Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Jaffna is a district and cultural hub in northern Sri Lanka, primarily inhabited by Sri Lankan Tamils. It has historical and cultural significance but has never been part of any sovereignty agreement between India and Sri Lanka.
• Hambantota is located in southern Sri Lanka and is known for its strategic deep-sea port. It has no historical territorial dispute with India. The Hambantota Port is significant as it was leased to China under a 99-year agreement, raising concerns about China’s strategic influence in the Indian Ocean.
• Katchatheevu is a small, uninhabited island located in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka. The island was a disputed territory until 1974, when India and Sri Lanka signed an agreement during Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister.
• Under this agreement, India officially recognized Sri Lanka’s sovereignty over Katchatheevu Island. Reasons for the agreement:
o To foster good bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.
o To settle long-standing disputes in the region. (Option (c) is correct)
• Adam’s Bridge (also known as Rama’s Bridge or Ram Setu) is a chain of limestone shoals connecting Rameswaram (India) and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka). It holds religious significance for Hindus, as it is believed to be the bridge built by Lord Rama’s army in the Ramayana. While it lies in the Palk Strait region, there has been no sovereignty dispute or agreement specific to Adam’s Bridge.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/president-dissanayake-will-not-allow-sri-lankan-territory-to-be-used-against-india/article68993085.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• High-Speed Diesel (HSD) oil is a type of diesel fuel specifically designed for high-speed engines operating at speeds of over 750 rpm. It is commonly used in large commercial vehicles like trucks, buses, locomotives, heavy construction machinery, and industrial equipment. HSD is widely used due to its efficiency in high-load, high-power engines. (Option (a) is correct)
• High-Speed Diesel (HSD) generally has lower sulfur content compared to Light Diesel Oil (LDO). Modern regulations mandate Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) for HSD to reduce emissions and meet environmental standards (e.g., Bharat Stage VI norms in India). (Option (b) is incorrect)
• HSD is specifically formulated for high-load and high-speed diesel engines, making it suitable for commercial and industrial applications. Engines in trucks, ships, and trains operate under heavy loads and require fuels like HSD for efficiency and durability. (Option (c) is incorrect)

• Diesel, including HSD, has higher energy density compared to petrol. Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient, as they extract more energy per unit of fuel burned. This makes diesel suitable for vehicles requiring long-distance travel and heavy hauling. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-hidden-cost-of-greenwashing-the-indian-railways/article68992823.ece

) Solution (d)

Explanation:

• NCCD applies to products like cigarettes, gutkha, chewing tobacco, and beedis. It aims to raise funds for national calamity relief efforts while discouraging consumption of harmful products.
• Cigarettes attract NCCD along with GST at 28%, Compensation Cess, and Basic Excise Duty. NCCD on cigarettes is a significant source of revenue aimed at discouraging consumption.
• Beedis also attract NCCD along with GST and Basic Excise Duty. Despite being handmade and produced by small-scale industries, they are taxed under NCCD.
• Gutkha, a form of chewing tobacco, is subject to NCCD along with GST (28%) and Compensation Cess due to its categorization as a sin good.
• Alcoholic beverages are not subject to NCCD. They fall outside the purview of GST and NCCD as they are taxed under the State Excise Duties and Value Added Tax (VAT). (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/levy-a-higher-gst-rate-on-tobacco-sugared-beverages/article68992871.ece#:~:text=In%20this%20context%2C%20the%20proposal,challenges%20associated%20with%20these%20products. & https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/259/AU2288.pdf?source=pqars

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Green Hydrogen is produced using renewable energy (like solar, wind, or hydropower) to power the electrolysis process. In electrolysis, water (H₂O) is split into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) using electricity.
• The process is carbon-free if the electricity used is generated from renewable sources. This differentiates Green Hydrogen from Grey Hydrogen (produced using natural gas) and Blue Hydrogen (produced with carbon capture technology). (Statement 1 is correct)
• Green Hydrogen does not emit carbon dioxide during combustion. When hydrogen combusts, it reacts with oxygen to form water vapor (H₂O) as a byproduct.
• This makes Green Hydrogen an environmentally clean fuel. Unlike fossil fuels, Green Hydrogen does not release greenhouse gases (GHGs), making it a clean energy source. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023, aims to make India a global hub for Green Hydrogen production, use, and export. The mission targets 5 million metric tonnes of annual Green Hydrogen production by 2030 and promotes renewable energy-based hydrogen projects. It is part of India’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
• Key Initiatives Under the Mission –
  • Incentives for production of Green Hydrogen.
  • Development of hydrogen infrastructure and electrolyzer manufacturing.
  • Promotion of research and innovation in hydrogen technologies. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/green-hydrogen-and-the-financing-challenge/article68992291.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• La Niña is a climatic phenomenon characterized by unusually cooler sea surface temperatures (SST) in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator, spanning between Indonesia and the west coast of South America. This is the opposite of El Niño, where the same region experiences warmer-than-usual waters. During La Niña, the trade winds strengthen and push warm water westward toward Asia, allowing cold water to upwell from deeper ocean layers in the eastern Pacific. (Statement 1 is correct)
• In India, La Niña typically results in normal to above-normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season (June-September). Strengthened trade winds cause more moisture-laden winds to move toward the Indian subcontinent, enhancing monsoon rains. This contrasts with El Niño, which is often associated with drought-like conditions in India. (Statement 2 is correct)
• La Niña rarely forms during October-December, having occurred only twice since 1950 during this period. This reinforces that La Niña’s usual formation is observed during the monsoon or pre-monsoon periods.
• The situation in 2024 is different, as La Niña has not emerged as anticipated during the monsoon, and forecasts indicate only a 57% chance of its formation by year-end, with expectations of a weak La Niña. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/how-does-la-ni%C3%B1a-affect-indias-climate-explained/article68993281.ece#:~:text=Both%20north%20and%20south%20India,2020%2C%202021%2C%20and%202022.