Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) is a specialized unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Established in 2009, CoBRA was created to tackle left-wing extremism (LWE) or Maoist insurgency in India. These battalions are trained in guerrilla warfare, jungle warfare, and counter-insurgency operations, making them highly effective in dense forests and hostile terrains where Maoist activity is prevalent. The CRPF, as India’s largest paramilitary force, oversees CoBRA and deploys them in regions facing insurgency threats. (Option (a) is correct)
• The Assam Rifles is one of India’s oldest paramilitary forces and operates primarily in the northeastern region, maintaining security along the India-Myanmar border and conducting counter-insurgency operations.
• The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is responsible for guarding India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan. It focuses on border security, counter-infiltration, and intelligence gathering in these areas but is not involved in managing CoBRA units.
• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is deployed along the India-China border and specializes in guarding high-altitude areas. ITBP is trained for operations in mountainous terrain but does not operate CoBRA battalions, which are specifically trained for anti-Maoist operations and are managed by the CRPF.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur-jiribam-militants-killed-in-encounter-november-11-2024/article68855736.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010 established the NGT to address cases related to environmental protection, forest conservation, and pollution control. While the NGT plays a key role in enforcing environmental laws and providing legal recourse for environmental matters, it does not provide a statutory mandate for carbon credit trading. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The Environment Protection Act, 1986 provides a broad legal framework for environmental protection in India, including regulations for pollution control and environmental conservation. Although it gives the government powers to make rules regarding pollution control, it does not specifically mandate a carbon credit trading scheme. The Act primarily focuses on protecting the environment through regulatory measures rather than creating carbon trading mechanisms. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 provides a statutory basis for establishing a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in India. This amendment empowers the central government to create carbon credit trading systems, which are intended to help industries reduce their carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits. It supports India’s climate goals by promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a regulated trading mechanism. (Option (c) is correct)
• The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 aims to prevent and control air pollution in India by regulating emissions from industries and vehicles. It establishes regulatory boards and mechanisms for air quality management but does not cover carbon credit trading. Its focus is on controlling air pollutants rather than greenhouse gases through market-based mechanisms like carbon trading. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/giving-shape-to-indias-carbon-credit-mechanism/article68856701.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, also known as the Mandal Commission case, dealt with reservations and the criteria for identifying socially and educationally backward classes under Article 16 of the Constitution.
• In the landmark judgment of T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka (2002), the Supreme Court held that ‘minority’ status should be determined based on the demographic composition of the concerned State rather than at the national level. The Court reasoned that the Indian Constitution envisages protection of minority rights within each state’s context, and the determination should be relative to the state population rather than the national population. This case provided clarity on minority rights concerning educational institutions established by religious or linguistic minorities. (Option (b) is correct)
• Minerva Mills v. Union of India primarily addressed the scope of the Basic Structure Doctrine and the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
• The Kesavananda Bharati case is known for establishing the Basic Structure Doctrine, which limits Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution in ways that could alter its fundamental framework.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/how-the-supreme-court-cleared-the-decks-for-amu-to-claim-its-minority-status-explained/article68852808.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a free trade agreement between the 10 ASEAN nations (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and their five FTA partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. It aims to reduce tariffs, standardize regulations, and improve economic cooperation among these countries, creating a large economic zone in the Asia-Pacific region. (Statement 1 is correct)
• India was initially involved in the RCEP negotiations but decided to opt out in 2019 due to concerns about potential adverse impacts on domestic industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, as well as issues related to trade deficits and market access. Consequently, India is not a member of RCEP and does not have membership status in the agreement. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• RCEP is the world’s largest free trade agreement in terms of both economic size and population coverage. The agreement covers approximately 30% of the world’s population and GDP, making it a significant global economic bloc and a central economic integration mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/niti-aayog-ceos-comment-on-rcep-call-for-a-wider-conversation-9664982/

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• LignoSat is indeed the world’s first satellite to incorporate wooden components. The panels are built from magnolia wood using traditional Japanese craft techniques, without screws or glue. This innovative use of wood aims to test its durability and feasibility as a sustainable material in space technology. (Statement 1 is correct)
• LignoSat is expected to remain in orbit for about six months. During this time, it will test how wood withstands the extreme conditions of space, such as high temperature fluctuations and radiation. After six months, it is designed to descend and burn up in the atmosphere, highlighting its potential for eco-friendly disposal. (Statement 2 is correct)
• LignoSat is intended to reduce the environmental impact upon re-entry. Unlike conventional satellites, which often emit harmful aluminium oxides when they burn up, LignoSat’s use of wood panels means it should produce fewer pollutants, reducing its impact on the ozone layer and atmosphere. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/lignosat-wooden-satellite-9663235/#:~:text=What%20is%20LignoSat%3F,glue%20to%20hold%20it%20together.