Daily Quiz

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The North Sea is located to the northwest of Germany, and it serves as a critical region for oil and gas production. The Norwegian subsea pipelines supplying natural gas to Europe traverse the North Sea.
• The Black Sea is located further southeast and is connected to Russia through Ukraine, Turkey, and other countries. It is significant for pipelines like the TurkStream, another natural gas pipeline, transports Russian gas to Turkey via the Black Sea.
• The Adriatic Sea is located to the south of Europe, between the eastern coast of Italy and the Balkans. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) transports gas from Azerbaijan to Europe through this region.
• Nord Stream 2 is a natural gas pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea, connecting Russia’s Ust-Luga to Germany’s Greifswald.
• It aims to double the capacity of the original Nord Stream pipeline and has geopolitical significance due to concerns over energy dependence on Russia.
• Nord Stream (original pipeline), which also runs under the Baltic Sea, connects the same points. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/ukraine-halts-transit-of-russian-gas-to-europe-after-a-prewar-deal-expired/article69049835.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Satellite communication systems involve the development of space-based technology to support telecommunications and data transfer. Projects like GSAT satellites or IRNSS/NavIC in India are related to this domain. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• LCA-Mk2 (Light Combat Aircraft Mk2) is an upgraded version of the indigenous Tejas fighter jet being developed by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). It features enhanced avionics, range, and payload capacity.
• AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) is a next-generation stealth fighter under development by DRDO and HAL to replace aging fleets and achieve self-reliance in defense technology.
• These projects signify India’s push for indigenous capabilities in advanced fighter aircraft systems. (Option (b) is correct)
• UAVs refer to drones used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat purposes. In India, projects like Rustom-II or the SWiFT UCAV fall under this category, not LCA-Mk2 or AMCA. Rustom-II is India’s indigenous UAV for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Missile defense systems are aimed at intercepting and neutralizing incoming missile threats. India’s Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) program and systems like Prithvi Air Defense (PAD) and Advanced Air Defense (AAD) are part of this domain. The S-400 Triumf, acquired from Russia, enhances India’s missile defense capabilities. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-race-for-fighters-the-iafs-dilemma/article69049922.ece#:~:text=India%20has%20an%20ambitious%20plan,their%20timely%20deliveries%20are%20critical.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Environment Protection Act, 1986 was enacted to provide a framework for environmental governance in India. It empowers the central government to take measures for protecting and improving the quality of the environment.
• The Indian Forest Act, 1927 deals with forest conservation, the management of forest produce, and the regulation of rights over forests. It is a colonial-era legislation and does not cover specific wildlife or tiger conservation mechanisms. It provides the legal framework for Reserved and Protected Forests.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established in 2006 under Section 38L of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, through an amendment. It serves as a statutory body to strengthen tiger conservation in India, monitor tiger reserves, and implement Project Tiger. The Wildlife Act is also the basis for creating protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves. (Option (c) is correct)
• The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is primarily focused on restricting the use of forest land for non-forest purposes and ensuring forest conservation. It does not deal with specific wildlife or tiger conservation strategies. It has been instrumental in reducing deforestation for development projects.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/tigress-zeenat-released-into-southern-similipal-reserve-in-odisha/article69050124.ece#:~:text=Zeenat%2C%20the%20three%2Dyear%2D,cat%20as%20the%20New%20Year & https://ntca.gov.in/about-us/#ministers

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Project-15B pertains to the Visakhapatnam-class stealth guided missile destroyers, which are designed and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai. Scorpene-class submarines are developed under Project-75, not Project-15B. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• Project 17A involves the construction of stealth frigates with advanced technology. These ships are an improved version of the Shivalik-class frigates, with enhanced stealth, sensors, and weaponry. The lead ship of Project 17A is INS Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Nilgiri is the lead ship of Project 17A, not Project-15B. The lead ship of Project-15B is INS Visakhapatnam, commissioned in 2021. Project 15B ships include INS Mormugao, INS Imphal, and INS Surat. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-to-commission-2-frontline-warships-1-submarine-on-jan-15/article69049588.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The report by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) indicates that 56% of India’s districts have excessive nitrates in groundwater, defined as nitrate levels exceeding 45 mg per litre. This is attributed largely to the use of synthetic nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture, particularly in Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, which show the highest levels of contamination. (Statement 1 is correct)

• The report highlights that nitrate levels tend to increase after the monsoon, with 30.77% of groundwater samples contaminated in the pre-monsoon period compared to 32.66% post-monsoon. This is likely due to surface runoff carrying additional nitrates into the groundwater. (Statement 2 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/districts-with-excess-nitrates-in-groundwater-at-seven-year-high/article69050971.ece