Daily Quiz

Solution (b)
Explanation:
• MFN does not provide preferential treatment to any specific country; instead, it ensures equal treatment for all member countries of the WTO. Preferential treatment is provided under agreements like Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or regional trade blocs like ASEAN or the EU.
• The term Most Favoured Nation (MFN) is a non-discriminatory trade principle under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When a country grants MFN status to another, it agrees to treat that country equally in terms of trade benefits like tariffs, quotas, and trade regulations.
• For example, if a country reduces tariffs on goods for one trading partner, the same reduction must apply to all nations with MFN status. MFN does not mean “special treatment” but rather equal treatment. (Option (b) is correct)
• MFN is granted to all WTO member nations as a general principle, not limited to FTA partners. FTAs involve preferential agreements and often offer better trade terms than MFN obligations.
• MFN is about reducing trade barriers and ensuring non-discriminatory practices, not imposing higher tariffs. Higher tariffs or penalties are imposed as part of retaliatory trade measures or anti-dumping laws, not MFN principles.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/switzerland-scraps-mfn-status-to-india-dividend-income-to-face-higher-tax/article68981505.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Druze people are an ethnoreligious group primarily associated with West Asia. They follow a unique religion that originated in the 11th century as an offshoot of Ismaili Islam but incorporates elements of other philosophies, including Greek philosophy and Hindu mysticism.
• They are generally found mainly in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and Jordan. The largest Druze population resides in Syria, particularly in the Jabal al-Druze region. (Option (a) is correct)
• East Europe includes Slavic nations like Ukraine, Poland, and Hungary, which have distinct ethnic groups such as Slavs, Romani, and Uralic peoples. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Central Asia includes countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The predominant ethnic and religious groups here are Turkic peoples and followers of Islam (predominantly Sunni). (Option (c) is incorrect)
• North Africa, including countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt, is home to predominantly Berber, Arab, and Coptic Christian populations. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/defence-minister-orders-israeli-troops-to-prepare-to-spend-winter-on-mount-hermon/article68982206.ece &

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Advancements in solar energy technology is where quantum dots are used to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Quantum dot solar cells achieving higher energy conversion rates.
• Breakthroughs in biotechnology using chips like DNA sequencing chips or nanopore technologies for real-time genomic analysis. These advancements focus on applications in healthcare and genomics, not quantum computing.
• Neuromorphic chips are inspired by the structure and functioning of the human brain, designed for energy-efficient AI applications. Chips like Intel’s Loihi are used for cognitive computing tasks, unrelated to Willow’s quantum computing capabilities.
• The Willow processor chip, developed by Google Quantum AI, represents a major advancement in quantum computing. Key Features –
  • Exponential Error Reduction: Willow demonstrates quantum error correction, reducing errors exponentially as more qubits are scaled. Achieved “below-threshold” status, a critical milestone in quantum error correction.
  • Benchmark Performance: It solved a random circuit sampling (RCS) problem in less than five minutes, a task that would take a classical supercomputer 10 septillion years.
  • Practical Utility: Willow brings quantum computing closer to commercially relevant applications like drug discovery, battery design, and AI training. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ram-madhav-writes-india-must-jump-into-the-global-technology-race-9723887/#:~:text=Thanks%20to%20the%20visionary%20initiatives,to%20have%20a%20quantum%20mission. & https://blog.google/technology/research/google-willow-quantum-chip/

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• The Bill repeals the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 and incorporates its provisions into the Railways Act, 1989. This integration simplifies the governance structure of Indian Railways by ensuring a unified legal framework. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Railway Board is already in existence, and the Bill does not propose the creation of a new Board. Instead, it aligns the Board’s functions under the Railways Act, 1989. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The Bill allows the Central Government to invest the Railway Board with powers and functions related to the administration and operation of Railways, as prescribed by the government. This centralization of authority has raised concerns about bypassing Parliament in the decision-making process. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/railways-amendment-bill-2024-9722994/

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The Maratha Navy had a well-organized fleet, divided into merchant ships for trade and logistics and warships for naval warfare and defence. Merchant ships included Machwas, Shibads, Padavs, Tarandes, and Pagars, while warships included Gurabs, Galbats, Mahagiris, among others. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Maratha warships, such as Gurabs and Galbats, were heavily armed with cannons for engaging enemy fleets. Mahagiris, Shibads, and others were smaller, faster ships used for reconnaissance, patrolling, and skirmishes. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Padmadurg (also known as Kasa Fort) and Ratnadurg were significant forts in the Maratha naval strategy. These forts, along with others like Sindhudurg and Vijaydurg, served as safe harbours, supply depots, and defensive strongholds. Island forts, such as Padmadurg, provided additional security against invasions and piracy. (Statement 3 is correct)
• The fort-centric naval strategy was a hallmark of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s maritime vision, ensuring the protection of the Konkan coastline.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/research/why-chhatrapati-shivaji-is-called-the-father-of-the-indian-navy-9705777/ & https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-politics/explained-durgadi-fort-dispute-maharashtra-kalyan-9720633/#:~:text=After%20nearly%20five%20decades%20of,by%20the%20statute%20of%20limitations.