlled under the “Noumea Accord.”
• The Nouméa Accord of 1998 is a commitment made by the French Republic to give New Caledonia and its native inhabitants, the Kanaks, more political authority.
• Hence Option C is correct.

• Tornado is a small-diameter column of furiously rotating air that forms within a convective cloud and comes into contact with the ground.
• Tornadoes most commonly occur in conjunction with thunderstorms in the mid-latitudes of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres throughout the spring and summer.
• Hence Statement 1 is correct.
• Tornadoes have been observed on all continents except Antarctica, and they are most prevalent in the middle latitudes, where circumstances are generally conducive for the formation of convective storms. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
• Tornadoes occur most frequently in the spring and least frequently in the winter. The seasonal shift between autumn and spring encourages the formation of extratropical cyclones and frontal systems that sustain intense convective storms. They do not exist in tropical warm climates.
• Hence Statement 3 is incorrect.

The Governor serves as the State Universities’ ex-officio Chancellor.
According to the terms of the relevant University’s Act, the Governor selects the Vice Chancellor on the advice of the State Government.
The honorary chancellor of all State-owned colleges is the governor of the state, who is selected by the president as the union’s representative.
Hence Option A is correct.

• Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens was crucial in the design and construction of New Delhi, which would eventually serve as the seat of the Government of India. New Delhi is often known as “Lutyens’ Delhi” in honour of his contribution. Hence Statement 1 is correct.
• He was also the major architect of various landmarks in New Delhi, including the India Gate, which he created in partnership with Sir Herbert Baker; he also designed Viceroy’s House, which is now known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• During the Delhi phase of his India journey in 1921, the Duke of Connaught, together with Prince Arthur and Strathearn, laid the groundwork for Parliament House. Hence Statement 2 is correct.
• The Indian parliament building is reported to be built on the Chausath Yogini temple in Madhya Pradesh. (NOT Rajasthan) Hence Statement 3 is incorrect.

• Buddhist sects include the Sautrantikas and Sammtiyas. The term “Sautrantika” refers to a sutra-follower. Sautrantika is often regarded as another school of Buddhism that arose inside the Sarvastivada sect. Hence Statement 1 is incorrect.
• Sarvastivadin believes that everything empirical is ephemeral, but that the dharma components are eternally persistent realities. This Buddhist group believes that all things exist and will continue to exist in the past, future, and present.
• Hence Statement 2 is correct.

• Kazakhstan’s former President Nursultan Nazarbayev was the chief guest in 2009 for India’s republic day parade.
• 10 leaders from ASEAN nations were invited to India’s Republic Day parade as guests in 2018.
• A beating retreat ceremony signifies the end of the parade.

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, also called the Law of the Sea Convention, is an international agreement that establishes a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities. It lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world’s oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
• The territorial sea extends seaward up to 12 nautical miles (nm) from its baselines.
• Exclusive Economic Zone does not give a coastal state the right to prohibit or limit freedom of navigation or overflight, subject to very limited exceptions. It only grants it the right to make use of the natural resources available in the region.

• Collegium system is a system under which appointments and transfers of judges are decided by a forum of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.

• All Members of Parliament (MPs) enjoy rights and immunities, individually and collectively, so that they can discharge their duties and functions effectively. Any instance when these rights and immunities are disregarded by any member of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha is an offence, called ‘breach of privilege’, which is punishable under the Laws of Parliament.
• Any member from either house can move a notice in the form of a motion against the member who he/she thinks is guilty of the breach of privilege. Both Houses of the Parliament reserve the right to punish any action of contempt (not necessarily breach of privilege) which is against its authority and dignity, as per the laws.

• The Chairmen of public sector banks are selected by the Banks Board Bureau (BBB) and appointed by the Finance Ministry. On the recommendation of the BBB, the Appointment Committee of Cabinet takes the final decision.

• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states. This special provision is provided under Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution.
• The Sixth Schedule was originally intended for the predominantly tribal areas (tribal population over 90%) of undivided Assam.
• The Sixth Schedule provides for the formation of autonomous district councils while the Fifth Schedule provides for Tribal Advisory Councils in the fifth schedule areas.

• Hypersonic speeds refer to 5 or more times the Mach or speed of sound.

• The Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities and Tribal and Excluded Areas was headed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

• The front of all packaged food items will have to display the total number of calories, saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugar content as well as the proportion of the daily energy needs fulfilled by the food item. If the total amounts of calories, fats, trans-fats, sugar, and sodium per serving exceed the stipulated limits, it would be indicated in red colour.
• FSSAI has changed the symbol of vegetarian food from a green circle to a green triangle.

• Participatory notes also referred to as P-Notes are financial instruments required by investors or hedge funds to invest in Indian securities without having to register with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

• Sri Ramna Kali temple is situated in Bangaldesh.
• This temple was destroyed by the Pakistani forces during the 1971 war. In a symbolic gesture, the Indian President will inaugurate the refurbished temple.

• The following have been recognized as part of India’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO:
  • Kutiyattam
  • Vedic chanting
  • Ramlila
  • Ramman
  • Chhau dance
  • Kalbelia dance
  • Mudiyettu
  • Durga puja in Kolkata
  • Buddhist chanting in Ladakh
  • Sankirtana
  • Traditional craft of thateras
  • Nawrouz
  • Kumbh mela

• Rustom II is an unmanned aerial vehicle or Drone.
• It is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation for the three services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force of the Indian Armed Forces.

• SAHAY scheme of the state of Jharkhand focuses on the development of sports.
• KALIA scheme is a package for farmer’s welfare. KALIA stands for “Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation”. This scheme has been launched by Odisha Government to accelerate Agricultural Prosperity and reduce poverty in the State.
• Saras Suraksha Kavachis a scheme of the state of Rajasthan. It provides dairy farmers an insurance cover.

• Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983 by the central government of India. The Sarkaria Commission’s charter was to examine the central-state relationship on various portfolios and suggest changes within the framework of the Constitution of India.
• One of the major suggestions of the commission was that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past.

• Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India lays down the procedure for impeachment of judges. A Judge of the Supreme Court must be removed from his office by order of the President. Such an order needs the approval of both the Houses of Parliament. Removal proceedings against a Judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court can be initiated in either House of Parliament.
• For this, a notice of a motion to remove the judge has to be signed,
  • If emanating from the Lok Sabha, by not less than one hundred members,
  • If emanating from the Rajya Sabha, by not less than fifty members.
• A judge may be removed from office through a motion adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘proven misbehaviour or incapacity’.

• SilverLine Project is a Semi High-Speed Rail between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod. It is being planned as a mode of public transportation. SilverLine will bring remarkable changes in local commute, by improving the travel time and quality of transportation.

• Usually, in criminal cases, the burden of proof lies on the prosecution, and the guilt must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. However, under POCSO, Burden of proof lies on the accused.
• POCSO is gender neutral, meaning that crimes of this nature committed against children will be handled by this act regardless of the gender of the child.

• National Career Service Project (NCS) is a mission mode project under the Ministry of Labour and Employment that provides a host of career-related services. It aims to bridge the gap between those who need jobs and those who want to hire them.
• It does not charge any fees for registration on the portal and its services.

• Among the four options, Sumatra is closest to Great Nicobar.
• Sumatra island lies to the south of Great Nicobar.

• ‘Habeas Corpus’ means ‘to have a body of’. This writ, which is used to free someone who has been wrongfully detained, can be issued against any private individual. Hence statement 1 is correct.
• The term ‘mandamus’ which means ‘we command’ can be issued against a public officer, a public company, a tribunal, an inferior court, or the government. It cannot be issued against a private person or entity, the President or Governors of States, or a Chief Justice. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• A court may issue a writ of prohibition to prevent lower courts, tribunals, and other quasi-judicial institutions from acting outside of their power. It cannot be used against a private person or entity. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

• A writ of Habeas Corpus is a command issued by a court with the competent authority to anybody holding a person in custody or detention.
• This writ covers all forms of imprisonment that are used illegally or in an unapproved way or to an unapproved degree.
• Habeas Corpus cannot be used in the following situations:
  • When detention is legal, Habeas Corpus cannot be issued.
  • It is also not stated if the detention or action is for contempt or a violation of a legislative provision.
  • If the detention is ordered by the High Court or the Supreme Court, this writ cannot be issued.
  • A Habeas Corpus writ cannot be granted if the detention occurs outside of the court’s jurisdiction.
• Hence all statements are correct.

• Recently, Bhutan conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo honour on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The Order of the Druk Gyalpo is the highest civilian honour of Bhutan.
• Hence Option B is correct.

• The Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, is a multilateral convention that was signed during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
• It is a part of the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme).
• The CBD is signed by 196 nations. The CBD convention is not ratified by the United States. The United States is the only UN member state that has not done so.
• Hence Option A is correct.

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) was established by the Central Government in 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002). The NBA is a statutory body that serves the Indian government by providing facilitative, regulatory, and consultative services.
• The following persons/entities seeking access to biological resources occurring in India, shall have to seek prior approval from the National Biodiversity Authority:
  • Non-Indian Individual;
  • Any company, society, trust, organisation, association, institution, etc., registered or incorporated outside India;
  • A Non-Resident Indian;
  • Any company, society, trust, organisation, association, institution, etc., registered or incorporated in India, having non-Indian participation in its share capital and/or management.
• Hence Option D is correct.