Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• The National Population Register (NPR) was first prepared in 2010 and updated in 2015. The 2010 NPR was part of the Census exercise, and the update in 2015 included data refinement. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The rules for NPR are framed under the Citizenship Act, 1955, particularly under Section 14A. The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, provide the legal framework for the NPR. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• During the NPR exercise, information such as name, date of birth, gender, and residential address is collected, but domicile documents are not specifically required. The NPR exercise does not involve the collection of proof of domicile or any other documents establishing domicile. (Option (c) is correct)
• The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner in the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for preparing the NPR. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/any-further-delay-in-census-taking-is-perilous/article68461509.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The initial phase of training a machine learning model with raw data is typically referred to as model training or data preprocessing. In this phase, data is cleaned and formatted before being used to train the model. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Machine Unlearning (MUL) refers to the technique of selectively removing specific data from a trained machine learning model without retraining the model from scratch. This is useful for complying with data privacy laws like GDPR, where a user can request the deletion of their data. (Option (b) is correct)
• Enhancing the learning rate of AI systems is usually associated with optimizing hyperparameters or using techniques like learning rate annealing. Adjusting the learning rate can help improve the efficiency and accuracy of training a machine learning model. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Reprogramming a machine learning model for new tasks is often referred to as transfer learning or model fine-tuning. Transfer learning involves taking a pre-trained model and adapting it for a different but related task. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/teaching-computers-to-forget/article68460448.ece#:~:text=Machine%20Unlearning%20ponders%20upon%20the,data%20from%20trained%20AI%20models&text=Policymakers%20have%20been%20grappling,LLMs)%20and%20deep%20neural%20networks.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• A royalty is not necessarily a payment made to the government; it can also be paid to a private lessor. Additionally, a tax is imposed by public authorities, not private entities. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Royalties are typically ongoing payments based on the amount of resource extracted, not a one-time fee. Taxes can be recurring, but they are not characterized by the specific context of licensing fees. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Royalties are not voluntary; they are contractually obligated payments for resource extraction. Taxes are indeed mandatory charges, but royalties are also mandatory under the terms of the contract. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Royalties are paid as consideration for the right to extract minerals, often to the landowner or lessor, whereas taxes are imposed by the government to fund public services. Mining companies pay royalties to extract minerals, while individuals pay taxes to fund government services. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-verdict-states-to-power-tax-mining-activities/article68449347.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) is indeed a strategic forum comprising Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It is aimed at ensuring and supporting a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. Regular meetings and joint military exercises among the member countries highlight this partnership. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The QUAD’s main objective is to promote a free, open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region that is inclusive and resilient. This includes ensuring freedom of navigation, respect for international law, and countering coercive economic practices. Statements from QUAD summits often reiterate these goals. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The origins of the QUAD can be traced back to the collaborative relief efforts of the four nations following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This cooperation laid the groundwork for what would later become the QUAD. The disaster response coordination during the tsunami paved the way for deeper strategic and security collaboration. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/no-country-should-dominate-others-says-quad-in-clear-message-to-china/article68459627.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Under the PMLA, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is empowered to arrest individuals involved in money laundering activities. The ED regularly conducts investigations and arrests suspects under the PMLA. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Section 19 of the PMLA grants ED officers the power to arrest without a warrant if they have reason to believe that the person is guilty of an offense under the Act. An ED officer can arrest a suspect based on credible evidence of money laundering activities. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The PMLA mandates that any person arrested under the Act must be produced before the nearest Special Court or a Judicial Magistrate within 24 hours, excluding travel time. This ensures that the judicial process is followed promptly after an arrest. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/arvind-kejriwal-bail-supreme-court-pmla-case-money-laundering-case-excise-policy-case-ed-pmla-act-section-9-9483566/#:~:text=This%20ruling%20upheld%20the%20constitutional,provide%20it%20to%20the%20accused.