Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• The 6GHz spectrum (5925–7125 MHz) is a key band for Wi-Fi 6E and future Wi-Fi 7 technologies, providing faster speeds, reduced latency, and better capacity for wireless communication. By increasing the available bandwidth, it addresses the growing demand for high-speed internet and connectivity in India, especially in urban and rural regions. Its adoption supports digital initiatives like Digital India and smart cities. (Option (a) is correct)
• Satellite communication and remote sensing typically use other bands like C-band (4–8 GHz), Ku-band (12–18 GHz), and Ka-band (26.5–40 GHz). The 6GHz band is not primarily utilized for satellite communication; its significance lies in enhancing wireless and Wi-Fi connectivity.
• DTH services rely on Ku-band frequencies for broadcasting television signals, especially for high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) formats. The 6GHz spectrum does not play a direct role in DTH services.
• The mmWave spectrum used for 5G includes bands such as 24 GHz, 28 GHz, and beyond, offering extremely high speeds over short distances. The 6GHz spectrum is not a mmWave band; it is positioned for Wi-Fi and unlicensed wireless communication.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/why-indias-6ghz-spectrum-dilemma-is-affecting-ps5-pro-console-launch-in-the-country/article68897280.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The deal encourages contributions from all actors, including developing nations and private entities, rather than solely holding developed countries accountable. This diluted responsibility is a key concern for India and other Global South nations. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• While the agreement does lack specific financial allocations for LDCs and SIDS, this was a primary concern for these groups, not India. India’s objection centers on the inadequacy of the overall financial commitment. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• India opposed the deal, stating that the $300 billion annually by 2035 falls significantly short of the $1.3 trillion required to meet the climate challenges of developing nations. This financial gap undermines the ability of vulnerable nations to transition effectively and mitigate climate impacts. (Option (c) is correct)
• The deal avoids referencing Article 9.3, which would have imposed stricter legal obligations on developed nations. Instead, it refers generally to Article 9, weakening accountability mechanisms, which was another point of contention. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/developed-nations-offer-300-billion-annually-after-10-years-to-global-south/article68903747.ece#:~:text=India%20strongly%20objected%20to%20a,more%20than%20an%20optical%20illusion.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an infrastructure development strategy launched by China to enhance global connectivity through trade and investment projects. It has no connection to the Baku to Belem Roadmap, which is focused on climate finance under the Paris Agreement.
• While the Global South Cooperation Framework emphasizes collaboration among developing nations to tackle shared challenges, the Baku to Belem Roadmap specifically addresses climate finance under the Paris Agreement. It is not a direct initiative of the UN’s Global South Cooperation Framework.
• The International Solar Alliance (ISA) focuses on promoting solar energy and energy transitions globally, especially in tropical nations. However, the Baku to Belem Roadmap deals with broader climate finance issues and is not linked to ISA’s energy-specific agenda.

• The Baku to Belem Roadmap was introduced at COP29 as part of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) under the Paris Agreement. It provides a framework to align global financial systems with achieving a climate finance target of $1.3 trillion annually by 2035. This roadmap emphasizes collaboration among public and private sectors and promotes South-South cooperation to address the growing climate finance gap for developing nations. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/developed-nations-offer-300-billion-annually-after-10-years-to-global-south/article68903747.ece#:~:text=India%20strongly%20objected%20to%20a,more%20than%20an%20optical%20illusion.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It is India’s first-ever framework to address air pollution with time-bound national goals, focusing on non-attainment cities. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The NCAP initially targeted a 20-30% reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 levels by 2024 (compared to 2017 levels). Later, the target was revised to a 40% reduction by 2026. A target of 60% by 2024 is not part of NCAP’s goals and is factually incorrect. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

• NCAP lacks localized, source-specific strategies, which has been a key criticism of the program. Experts have highlighted that addressing air pollution requires regional and local approaches tailored to specific emission sources like vehicular emissions, biomass burning, or industrial pollution. The absence of such approaches limits NCAP’s effectiveness, making it a broad policy with implementation gaps. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/after-a-health-emergency-air-pollution-foretells-an-economic-one/article68896746.ece#:~:text=Air%20pollution%20is%20an%20economic,especially%20in%20low%2Dincome%20communities&text=In%20his%2036%20years%20as,tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20chests.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Black carbon is a significant emission from rocket launches, especially from rockets powered by hydrocarbon-based fuels (e.g., kerosene). Black carbon contributes to atmospheric warming by absorbing heat and can have long-term impacts on stratospheric temperature and ozone depletion. Rockets release black carbon particles directly into the upper atmosphere, where their environmental effects are more pronounced compared to emissions at ground level. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are produced during rocket launches due to the high-temperature combustion of rocket fuels, especially those containing nitrogen compounds. NOx emissions contribute to ozone depletion in the stratosphere and troposphere. Additionally, they exacerbate global warming by acting as greenhouse gases. Rockets using liquid oxygen or ammonium perchlorate as oxidizers release significant amounts of NOx. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Aluminium oxides (Al2O3) are a byproduct of solid rocket propellants, particularly those that use ammonium perchlorate as an oxidizer and powdered aluminium as a fuel. Aluminium oxides are released into the stratosphere, where they can act as nuclei for cloud formation and contribute to ozone layer depletion. These emissions are unique to solid-fueled rockets and are a major

• environmental concern. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/why-satellite-space-junk-may-be-bad-news-for-the-environment-9687794/