Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Article 14 ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws. It forms the basis for India’s guarantee of equality, prohibiting discrimination on grounds such as religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. However, it does not explicitly address income, status, or opportunities.
• Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. It has been interpreted broadly by the judiciary to include rights such as the right to privacy, right to health, and right to a clean environment. While it emphasizes personal dignity and liberty, it does not explicitly mandate the state to reduce inequalities.
• Article 38, part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) under Part IV of the Constitution, specifically directs the state to:
o Strive to minimise inequalities in income.
o Eliminate inequalities in status, facilities, and opportunities among individuals and groups.
o Article 38 reflects the Constitution’s commitment to social justice and is a cornerstone for welfare-oriented governance. (Option (c) is correct)
• Article 42, also part of the DPSPs, directs the state to make provisions for just and humane conditions of work and Maternity relief. While this article focuses on labor welfare and women’s rights, it does not address broader inequalities in income, status, or opportunities. Labor laws such as the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 implement Article 42.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/from-a-republic-to-a-republic-of-unequals/article68913929.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, aims to regulate the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues for therapeutic purposes. The Act was amended in 2011 to include tissues and update provisions for more stringent control. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Act does not address or regulate artificial organs such as mechanical hearts or prosthetics. THOTA focuses solely on human organs and tissues, and their transplantation for medical purposes. The regulation of artificial organs falls under medical device rules or other legislation, not THOTA. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• THOTA prohibits commercial dealings in human organs, with strict penalties for violations. Selling or purchasing organs for financial gain is punishable with imprisonment and fines. This provision is critical for curbing the illegal organ trade and ensuring ethical medical practices. (Option (c) is correct)
• The Act allows organ transplantation from:
  • Near relatives (spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren).

• Other donors with special permission from the Authorization Committee, ensuring no monetary exchange or coercion. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-ideal-way-to-treat-indias-corneal-blindness-problem/article68913949.ece#:~:text=For%20those%20eligible%20for%20treatment,them%20available%20to%20eye%20surgeons.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, inserted the word “Socialist” into the Preamble. It reflects India’s commitment to achieving economic and social equality through state intervention and policy measures to reduce disparities in income, wealth, and opportunities. Policies like land reforms and welfare schemes align with the socialist ideals enshrined in the Constitution.
• The 42nd Amendment also introduced the word “Secular” into the Preamble. This ensures that the state maintains neutrality towards all religions and provides equal treatment to all citizens regardless of their faith. The Supreme Court of India, in the SR Bommai vs Union of India (1994) case, emphasized secularism as a basic feature of the Constitution.
• The word “Democratic” was already a part of the Preamble when the Constitution was adopted in 1950. It signifies that India follows a system of government in which power is vested in the people and exercised through their elected representatives. The 42nd Amendment did not make any changes to this aspect. (Option (c) is correct)

• The word “Integrity” was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment. This addition emphasized the need to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation amidst the diverse social, cultural, and linguistic fabric of India. Efforts like national integration campaigns and Article 355, which mandates the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbances, align with this principle.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-ruling-on-socialism-secularism/article68915865.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The High Seas Treaty, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, is not focused on regulating global shipping lanes. Its primary objectives are:
  • Conserving marine biodiversity in international waters (the “high seas”).
  • Ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
  • Mandating environmental impact assessments for activities that may harm marine ecosystems.
• Regulation of shipping lanes is primarily managed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and does not fall under the scope of this treaty. (Statement 1 is incorrect) The High Seas Treaty was negotiated under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), not the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The treaty is the third implementing agreement under UNCLOS, following earlier agreements on deep-sea mining and fisheries management. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

• India has signed the High Seas Treaty as part of its commitment to global efforts for marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The treaty is considered a landmark step in ocean governance, and India’s participation reflects its acknowledgment of the importance of marine ecosystems. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/between-hope-and-hurdles-on-the-high-seas/article68913976.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) and established the Mughal dynasty in India. Although the dynasty had Timurid lineage, it is known as the Mughal Empire in Indian history. The victory marked the beginning of Mughal rule, replacing the Delhi Sultanate. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Babur wrote his autobiography, Baburnama, in Chagatai Turkish, which was the literary and administrative language of the Timurids. It provides a vivid description of his life, military campaigns, and observations of the people, geography, and culture of the regions he conquered. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, is one of the three mosques attributed to Babur during his reign, along with the Panipat mosque and Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. It was reportedly built around 1528 by Mir Hindu Beg, a general of Babur. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-controversy-around-the-sambhal-mosque/article68915870.ece