Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Coal is a major core sector industry in India. It plays a crucial role in the energy generation sector, as it is one of the primary sources of energy production. The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) tracks the performance of eight key industries in India, and coal is one of them.
• Cement is also part of the eight core sectors. It is vital for the construction industry, which directly affects infrastructure development, real estate, and other connected sectors. The growth in the cement industry is often a good indicator of infrastructure development and economic growth.
• Logistics is not part of the eight core sectors. While logistics is crucial for the movement of goods and services across the economy and has significant importance for overall efficiency, it is not officially recognized as one of the eight core sectors in India’s economic indicators. The logistics sector plays a supportive role, but it is not categorized as a core sector for economic measurement purposes. (Option (c) is correct)
• Fertilizer is one of the eight core industries. The fertilizer industry plays a key role in India’s agriculture sector, supporting food production through the provision of essential nutrients for crops. It directly impacts agricultural productivity and the overall economy by contributing to food security and rural income.
• The Eight Core Sectors in India are key industries that represent the backbone of the industrial economy. These sectors include:
1. Coal
2. Crude Oil
3. Natural Gas
4. Refinery Products
5. Fertilizers
6. Steel
7. Cement
8. Electricity
• These industries have a combined weight of around 40% in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), which is a key indicator for measuring economic performance.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/key-infra-sectors-growth-contracts-18-in-august/article68701329.ece#:~:text=Output%20levels%20in%20India's%20core,three%20and%20a%20half%20years.

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Environmental protection has been a focus of other landmark committees, such as the T.S.R. Subramanian Committee (2014), which reviewed environmental laws in India. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The M.D. Karkhanawala Committee was crucial in laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in India. Established in 1979, the committee recommended the formation of an independent body to oversee the safety and regulatory aspects of atomic energy in the country. This led to the creation of the AERB in 1983, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of nuclear installations and activities involving radioactive materials.
• The AERB, formed under the Atomic Energy Act of 1962, oversees safety, monitors compliance, and grants licenses for nuclear and radiation facilities in India. The AERB also ensures that atomic energy practices comply with international safety standards. (Option (b) is correct)
• The Narasimham Committees (1991 and 1998) are more relevant when discussing banking reforms in India. These committees suggested measures to enhance the banking sector’s efficiency and competitiveness, such as reducing non-performing assets (NPAs), improving financial regulation, and enhancing capital adequacy norms. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established in 1997, focusing on the telecommunications sector. The NTP (National Telecom Policy) and other reforms have shaped India’s telecom landscape. (Option (d) is incorrect)
• The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) plays a critical role in India’s atomic energy framework. Its functions include:
• Enforcing safety standards and regulations for nuclear facilities.
• Conducting safety reviews and audits of nuclear plants.
• Regulating the use of radiation in medical, industrial, and research activities.
• Engaging in international cooperation on nuclear safety matters, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Source: https://aerb.gov.in/english/about-us & https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/having-private-participation-in-indias-nuclear-energy/article68702460.ece#:~:text=In%20July%202024%2C%20the%20Government,Modular%20Reactors%20(BSMR)%20as%20well

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• Mars has been the target of numerous missions, such as NASA’s Perseverance Rover (part of the Mars 2020 mission) and the InSight mission, which focused on studying the planet’s geology, atmosphere, and signs of ancient microbial life.
• NASA’s upcoming missions to Venus include the VERITAS and DAVINCI+ missions, which aim to study the planet’s atmosphere and geological features. These missions focus on understanding Venus’ extreme climate conditions, volcanism, and atmospheric chemistry.
• Mercury is being explored by the BepiColombo mission, a joint venture between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan’s JAXA. This mission aims to study Mercury’s magnetic field, composition, and geological history.
• The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) was a planned mission by NASA aimed at exploring the Moon’s South Pole. VIPER’s goal was to map the distribution of water-ice and other volatiles in the lunar soil, which is crucial for future human exploration and potential resource extraction. The rover was designed to operate for about 100 Earth days.
• VIPER was particularly focused on studying the volatile compounds that could be used for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), essential for long-term lunar exploration missions. However, in July 2024, NASA canceled the VIPER mission due to delays and escalating costs. The mission’s sudden cancellation came after the rover was fully assembled and some testing had been completed, leaving many scientists disappointed. This mission was a critical part of NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/%E2%80%8Bsteady-but-slow-the-hindu-editorial-on-the-viper-mission-lessons-for-india/article68702096.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• White dwarfs are incredibly dense objects, with masses similar to that of the Sun but compressed into a size comparable to Earth. This results in an extremely high density, often around 1 million times denser than ordinary matter. A single teaspoon of white dwarf material could weigh tons on Earth. The high density arises because white dwarfs are composed mostly of electron-degenerate matter, where electrons are packed extremely tightly. (Statement 1 is correct)
• White dwarfs do not support nuclear fusion. They are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel. Unlike stars like the Sun, which generate energy through nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium in their cores, white dwarfs no longer undergo fusion reactions. They shine due to residual heat from when they were active stars, but over time, they cool and fade. This cooling process is slow but continuous. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• White dwarfs gradually cool over time. Since they no longer generate energy through fusion, their temperature decreases as they radiate their residual heat into space. Eventually, they will cool to the point where they no longer emit significant heat or light and may become “black dwarfs.” However, the universe is not old enough for any black dwarfs to exist yet, as this process takes billions of years. (Statement 3 is correct)

Source: https://esahubble.org/wordbank/white-dwarf/#:~:text=A%20white%20dwarf%20is%20the,depends%20on%20its%20initial%20mass. & https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/frigid-alien-planet-may-offer-a-glimpse-at-earths-distant-future/article68697953.ece

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• India is indeed the second-largest producer of rice, after China. India and China together account for more than half of the world’s rice production. India produces a large amount of rice and has substantial exports, while China produces primarily for domestic consumption. India consistently contributes significantly to global rice production, playing a key role in the international rice trade. (Statement 1 is correct)
• China, not India, is the largest consumer of rice. Despite India’s large population and high consumption, China surpasses India in rice consumption due to its larger population. A significant portion of China’s rice production is consumed domestically, leaving little for exports. In contrast, India produces enough rice to meet domestic demand and also dominate global exports. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• India is the largest rice exporter globally, accounting for around 33% of the world’s total rice exports in 2023. Vietnam and Thailand are key competitors, but their combined exports are still only comparable to Indian exports. Individually, Vietnam’s exports are significantly smaller than India’s rice exports. India holds a dominant position in the global rice export market, especially with its export of both basmati and non-basmati varieties. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/export-ban-non-basmati-white-rice-lifted-why-impact-9594407/