Daily Quiz | 1 April 2024

Explanation:

•  Statement I is correct: According to GlobalData, India is the world's ninth-largest producer of uranium in 2022, with output up by 0.26% on 2021. However, coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India. It accounts for 55% of the country's energy need. 70% of India’s power demand is met by thermal power plants, which are mostly powered by coal.
• Statement II is incorrect: Uranium is an element which occurs naturally. It can have nuclear-related uses once it has been refined, or enriched. This is achieved by increasing the content of its most fissile isotopes, U-235, through the use of centrifuges - machines which spin at supersonic speeds.
• Low-enriched uranium, which typically has a 3-5% concentration of U-235, can be used to produce fuel for commercial nuclear power plants.
• Highly enriched uranium has a purity of 20% or more and is used in research reactors. Weapons-grade uranium is 90% enriched or more.

Explanation:

•  Statement 1 is incorrect: Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the States/Union Territories. They are recruited from amongst all classes of people and walks of life, who give their spare time to the organisation for betterment of the community.
• Statement 2 is correct: The role of Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary Force to the Police in maintenance of internal security situations, help the community in any kind of emergency such as an air-raid, fire, cyclone, earthquake, epidemic etc..

Statement 3 is correct: In border States, Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) have been raised, which serve as an auxiliary to the Border Security Force. They have been raised for preventing infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, guarding of VA/VPs and lines of communication in vulnerable area at the time of external aggression.

Explanation:

• • Statement I is correct: Constitution Day also known as 'Samvidhan Divas', is celebrated in our country on 26th November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India.
• Statement II is incorrect: On 29 August 1947, the Constituent Assembly had set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Explanation:

• Chalukya Dynasty:

• • The Chalukya dynasty exerted control over significant portions of southern and central India from the 6th to the 12th centuries, comprising three distinct but interconnected branches:
  •  Badami Chalukyas: This initial branch of the Chalukya dynasty held sway from their capital at Badami (also known as Vatapi) in Karnataka. Their prominence surged under the rule of Pulakeshin II, seizing independence following the decline of the Kadamba kingdom of Banavasi.
  • Eastern Chalukyas: Emerging in the eastern Deccan subsequent to the demise of Pulakeshin II, this branch established its capital at Vengi. Their dominion persisted until approximately the 11th century.
  • Statement 2 is correct: Western Chalukyas: Descendants of the Badami Chalukyas, this branch emerged in the late 10th century, governing from Kalyani, which is modern-day Basavakalyan.
  • About Kalyani Chalukyas:

• Dynasty and Capital:

• Statement 2 is correct: The Chalukyas of Kalyani were predominantly a Kannadiga dynasty, also known as the Western Chalukyas. They derived their name from their capital city, Kalyani, situated in the modern-day Bidar district of Karnataka.

• Establishment and Expansion:

• • • The empire was founded by Tailapa II. 
    • Over their 300-year reign in the western Deccan and southern regions of the Indian peninsula, the Chalukyas of Kalyani expanded significantly, reaching the pinnacle of their power.

• The most prosperous period of the later Chalukya rulers in Karnataka’s history is often referred to as the ‘Chalukya Vikrama era’.

• • • Vikramaditya VI (1076-1126 CE) played a pivotal role during this era, exerting control over feudatories in the northern region, including Kadamba Jayakesi II of Goa, Silhara Bhoja, and the Yadava King.

• Decline:

• • • Following Vikramaditya VI’s demise, persistent conflicts with the Chola dynasty contributed to the decline of the Western Chalukya empire.

• Art and Architecture:

• • The Chalukyas made significant contributions to the development of Kannada and Telugu literature.
  •  Their architectural style, known as the ‘Gadag style’, served as a link between the Badami Chalukya architecture of the 8th century and the Hoysala architecture of the 13th century.
  • The Western Chalukyas minted punch-marked gold coins called pagodas, featuring Kannada legends.
  • Temples constructed during their reign boast intricate carvings and elaborate sculptures, depicting themes such as kirtimukha makaras and mithuna (erotic) figures.

Explanation:

• The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is used to maintain public order in “disturbed areas” with the help of the armed forces. In case an area is declared “disturbed” in the Official Gazette, a Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, non-commissioned officer or any other person of equivalent rank in the armed forces get many special powers under the Act.
• The Act is effective in the whole/parts of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.
•  Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram are free from this Act. 
• Jammu and Kashmir has a separate J&K Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1990.
• The entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (excluding Ladakh) is a “disturbed area.”
• The power to notify the “disturbed areas rested with the state government. Now with UT replacing the state, these powers automatically get transferred to the Centre”.
• Hence, only two of the states given above are covered under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).