Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• Starliner: Developed by Boeing, the CST-100 Starliner is a spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
• Crew Dragon: Developed by SpaceX, the Crew Dragon spacecraft also transports astronauts to the ISS under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. It has already conducted several successful missions. (Option (a) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-will-take-all-precautions-before-manned-gaganyaan-mission-somanath/article68663474.ece#:~:text=Indian%20Space%20Research%20Organisation%20(ISRO,manned%20Gaganyaan%20mission%20is%20launched.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Jhelum River flows through the Kashmir Valley and is a major water source in the region. The Uri Hydroelectric Project is located on the Jhelum river. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The Ratle Hydroelectric Project is located on the Chenab river in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a 850 MW power project and has been a subject of discussions between India and Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty. Other significant hydroelectric projects like the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project and the Dulhasti Hydroelectric Plant are also located on the Chenab River. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Indus River is one of the major rivers in the region. The river flows through Ladakh and Pakistan. Projects like the Tarbela Dam and Kalabagh Dam are located on the Indus River. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Ravi River is one of the tributaries of the Indus but is not associated with the Ratle Hydroelectric Project. The Ranjit Sagar Dam is a major project on the Ravi River. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/staunch-the-breach-india-pakistan-and-the-indus-waters-treaty/article68664422.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• A Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) uses light water (ordinary water) as both a coolant and a neutron moderator. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu uses PWR technology.
• A Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) uses heavy water (D2O) as both the coolant and the neutron moderator. It typically uses natural uranium as fuel, which reduces fuel costs and increases efficiency. PHWRs are popular in India due to the country’s focus on using indigenous technology. The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat uses PHWR technology. (Option (b) is correct)
• While thorium is explored for use in nuclear reactors (India’s three-stage nuclear program focuses on thorium), this option is incorrect because air is not used as a coolant in such reactors. Thorium reactors typically use molten salts or heavy water as coolants.
• Fusion reactors use heavy hydrogen isotopes (deuterium and tritium) as fuel, but they are a completely different technology from PHWRs, which are fission reactors. Fusion reactors aim to replicate the process happening in the sun.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/third-indigenous-pressurised-heavy-water-reactor-attains-criticality-npcil/article68663513.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is a statutory body, established by an Act of Parliament. It was initially set up in 1965 but gained statutory status with the passage of the National Dairy Development Board Act, 1987. This gave it the authority to promote, organize, and support dairy development in India. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The NDDB was declared an institution of national importance by the NDDB Act, 1987. The Act elevated NDDB’s status to an institution of national importance, acknowledging its critical role in the development of India’s dairy sector and its broader economic and social impact. (Statement 2 is correct)
• NDDB was not established as a result of Operation Flood. NDDB was established in 1965, while Operation Flood was launched in 1970. While NDDB played a crucial role in the success of Operation Flood, the organization was not created because of it. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/a-new-white-revolution-where-india-stands-where-it-aims-to-be-9579806/

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. It manages and implements the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, which helps build capacities in space science and technology. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 is the cornerstone of international space law and serves as the primary governance instrument for space activities under UNOOSA. It establishes principles for the exploration and use of outer space, including the prohibition of placing nuclear weapons in space. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The Moon Agreement of 1979 is an international treaty that elaborates on the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty, particularly regarding the Moon and other celestial bodies. It provides additional regulations concerning the exploitation of resources from these bodies. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/starlink-satellites-elon-musk-radio-astronomy-radiation-9579634/