Daily Quiz

Solution (a)
Explanation:
• Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, was appointed as the Chairperson of the High-level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. The committee was tasked with examining the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in India. This initiative aims to reduce the frequent electoral cycles in the country and ensure better governance. (Option (a) is correct)
• N K Singh, a prominent economist and bureaucrat, was the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission. This commission was responsible for recommending the distribution of financial resources between the Union and State governments and revising the fiscal discipline framework.
• Madhav Gadgil, a well-known ecologist, chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP). The Gadgil Committee Report focused on conserving the ecology of the Western Ghats and balancing development with environmental protection.
• The Kelkar Committee was a task force in India that was established to evaluate the public-private partnership (PPP) model and recommend ways to revitalize it. The committee was chaired by Indian economist Vijay Kelkar and submitted its report to the Finance Ministry in November 2015

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/one-nation-one-election-to-be-implemented-in-this-governments-tenure/article68645580.ece

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• On May 23, 2024, China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point consensus on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. They emphasized the importance of de-escalating the conflict, preventing the use of nuclear weapons, promoting dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, and enhancing international cooperation to stabilize the global supply chain.
• Key Points of the Consensus –
  • No expansion of the battlefield.
  • Dialogue and negotiation as the only viable solutions.
  • Prevention of a humanitarian crisis.
  • Opposition to the use of weapons of mass destruction.
  • Opposition to attacks on nuclear power plants.
  • Rejection of dividing the world into isolated political or economic groups. (Option (c) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/%E2%80%8Bunrealistic-expectations-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-and-russia-ukraine-peace/article68645526.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• AMRUT was initially launched to cover 500 cities but has now been extended to all statutory towns. Statutory towns are towns with municipal governance structures such as municipal corporations or councils.
• AMRUT does not focus on solid waste management infrastructure; this responsibility is covered by the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). AMRUT is focused on urban water supply, sewage management, and development of green spaces. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• AMRUT emphasizes enhancing urban transport systems and creating green spaces to improve quality of life in cities. This includes non-motorized transport initiatives like cycling tracks and green areas for recreational purposes.
• AMRUT focuses on both small and large cities across India, ensuring that infrastructure development is equitable and benefits urban areas of various sizes.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/realising-the-rural-urban-continuum/article68645743.ece#:~:text=Thus%2C%20the%20urban%20and%20rural,which%20is%20fast%20becoming%20urban.

Solution (c)

Explanation:

• One of the key objectives of the Critical Mineral Mission is to increase domestic production of critical minerals that are vital for various industries, including manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy. This ensures a stable domestic supply and reduces reliance on imports, helping to secure the supply chain. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Critical Mineral Mission includes a focus on the recycling of critical minerals to create a sustainable source of these materials. Recycling helps in managing waste, reducing environmental impact, and reusing scarce resources efficiently. (Statement 2 is correct)
• Overseas acquisition of critical mineral assets is also a major part of the Critical Mineral Mission. Given that India has limited reserves of certain key critical minerals, acquiring assets abroad ensures a stable supply and access to these essential materials for high-tech industries and national security needs. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-human-touch-to-indias-mineral-ecosystem/article68645947.ece

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• In FM, the frequency of the carrier wave is varied, while in AM, the amplitude of the carrier wave is varied. This is the basic principle that distinguishes Frequency Modulation (FM) from Amplitude Modulation (AM). In FM, the frequency of the carrier wave is modulated to carry the signal, whereas in AM, the amplitude of the carrier wave is modulated. (Statement 1 is correct)
• AM is actually more susceptible to noise and interference than FM. This is because noise in the environment can easily affect the amplitude of the signal, which is the primary feature being modulated in AM. FM, by contrast, is less affected by noise because its information is carried by the frequency, which tends to remain stable even in noisy environments. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• FM is known for its better sound quality due to its higher bandwidth and its resistance to interference. AM, though simpler and with a longer range, often suffers from distortion and lower sound fidelity. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/what-are-am-fm-and-signal-modulation-explained/article68641239.ece