Current Affairs Quiz 20 March 2025

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:
• (a) True: Under Article 64 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• (b) False: The Vice President is elected for a term of five years (Article 67), not six years, making this statement incorrect.
• (c) True: The qualifications for the Vice President (Article 66) are similar to those for the President (Article 58)—e.g., must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old—but there is no requirement to be a member of the Lok Sabha. In fact, the Vice President cannot be a member of either house of Parliament or a state legislature while in office.
• (d) True: Under Article 65, the Vice President acts as President in case of a vacancy (e.g., death, resignation, or removal) until a new President is elected.

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:
Statement 1: Migration from Southern and Western states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu to Gulf countries has increased in recent years.

Incorrect – The trend of migration from Kerala and Tamil Nadu to Gulf countries has actually declined in recent years. These states, which traditionally sent a large number of workers, are now seeing a drop in migration due to improved local economic conditions and diversification of job opportunities.

Statement 2: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar continue to send a high number of workers to Gulf nations despite declining remittances.

Correct – Uttar Pradesh and Bihar remain the top contributors to India’s migrant workforce in Gulf nations. Despite an overall decline in remittances from the Gulf region (due to economic slowdowns and localization of jobs in Gulf countries), these states still send a large number of blue-collar workers abroad.

Correct Answer: (c)

Explanation:
• Statement 1: True. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) generally carry less firepower (e.g., smaller missiles or bombs) compared to piloted fighter jets, which are equipped with advanced weaponry for heavy combat.
• Statement 2: True. Most UAVs globally are designed and used for surveillance, reconnaissance, or intelligence-gathering rather than direct combat, unlike fighter jets, which are primarily combat platforms.
• Statement 3: True. The absence of a human pilot reduces the psychological and political perception of direct state aggression, as UAV operations are seen as remote and less personal.
• Statement 4: False. While UAVs have civilian applications (e.g., agriculture, delivery), their primary use in a security context is military or surveillance, not civilian purposes.
• Thus, three statements (1, 2, and 3) are correct.

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:
• The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 is the primary law governing the Public Distribution System (PDS) in India. It mandates the provision of subsidized food grains to eligible beneficiaries through the PDS to ensure food security.
• The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 regulates the supply and pricing of essential goods but is not the primary framework for PDS operations.
• The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 deals with labor wages and is unrelated to PDS.
• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 addresses consumer rights but does not govern PDS.

Correct Answer: (b)

Explanation:
• Solar radiation is the primary factor influencing sea surface temperature (SST). It provides the heat energy that warms the ocean’s surface, driving temperature variations.
• Ocean salinity affects water density and circulation patterns but is not the main driver of SST.
• Earth’s magnetic field has no significant direct influence on SST.
• Tidal forces cause ocean movement but do not primarily determine surface temperature.