{"id":3696,"date":"2026-03-30T11:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=3696"},"modified":"2026-03-30T11:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T11:02:18","slug":"daily-current-affairs-30-03-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-30-03-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 30.03.2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Consider the following statements regarding contesting elections in India:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. A candidate is permitted to contest elections from a maximum of two constituencies simultaneously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. If a candidate is elected from more than one constituency, they are required to vacate all but one seat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. A candidate may contest elections from any number of constituencies without restriction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-12\">\n<li>Under <strong>Section 33(7)<\/strong> of the RPA 1951, a person is permitted to contest an election from a maximum of <strong>two constituencies<\/strong>. This applies to general elections as well as bye-elections.<strong>Hence Statement 1 is Correct:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to <strong>Section 70<\/strong> of the RPA 1951, while a candidate can contest two seats, they cannot represent both. If they win both, they must resign from one within <strong>14 days<\/strong>. If they fail to do so, both seats are declared vacant.<strong>Hence Statement 2 is Correct:<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is a strict legal restriction. Before 1996, there was indeed no limit on the number of constituencies a candidate could contest, but the Act was amended in <strong>1996<\/strong> to set the limit at two.<strong>Hence Statement 3 is Incorrect:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Vijay to fight from Perambur, Tiruchi East constituencies<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#c7ffd7\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC (2021) <\/strong><br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements: <\/strong><br><br>1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. <br>2. In the 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. <br>3. As per existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his\/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him\/her in the event of him\/her winning in all the constituencies. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br>(b) 2 only <br>(c) 1 and 3 <br>(d) 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LO.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LO.1.html<\/strong><\/a><strong><u><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>2. With reference to the climatic and geographical characteristics of the trans-Himalayan region of Lahaul and Spiti, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The region exhibits features of a cold desert owing to its high altitude and minimal precipitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Its location on the windward side of the Himalayas results in significant monsoonal rainfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\">3. The region\u2019s aridity is primarily due to its position in the rain-shadow zone of the Himalayas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a)1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-26\"><strong>The region exhibits features of a cold desert owing to its high altitude and minimal precipitation.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-27\">\n<li>Much like Ladakh, Lahaul and Spiti are classified as a <strong>cold desert<\/strong>. Because of its extreme elevation (mostly above 3,000 meters), temperatures remain very low for most of the year. The air is thin and dry, and the landscape is characterized by rugged, barren mountains with very little natural vegetation.<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-28\"><strong>Its location on the windward side of the Himalayas results in significant monsoonal rainfall.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-29\">\n<li>This region is located on the <strong>leeward side<\/strong> (the side sheltered from the wind) of the Great Himalayan Range. The massive mountain peaks act as a physical barrier that prevents the moisture-laden South-West Monsoon winds from entering the valley. Consequently, the region receives very little rainfall during the monsoon season.<strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-30\"><strong>The region\u2019s aridity is primarily due to its position in the rain-shadow zone of the Himalayas.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-31\">\n<li>Aridity is the defining characteristic of this area. As the monsoon clouds rise along the southern slopes of the Himalayas, they shed most of their moisture as heavy rain. By the time the air crosses over to the Lahaul and Spiti side, it is dry. This phenomenon creates a <strong>rain-shadow effect<\/strong>, leaving the region with an annual precipitation that is significantly lower than the southern Himalayan foothills.<strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: Fresh snowfall in Himachal; hailstorm warning for Shimla<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#d5e3f4\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC (2020) <\/strong><br><br><strong>Q. With reference to India\u2019s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>1. It is spread over two districts. <br>2. There is no human habitation inside the Park. <br>3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 2 and 3 only <br>(c) 1 and 3 only <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5M3.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5M3.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>3. &nbsp;Fatehgarh Sahib is historically associated with which of the following events?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Martyrdom of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) First Sikh\u2013Mughal treaty<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b)Martyrdom of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-41\"><a><\/a><strong>The Martyrdom (Saka Sirhind)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42 wp-block-paragraph\">In 1704, the two younger sons (Sahibzadas) of <strong>Guru Gobind Singh<\/strong>\u2014<strong>Sahibzada Zorawar Singh<\/strong> (aged 9) and <strong>Sahibzada Fateh Singh<\/strong> (aged 7)\u2014along with their grandmother, <strong>Mata Gujri<\/strong>, were captured by the Mughal authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-43\">\n<li><strong>The Ultimatum:<\/strong> The Nawab of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, pressured the young princes to convert to Islam in exchange for their lives and riches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Execution:<\/strong> Despite their age, both brothers refused to renounce their faith. Consequently, they were <strong>bricked alive<\/strong> on the orders of the Nawab.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib:<\/strong> The magnificent Gurdwara stands at the exact location where this execution took place. The name &#8220;Fatehgarh&#8221; (Fort of Victory) commemorates the spiritual victory of the young Sahibzadas over the tyranny of the Mughal Empire.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-44\"><a><\/a><strong>Why the other options are incorrect:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-45\">\n<li><strong>Execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur:<\/strong> This took place at <strong>Chandni Chowk, Delhi<\/strong>, where <strong>Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib<\/strong> now stands. He was the ninth Sikh Guru and the grandfather of the younger Sahibzadas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coronation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh:<\/strong> This occurred in <strong>Lahore<\/strong> (specifically at the Lahore Fort) in 1801, marking the formal beginning of the Sikh Empire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First Sikh\u2013Mughal treaty:<\/strong> While there were various negotiations (such as the ones involving Guru Sahiban or later leaders like Banda Singh Bahadur), Fatehgarh Sahib is primarily defined by the sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, not a diplomatic treaty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: Punjab Cabinet clears \u20b91,000 monthly dole for women, changes in industrial plot policy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LI.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LI.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. &nbsp;Consider the following statements regarding the events preceding the Mahad Satyagraha:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The Bole Resolution allowed untouchables to use public water sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The resolution was effectively implemented across the Bombay Presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\">3. A satyagraha in Dasgaon in 1926 was a precursor to the Mahad movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-55 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a)1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\">The Mahad Satyagraha of 1927, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was a watershed moment in the struggle against untouchability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-60\"><a><\/a><strong>1. The Bole Resolution allowed untouchables to use public water sources.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">In 1923, <strong>S.K. Bole<\/strong> moved a resolution in the Bombay Legislative Council. This resolution stated that untouchables should be allowed to use all public watering places, wells, and dharamshalas which were built and maintained out of public funds.<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-62\"><a><\/a><strong>2. The resolution was effectively implemented across the Bombay Presidency.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\">Although the resolution was passed and the Bombay Government issued orders to all Heads of Departments to give effect to it, it remained a <strong>&#8220;paper reform.&#8221;<\/strong> Local bodies (municipalities and local boards) dominated by upper castes refused to implement it. It was this very lack of implementation that forced Dr. Ambedkar to launch the Mahad Satyagraha to physically assert the right to water at the Chardar Tank.<strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-64\"><a><\/a><strong>3. A satyagraha in Dasgaon in 1926 was a precursor to the Mahad movement.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65 wp-block-paragraph\">Before the famous 1927 event, a smaller-scale satyagraha took place in <strong>Dasgaon<\/strong> (near Mahad) in 1926. This helped mobilize the Depressed Classes in the Konkan region and served as a localized test case for the larger movement that followed at the Chardar Tank in March 1927.<strong>Hence statement 3 is correct<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> A 23-year-old drank water from a well and broke a social order<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#f0d6bea8\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC (2015) <\/strong><br><strong>Q<\/strong>. <strong>Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the following events?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Mahad Satyagraha <br>2. Kalaram Temple Entry Satyagraha <br>3. Poona Pact <br><br><strong>Options:<br><\/strong>(a) 1-2-3 <br>(b) 2-1-3 <br>(c) 1-3-2 <br>(d) 2-3-1<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5MF.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5MF.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>5. With reference to labour codes in India, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Wage calculations may include both cash and in-kind benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The government has placed limits on the proportion of in-kind benefits counted as wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Labour-intensive sectors like tea plantations are unaffected by wage policy changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-73 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Code on Wages, 2019<\/strong>, which seeks to consolidate and simplify four existing labor laws (The Minimum Wages Act, The Payment of Wages Act, The Payment of Bonus Act, and The Equal Remuneration Act), introduced a standardized definition of &#8220;wages.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-80\"><a><\/a><strong>1. Wage calculations may include both cash and in-kind benefits.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Correct.<\/strong> Under the new Code, &#8220;wages&#8221; are defined broadly. While the core components are salary\/basic pay, dearness allowance, and retaining allowance, the law recognizes that in certain sectors, employees receive non-cash benefits.<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-82\"><a><\/a><strong>2. The government has placed limits on the proportion of in-kind benefits counted as wages.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\">This is a crucial provision designed to prevent employers from artificially lowering the &#8220;cash&#8221; component of a salary. The Code stipulates that if the value of specific components (like in-kind benefits, HRA, etc.) exceeds <strong>50%<\/strong> (or a percentage notified by the government) of the total remuneration, the excess amount will be added to the &#8220;wages.&#8221; This ensures that social security contributions (like EPF and Gratuity) are calculated on a substantial base.<strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-84\"><a><\/a><strong>3. Labour-intensive sectors like tea plantations are unaffected by wage policy changes.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85 wp-block-paragraph\">Labour-intensive sectors, particularly <strong>tea plantations<\/strong>, are some of the most significantly impacted. Traditionally, plantation workers received a large portion of their compensation in kind (housing, rations, medical facilities). The new Code\u2019s 50% limit on &#8220;allowances&#8221; and &#8220;benefits&#8221; forces a restructuring of these pay scales, often leading to a higher cash-wage requirement and higher provident fund liabilities for the employers.<strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: Tea body seeks clarity on land transfer policy for plantation workers in poll-bound Assam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#acfae5ad\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC EPFO (2021) <\/strong><br><br><strong>Q. The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 provides for:<\/strong> \u00a0 <br><br>1. Fixation of minimum time rate of wages. <br>2. Fixation of minimum piece rate of wages. <br>3. Fixation of overtime wages. <br>4. Guaranteed time rate for those on piece work. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer:<\/strong> (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1, 2, and 3 only (c) 2, 3, and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3, and 4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LB.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LB.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. With reference to land reforms in post-independence India, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Land ceiling laws were intended to impose an upper limit on landholdings and facilitate redistribution of excess land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Certain categories such as plantations and specialized farms were exempted from ceiling limits in several states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\">3. The implementation of land reforms has resulted in near-complete elimination of landholding inequalities in rural India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: <\/strong>(a)1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-99\"><a><\/a><strong>1. Land ceiling laws were intended to impose an upper limit on landholdings and facilitate redistribution of excess land.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-100 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Correct.<\/strong> The primary objective of land ceiling acts was to reduce the concentration of land in the hands of a few (mostly former Zamindars and large landlords). By setting a legal limit on the amount of land an individual or family could own, the government intended to acquire &#8220;surplus&#8221; land and redistribute it to landless laborers and small marginal farmers. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct\/<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-101\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Certain categories such as plantations and specialized farms were exempted from ceiling limits in several states.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\">This is a significant technical detail of the reform process. To ensure that the production of export-oriented and industrial crops (like tea, coffee, rubber, and sugarcane) was not disrupted by fragmentation, many state laws provided <strong>exemptions<\/strong> for plantations. Additionally, &#8220;efficiently managed&#8221; specialized farms, orchards, and cattle-breeding farms were often excluded from the ceiling limits. Unfortunately, these exemptions were often misused by landlords to bypass the law by labeling their land as &#8220;plantations.&#8221;<strong>. Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-103\"><a><\/a><strong>3. The implementation of land reforms has resulted in near-complete elimination of landholding inequalities in rural India.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\">While land reforms saw success in specific states like <strong>West Bengal<\/strong> (Operation Barga) and <strong>Kerala<\/strong>, the national picture is quite different. Factors such as &#8220;benami&#8221; transactions (registering land in the names of servants or relatives), weak political will, litigation, and the aforementioned exemptions meant that the redistribution of land was far from complete. To this day, landholding remains highly unequal in many parts of India, with a small percentage of large farmers still controlling a disproportionate amount of land.<strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: Tea body seeks clarity on land transfer policy for plantation workers in poll-bound Assam<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#c1f5ce\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: UPSC (2019)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings. <br>(b) The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless. <br>(c) It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation. <br>(d) Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LB.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRP.1+G5JFPI5LB.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>7. With reference to the Financial Intelligence Unit-India, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is responsible for receiving and analysing financial transaction reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It operates under the Ministry of Finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It directly conducts criminal investigations and prosecutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND)<\/strong> is a specialized multi-disciplinary body that serves as the central national agency for financial intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. It is responsible for receiving and analysing financial transaction reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\">The core mandate of FIU-IND is to act as the central reception point for various statutory reports from &#8220;Reporting Entities&#8221; (banks, stockbrokers, etc.). These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-121\">\n<li><strong>STRs:<\/strong> Suspicious Transaction Reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CTRs:<\/strong> Cash Transaction Reports (usually above \u20b910 lakh)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>NTRs:<\/strong> Non-Profit Organization Transaction Reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CBWTRs:<\/strong> Cross Border Wire Transfer Reports.<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-122\"><a><\/a><strong>2. It operates under the Ministry of Finance.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\">FIU-IND was established in 2004 and is an independent body reporting directly to the <strong>Economic Intelligence Council (EIC)<\/strong>, which is headed by the Finance Minister. Administratively, it falls under the <strong>Department of Revenue<\/strong>, Ministry of Finance.<strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-124\"><a><\/a><strong>3. It directly conducts criminal investigations and prosecutions.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Incorrect.<\/strong> FIU-IND is an <strong>administrative unit<\/strong>, not an investigative or law enforcement agency. Its role is to gather, process, and analyze data to generate &#8220;actionable intelligence.&#8221; Once it identifies a suspicious pattern, it disseminates that information to relevant enforcement agencies like the <strong>Enforcement Directorate (ED)<\/strong>, <strong>CBI<\/strong>, or <strong>Income Tax Department<\/strong>, who then carry out the actual criminal investigations and prosecutions.<strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: FATF report points to India\u2019s action against fraudulent entities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200ffe8\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRR.1+G5JFPI73D.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRR.1+G5JFPI73D.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. &nbsp;Consider the following statements regarding Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\">1. They include entities facilitating exchange, transfer, or custody of virtual assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Offshore VASPs (oVASPs) operate entirely outside regulatory oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\">3. They can be used for money laundering and cross-border value transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-133 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a)1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\">Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) have become a central focus for financial regulators globally, including the <strong>Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND)<\/strong>, due to the rise of cryptocurrencies and digital assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. They include entities facilitating exchange, transfer, or custody of virtual assets.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <strong>Financial Action Task Force (FATF)<\/strong> standards, which India follows, a VASP is any natural or legal person that conducts one or more of the following activities for or on behalf of another person:<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-142\">\n<li>Exchange between virtual assets and fiat currencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exchange between one or more forms of virtual assets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Transfer of virtual assets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Safekeeping or administration of virtual assets (custody).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-143\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Offshore VASPs (oVASPs) operate entirely outside regulatory oversight.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\">While offshore VASPs operate from outside a specific country&#8217;s borders, they are <strong>not<\/strong> exempt from regulatory oversight. In India, under the <strong>Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002<\/strong>, even offshore VASPs serving the Indian market are required to register with <strong>FIU-IND<\/strong> and comply with reporting obligations (like filing Suspicious Transaction Reports). For example, in 2024, India issued show-cause notices to several global offshore crypto exchanges for non-compliance with these regulations.<strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a><strong>3. They can be used for money laundering and cross-border value transfer.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\">The pseudo-anonymous nature of blockchain transactions and the speed of transfers make VASPs susceptible to being used for money laundering, terrorism financing, and moving value across borders to evade capital controls. This is why they were brought under the &#8220;Reporting Entity&#8221; framework in India in March 2023.<strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS: FATF report points to India\u2019s action against fraudulent entities.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#7bdb93a3\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC (2016)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to &#8216;Bitcoins&#8217;, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries. <br>2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address. <br>3. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer:<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br><strong>(b) 2 and 3 only<\/strong> <br>(c) 3 only <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1f00fad9\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRR.1+G5JFPI73D.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRR.1+G5JFPI73D.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Consider the following statements regarding the role of Central Reserve Police Force:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It acts as a central armed police force deployed in counter-insurgency operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It operates across State boundaries without jurisdictional limitations of State police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It functions under the Ministry of Defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-153 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-154 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-155 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-157 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-158 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-159\"><a><\/a><strong>1. It acts as a central armed police force deployed in counter-insurgency operations.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\">The CRPF is the primary force for <strong>internal security<\/strong> in India. Its specialized units, such as <strong>CoBRA<\/strong> (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), are specifically trained for guerrilla warfare and are extensively deployed in counter-insurgency operations, particularly in Left-Wing Extremism (Naxal-affected) areas and Jammu &amp; Kashmir.<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-161\"><a><\/a><strong>2. It operates across State boundaries without jurisdictional limitations of State police.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-162 wp-block-paragraph\">While the CRPF is a &#8220;Central&#8221; force and can be deployed anywhere in India, it generally operates in <strong>aid of the civil power<\/strong> (the State government). Unlike a federal investigative agency with overarching powers (like the NIA), the CRPF does not typically exercise independent police powers (like filing FIRs or conducting investigations) unless specifically empowered by a state-specific law or a central notification. Most operations are conducted in coordination with the local State police.<strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-163\"><a><\/a><strong>3. It functions under the Ministry of Defence.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-164 wp-block-paragraph\">The CRPF, along with other Central Armed Police Forces (BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, and Assam Rifles), functions under the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)<\/strong>. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is responsible for the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).<strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-165 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1f00fad9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRR.1+G5JFPI73T.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRR.1+G5JFPI73T.1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#668fe952\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC (2008)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The Department of Border Management is a Department of which one of the following Union Ministries?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Ministry of Defence <br><strong>(b) Ministry of Home Affairs<\/strong> <br>(c) Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways <br>(d) Ministry of Environment and Forests<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-167 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10.<\/strong> <strong>With reference to the Jungle Cat, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is listed as \u201cLeast Concern\u201d on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-169 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It prefers dense forests as its primary habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-171 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-172 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-173 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-174 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-175 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-176 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-177 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-178 wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Jungle Cat<\/strong> (<em>Felis chaus<\/em>), also known as the swamp cat or reed cat, is a medium-sized wild cat found throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it is not typically found in &#8220;jungles&#8221; (dense rainforests).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-179\">\n<li><strong>It is listed as \u201cLeast Concern\u201d on the IUCN Red List.<\/strong> Globally, the Jungle Cat has a large distribution range and is considered widespread, leading to its classification as <strong>Least Concern<\/strong> by the IUCN. However, it is important to note that many regional populations (like those in China and parts of Southeast Asia) are in sharp decline and are locally endangered.<strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.<\/strong> In India, the Jungle Cat is traditionally listed under <strong>Schedule II<\/strong> of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (even after the 2022 amendment). Schedule I is reserved for animals requiring the highest level of protection, such as the Tiger, Lion, and Snow Leopard. While hunting it is still prohibited, the penalties are different from those for Schedule I species.<strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It prefers dense forests as its primary habitat.<\/strong> Contrary to its name, the Jungle Cat <strong>avoids dense forests<\/strong>. It prefers <strong>wetlands<\/strong>, reed beds, marshes, littoral areas, and tall grasslands. It is highly adaptable and is often found in scrublands, dry deciduous forests, and even agricultural fields (like sugarcane or rice) near human settlements where rodents are abundant<strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-180 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS: <\/strong>Secretive jungle cats need habitats outside protected areas: study<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-181 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#1f00fad9\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRU.1+GJEFPIHK1.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/177984\/OPS\/GKSFOFMRU.1+GJEFPIHK1.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE:UPSC (2017)<\/strong><br><br><strong>Q. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. <br>(b) It no longer exists in the wild. <br>(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India. <br>(d) Both (b) and (c) are correct.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Consider the following statements regarding contesting elections in India: 1. A candidate is permitted to contest elections from a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,68,41,25,26,33,11,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-daily-current-affairs","category-gs-1","category-gs-2","category-gs-3","category-gs-4","category-prelims","category-prelims-current-affairs-gmt"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3696"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3699,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3696\/revisions\/3699"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}