Daily Quiz

Solution (d)
Explanation:
• Ladakh is home to two prominent BPM points with China: Chushul and Daulat Beg Oldi. These locations have seen tensions in recent years, especially during the 2020 standoff. The Indian and Chinese troops recently disengaged from Depsang and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh, marking progress in de-escalating the situation in this region.
• Himachal Pradesh, though bordering China, does not have any designated BPM points with China. The terrain and border conditions in this region are different from the other strategic locations along the LAC, and therefore BPM points are not established here.
• Sikkim has a BPM point at Nathu La, another important site for border interactions between Indian and Chinese troops. This location is used for regular meetings, especially during sensitive situations, and also serves as a crossing point for trade and pilgrimage purposes. Nathu La’s BPM point plays a crucial role in managing relations along the LAC in the eastern sector.
• Bum La and Kibithu are located in Arunachal Pradesh and are designated as Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points between India and China. These points facilitate regular engagement and coordination between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the northeastern region of India.
• Bum La is also historically significant as the route through which the Dalai Lama entered India in 1959. It is now a prominent BPM point where troops exchange greetings during festivals and other occasions. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/troop-disengagement-completed-at-depsang-and-demchok-in-eastern-ladakh-indian-army/article68814586.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Justice M. Jagannadha Rao Committee specifically recommended the judicial impact assessment of every piece of legislation. The committee proposed that each new Bill should include an assessment of its potential impact on the judiciary, estimating additional caseloads, required infrastructure, and costs associated with implementation. This measure aims to ensure that the judiciary is adequately prepared and resourced to handle the influx of cases that may result from new legislation. The recommendation has been acknowledged by the Supreme Court in the case of Salem Advocate Bar Association (II) vs Union of India (2005), underscoring its significance for judicial efficiency. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Venkatachaliah Commission, formally known as the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC), was established to suggest changes to improve the Constitution’s effectiveness and safeguard its core principles. The commission recommended judicial reforms, including increasing the retirement age of High Court judges and establishing a National Judicial Commission for transparent judicial appointments. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Malimath Committee, or Committee on Reforms of Criminal Justice System, focused on reforming India’s criminal justice system to improve its efficiency and responsiveness. It made various recommendations to strengthen the investigation, trial, and sentencing process, such as introducing a rights-based approach and promoting victim rights. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Law Commission of India regularly issues reports and recommendations on legal reforms, often suggesting changes to existing laws and procedures. It has highlighted the need for judicial efficiency and sometimes suggested resources for better functioning of the judiciary. The 120th report of the Law Commission of India recommended having 50 judges per million population. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/tackle-the-issue-of-adjournments-case-pendency/article68815714.ece#:~:text=The%20committee%20had%20suggested%20that,are%20necessary%2C%20and%20the%20infrastructure.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The CBI is India’s premier investigative agency, responsible for tackling high-profile corruption cases, economic offenses, and significant criminal cases. While CBI collaborates with international agencies for cross-border crime investigations, especially through Interpol, it is not directly involved in asset recovery networks focused on financial crime enforcement.
• The DRI primarily handles issues related to customs and smuggling, and it focuses on enforcing laws related to trade and preventing revenue loss. While it is a key player in financial enforcement within India, its main role does not align with ARIN-AP’s goal of recovering illicit financial assets on an international scale.
• The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), which is responsible for enforcing laws related to money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and foreign exchange violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), represents India in the Asset Recovery Inter-agency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP). This inclusion in ARIN-AP’s steering committee reflects India’s proactive role in tackling the proceeds of crime, aligning with global standards of asset recovery and financial crime enforcement. ED’s role involves tracing, freezing, and confiscating assets derived from criminal activity, which is central to ARIN-AP’s mission. (Option (c) is correct)
• The FIU-IND collects and analyzes information on suspicious financial transactions in India, primarily aiming to curb money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Although FIU-IND plays a crucial role in gathering intelligence that supports financial crime enforcement, it does not perform asset recovery directly.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-joins-arin-ap-steering-committee-to-assume-presidency-and-host-annual-general-meeting-in-2026/article68815088.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The ISS has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, serving as a hub for international scientific research and cooperation. It remains fully operational in 2024, hosting astronauts from various space agencies. In March 2024, the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour successfully docked with the ISS, bringing new crew members aboard. (Statement 1 is correct)
• China’s Tiangong Space Station became fully operational in late 2022. It has been hosting successive crews and conducting scientific experiments since then. In January 2024, the Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft docked with Tiangong, delivering supplies and equipment to support ongoing missions. (Statement 2 is correct)
• he Axiom Space Station is a planned commercial space station by Axiom Space. As of 2024, it is not yet operational. Axiom plans to launch its first module to the ISS in the coming years, with the goal of establishing an independent commercial space station by the late 2020s. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/china-launches-shenzhou-19-spaceship-with-new-crew-to-join-its-space-station/article68813537.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos), or Isolated High-Level Depression, is a weather phenomenon that occurs primarily in the western Mediterranean region, particularly affecting Spain and surrounding areas. It is not associated with the southern Atlantic Ocean but rather with mid-latitude regions in Europe. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• ANA is associated with the polar jet stream, which can create conditions for cold air to become isolated at high altitudes, leading to low-pressure systems. These isolated cold air masses can result in severe weather patterns, including heavy rains and flooding, as they interact with warmer, moist air in the Mediterranean. (Statement 2 is correct)
• DANA is relatively common in Spain, especially in late summer and autumn. This phenomenon can bring intense rainfall and thunderstorms, often causing flash floods in affected regions. It is a well-known weather event in Spain due to its potential for causing significant damage during these times of the year. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/dana-cold-drop-flash-floods-spain-9646365/#:~:text=DANA%20or%20cold%20drop%20takes,in%20a%20matter%20of%20hours.