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The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully completed the docking process of the SpaDeX satellites. With this, India has taken the first step towards joining an elite club of nations — the US, Russia and China — that boast of such technology. https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/space-docking-experimentspadex

Mahasanghika, means Great Congregation, was an early Buddhist school of thought which formed after the 2nd Buddhist Council (383 BCE) when it separated itself from another school, the Sthaviravada (Sect of the Elders), over differences in monastic practices (known as Vinaya). At the Council, Sthaviravada insisted on more rigorous rules of conduct for the monks, but their suggestions were rejected by the majority at the Council who then referred to themselves as the “Mahasanghikas”. The Mahasanghikas’s views on the nature of the Buddha and the arhat (saint) acted as a precursor of Mahayana form of Buddhism. Hence, statement 1 is not correct, while statement 3 is correct. Further subdivisions of the Mahasanghikas over the next seven centuries included the Lokottaravadins, the Ekavyavaharikas, and the Kaukkutikas. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

The constitution of India does not define the basic structure, it is a judicial innovation. In Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala case (1973), the Supreme Court ruled that the Parliament could amend any part of the Constitution so long as it did not alter or amend the basic structure or essential features of the Constitution. However, the court did not define the term ‘basic structure’, and only listed a few principles — federalism, secularism, democracy — as being its part. The ‘basic structure’ doctrine has since been interpreted to include the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, Independence of the judiciary, doctrine of separation of powers, sovereign democratic republic, the parliamentary system of government, the principle of free and fair elections, welfare state, etc. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. Article 13(2) of the Constitution prescribes that the Union or the States shall not make any law that takes away or abridges any of the fundamental rights, and any law made in contravention of the aforementioned mandate shall, to the extent of the contravention, be void. Thus, the constitution itself provides for the judicial review to safeguard the citizen’s liberties and rights. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Plant and animal cells are different as the former possess cell walls, chloroplasts, plastids and a large central vacuole which are absent in animal cells. Hence, statement 1 and 3 are correct. On the other hand, animal cells have centrioles which are absent in almost all plant cells. Both plant and animal cells have plasma membranes. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

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Today's Editorial Focuses on "Transforming Men, Mindsets, and Redefining Masculinity" which represents a powerful message of growth, change, and breaking free from outdated societal norms. For more kindly visit: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-editorials/transforming-men-talities-redifining-masculinity

With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism. 2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism. 3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Consider the following statements: 1. The Constitution of India defines its ‘basic structure’ in terms of federalism, secularism, fundamental rights and democracy. 2. The Constitution of India provides for ‘judicial review’ to safeguard the citizens’ liberties and to preserve the ideals on which the Constitution is based. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?