Current Affairs Quiz 13 February 2025

Answer:
A) India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, European Union

Explanation:
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a proposed trade and connectivity corridor aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between India, the Middle East, and Europe. It was announced during the G20 Summit 2023 in New Delhi.

Key Participating Countries/Entities:
• India
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Saudi Arabia
• European Union (EU) (includes multiple European nations)
• United States (USA)
• France
• Germany

Key Features of IMEC:
• It aims to create rail and shipping connectivity linking India, the Middle East, and Europe.
• The corridor is seen as a counterbalance to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• It will include ports, rail networks, and digital connectivity for seamless trade.
• Expected to reduce transit time and costs for goods moving between India and Europe.

Answer: C) India is in the second tier, facing restrictions on AI compute capacity and model exports

Explanation:
The AI Diffusion Framework categorizes countries based on their access to and restrictions on artificial intelligence technologies. India’s position is in the second tier, which means that while it does have access to AI, it faces some restrictions, particularly on high-performance computing capacity and the export of certain AI models and technologies. These restrictions could stem from concerns over national security, technological control, and geopolitical considerations.
• Tier 1 typically includes countries with unrestricted access to AI technology and resources.
• Tier 3 includes countries with severe restrictions, including limitations on AI technology, access to hardware, and data.
• Tier 2 nations, like India, have certain limitations but are not fully restricted. These might include limits on advanced computing resources or the export of certain AI-related models.

Answer: D) All of the above

Explanation:
Section 8(1) of the Representation of the People Act (RP Act), 1951, disqualifies any individual convicted of offenses under the following laws from contesting elections:
1. Prevention of Corruption Act: Conviction under this Act, which deals with corruption by public servants, leads to disqualification under Section 8(1) of the RP Act.
2. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): Conviction under UAPA, which deals with terrorism and unlawful activities affecting national integrity, leads to disqualification.
3. Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act: This Act seeks to abolish untouchability and discriminatory practices. A conviction under it, related to discrimination and untouchability, also results in disqualification.

Answer: A) To replace outdated laws and remove legal overlaps.

Explanation: The key objective of the new Immigration Bill is to streamline and simplify the existing immigration framework by replacing outdated laws and removing any overlaps in the legal structure. This bill aims to consolidate and update various laws related to immigration, ensuring a more efficient and transparent process for handling immigration issues. This approach enhances clarity and reduces confusion caused by the multiplicity of existing laws, improving overall governance. The other options (B, C, D) do not align with the core objective of the bill.

Answer: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.

Explanation:
• Statement I is correct: Rat-hole mining involves manually extracting coal through narrow, dangerous, horizontal tunnels. This method is unscientific and often leads to significant environmental degradation, including deforestation, water contamination, and soil erosion.
• Statement II is incorrect: Rat-hole mining is not considered a safe or scientifically approved method. It is illegal in many places due to the hazards it poses to workers and the environment, and it is not supported by any modern scientific methods of coal extraction.
Thus, Statement I is true, while Statement II is false, making option (c) the correct answer.