Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• In State of Punjab v Davinder Singh case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) for the purpose of reservation. The court held that sub-categorization within these communities is allowed to ensure that benefits reach the most marginalized groups within these categories. (Option (a) is correct)
• E. V. Chinnaiah v. State of Andhra Pradesh 2004 judgment held that sub-classification within Scheduled Castes for the purpose of reservation was not permissible, as it violated the principle of equality. However, the State of Punjab v Davinder Singh judgment of 2020 revisited this position.
• Indra Sawhney v. Union of India 1992 judgment is related to the Mandal Commission and the issue of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations. It upheld the principle of reservation but placed a cap of 50% on total reservations and excluded the creamy layer from OBC benefits. It is not directly related to SC/ST sub-classification.
• M. Nagaraj v. Union of India 2006 judgment upheld the constitutional amendments that allowed reservations in promotions for SC/STs but stated that the state must justify such promotions by providing evidence of backwardness, inadequate representation, and maintaining administrative efficiency. It is not about sub-classification within SC/ST categories.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-considers-pleas-to-review-judgment-upholding-states-right-to-sub-classify-scheduled-castes/article68678208.ece#:~:text=A%20seven%2Djudge%20Bench%20of,in%20public%20employment%20and%20education.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The 2024 Bangladesh quota reform movement, also known as the July Revolution, was a series of anti-government and pro-democracy protests in Bangladesh, spearheaded primarily by university students. It led to the disposal of Shiekh Hasina from power. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Maldives has experienced significant political developments, such as the recent 2023 presidential elections. The outgoing president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was defeated by Mohamed Muizzu from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Myanmar’s political turmoil in recent years has been primarily driven by the military coup that ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, leading to ongoing civil unrest. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The National People’s Power (NPP), led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has emerged as a significant political force in Sri Lanka, focusing on reforms and anti-corruption measures. While it has not yet come to power, it has gained substantial support amid the country’s recent economic crisis and political instability, pushing for a shift in governance. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-break-from-the-past-a-new-beginning-in-sri-lanka/article68678428.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• In scientific research, a retraction occurs when a published research paper is withdrawn from the scientific record. This usually happens due to ethical issues (such as plagiarism or data fabrication), significant errors, or when the findings are later disproven. Retractions are important for maintaining the integrity of scientific literature. (Option (a) is correct)
• ‘The publication of an updated version of a research paper with new findings’ refers to an update or amendment to a study, not a retraction. Publishing an updated version of a research paper means adding new findings, but it does not involve retracting the original paper.
• ‘The act of citing previous research work to support new research’ describes the process of citation. Researchers cite previous work to build upon it or support their hypotheses, but it is unrelated to retraction, which involves the removal of erroneous or unethical work.
• ‘The correction of minor errors in a published research paper without withdrawing it’ describes an erratum or correction. It is issued when there are minor errors (such as typographical mistakes) that do not affect the overall findings of the paper. Retraction, on the other hand, deals with the removal of the paper altogether.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-are-retractions-and-why-do-they-matter-explained/article68679230.ece#:~:text=A%20retraction%20is%20a%20mechanism,being%20removed%20from%20scientific%20literature.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The National Credit Framework (NCrF) is derived from the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, which emphasizes flexible, multidisciplinary education. The NCrF is part of the government’s efforts to integrate academic and vocational learning, offering flexibility in education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities. This framework is designed to support the broad goals set out by NEP 2020. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The NCrF aims to create a comprehensive credit system that allows students to earn credits across various disciplines and activities, including academic, vocational, and work-based learning. It is designed to provide flexibility, so students can seamlessly move between different fields of study and work, thus enabling a more well-rounded learning experience. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The NCrF does not prioritize academic pursuits over career goals. On the contrary, it emphasizes holistic development, blending academic learning with skill development and vocational training to help students align their education with their career aspirations. The framework is meant to support both academic and career-oriented paths by providing flexibility to students based on their goals. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-ncrf-as-a-framework-for-well-rounded-education/article68678374.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Chang’e-5 mission, launched by China in 2020, was indeed China’s first lunar sample-return mission. It successfully brought back lunar samples to Earth for the first time since the 1970s, making China the third country after the USA and the USSR to achieve this feat. The mission collected about 1,731 grams of lunar soil from the Moon’s surface. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Chang’e-5 mission contributed to identifying a new mineral on the Moon. Chinese scientists discovered a new phosphate mineral called “Changesite-(Y)” from the lunar samples brought back by Chang’e-5. This marked a significant achievement, showcasing China’s advanced capabilities in lunar exploration and sample analysis. (Statement 2 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/glass-beads-on-the-moon-suggest-it-had-volcanoes-more-recently-than-thought/article68677222.ece#:~:text=The%20research%20team%20also%20showed,was%20rich%20in%20these%20elements.