Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• The Epuru Sudhakar v. Government of Andhra Pradesh (2006) case dealt with the scope and limitations of the clemency powers of the President under Article 72 and the Governor under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution. The Supreme Court held that the exercise of clemency powers is subject to judicial review if it is arbitrary, discriminatory, or mala fide. The judgment emphasized that these powers are not absolute and must conform to constitutional principles. (Option (a) is correct)
• Article 21A provides the right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years. Cases like Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992) and Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993) contributed to the interpretation of the right to education.
• The Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the anti-defection law, which disqualifies MLAs or MPs who defect from their party without proper justification. Cases like Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992) focus on the interpretation of the anti-defection provisions.
• The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013, governs the process of land acquisition. Cases like Indore Development Authority v. Manoharlal (2020) are relevant to land acquisition disputes.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/what-are-the-controversies-around-pardoning-power-explained/article68943924.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Benzene is a carcinogenic compound associated with industrial emissions and is known to cause diseases like leukemia. However, it was not involved in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Vinyl chloride is used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is highly toxic. It was responsible for the Pryor Chemical Plant explosion in 1985 in the United States. However, it has no connection to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. Vinyl chloride exposure is known to cause angiosarcoma, a rare liver cancer, in industrial workers. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, due to the accidental release of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from a storage tank at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. MIC is a highly toxic and volatile compound that reacts with water to release heat, leading to the leak. The gas caused widespread respiratory distress, skin irritation, and death among thousands of people in nearby areas. The disaster resulted in over 5,000 immediate deaths, with long-term health impacts on tens of thousands due to exposure to the gas. (Option (c) is correct)
• Styrene is a toxic compound used in the production of plastics and rubber. It caused the Visakhapatnam Gas Leak in 2020 at an LG Polymers facility, leading to 12 deaths and widespread health impacts. However, it was not involved in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam highlighted the risks of storing large quantities of toxic chemicals near populated areas. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/the-toxins-of-the-bhopal-disaster-explained/article68939821.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Lebanon’s disputed regions are primarily in the context of border issues with Israel (e.g., Shebaa Farms) and the maritime dispute over natural gas fields. Disputed towns in Lebanon include areas along the Blue Line, such as Kafr Shuba.
• Jordan is known for significant tourist destinations such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea. The ancient city of Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Jordan’s most visited locations.
• Iraq’s pilgrimage sites are predominantly Shia Muslim shrines in cities like Karbala (Imam Hussain Shrine) and Najaf (Imam Ali Shrine). Karbala hosts the Arbaeen Pilgrimage, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.
• Raqqa, Hama, and Deir ez-Zor are prominent cities in Syria that have been significant in the context of the Syrian Civil War.
  • Raqqa: Served as the de facto capital of the Islamic State (ISIS) during their occupation, becoming a focal point of international military campaigns.
  • Hama: Known for its historical waterwheels and for being the site of significant unrest during the Syrian conflict.
  • Deir ez-Zor: A strategic city near the Euphrates River, critical for its oil resources and its role in battles against ISIS. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/expert-explains-the-new-phase-of-war-in-syria-9705174/

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• India is divided into 10 biogeographic zones based on ecological characteristics, climate, and species distribution. These zones are:
  1. Trans-Himalaya
  2. Himalaya
  3. Desert
  4. Semi-arid
  5. Western Ghats
  6. Deccan Peninsula
  7. Gangetic Plain
  8. Northeast
  9. Islands
  10. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Globally, there are 36 identified biodiversity hotspots (earlier 34). India has 4 biodiversity hotspots, not 12. These are:

1. Himalaya
2. Indo-Burma
3. Western Ghats
4. Sundaland (Nicobar Islands) (Statement 2 is incorrect)

• The Amarkantak region, located in Madhya Pradesh, is an important ecological area but it is not part of a recognized biodiversity hotspot. It is the origin of rivers like the Narmada and Son and supports diverse flora and fauna but does not qualify as a global hotspot. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/110184/OPS/GAEDM04IB.1.png?cropFromPage=true

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Supreme Court of India in the landmark case of Common Cause v. Union of India (2018) held that the right to die with dignity is an integral part of the right to life with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. This ruling upheld the legality of passive euthanasia in India, which involves the withdrawal of life support for terminally ill patients or those in a permanent vegetative state. Passive euthanasia allows individuals to avoid unnecessary suffering when there is no hope of recovery, aligning with their right to dignity. (Statement 1 is correct)
• While passive euthanasia is legally recognised in India, active euthanasia—which involves the direct administration of lethal substances to end a patient’s life—is not permitted. The Supreme Court has categorically allowed only passive euthanasia under strict conditions, such as consent and medical board approvals. Active euthanasia involves deliberate intervention, as seen in countries like the Netherlands, but is not part of Indian law. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• A living will or advance medical directive is a legal document where a person specifies their wishes for medical treatment, including the withdrawal of life support, in case they become terminally ill or are in a vegetative state. The Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment provided detailed guidelines on how a living will can be implemented, requiring approvals from witnesses, a Judicial Magistrate, and medical boards. The 2023 modification of the guidelines streamlined the process to make it less cumbersome, but awareness and implementation remain limited. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/uk-assisted-dying-bill-indian-law-9702672/