Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• Nagarni Spardha is a traditional event held in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is an ancient competition where participants race in the muddy fields during the peak of the rainy season. The soft mud cushions fall, making it safer for competitors who race barefoot and without protective gear. This cultural event reflects the region’s deep connection with agriculture and the monsoon season. (Option (a) is correct)
• In Madhya Pradesh, the cultural tradition of ‘Adivasi Bhagoria Haat Festival’ is celebrated by the Bhil tribe. It is a week-long festival of dance, music, and fairs, held before Holi. The event is famous for its unique marriage rituals where young boys and girls choose their partners. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Rajasthan is known for the ‘Pushkar Camel Fair’, an annual multi-day livestock fair and cultural event held in Pushkar. It is one of the largest camel fairs in the world and also includes cultural events like folk dances, music, and competitions such as the ‘Matka Phod’ and ‘Longest Moustache’. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Bihar is famous for the ‘Chhath Puja’, a major Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God. It involves worship and offerings to the Sun, with devotees standing in water, often in rivers or ponds, to perform the rituals at sunrise and sunset. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://apnews.com/article/india-oxen-race-photo-gallery-ratnagiri-maharashtra-23ee3127697731a7b0d5c1a1dc91c2be#:~:text=Seasoned%20drivers%20often%20compete%20more,feet%20and%20without%20protective%20gear.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• Mashhad is a major city in Iran, known for the Imam Reza shrine, an important site for Shia Muslims. Iran shares a border with Balochistan in Pakistan. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Kandahar is a significant city in southern Afghanistan, known for its historical significance and strategic location in Afghan politics. Afghanistan also shares a border with Balochistan in Pakistan. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Hub, Mastung, and Quetta towns are located in Pakistan, specifically in the province of Balochistan. Hub is an industrial town near Karachi, known for its proximity to the Hub Dam and its role as an industrial center. Mastung is located near Quetta and has been in the news due to various incidents, including violence and security issues. Quetta is the provincial capital of Balochistan, known for its diverse population and strategic importance in Pakistan. (Option (c) is correct)
• Mosul is a major city in northern Iraq, known for its historical sites and its recent history involving conflict. Iraq is far from Pakistan. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/balochistan-unrest-causes-reasons/article68570181.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The correct device for measuring blood glucose levels is a glucometer. It is used by people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• A sphygmomanometer is specifically used to measure blood pressure. It typically includes an inflatable cuff to restrict blood flow, and a manometer to measure the pressure. (Option (b) is correct)
• Spirometers are the devices used to measure lung capacity. They assess the amount of air a person can inhale and exhale, which helps diagnose respiratory conditions. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) machines are used to detect irregular heart rhythms by recording the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/96927/OPS/GPID8HJAI.1.png?cropFromPage=true

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Plea bargaining was introduced with the intention of reducing the backlog of cases in courts. It allows for quicker resolution of cases, thereby helping to alleviate the burden on the judiciary. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Plea bargaining was formally introduced into the Indian legal system with the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2005, which incorporated it into the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). It is covered under Chapter XXIA (Sections 265A to 265L). (Statement 2 is correct)
• Despite its potential, plea bargaining has not been widely used in India. As per the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the actual number of cases disposed of through plea bargaining is extremely low, representing only a tiny fraction of the total cases that went to trial. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/report-reveals-minimal-use-of-plea-bargaining-in-india/article68569128.ece#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20latest%20National,bargaining%20%E2%80%94%20a%20mere%200.11%25.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is indeed a five-year initiative that started in 2022 and is scheduled to run until 2027. The program aims to achieve significant strides in literacy across India during this period. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The programme aims to onboard one crore (10 million) learners each year, targeting individuals above the age of 15 years. This ambitious goal is a central feature of the NILP. (Statement 2 is correct)
• While the programme does cover all States and union territories, it specifically targets individuals above the age of 15 years. It does not cover all age groups, focusing instead on adult literacy. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
• The Ministry of Education has defined literacy in the context of the NILP as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension. This includes not only basic literacy but also critical life skills such as digital and financial literacy. Achieving full literacy, as per the programme, is defined as reaching 95% literacy in a State or Union Territory, which will be considered equivalent to 100% literacy.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/education-ministry-defines-literacy-full-literacy/article68569537.ece#:~:text=In%20the%20letter%2C%20School%20Education,and%20full%20literacy%20(to%20be