Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Deer are susceptible to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a prion disease that affects the brain and nervous system, leading to severe weight loss, abnormal behaviour, and death. Chronic Wasting Disease has been observed in deer populations in North America, leading to significant mortality rates among affected animals. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Rats are known to spread diseases like Leptospirosis, caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which can lead to kidney damage, liver failure, and severe respiratory distress in humans. Leptospirosis outbreaks are often associated with rat populations, especially in areas with poor sanitation. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Elephants, particularly young calves under 10 years of age, have been experiencing high mortality rates due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses – Haemorrhagic Disease (EEHV-HD). Studies indicate that larger herds provide better survival rates for calves due to shared immunity and exposure to various strains of the virus. In Kerala, between 2015 and 2023, 845 elephant deaths were recorded, with younger elephants facing the highest risk due to EEHV-HD. (Option (c) is correct)
• While bats are known carriers of several viruses, such as the Nipah virus and coronaviruses, they are not affected by Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses – Haemorrhagic Disease. Bats are significant in the transmission of the Nipah virus, which causes severe respiratory and neurological diseases in humans. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/845-elephant-deaths-recorded-in-kerala-in-eight-years/article68417631.ece#:~:text=Kerala's%20forests%20have%20recorded%20845,the%20State's%20four%20elephant%20reserves.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Ministry of Defence oversees various departments and organizations related to national defense and military operations. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is a department under the Ministry of Defence responsible for developing defense technologies and equipment. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) is a department under the Ministry of Home Affairs. CEPI is responsible for managing the properties and assets left behind by individuals who migrated to Pakistan or China after the wars and conflicts with these countries. The Border Security Force (BSF) is another organization under the Ministry of Home Affairs tasked with guarding India’s land borders. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is responsible for urban development and housing policies. The Smart Cities Mission is an initiative under this ministry aimed at developing smart urban infrastructure in selected cities. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Ministry of Finance manages the country’s economic and financial policies, including taxation and public expenditure. The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) is a department under the Ministry of Finance responsible for economic policy, expenditure management, and financial market development. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/when-a-home-is-enemy-property/article68400176.ece#:~:text=The%20guidelines%20for%20the%20disposal,property%20will%20be%20e%2Dauctioned.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an India-based research institute that focuses on energy, environment, and sustainable development. It conducts research and provides policy recommendations. TERI is known for initiatives like the Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL) campaign aimed at providing solar lighting to rural areas. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an international organization that coordinates environmental activities and assists countries in implementing environmentally sound policies. UNEP supports various reforestation projects. UNEP is known for the Clean Seas campaign, which aims to reduce marine litter and pollution. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization that works to promote policies that improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. It focuses on economic policies rather than specific environmental initiatives like tree planting. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the ‘One trillion trees’ initiative with the aim of growing, restoring, and conserving one trillion trees around the world by 2030. This initiative is part of the WEF’s efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. The WEF’s Global Shapers Community is another initiative aimed at empowering young people to drive dialogue and action in their communities. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-issue-with-indias-tree-planting-schemes/article68418907.ece#:~:text=But%20they%20have%20been%20criticised,carbon%20sequestration%20and%20biodiversity%20development.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Finance Commission is a constitutional body established under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. It is tasked with making recommendations on the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and the states, as well as among the states themselves. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The recommendations of the Finance Commission are advisory in nature. While the Centre and states typically accept the recommendations, they are not legally bound to implement them. The Union government has the discretion to accept, modify, or reject the recommendations of the Finance Commission. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The Finance Commission makes recommendations on both vertical devolution (distribution of taxes between the Centre and the states) and horizontal devolution (distribution among the states based on various criteria like population, income distance, area, etc.). The 15th Finance Commission recommended a vertical devolution of 42% of the divisible pool of taxes to the states and provided a formula for horizontal distribution among the states. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-role-of-the-finance-commission-explained/article68419381.ece#:~:text=The%20Finance%20Commission%20is%20a,made%20by%20the%20Finance%20Commission.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO). It was adopted by the World Health Assembly on 21 May 2003 and entered into force on 27 February 2005. The FCTC sets a precedent for global public health treaties and reflects the WHO’s leadership in international health law. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The FCTC is considered one of the most rapidly and widely embraced treaties in UN history, with over 180 parties, covering more than 90% of the world’s population. The widespread ratification of the FCTC demonstrates global commitment to combating the tobacco epidemic. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The FCTC addresses both the supply and demand aspects of tobacco control. It includes measures to reduce the demand for tobacco products (such as price and tax measures, public awareness campaigns, and restrictions on advertising) as well as measures to control the supply of tobacco (such as illicit trade, sales to and by minors, and support for economically viable alternatives for tobacco workers). Article 6 of the FCTC focuses on price and tax measures to reduce the demand for tobacco, while Article 15 addresses illicit trade in tobacco products. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/vasco-da-gamas-toxic-legacy-is-now-a-pandemic-that-kills-8-million-globally/article68415279.ece