Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• Article 293 of the Indian Constitution deals with the borrowing powers of the states. It outlines the conditions under which a state government can borrow funds, particularly when it has outstanding loans from the Government of India. According to this article, if a state has a loan from the central government, it must seek the consent of the central government before raising further loans. This provision aims to regulate state-level borrowing and ensure financial stability. (Option (a) is correct)
• Provisions related to reservation of seats in educational institutions fall under Article 15(4) and Article 15(5) of the Indian Constitution, which allow the state to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. These articles focus on social justice and affirmative action.
• Article 22 of the Indian Constitution provides safeguards against arbitrary detention and arrest. It outlines the rights of individuals arrested under ordinary circumstances, including the right to be informed of the grounds of arrest and the right to consult a lawyer. Article 22 ensures that citizens have protection against arbitrary actions.
• Article 72 of the Indian Constitution grants the President of India the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions of punishment. This power is typically used for cases involving severe penalties or death sentences. Article 72 focuses on the executive’s power to mitigate punishment.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/net-borrowing-ceiling-as-a-financial-fetter-on-states/article68853078.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Article 112 mandates the annual financial statement, or the Union Budget, which the President must present before Parliament each year. The Budget includes the estimated receipts and expenditures of the government but does not specifically address fiscal responsibility. The FRBM Act was enacted to ensure fiscal discipline in line with borrowing and deficit targets, not the Union Budget’s presentation requirements. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Article 280 provides for the constitution of the Finance Commission, which is tasked with recommending the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the states. While the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in fiscal federalism, it is not directly related to the FRBM Act, which focuses on fiscal responsibility and budget management. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Article 292 of the Indian Constitution deals with the borrowing powers of the Union government. It authorizes the central government to borrow funds within India or from abroad, subject to limits set by Parliament. The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 was enacted to implement fiscal discipline and set targets for controlling the central government’s fiscal deficit and public debt in accordance with the principles of Article 292. (Option (c) is correct)
• Article 293 outlines the borrowing powers of the states and specifies that states may borrow funds only with the consent of the central government if they have outstanding loans from the Union. The FRBM Act pertains to the central government’s fiscal responsibility and is not directly related to the borrowing powers of the states. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/net-borrowing-ceiling-as-a-financial-fetter-on-states/article68853078.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The Dengue virus has four main serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4), not classified as Clade I or Clade II. Dengue serotypes cause similar symptoms, but infection with one serotype can lead to more severe disease upon infection with a different serotype later, due to a phenomenon called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).
• The Ebola virus has multiple species, such as Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo ebolavirus, but they are not classified as Clade I and Clade II. Each species has varying virulence and fatality rates, with Zaire ebolavirus being the deadliest. These species are studied for their impact on disease severity and transmission patterns rather than clade-based classifications.
• Influenza viruses are classified into types (A, B, C, and D) and further subtypes based on hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins, such as H1N1 and H3N2. They are not divided into Clade I and Clade II; instead, influenza strains are tracked through these protein subtypes to monitor and predict seasonal flu outbreaks.
• Clade I and Clade II refer to the two main genetic clades of the Monkeypox virus, with Clade I primarily found in Central Africa (Congo Basin) and associated with more severe disease, while Clade II is found in West Africa and is associated with milder symptoms. In recent years, these clades have been of international concern due to outbreaks beyond Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) has renamed these clades as Clade I and Clade II to standardize nomenclature and avoid regional stigmatization. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/mpox-clade-1a-human-to-human-transmission-virologica-study/article68851982.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• India ranks fourth globally in terms of installed wind energy capacity, following China, the United States, and Germany. This reflects India’s commitment to renewable energy and its significant investment in wind power as part of its overall renewable energy targets. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Gujarat has overtaken Tamil Nadu to become the state with the highest installed wind energy capacity in India, contributing significantly to the country’s renewable energy sector. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Wind power potential generally increases with height, as wind speeds are higher at greater altitudes. Thus, the wind power potential at 150 metres above ground level would typically be higher than at 120 metres. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/on-improving-wind-energy-generation-explained/article68853371.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Gluten is a network of proteins, primarily gliadin and glutenin, found in wheat and related grains. When flour is mixed with water, these proteins form an elastic mesh, giving dough its stretchiness and the ability to trap gases. This elasticity is crucial for creating the texture in baked products like bread. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Although protease is an enzyme that breaks down proteins, it is not particularly effective at breaking down gluten. This incomplete breakdown of gluten can lead to undigested gluten proteins reaching the small intestine. In people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, this can trigger an immune response, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/gluten-animator-of-the-dough/article68851884.ece#:~:text=At%20the%20microscopic%20level%2C%20gluten,ingredients%20in%20the%20food%20industry.