Today in History (April 5^th,1930)

On April 5, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi officially broke the British-imposed salt laws by reaching the coastal town of Dandi, Gujarat, and producing salt from seawater. This act was a symbolic gesture against British colonial rule and marked the beginning of the Salt March, also known as the Dandi March. This event mobilized millions across India in the non-violent struggle for independence.

Weekly Current Affairs (21 – 29 March)

1) What is the Rajya Sabha also known as?

1. Lower House
2. Upper House
3. People’s House
4. State Assembly

Answer: 2)

Explanation: The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, representing the states and union territories, while the Lok Sabha is the Lower House, directly elected by the people.

2) How many members can the Rajya Sabha have as per the Constitution of India?

1. 250
2. 238
3. 300
4. 200

Answer: 1)

Explanation: The Constitution fixes the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha at 250 members, of which 12 are nominated by the President, and the rest are elected representatives of states and union territories.

3) Who presides over the sessions of the Rajya Sabha?

1. President of India
2. Prime Minister
3. Vice President of India
4. Speaker of Lok Sabha

Answer: 3)

Explanation: The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over its proceedings.

4) How are the elected members of the Rajya Sabha chosen?

1. Direct election by the public
2. Election by state legislative assemblies
3. Appointment by the President
4. Election by the Lok Sabha

Answer: 2)

Explanation: Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of state legislative assemblies using a system of proportional representation by single transferable vote.

5) What is the tenure of a Rajya Sabha member?

1. 4 years
2. 5 years
3. 6 years
4. 2 years

Answer: 3)

Explanation: Each member of the Rajya Sabha serves a term of 6 years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years, making it a permanent body.

6) How many members of the Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President?

1. 2
2. 10
3. 12
4. 15

Answer: 3)

Explanation: The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha for their contributions to fields like arts, literature, science, and social service.

7) Why is the Rajya Sabha called a permanent body?

1. Its members are elected for life
2. It is never dissolved
3. It meets every day of the year
4. It has more power than the Lok Sabha

Answer: 2)

Explanation: Unlike the Lok Sabha, which can be dissolved, the Rajya Sabha is a continuous body. One-third of its members retire every two years, and new members are elected to replace them.

8) Which of the following bills can only be introduced in the Rajya Sabha?

1. Money Bills
2. Constitution Amendment Bills
3. Finance Bills
4. None of the above

Answer: 4)

Explanation: Money Bills can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. However, ordinary bills and Constitution Amendment Bills can be introduced in either house, including the Rajya Sabha.

9) What happens if the Rajya Sabha rejects a Money Bill passed by the Lok Sabha?

1. The bill is sent back to the Lok Sabha for reconsideration
2. The bill is considered passed after 14 days
3. The bill is sent to the President for approval
4. A joint sitting is called

Answer: 2)

Explanation: The Rajya Sabha has limited power over Money Bills. If it rejects or does not pass a Money Bill within 14 days, the bill is deemed passed by both houses.

10) Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the composition of the Rajya Sabha?

1. Article 79
2. Article 80
3. Article 81
4. Article 82

Answer: 2)

Explanation: Article 80 of the Indian Constitution specifies the composition of the Rajya Sabha, including the number of elected and nominated members.

11) Who is the current Vice President of India?

1. Ram Nath Kovind
2. Venkaiah Naidu
3. Pranab Mukherjee
4. Jagdeep Dhankhar

Answer: 2)

Explanation: M. Venkaiah Naidu was elected as the 13th Vice President of India in 2017.

12) What is the role of the Vice President of India?

1. Chief of the Indian Army
2. Head of the Government
3. Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
4. Head of State

Answer: 3)

Explanation: The Vice President of India is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the upper house of India’s Parliament.

13) What is the tenure of the Vice President of India?

1. 4 years
2. 5 years
3. 6 years
4. 7 years

Answer: 2)

Explanation: The Vice President of India serves a term of 5 years from the date of election.

14) Who can be elected as the Vice President of India?

1. A person who is a member of the Rajya Sabha
2. A person who is a member of the Lok Sabha
3. A person who is a citizen of India and at least 35 years old
4. A person who has held a government position previously

Answer: 3)

Explanation: A person who is a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and eligible to be a member of the Rajya Sabha can be elected as the Vice President of India.

15) Who presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Vice President of India?

1. President of India
2. Speaker of the Lok Sabha
3. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
4. Prime Minister

Answer: 3)

Explanation: In the absence of the Vice President, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.

16) The Vice President of India is elected by which of the following?

1. Elected members of the Rajya Sabha
2. Elected members of the Lok Sabha
3. Both elected members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
4. The President of India

Answer: 3)

Explanation: The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament: the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

17) In case of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, who acts as the Vice President of India?

1. The President of India
2. The Chief Justice of India
3. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
4. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Answer: 4)

Explanation: In case of a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha officiates until a new Vice President is elected.

18) Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the office of the Vice President of India?

1. Article 63
2. Article 64
3. Article 65
4. Article 66

Answer: 1)

Explanation: Article 63 of the Indian Constitution deals with the office of the Vice President of India, establishing the role and functions of the position.

19) Which of the following is NOT a function of the Vice President of India?

1. To represent India at official functions abroad
2. To preside over sessions of the Rajya Sabha
3. To take over as President if the President is incapacitated
4. To act as the head of the government

Answer: 4)

Explanation: The Vice President of India does not act as the head of the government. The President is the ceremonial head of the state, while the Prime Minister is the head of the government.

20) The Vice President of India is eligible to hold office for how many terms?

1. One term
2. Two terms
3. Three terms
4. No limit on terms

Answer: 4)

Explanation: The Vice President of India can hold office for any number of terms, provided they are re-elected after each term. There is no limit on the number of terms they can serve.

21) Multilateral maritime engagement exercise with ________ to enhance interoperability. Titled as ‘AIKEYME’, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit.

1. Asian countries
2. African countries
3. Arabian countries
4. Russia

Answer: 2)

Rationale: Indian Navy has launched maiden initiatives, IOS Sagar and AIKEYME, which are aimed at consolidating its role as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) is its full form. Multilateral maritime engagement exercise with African Countries to enhance interoperability. Titled as ‘AIKEYME’, which means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit. Participation from:  India, Tanzania as co-hosts and Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa.

22) Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) successfully exported first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly to the Solomon Islands, from which state of India?

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Rajasthan
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. Sikkim

Answer: 4)

• Rationale: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) successfully exported first consignment of GI-Tagged Dalle Chilly from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands. Dalle Chilly, also known as Fire Ball Chilly or Dalle Khursani, is renowned for its intense pungency, bright red color, and high nutritional value.
• It is rich in vitamins A, C, and E, along with potassium.
• Its Scoville Heat Units (SHU) range from 100,000 to 350,000, making it one of the hottest chillies.

23) Find incorrect statement about ‘duty inversion’ from the following.

1. It is a direct tax only in India
2. It is a situation in international trade where the import duty (tax) on finished goods is lower than the duty on the raw materials
3. It can make it cheaper to import a finished product rather than manufacturing it domestically using imported materials.

1. Only 1
2. Only 1 and 2
3. Only 2 and 3
4. Only 3

Answer: 1)

Rationale: Duty inversion, is indirect tax and it refers to a situation in international trade where the import duty (tax) on finished goods is lower than the duty on the raw materials or components used to produce those goods. This creates an unusual incentive structure, as it can make it cheaper to import a finished product rather than manufacturing it domestically using imported materials. For example, if a country imposes a 10% duty on imported steel but only a 5% duty on imported steel appliances, manufacturers might find it more cost-effective to import the finished appliances rather than producing them locally with the higher-taxed steel. This “inversion” of duties—where inputs are taxed more heavily than outputs—can discourage domestic production and distort trade patterns.

24) Who is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, government of Russia?

1. Bladimir Putin
2. Zelensky
3. Sergey Lavrov
4. Mikhail Mishustin

Answer: 3)

Rationale: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the visit of President Putin to India during an event in New Delhi. Both Russia and India are preparing for the upcoming visit. Lavrov expressed appreciation for India’s “balanced” approach towards the Ukraine crisis.  Modi visited Russia in July 2024 for the 22nd India-Russia summit. Modi also participated in the 16th BRICS summit in Kazan, where he met Putin.

25) Rohingyas infiltration to India is a national security issue. Rohingyas originally come from which country?

1. Bangladesh
2. Nepal
3. Myanmar
4. Pakistan

Answer: 3)

Rationale: Rohingyas are Islamic ethnicity in Rakhine province of Myanmar. This community created a law-and-order problems in Myanmar by attacking non-muslim population that compelled the Buddhist population to react and this led to migration of Rohingyas to other countries including India.

26) The third edition of the State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2025 report was released recently. It emphasises India’s rising stature in global digitalisation. It has been published by _______

1. Dutch investment firm Prosus and think tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).
2. World Bank
3. International Monetary Fund
4. Reserve Bank of India

Answer: 1)

Rationale: The third edition of the State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2025 report was released recently.

• Published by: Dutch investment firm Prosus and think tank Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER).

27) The Chief Minister of _______ released 10 gharials into the Chambal river at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena district, _____ to bolster the population of gharials. Fill the blank.

1. Rajasthan
2. Uttar Pradesh
3. Haryana
4. Madhya Pradesh

Answer: 4)

Rationale: The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh released 10 gharials into the Chambal river at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in Morena district, MP to bolster the population of gharials. The gharial is a species of long-snouted, fish-eating crocodilians.

Ecological Importance: 

• Gharials are important for a river’s ecosystem as they clean up carrion.

Threats:

• Historical: Overhunting for skins, trophies, eggs, and traditional medicine.
• Modern challenges: Dam construction, irrigation canals, siltation, river course changes, embankments, sand-mining, pollution, and fishing nets. Conservation status: IUCN status: Critically Endangered

28) Which state has the title of “gharial state,” as it hosts over 80% of India’s gharials?

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Rajasthan
3. Madhya Pradesh
4. Bihar

Answer: 3)

Rationale: Madhya Pradesh has the title of “gharial state,” as it hosts over 80% of India’s gharials. This has happened due to decades-long conservation efforts in the state. Between 1975 and 1982, India established 16 captive breeding and release centers and five gharial sanctuaries.

29) Recently, the ________ has released a report titled ‘India Country Economic Memorandum’ which has called for accelerated reforms to help India achieve high income status by 2047. 

1. Reserve Bank of India
2. IMF
3. World Bank
4. UNO

Answer: 3)

Rationale: Recently, the World Bank has released a report titled ‘India Country Economic Memorandum’ which has called for accelerated reforms to help India achieve high income status by 2047. India will need to grow by 7.8% on average over the next 22 years to achieve the country’s aspirations of reaching high-income status by 2047.

30) The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) onboard Aditya-L1 has captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’. What is Aditya-L1?

1. Dedicated to study the Sun
2. Dedicated to study the moon
3. Dedicated to study the Mars
4. Dedicated to study the Jupitar

Answer: 1)

Rationale: The Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) onboard Aditya-L1 (India’s first dedicated space-based solar mission) has captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere — the photosphere and chromosphere. Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar mission dedicated to study the Sun. Launched by: Indian Space Research Organisation in 2023.