UPSC Daily Current Affairs Quiz : 13 March 2026

Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:  Statement 1 – Correct

• India is heavily dependent on LPG imports.
• Earlier, about 60% of India’s LPG imports came from Gulf countries such as Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.
• Due to the West Asia crisis and disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, India diversified its imports from the U.S., Norway, Canada, Algeria, and Russia.

Statement 2 – Incorrect

• Commercial LPG cylinders are not subsidised.
• They are sold in a fully deregulated market without subsidy, booking requirements, or purchase limits.
• This deregulation allows bulk purchase, which can sometimes lead to hoarding or diversion to the grey market.

Statement 3 – Correct

• The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
• Around 20% of global crude oil, natural gas, and LPG trade passes through this route.
• Any disruption here significantly impacts global energy markets.

Statement 4 – Correct

• To prevent hoarding and black marketing, the government introduced an anti-hoarding regulation.
• 20% of the average monthly commercial LPG requirement is allocated by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in coordination with state governments.

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement 1 – Correct

• The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• It lies between Iran (north) and Oman/UAE (south).

Statement 2 – Correct

• Approximately 20%–34% of the world’s crude oil and petroleum liquids trade passes through this strait.
• Because of this huge volume, it is considered one of the most strategic energy chokepoints in the world.

Statement 3 – Incorrect

• Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
• Iran argues that uranium enrichment for peaceful purposes is its legitimate right under the treaty.

Statement 4 – Correct

• Closure or disruption of the strait can:
• Trigger global oil price spikes
• Disrupt energy supplies to Asia and Europe
• Affect major importers such as India, China, Japan, and South Korea

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 – Correct

• The Karnataka government has constituted a Committee on Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
• Its objective is to create a framework for ethical, safe, and transparent adoption of AI in government services.

Statement 2 – Correct

• The committee is chaired by Kris Gopalakrishnan, co-founder of Infosys, and co-chaired by N. Manjula, Secretary of the Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology.

Statement 3 – Correct

Responsible AI frameworks globally emphasise principles such as:

• Legality and fairness
• Non-discrimination
• Privacy and security
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Human oversight
• Inclusiveness and public interest

Statement 4 – Incorrect

• AI governance in India is not exclusively regulated by states.
• The Union government plays a major role through national initiatives such as:
• National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (NITI Aayog)
• IndiaAI Mission

Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 – Correct

• The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023, reserves one-third (33%) of seats for women in:
  • Lok Sabha
  • State Legislative Assemblies
• This reservation also includes one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs for women.

Statement 2 – Incorrect

• The reservation does not come into force immediately.
• Its implementation is conditional upon delimitation after the next Census.

Statement 3 – Correct

• According to Section 5 of the Act, reservation will be implemented only after delimitation based on the first Census conducted after the enactment of the law.

Statement 4 – Incorrect

• The Act does not provide for reservations in the Rajya Sabha or State Legislative Councils.

Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 – Correct

• The UN Security Council (UNSC) has 15 members:
• 5 permanent members (P5): United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France.
• 10 non-permanent members, elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.

Statement 2 – Incorrect

• A resolution does not require all permanent members to vote in favour.
• For adoption:
• At least 9 out of 15 votes must be in favour, and
• No permanent member should cast a veto.

Statement 3 – Correct

• Countries not currently serving as UNSC members can still co-sponsor or support resolutions introduced in the Council or in the UN General Assembly.

Statement 4 – Correct

• If a permanent member abstains, it does not count as a veto
• Therefore, the resolution can still be adopted if it receives the required majority.