Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• The UNSC is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, and it does not adopt resolutions related to treaty negotiations such as the Crimes Against Humanity treaty. The UNSC deals with specific conflicts, sanctions, and peacekeeping operations. It has the power to refer cases to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as in the case of Darfur and Libya.
• The ICC investigates and prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. It does not draft or adopt treaties. The ICC operates under the Rome Statute, which is a separate international treaty.
• The UNGA adopted a resolution approving the draft text of the Crimes Against Humanity (CAH) treaty on December 4, 2024. This marked the formal beginning of the negotiation process for the treaty. The draft text was initially submitted by the International Law Commission (ILC) to the UNGA’s Sixth Committee in 2019. (Option (c) is correct)
• The CAH treaty is aimed at preventing and punishing crimes such as genocide and widespread atrocities, aligning with international law and human rights frameworks.
• The ICJ resolves disputes between states and provides advisory opinions on legal questions referred by the UN or its specialized agencies. It does not draft or approve treaties. Its role is judicial, not legislative or executive.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/crimes-against-humanity-and-an-obtuse-indian-stance/article69005566.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) refer to the boundary dividing North Korea (DPRK) and South Korea (ROK). The DMZ is a buffer zone established in 1953 during the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which ended the Korean War but not the state of war.
• The MDL is the official boundary within the DMZ, running approximately 38°N latitude. The DMZ is about 250 km long and 4 km wide, heavily fortified, and considered one of the most militarized borders in the world.
• The DMZ often makes headlines due to tensions between North and South Korea, summits (e.g., Panmunjom meeting in 2018), and defection attempts. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world, located in Western Asia, bordered by the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean. It includes countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The region is known for its strategic importance in global oil trade and conflicts like the Yemen Civil War and Gulf tensions, but it does not involve a demilitarized zone or military demarcation line. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Iberian Peninsula is located in Southwestern Europe, comprising Spain, Portugal, and parts of France and Andorra. It is not associated with military demarcation lines or demilitarized zones. Territorial disputes like the status of Gibraltar, controlled by the UK but claimed by Spain. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Malay Peninsula is in Southeast Asia, encompassing parts of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. It is not associated with a DMZ or MDL. Issues like the Strait of Malacca piracy and geopolitics surrounding trade routes. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/the-political-crisis-in-south-korea/article69004501.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Never events refer to serious and largely preventable incidents in healthcare settings that occur when safety protocols are not followed.
• Examples include:
  • Surgery on the wrong body part.
  • Mismatched blood transfusions.
  • Severe medication overdoses (e.g., insulin overdose).
• Introduced in 2002 by the National Quality Forum (NQF) in the U.S., they emphasize systemic checks, improved processes, and strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent harm. Although primarily adopted in the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the concept is gaining global importance. (Option (d) is correct)
• Rare diseases, like Huntington’s disease or Gaucher’s disease, require specialized treatment but are not preventable errors in healthcare.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/understanding-never-events-unacceptable-failures-in-patient-safety/article69003549.ece#:~:text=The%20concept%20of%20'never%20events,NQF)%20in%20the%20United%20States.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Chennai-Vladivostok corridor is a maritime trade route connecting India’s Chennai port to Russia’s Vladivostok port. It does not pass through Central Asia but uses the sea route across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean to connect the two regions directly. It is part of India’s effort to strengthen economic ties with Russia, particularly in the context of the Russian Far East. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• The Chennai-Vladivostok maritime route does not pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which is located in the Persian Gulf and serves as a key chokepoint for oil shipments from the Middle East. Instead, the route follows the Bay of Bengal, crosses the Strait of Malacca, and proceeds through the South China Sea and East China Sea before reaching the Pacific Ocean. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• It will incorporate undersea cables for data transmission to enhance connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region. This infrastructure is aligned with India’s push for digital connectivity and forms part of the broader effort to strengthen Indo-Russian cooperation. It will also include long-distance hydrogen pipelines to support climate goals and decarbonization. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-russia-relationship-world-order-2025-9735450/?ref=top_opinion

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Coconut oil is classified as edible oil when sold in packaging of up to 1 liter and attracts 5% GST under the GST rates for food products. However, when sold in bulk or larger containers, it may be classified as a cosmetic product or hair oil, attracting a higher GST rate of 18%. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The common parlance test refers to interpreting a product based on how it is commonly understood by the general public or its most popular usage. For example:
  • Coconut oil sold in small packaging is considered an edible item and taxed at 5%.
  • When sold in bulk, it is considered a non-edible product (e.g., hair oil or cosmetic use), leading to a higher GST rate.
• The test is often applied in tax disputes to resolve ambiguities in classification. (Statement 2 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/coconut-oil-edible-haircare-sc-gst-9733784/