Prelims Specific Question

1) Tigray’ a region which is conflict-ridden seen in news is in

a) Syria
b) Nigeria
c) Ethiopia
d) Burkina Faso

2)With reference to ‘Light Combat Helicopter- Prachanda’, consider the following statements 

1. The LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter designed and manufactured by DRDO ——> This is designed by HAL
2. It is capable of operating from high altitude terrain and carrying out precision strike at high altitude targets

Select the correct statement(s)

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

3) Khamgkhui Cave was in news recently , it is located in 

A. Mizoram
B. Manipur
C. Meghalaya 
D. Myanmar

UPSC Mains Practice Question

So India is introducing GM Mustard as a second crop for Commercial cultivation. What is the impact of such a move? So Are GM Crops the future?

Prelims Specific News Item

What should be done in order to handle the Law and Order Problem

Amit Shah pointed out a few points :-

1. One Data One Entry: advocated for the centralization of data on terror and other crimes. He stated that the NIA had been tasked with maintaining a national terror database, the Enforcement Directorate with financial crimes, and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) with narco crimes, all in accordance with the principle of “one data, one entry.”
2. Use of NATGRID for the interoperability of the Data. The NATGRID brings datasets of 11 agencies on a common platform so it becomes a repository of data.
3. Because the nature of crimes is changing and becoming borderless, all states will need to fight them with a common strategy. Cooperation, coordination, and collaboration between the Centre and the States

2. All about the Office of Profit

So What is the concept of ‘office of profit’?

MPs and MLAs, as members of the legislature, hold the government accountable for its work. The essence of disqualification under the office of profit law is if legislators holds an ‘office of profit’ under the government, they might be susceptible to government influence, and may not discharge their constitutional mandate fairly. The intent is that there should be no conflict between the duties and interests of an elected member. Hence, the office of profit law simply seeks to enforce a basic feature of the Constitution- the principle of separation of power between the legislature and the executive.

According to the definition, what constitutes an ‘office of profit’?

The law does not clearly define what constitutes an office of profit but the definition has evolved over the years with interpretations made in various court judgments. An office of profit has been interpreted to be a position that brings to the office-holder some financial gain, or advantage, or benefit. The amount of such profit is immaterial.

So In 1964, the Supreme Court ruled that the test for determining whether a person holds an office of profit is the test of appointment.

Several factors are considered in this determination including factors such as:

Firstly, whether the government is the appointing authority.
Secondly, whether the government has the power to terminate the appointment.
Thirdly, whether the government determines the remuneration.
fourthly, what is the source of remuneration?
& Lastly, the power that comes with the position.

So According to Articles 102(1)(a) and 191(1)(a) of the Constitution, an MP or MLA is barred from holding an office of profit because it can put them in a position to gain a financial benefit. “A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament, (a) if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder,” says the law.

Under the Representation of People Act too, holding an office of profit is grounds for disqualification

4. Ancient and Medieval India Coins with image of Gods and goddesses

• According to historians, the Kushans, who came from Central Asia were the first to depict Goddess Lakshmi on their coins, alongside Ardochsho, the Iranic Goddess of wealth.
• In their coinage, the Kushans also depicted Oesho [Shiva], the moon deity Miro, and Buddha.
• The Vijayanagara kings issued coins depicting Hindu deities. Harihara II (1377-1404 AD) issued coins depicting Brahma Saraswati, Vishnu Lakshmi, and Shiva Parvati.
• Concerning the coins depicting Goddess Lakshmi issued by Mohammed bin Sam, also known as Mohammed Ghori, after defeating Prithviraj Chauhan in the battle of Terrain in 1192 AD.

5. PSA’s clean waterbody challenge is won by a Bengaluru-based company’s floating trash barrier.

A floating trash barrier (FTB) developed by a Bengaluru firm and deployed in eight cities across India to trap trash in waterbodies has won the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor’s Cleaning and Restoring India’s Water Bodies Challenge (PSA).

The FTB utilises the natural flow of water to transport trash to the riverbank where it is deployed, where it is manually or mechanically removed.

6. Cuban Missile Crisis Easily Explained

So The Cuban missile crisis took place in October of 1962.

The crisis occurred during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union stationed missiles on the island of Cuba, the two major powers faced nuclear war.

Cuba was taken over by communists led by Fidel Castro in 1959. The Soviet Union promised to support communists and defend Cuba with Soviet weapons in 1960. As part of this agreement, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev installed nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba. These missiles could strike much of the eastern United States in minutes if launched from Cuba.

Bay of Pigs Invasion:-

On April 17, 1961, 1,400 Cuban exiles launched what became a botched invasion at the Bay of Pigs on the south coast of Cuba. USA Conducted the training of these exiles. But The attack was in vain.

So The ultimate goal was the overthrow of Castro and the establishment of a non-communist government friendly to the United States.

7. Turkey Passed the Disinformation Law

So The much-debated “disinformation law,” which imposes jail terms of up to three years on social media users and journalists for disseminating “disinformation,” was approved by the Turkish parliament.

The major problem is that what constitutes “Disinformation” is still not clear.

Press freedom in Turkey is already not particularly spectacular. In the Press Freedom Index, it comes in at position 149 out of 180. (2022). Reporters without Borders releases the Press freedom index.

8. On October 30, the PM will formally inaugurate the C-295 aircraft facility in Gujarat.

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL), in collaboration with European aviation giant Airbus, will establish a production plant for the C-295 cargo aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The C-295 is a 510-tonne capacity aircraft utilised for logistic operations to places that are inaccessible to heavier aircraft at the moment as well as tactical transport of up to 71 passengers or 50 paratroopers. It is capable of using short or unmanaged airstrips.

This facility will act as the regional maintenance, repair and overhaul hub for all C-295.