UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 10-11-2025

One Liners 10-11-2025

History

Buddha Relics as a "Goodwill Gift"

India sent sacred Buddha relics to Bhutan as a "goodwill gift" for the Global Peace Prayer Festival.

Public display in – Grand Kuenray of Tashichhodzong, Thimphu.
Relics origin – Named after Piprahwa, a site in Uttar Pradesh near the Nepal border, identified as ancient Kapilavastu.
Excavated by – British archaeologist William Claxton Peppe in the late 19^th century.
Significance – Strengthens spiritual and cultural ties between India and Bhutan.
- Highlights India's cultural diplomacy.
- Reinforces shared Buddhist heritage.

Social Issues

“Operation White Cauldron”

DRI dismantles multi-state drug network by busting a clandestine factory manufacturing alprazolam in Valsad.

Conducted by – Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Seized materials – Alprazolam and key chemicals Such as p-Nitrochlorobenzene, Phosphorous Pentasulfide, Ethyl Acetate, and Hydrochloric Acid.
Legal status – Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Significance – It underscores its commitment to the Government’s by protecting citizens from the menace of narcotic and psychotropic substances.

Polity & Governance

Right to Vote vs. Freedom of Voting

Right to vote – Only a statutory right conferred by Section 62 of the Representation of the People Act of 1951, and subject to the limitations given in the statute.
Freedom of voting – It was a “species of the right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution”.
2003 Supreme Court judgment – In Civil Liberties (PUCL) versus Union that “the initial right (right to vote) cannot be placed on the pedestal of a fundamental right, but at the stage when the voter goes to the polling booth and casts his vote, his freedom to express arises.

‘NOTA - Not a Candidate’

NOTA – None Of The Above.
Centre argued – NOTA did not fit within the definition of a ‘candidate’ under Section 79(b) of the RP Act, 1951.
NOTA cannot be given an artificial personality.
It is merely an option or an expression.
It cannot be termed as a candidate so as to take a poll in terms of Section 53(1) of the RP Act,”.

Section 53 of RP Act,1951

Section 53(1) – The election would be put to vote only if the number of candidates were more than the number of seats to be filled.
Section 53(2) – when the number of candidates equals the number of seats to be filled in an Assembly or Lok Sabha election.
In such cases, the provision instructs a Returning Officer (RO) to declare all such candidates as duly elected by filling in Form 21 (in case of a general election) or Form 21B (in case of an election to fill a casual vacancy).
Section 53(3) – Again, there would be no poll if the number of candidates were fewer than the seats in an election.

Science

Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave

Held in – New Delhi.
Organized by – Department of Science and Technology (DST), with ARCI, Hyderabad.
Aim – To accelerate India’s STI (Science, Technology & Innovation) mission in alignment with the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.
Participants – Nobel Laureates, global experts, S&T leaders, policymakers, deep-tech startup CEOs, women entrepreneurs, researchers, industry representatives, and students.
Theme – “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement and Empowerment”.
It reflects India’s mission to become a global innovation leader by 2047 through inclusive, deep-tech, and future-ready advancements.

11 Focus Areas of ESTIC 2025

Miscellaneous

World Travel Market (WTM)

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is participating at World Travel Market (WTM).

Held in – Excel London.
Delegates from India – 30 stakeholders including State Governments / UT Administrations, inbound tour operators from the Indian travel industry along with IRCTC.
To showcase India's vibrant cultural diversity and the range of tourism products and immersive experiences.
Objectives – To bring together leading global travel industry professionals, buyers and exhibitors in London.
- To engage in shaping the future of travel, exchange ideas and build partnerships.

International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs)

India received – 20.57 million International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs) during 2024.
FTAs major source countries – United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Canada have shown an upward trend in 2024.
UK along with USA and Australia continue to remain as the top few source countries for inbound tourists to India.
World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Competitiveness index – India is ranked 39^th among 119 countries in 2024.

National Legal Services Day

Observed on – 9^th November.
Commemorate to – The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, which led to the establishment of organisations providing free legal aid to the needy.
Key highlights -
India's legal aid system has reached 44.22 lakh people (2022-25) and resolved 23.58 crore cases through Lok Adalats.
From 2022-23 to 2024-25 over 23.58 crore cases were resolved through the state, permanent and national Lok Adalats.
About 2.10 crore people (as on February 28, 2025) were given pre-litigation advice, pro bono services, and legal representation and awareness through the DISHA scheme.