Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• While Parliament can amend the list of Scheduled Castes through legislation, it is the President who initially notifies the list. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976, was passed by Parliament to amend the list of Scheduled Castes. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The Governor does not have the authority to notify the list of Scheduled Castes. The Governor’s role is primarily at the state level and does not extend to notifying national lists of Scheduled Castes. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• According to Article 341 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India notifies the list of Scheduled Castes in consultation with the respective state governments. The President issued the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders in 1950, which were later amended as necessary. (Option (c) is correct)
• The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) advises on policies and programs for the Scheduled Castes but does not have the authority to notify the list. The NCSC monitors and reports on the implementation of various safeguards for Scheduled Castes. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/%E2%80%8Bweakest-first-on-judiciary-and-sub-categorisation-within-a-class/article68477898.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Annamalai Hills are located in the southern part of India, primarily in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are part of the Western Ghats. The Annamalai Hills are famous for the Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and the hill station of Munnar. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The Javadi Hills are located in the northern part of Tamil Nadu, making them the northernmost among the given options. The Javadi Hills are known for their forest cover and rich biodiversity. They are situated in the districts of Vellore and Tiruvannamalai. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Palni Hills are located further south in Tamil Nadu and are part of the Western Ghats. The hill station of Kodaikanal is situated in the Palni Hills. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Cardamom Hills are located in the southern part of the Western Ghats, primarily in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Cardamom Hills are renowned for their spice plantations, especially cardamom and pepper. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/death-rains-on-wayanad/article68477646.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• NASA has plans for manned missions to Mars in the future, but Axiom Mission 4 is not one of them. NASA’s Artemis program is focused on lunar missions as a precursor to Mars missions. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Missions like NASA’s OSIRIS-REx are designed to study asteroids, but Axiom Mission 4 is not among them. OSIRIS-REx is an unmanned mission to return samples from the asteroid Bennu. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The European Space Agency (ESA) has lunar exploration plans, but Axiom Mission 4 is not related to these efforts. ESA’s involvement in lunar missions includes collaboration with NASA on the Artemis program, but Axiom Mission 4 focuses on the ISS. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Axiom Mission 4 is indeed a private spaceflight to the ISS, scheduled for October 2024 and operated by Axiom Space using a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission is part of Axiom Space’s efforts to promote commercial spaceflight and private missions to the ISS. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-selects-two-astronaut-designates-for-upcoming-axiom-4-mission-to-international-space-station/article68477978.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The SRY gene (Sex-determining Region Y) is indeed located on the Y chromosome. This gene plays a critical role in male sex determination by triggering the development of testes in an embryo. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The SRY gene functions as a transcription factor, meaning it binds to specific DNA sequences and regulates the activity of other genes. It initiates the transcription of genes involved in testis development. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The SRY gene is responsible for initiating male sex determination, not female. The absence of the SRY gene typically leads to the development of female characteristics. Without the SRY gene, the embryo develops ovaries and female secondary sexual characteristics. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sports/explained-the-gender-issue-in-the-imane-khelif-vs-angela-carini-boxing-match-controversy-9491846/

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Great Nicobar is the southernmost and largest island of the Nicobar Islands. It covers an area of about 1045 square kilometers and is located at the southern end of the Nicobar archipelago. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve has been recognized and added to UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme. This designation aims to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The Great Nicobar Island is home to indigenous tribes such as the Shompen and the Nicobarese. The Shompen are primarily hunter-gatherers, while the Nicobarese engage in agriculture and fishing. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/legal-cases-greater-nicobar-infra-project-9490929/#:~:text=Issues%20of%20inadequate%20assessment%20of,be%20affected%20by%20the%20project.