Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles are long-range missiles with a minimum range of 5,500 km, designed for nuclear weapons delivery. An example of an ICBM developed by India is the Agni-V missile.
• Nirbhay is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India. It can be launched from multiple platforms and is designed to carry conventional and nuclear warheads. (Option (b) is correct)
• Surface-to-Air Missiles are designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles. Examples of Indian SAMs include the Akash missile system.
• Anti-Tank Guided Missiles are designed to target and destroy tanks and other armoured vehicles. Examples include the Nag missile (Helina) developed by DRDO.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-carries-maiden-test-of-land-attack-long-range-cruise-missile/article68861163.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Article 6 of the Paris Agreement establishes the framework for voluntary cooperation among countries to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It includes mechanisms for international carbon markets, allowing countries to trade carbon credits and reduce emissions cost-effectively. Key elements include:
  • Article 6.2: Bilateral or multilateral cooperation through internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs).
  • Article 6.4: A market-based mechanism for reducing emissions with global oversight.
  • Article 6.8: Non-market-based approaches for climate action. This article helps countries achieve their climate targets efficiently and promotes global collaboration. (Option (a) is correct)
• The provision of climate finance is addressed under Article 9 of the Paris Agreement. It requires developed countries to mobilize financial resources to assist developing countries in mitigating and adapting to climate change. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Deforestation and biodiversity are not directly addressed in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Instead, commitments related to forests are covered under the REDD+ mechanism (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), which is part of broader UNFCCC initiatives. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Technology transfer is covered under Article 10 of the Paris Agreement, which aims to enhance climate technology development and transfer to developing countries, fostering innovation and capacity-building. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cop29-adopts-establishment-of-global-carbon-market-under-paris-agreements-article-6/article68858651.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Dolphins are widely regarded as one of the most intelligent animals. They exhibit complex social behavior, advanced communication skills (using whistles and clicks), and problem-solving abilities. Dolphins are also known for their playful behavior and the use of tools, such as sponges to protect their noses while foraging.
• Octopuses are considered highly intelligent among invertebrates. They demonstrate remarkable problem-solving abilities, memory, and learning. For example, they can escape enclosures, open jars to retrieve food, and exhibit camouflage skills to avoid predators. Studies also show their ability to navigate mazes and recognize patterns.
• Crows belong to the corvid family, known for their intelligence. They use tools, recognize faces, and even perform tasks that involve logic and reasoning. Crows are also known for their ability to solve puzzles and adapt to urban environments, making them one of the most intelligent bird species.
• Jellyfish lack a central nervous system, brain, or complex neural network. Instead, they rely on a simple nerve net to detect stimuli and respond reflexively. While they are efficient predators, their behavior is governed by instinct rather than learning or intelligence. Thus, they are generally not considered intelligent compared to other organisms in this list. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/saha-institute-kolkata-bacteria-solve-maths-problems-bactoneurons-intelligence/article68859080.ece#:~:text=The%20bacteria%20that%20compute,bacteria%20are%20doing%20the%20same.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Uranus was the first planet discovered using a telescope by William Herschel in 1781. Unlike planets visible to the naked eye (e.g., Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn), Uranus was too dim to be identified without a telescope. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Uranus is the third largest planet in the solar system by size, after Jupiter (largest) and Saturn (second largest). Uranus has a diameter of approximately 50,724 km, slightly smaller than Neptune, which is the fourth largest. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Uranus does have rings, though they are faint and less prominent compared to Saturn’s rings. The planet has 13 known rings and 27 known moons, including major ones such as Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/scientists-magnetic-misunderstanding-uranus-voyager-2-plasma/article68858139.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was established in 1989 to promote free trade and sustainable economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region. It comprises 21 member economies that collectively account for a significant share of global GDP and trade. The primary focus is on fostering regional economic integration, capacity building, and innovation. (Statement 1 is correct)
• India is not a member of APEC, let alone a founding member. Despite being one of the largest economies in the Asia-Pacific region, India has not been included in the forum due to various reasons, including APEC’s focus on economies with a Pacific coastline. India has expressed interest in joining APEC but remains outside the group as of now. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• APEC operates on a non-binding and voluntary basis, emphasizing consensus-driven decision-making. Unlike organizations with binding treaties (e.g., WTO or UN), APEC focuses on cooperation and dialogue to achieve its objectives, which include trade liberalization and fostering economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/c-raja-mohan-writes-ndia-trump-and-the-crisis-in-multilateralism-9666720/