Current Affairs Quiz Today – 28th Jan 2021

ANS: (A) Facilitating the stress-free migration of elephants from one habitat to another

Explanation:

• Elephant corridors are set up between two protected areas in order to provide for stress-free migration of elephants from one habitat to another.
• These corridors also reduce the scope of human-animal conflict.

ANS: (B) International Energy Agency

Explanation:

The World Energy Outlook is the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) flagship publication. It provides a comprehensive view of how the global energy system could develop in the coming decades.

ANS: (C) Both 1 and 2

Explanation

• Recently, a statue of freedom fighter Govind Ballabh Pant was unveiled at its new location on a roundabout at the Pandit Pant Marg, New Delhi.
• Govind Ballabh Pant joined the Congress in December 1921 and soon joined the non- cooperation movement. In 1930, he was imprisoned for organizing a Salt March inspired by Gandhi’s earlier actions. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • When in Government, he tried to bring in reforms which would do away with the Zamindari system.
  • He also pleaded to the Government for lowering agricultural taxes on farmers.
• He encouraged many cottage industries in the country and raised his voice against the coolie-beggar law, which forced porters to transport the heavy luggage of British officials without any payment.
• Pant was always against a separate electorate for minorities, saying the step would further divide communities. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

ANS: (C) Both 1 and 2

Explanation

• The International Energy Agency (IEA) was established in 1974 as per the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). IEA is an autonomous intergovernmental organisation. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • It was established in the wake of the oil crisis of 1973-1974, to help its members respond to major disruptions in oil supply.
  • Over time, the mandate of the IEA has expanded to include tracking and analyzing key global energy trends, promoting sound energy policy and encouraging multinational energy technology cooperation.
  • Its mission is to ensure reliable, affordable and clean energy for its member countries and beyond.
• Area of focus: Its mission is guided by four main areas
  • Energy Security,
  • Economic Development,
  • Environmental Awareness and
  • Engagement Worldwide.
• Headquarter: Paris, France
• The Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP) was launched in November 2017 by the IEA. It is an effort to accelerate global clean energy transitions. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

ANS: (B) 2 only

Explanation

Evolution of the System of judicial appointments:

• First Judges Case (1981): SC ruled that the “consultation” with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the matter of appointments must be full and effective.
  • However, the CJI’s opinion should have primacy.
• Second Judges Case (1993): SC introduced the Collegium system, holding that “consultation” really meant “concurrence”.
  • It added that it was not the CJI’s individual opinion, but an institutional opinion formed in consultation with the two senior-most judges in the SC. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
• Third Judges Case (1998): SC on President’s reference expanded the Collegium to a five-member body, comprising the CJI and four of his senior-most colleagues.
• Judges of the higher judiciary are appointed only through the collegium system and the government has a role only after names have been decided by the collegium.
  • The attempt made to replace the collegium by a ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission’ was struck down by the court in 2015 on the ground that it posed a threat to the independence of the judiciary. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
• Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution provides that the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President after consultation with such a number of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts in the States as the President may deem necessary for the purpose.
• Article 217 of the Indian Constitution states that the Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and, in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court. Hence, statement 2 is correct.