Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Diabetes is a non-communicable disease (NCD) characterized by high blood sugar levels due to inadequate insulin production or action. It is caused by genetic factors, lifestyle, and dietary habits and is not transmitted from person to person. India has one of the highest numbers of diabetes cases globally, often termed the diabetes capital of the world.
• Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a non-communicable disease often resulting from stress, poor lifestyle choices, or genetic predisposition. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is not contagious. The India Hypertension Control Initiative works to manage and reduce cases of hypertension.
• Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, primarily caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. India has the world’s highest burden of TB cases and runs programs like the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program to eliminate TB by 2025. (Option (c) is correct)
• Cancer is a non-communicable disease involving the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It can be caused by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors but is not contagious. Programs like the National Cancer Control Programme in India aim to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality rates.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-cities-their-non-communicable-disease-burden/article68935631.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Bletchley process refers to an international initiative aimed at establishing global standards and governance mechanisms for Artificial Intelligence (AI). It was named after the Bletchley Park Conference, where discussions were held on ethical AI use, accountability, and mitigating risks associated with advanced AI technologies.
• Key focus areas of the Bletchley process include AI safety, ensuring responsible deployment of generative AI models, and addressing challenges posed by AI in military and autonomous systems. (Option (a) is correct)
• Renewable energy innovation includes initiatives like green hydrogen production, solar technology advancements, and wind energy projects. These developments are critical for achieving Net Zero Emissions goals. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) works globally to promote renewable energy innovations. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Cryptocurrency regulations aim to address financial security, fraud, and money laundering risks. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental body that oversees global cryptocurrency standards. (Option (c) is incorrect)

• Sustainable agriculture focuses on practices like precision farming, organic farming, and minimizing water and soil degradation. India promotes sustainable agriculture through programs like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/what-indias-ai-safety-institute-could-do/article68935356.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Saurashtra coast is located in Gujarat, and it houses major ports like Kandla and Mundra, which are critical for India’s western maritime trade. Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports, is one of the largest container ports in India and is part of the Saurashtra region.
• The Vadhavan greenfield port is located on the Konkan coast in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. It is expected to significantly enhance India’s container trade capacity by providing state-of-the-art port facilities. The port is being developed through a joint venture between the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and the Mumbai Port Trust, aiming to handle ultra-large container vessels and boost India’s export competitiveness. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Coromandel coast is located along the southeastern part of India, encompassing states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It includes ports like Chennai, Ennore, and Krishnapatnam.
• The Kalinga coast refers to the coastline of Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh along the Bay of Bengal. This region includes ports like Paradeep and Dhamra, which handle bulk cargo such as coal and iron ore. Paradeep Port is a significant port for mineral exports from Odisha.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vadhavan-port-will-be-a-game-changer-for-india/article68935073.ece#:~:text=The%20greenfield%20port%20once%20completed,the%20top%2010%20ports%20globally&text=The%20Vadhavan%20greenfield%20port%2C%20which,the%20current%20levels%20upon%20completion.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2022-2023, India’s female LFPR stood at approximately 32%, a significant improvement from previous years but still much lower compared to global standards. According to the World Bank, global female LFPR averages around 47%. (Statement 1 is correct)

• India’s female LFPR has been increasing since 2017-18 after hitting a low of 17.5%. Factors contributing to the rise include higher enrolment in the workforce due to economic recovery, better access to education, and government initiatives promoting women’s employment. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Female LFPR in rural India is higher than in urban India due to the prevalence of women working in agriculture and informal sectors. In urban areas, participation is relatively lower due to cultural norms, safety concerns, and lack of flexible work opportunities. PLFS 2022-2023 shows rural female LFPR at approximately 36%, while urban female LFPR is about 25%. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-working-on-national-policy-paper-on-female-labour-force-participation/article68934963.ece#:~:text=The%20focus%20is%20on%20providing,a%20viable%20care%20economy%20structure&text=The%20Centre%20will%20soon%20bring,a%20viable%20care%20economy%20structure.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Biotic approaches involve using living systems like mangroves, seagrass meadows, and macroalgae to capture and store carbon. These ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass or sediments. For example, mangroves and seagrasses are known to store significant amounts of “blue carbon” in their roots and surrounding soils.
• Initiatives like restoring mangroves in coastal areas aim to increase marine carbon capture. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Abiotic approaches manipulate physical or chemical properties of the ocean to enhance carbon capture. Techniques like Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) involve adding alkaline minerals to the ocean to chemically react with CO₂, converting it into stable carbonates that settle at the seafloor. These methods are still experimental but are gaining attention for their potential to capture significant amounts of CO₂. Research on using powdered olivine (a mineral) for alkalinity enhancement is being explored for scaling marine carbon capture. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Ocean salinity enhancement is not recognized as a marine carbon capture strategy. Salinity changes may affect ocean currents and ecosystems but do not directly contribute to the capture or storage of CO₂. Instead, marine carbon strategies focus on altering alkalinity or increasing biological productivity, which directly target CO₂ sequestration. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/in-our-fight-against-climate-change-could-rivers-and-seas-turn-the-tide/article68918568.ece