10 PM Daily Current Affairs Quiz | March 23 2021

Both statements are correct.

Article 124 of the Constitution states that there shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than seven other Judges.

Parliament last year passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill to increases the number of judges in Supreme Court number from 30 to 33.

The Judges remain in office until they reach the retirement age — 65 for Supreme Court judges and 62 for high court judges.

Statement 1 is correct. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) works by transmitting millions of polarized light particles (photons) over a fiber optic cable from one entity to another. Each photon has a random quantum state, and collectively all the photons create a bit stream of ones and zeros.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology underpins Quantum Communication technology that ensures unconditional data security by virtue of the principles of quantum mechanics, which is not possible with the conventional encryption systems. The conventional cryptosystems used for data-encryption rely on the complexity of mathematical algorithms, whereas the security offered by quantum communication is based on the laws of Physics.

# For the first time in the country, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully demonstrated free-space Quantum Communication over a distance of 300 m.

Statement 1 is correct. The Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) was set up under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in 1973 with the objective of promotion of India films and cultural exchange. DFF organizes and implements the various events and programmes to promote Indian cinema including the National Film Awards and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Statement 2 is incorrect. The 67th National Film Awards winners for the year 2019 have been announced recently. Sikkim has bagged the award for being Most Film Friendly State.

Gandhi Peace Prize Awards are for Social, Economic and Political transformation through Non-violence was instituted in the year 1995. The Award comprises an amount of Rs. One Crore and a Citation. The Award may be divided between two persons / institutions who are considered by the Jury to be equally deserving of recognition in a given year.

The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020 is being conferred on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; while for the year 2019 it is being conferred on late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman in recognition of his vision to strengthen relations with India, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region.

Troops of Southern Command, Pune have launched “Operation Thiruvallur” under the aegis of “Aid to Civil Authorities”, involving the safe disposal of nearly 10 tonnes of unexploded ordnance which had possibly been collected inadvertently by some factories over a number of years located in the general area of SIPCOT Industrial Estate in Gummidipoondi in Thiruvallur district of TamilNadu.

The operation involves segregation & disposal of unexploded ordnance from a metal scrap dump, now covered with undergrowth. The dump had been unattended after a violent blast & consequent death of a factory worker a few years back.

The kafala, or sponsorship, system defines the relationship between foreign workers and their local sponsor, or kafeel, which is usually their employer. It is found in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—as well as Jordan and Lebanon.

Under this system, the state gives local individuals or companies sponsorship permits to employ foreign laborers. It was created to supply cheap, plentiful labor in an era of booming economic growth, and its defenders argue that it benefits local businesses and helps drive development.

The system has become increasingly controversial, and there is growing recognition that it is rife with exploitation. The lack of regulations and protections for migrant workers’ rights often results in low wages, poor working conditions, and employee abuse.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan in September 1960 in Karachi by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan.

Statement 2 is correct. Under the treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, all the waters of the three eastern rivers- Sutlej, Ravi and Beas, averaging around 33 million acre-feet (MAF), were allocated to India for exclusive use.

The waters of the western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab – averaging to around 135 MAF, were allocated to Pakistan except for ‘specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India’.

The United Nations World Water Development Report (WWDR) is UN-Water’s flagship report on water and sanitation issues, focusing on a different theme each year. Launched in conjunction with World Water Day, the report is published by UNESCO, on behalf of UN-Water and its production is coordinated by the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme.

The 2021 edition of the United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR 2021) entitled ‘Valuing Water’ has been released recently.

The three agreements — Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) are referred to as the foundational agreements which the U.S. signs with countries with which it has close military ties.

— Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), is a tweaked India-specific version of the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) and gives access, to both countries, to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refuelling and replenishment. It was signed in 2016.

— Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) is an India-specific version of the Communication and Information on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) that allows India to procure transfer specialised equipment for encrypted communications for US origin military platforms like the C-17, C-130 and P-8Is. It was signed in 2018.

— Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) signed in 2020 will help India get real-time access to American geospatial intelligence that will enhance the accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones. Through the sharing of information on maps and satellite images, it will help India access topographical and aeronautical data, and advanced products that will aid in navigation and targeting.

The Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project (1000 MW) is proposed on river Marusudar, a tributary of Chenab river, located in Kishtwar district of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The project is envisaged as a storage scheme.

Pakistan has in past objected to the construction of this project and is expected to be discussed in the ongoing Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) meeting in New Delhi.