Today in History (16^th May 1975)

On this day, the world got its first woman climber to Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, on May 16, 1975.

Let’s revise

A) The Collegium system is a system for the appointment and transfer of judges in the____

1. District court and High court
2. High court and lower court
3. Supreme court and lower court
4. Supreme court and High court

Ans. (d)

B) Find the correct statement about Collegium System

1. It has been mentioned under Part V of the constitution of India
2. It has been mentioned under Part VI of the constitution of India
3. It has been constituted through an Act of the Parliament
4. It has not been mentioned neither in constitution nor in any other law

Ans. (d)

C) Smart Cities Mission was launched in ___

1. 2019
2. 2014
3. 2015
4. 2018

Ans. (c)

D) Smart Cities Mission selected how many cities for development?

1. 100
2. 200
3. 50
4. 75

Ans. (a)

E) The negative effect of some smart cities are____

1. Urban flooding
2. Centralization of political powers
3. Centralization of financial powers
4. Destruction of old buildings

Ans. (a)

F) According to the World Bank, Urban India has more than _____ of the population living in slums.

1. 49%
2. 80%
3. 56%
4. 59%

Ans. (a)

G) Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) was started in _

1. 2005
2. 2015
3. 2016
4. 2018

Ans. (a)

H) Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was passed in _____

1. 2005
2. 2008
3. 2011
4. 2003

Ans. (a)

I) Which Indian court case first recognized the concept of a live-in relationship?

1. Khushboo vs Kanniammal.
2. Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan
3. Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India
4. Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala

Ans. (a)

J) According to the judiciary, living together without marriage can be seen as:

1. Legal but immoral
2. Legal and morally acceptable
3. Illegal and immoral
4. Illegal but morally acceptable

Ans. (a)

K) Find incorrect statement about the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

1. It has deferred the accreditation of India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the second consecutive year.
2. This decision may affect India’s ability to vote at the Human Rights Council and some UN General Assembly bodies.
3. One reason among others is Concerns about appointing police officers to oversee human rights investigations.
4. This is first time when GANRI has deferred accreditation of India’s NHRC

Ans. (d)

L) India has signed a 10-year contract for the operation of the Chabahar port. Find correct statement about the same

1. This port is located in Iraq
2. This is the largest port of Asia
3. This port is located in Iran
4. This port is located in the Mediterranean Sea

Ans. (c)

Summary of Today’s News

Competition for free distribution, Congress announces to double the free ration

Recently congress chief Kharge announced that if INDI Alliances comes to power it will double the free distribution of ration. It also said that the National food security Act was passed by the previous government and the current government is taking the credit of the scheme.
On the other hand the opposition parties take a jibe on PM’s announcement that NDA government will develop Varanasi like Kyoto, a world famous city in Japan.

‘CUET postponed due to logistical issues beyond NTA’s control’

University Grants Commission Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar on Wednesday said the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2024 tests at all 258 centres in Delhi were postponed “due to some logistical issues beyond the control of the NTA”. Fresh admit cards will be issued to the students in Delhi, he added.
CUET, which is the admission test for universities across the country, is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). On Tuesday, the NTA posted a message on its website saying the tests for all four papers — chemistry, biology, English and general test — that were to be held on Wednesday were rescheduled for May 29 . Exams in other parts of the country were held as per schedule.
Meanwhile, students expressed anguish over the issue. While some who had travelled from other States to appear for the exams in the city were unsure about their next course of action, many were apprehensive about how the process of normalisation of scores would affect them.
Piku, who came from Assam, said she has no option but to spend a lot of time and money to return to her home and come again in time for the rescheduled exams.
Nemika Verma said she found out that the tests were rescheduled only after reaching the centre. (as reported by The Hindu, news paper.)

President of Russia, Putin removed Minister of Defence

• Vladimir Putin, upon beginning his fifth term as Russia’s President, made a significant decision to replace long-time Minister of Defence, Sergei Shoigu.
• Shoigu’s removal indicates the increasing economic focus of the war in Ukraine for Russia, as evidenced by the appointment of civilian economist Andrei Belousov to run the Defence Ministry.
• Criticisms of Shoigu’s war planning and execution have emerged, particularly as the conflict in Ukraine has prolonged beyond initial expectations.
• Despite criticisms, Shoigu’s past successes, including the annexation of Crimea and military intervention in Syria, had earned him strong support from Putin and ties with Russia’s defence industry.
• Putin’s decision to replace Shoigu with a technocrat suggests a desire for swift military objectives in Ukraine.
• The timing of the change coincides with Russia’s recent battlefield momentum, notably with a new offensive launched towards Kharkiv.
• The war in Ukraine has strained Russia’s relations with the West, especially Europe, and pushed it closer to China.
• Domestically, Putin has tightened control over the state and society, stifling dissent.
• Russia has managed to shield ordinary citizens from the effects of sanctions so far, but prolonged conflict could threaten this.
• Ukraine’s retaliation, including attacks on Russian assets, raises the costs of the war for Russia.
• Despite perceived momentum, further gains in Ukraine would leave Russia internally repressive, economically weaker, and increasingly isolated.

The case for Election Day as a holiday

Importance of Voting Rights:
• In democracies like India, the right to vote is both a privilege and a fundamental duty.
• Countries like Australia, South Africa, South Korea, and France provide a holiday on Election Day to facilitate voter participation.
Debate on Employer Obligation:
• Recent discussions have debated whether employers, particularly SMEs, should declare a holiday on Election Day.
• Arguments both for and against exist, with some citing constitutional principles and others emphasizing individual liberties.
International Practices:
• Some OECD member countries conduct national elections on weekends.
• The United States does not mandate Election Day as a paid holiday, though some states provide paid time off for voting.
Effectiveness of Election Holidays:
• A study suggests that providing an election holiday may not significantly increase voter turnout.
Balance Between Civic Responsibility and Personal Freedoms:
• Advocates for mandatory holiday declaration argue for upholding the constitutional mandate and aligning with societal goals.
• Opponents emphasize individual freedom and the principles of a free market economy, suggesting that compelling businesses may be an infringement on their autonomy.
Proposed Solutions:
• Suggestions like linking paid leave to proof of voting offer a middle ground by incentivizing voter turnout while maintaining employer discretion.
In Perspective:
• The debate extends beyond legalities to the essence of democracy, balancing civic engagement with diverse business needs.
• Innovative solutions that encourage voter participation without burdening employers excessively should be explored.
Future Prospects:
• As technology evolves, voting from home without undue influence may become feasible.
Conclusion:
• The debate on employer obligation on Election Day holidays touches upon fundamental principles of democracy, individual freedoms, and economic realities. Striking a balance between civic obligations and business autonomy is crucial for upholding democratic ethos in India.

Probe agencies must give written grounds of arrest, says SC

Supreme Court Ruling:
• The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of the right to life and personal liberty as the most sacrosanct of fundamental rights.
• Investigating agencies must provide individuals arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) with a written copy specifying the grounds of their arrest.
Application of Precedent:
• The court applied its earlier judgment in the Pankaj Bansal case, which mandated informing arrested individuals of the grounds of arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), to UAPA cases.
Purpose of Informing Arrested Persons:
• Providing grounds of arrest enables arrested persons to consult their advocate, oppose police custody remand, and seek bail.
• Failure to inform would dilute the sanctity of the fundamental right guaranteed under Article 22(1) of the Constitution.
Comparison between PMLA and UAPA:
• Justice Mehta, authoring the judgment, noted no significant difference in the language of Section 19(1) of the PMLA and Section 43B(1) of the UAPA, both dealing with arrest powers and procedures.
Union Government’s Objection:
• The Union government objected to extending the Pankaj Bansal judgment to UAPA cases, arguing that it applied only to PMLA arrests.
Conclusion:
• The Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the importance of informing arrested individuals of the grounds of arrest to uphold their fundamental rights, regardless of the specific legislation under which they are arrested.