Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• East Asia includes countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, none of which is associated with the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
• The Lekki Deep Sea Port, inaugurated in 2023, is located in Lagos, Nigeria, which lies in West Africa. It is a major infrastructure project aimed at:
o Reducing cargo congestion in Nigeria’s ports, which causes significant revenue losses.
o Boosting Nigeria’s economy by generating 170,000 new jobs and improving trade efficiency.
• Funded by China, this port is one of the largest in West Africa and will play a pivotal role in enhancing the region’s maritime trade capacity. The Lekki Deep Sea Port is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to strengthen global trade links by funding infrastructure in developing regions. (Option (b) is correct)
• East Europe comprises countries like Ukraine, Poland, and Hungary, which are unrelated to this port project.
• South America, comprising nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, is not associated with the Lekki Port.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-strategic-focus-on-west-africa/article68946565.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• The first regular census in India began in 1871, marking the onset of systematic population data collection. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• A population enumeration was conducted in parts of British India during 1865–1867, but it was not a detailed census and did not focus on caste classification. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The first detailed caste Census in India was conducted during the 1871–72 Census, under British rule. It aimed to collect caste-based information and classify various social groups in major regions, including:
  • North-Western Provinces (NWP),
  • Central Provinces (CP),
  • Bengal, and
• This exercise was part of the larger colonial effort to understand and control Indian society through categorization and classification. However, the process faced criticism for its complexity and confusion in interpreting caste identities, which varied across regions. (Option (c) is correct)
• The 1901 Census under Herbert Risley classified Indians based on caste in an attempt to link caste to racial theories. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/is-the-caste-census-a-useful-exercise/article68946495.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The terms Rawani, Napit, and Sutradar refer to caste groups that appeared in the 1921 and 1931 British censuses in India. These groups were recorded under specific caste categories and underwent shifts in their claimed caste status:
  • Rawani (Kahar): Claimed Vaisya in 1921 and Kshatriya in 1931.
  • Napit: Transitioned from Baidya in 1921 to Brahman in 1931.
  • Sutradar: Shifted from Vaisya in 1921 to Brahman in 1931.
• These changes highlight how caste groups sought higher social status during the colonial period, often influenced by socio-political aspirations. (Option (a) is correct)
• Banjaras were known as traveling merchants or transporters. Gaduliya Lohars were traditional blacksmiths who moved with their mobile forges.
• Artisanal communities (e.g., weavers like Julahas) moving to industrial labor during British industrialization.
• Examples of Tribal Classifications:
  • Santhals in Bengal and Odisha.
  • Gonds in Central India.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/is-the-caste-census-a-useful-exercise/article68946495.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• Mahanadi (2) –
  • Origin: Chhattisgarh (Sihawa in Dhamtari district).
  • Flows eastward through Odisha, draining into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Northernmost river in this list.
• Vamsadhara (3) –
  • Origin: Eastern Ghats in Odisha, flows into Andhra Pradesh, and drains into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Lies south of Mahanadi but north of Godavari.
• Godavari (1) –
  • Origin: Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra.
  • Flows through Telangana and Andhra Pradesh into the Bay of Bengal.
  • Lies south of Vamsadhara.
• Tungabhadra (4) –
  • Origin: Karnataka (Western Ghats).
  • Flows eastward into Andhra Pradesh and joins the Krishna River.
  • Southernmost river in this list. (Option (b) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/authorities-have-to-check-sand-mining-sc/article68947002.ece#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20on%20Wednesday,There%20has%20to%20be%20control.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• ATF is not included under the GST regime; instead, it is taxed under the state-level VAT (Value Added Tax) system. The VAT on ATF varies from state to state, ranging between 1% and 30%, which makes it more expensive in certain regions. This exemption from GST creates a complex and fragmented tax structure, leading to demands from the aviation industry to bring ATF under GST for uniform taxation. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The price of ATF is linked to international crude oil prices, as it is derived from petroleum refining. Additionally, the exchange rate (USD to INR) significantly impacts the cost of ATF, as oil imports are priced in US dollars. Fluctuations in crude oil prices and the rupee’s depreciation against the dollar directly affect the operational costs of airlines. (Statement 2 is correct)
• ATF is the largest single cost component for airlines in India, contributing 35% to 45% of total operating expenses. The proportion is higher in India compared to global standards (20-25%) due to higher taxes and lack of subsidies. This heavy cost burden impacts the profitability of airlines, especially low-cost carriers. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/windfall-gains-tax-petrol-diesel-export-removed-impact-9703856/#:~:text=On%20ATF%20exports%2C%20windfall%20gains,It%20has%20now%20been%20buried.