Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• In the Ranganath Reddy versus State of Karnataka case, Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer gave a dissenting opinion that observed, “every private property could be used by the state as material resource to subserve the common good.” This statement emphasized the concept of socialistic principles under the Indian Constitution, allowing the state to acquire private property for public welfare if it serves a common good. This judgment was pivotal in interpreting property rights in the context of the Directive Principles of State Policy, particularly with regard to Article 39(b) of the Constitution, which promotes the equitable distribution of material resources. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Maneka Gandhi versus Union of India (1978) case is known for expanding the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty). In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that any law affecting personal liberty must satisfy the requirements of “just, fair, and reasonable” procedure.
• The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) is famous for establishing the basic structure doctrine of the Indian Constitution, which limits the Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution in a way that would destroy its basic structure.
• The Indira Sawhney case (1992), also known as the Mandal Commission case, focused on the reservation policy in India, specifically examining the scope and limitations of reservations in public employment under Article 16(4). This case addressed the concept of affirmative action and social justice.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/private-properties-cannot-be-taken-over-by-government-supreme-court/article68831508.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• While the Department of Science and Technology (DST) plays a pivotal role in promoting science and technology in India, it is not directly associated with the PAIR programme. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Initiatives by DST –
  • Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE): Encourages youth to pursue science careers.
  • Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST): Strengthens the S&T infrastructure in universities and higher educational institutions.
• NITI Aayog is the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, focusing on economic policy and sustainable development. It is not the implementing agency for PAIR. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Initiatives by NITI Aayog –
  • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF): Ranks institutions based on performance.
• The ICMR is the apex body for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research in India. It is not related to the PAIR programme. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Initiatives by ICMR –
  • National Clinical Trials Registry: Enhances transparency and accountability in clinical trials.
  • India Hypertension Control Initiative: Aims to reduce morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases.
• The Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) is a programme initiated by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). Established under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, ANRF aims to bolster research and innovation in India. (Option (d) is correct)

• Key Points about PAIR –

• • Goal: Enhances research capabilities in higher education institutions (HEIs) by connecting top-tier research institutions with those having limited research capacities, fostering collaborative mentorship.
  • Framework: Operates under a Hub and Spoke model.
  • Benefits: Aims to elevate India’s global standing in scientific research.

• Other Initiatives by ANRF –
• Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA): Focuses on accelerating research in strategic and emerging sectors, such as EV Mobility and Advanced Materials.
• ANRF Centres of Excellence (ACE): Establishes world-class research environments with cutting-edge infrastructure.
• ANRF Translational Research and Innovation (ATRI): Promotes collaboration between academia and industry to expedite technological innovation.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/rising-stem-research-demands-revitalised-education/article68833729.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Jean-Paul Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher and writer, known for his existentialist views. His famous works include ‘Being and Nothingness’, which explores existentialist themes like freedom, consciousness, and the essence of being. Another notable work is ‘Nausea’, a novel that delves into existentialist perspectives on freedom and the meaning of life. Although Sartre and Camus shared similar philosophical ideas, Sartre did not author ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’.
• Albert Camus, a prominent French philosopher and writer, authored ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ in 1942. This philosophical essay explores the concept of the absurd — the conflict between humans’ search for meaning in a meaningless universe. In the essay, Camus uses the Greek myth of Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down each time, as a metaphor for the human condition. Another famous work by Camus is ‘The Stranger’, a novel that also reflects his ideas on absurdism and existentialism. (Option (b) is correct)
• Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher known for his profound influence on existentialism and modern philosophy. Some of his most notable works include ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ and ‘Beyond Good and Evil’, in which he introduces ideas like the “will to power” and “Übermensch” (superman). Nietzsche’s work often explores themes related to morality, individual strength, and the rejection of traditional religious values.
• Franz Kafka was a Czech writer known for his works that depict themes of alienation, bureaucracy, and the surreal aspects of modern life. His famous works include ‘The Metamorphosis’, in which a man transforms into an insect, and ‘The Trial’, which explores themes of guilt, authority, and existential dread. Kafka’s unique style and thematic elements are often categorized under “Kafkaesque”.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/books/the-first-man-camus-sentimentalism-and-colonial-legacy/article68832655.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Basic Structure doctrine was first applied in the Raj Narain case (formally known as Indira Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain, 1975) to strike down a Constitutional amendment. Although the doctrine was established in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), it was applied to invalidate an amendment for the first time in the Raj Narain case, which challenged the 39th Constitutional Amendment. (Statement 1 is correct)
• According to a recent judgment by the Supreme Court, the validity of an ordinary law cannot be challenged on the grounds that it violates the Basic Structure doctrine. The Basic Structure doctrine is applicable only to Constitutional amendments, not to regular laws or ordinary legislation. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• While the Kesavananda Bharati case established the Basic Structure doctrine, it was the Waman Rao case (1981) that clarified the scope of its applicability. The Waman Rao judgment stated that the Basic Structure doctrine would apply to all Constitutional amendments enacted after April 24, 1973. This means that amendments passed after this date could be tested against the Basic Structure of the Constitution. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/validity-of-law-cannot-be-challenged-for-violating-basic-structure-supreme-court/article68833244.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Tardigrades are commonly known as water bears due to their bear-like appearance under a microscope. They were first observed by Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who named them for their resemblance to tiny, lumbering bears. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Tardigrades have eight legs, each ending with tiny claws or suction-like pads. They are invertebrates, meaning they lack a backbone or any other kind of vertebral structure, which categorizes them among some of the simplest multicellular organisms. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Tardigrades are known for their incredible resilience and are found in some of the most extreme environments on Earth, including deep oceans, high mountains, arctic ice, deserts, and even space. They can survive extreme temperatures, high radiation, and intense pressure by entering a state called cryptobiosis, where their metabolic processes slow down, allowing them to endure harsh conditions. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/if-tardigrades-crowd-sourced-their-remarkable-genes-can-humans/article68832042.ece