Daily Quiz 3 October 2024

Answer: D

Explanation: India signed key agreements under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the USA. These agreements focused on clean and fair economies, aim to foster economic cooperation, promote clean energy, and enhance transparency among the member nations.

• Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect: It is an economic initiative launched by the United States in May 2022 with an aim of enhancing economic cooperation and integration in the Indo-Pacific region. IPEF has fourteen member states which includes QUAD nations (India, USA, Japan and Australia), 7 of the ten ASEAN nations except Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar and others include South Korea, Newzeland and Fiji. The 14 IPEF partners represent 40% of global GDP and 28% of global goods and services trade.

Statement 3 is correct:  India joined three of the four pillars of the Indo-Pacific Framework (IPEF) at the framework’s first in-person ministerial summit in Los Angeles in 2022. India decided to become part of the resilient economy, clean economy, and fair economy components of the framework, but not the connected economy (trade) pillar of IPEF. The framework is not a free trade agreement and doesn’t involve market access. The trade pillar in IPEF entails commitments on digital trade, labour, and environment, without providing market access. This has deterred India from participating in the pillar at this stage.

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal strategic forum that includes four major democracies: the United States, India, Australia, and Japan. Established in 2007 by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Quad was initially conceived as a strategic alliance to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The grouping gained momentum following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which highlighted the need for greater regional cooperation in disaster response and humanitarian assistance. However, the present form of QUAD was established in 2007 with the goals of enhancing maritime security along the “Confluence of the Two Seas” and facilitating cooperation among the four democratic nations in view of the growing influence of China.

Statement 2 is correct: The QUAD Summit 2024, held in Delaware, USA, marked a significant shift in the strategic priorities of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. It highlighted key global challenges, ranging from climate change to emerging technologies. QUAD cancer moonshot initiative was launched to target cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific; India committed $7.5 million, U.S. pledged $1.58 billion over five years. Agreement to make low-cost Mpox vaccines accessible was signed. India pledged $2 million for solar projects in Fiji, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. U.S. extended $750 million in loans for solar manufacturing in India. New training initiative MAITRI for Indo-Pacific nations to enhance maritime security and law enforcement capabilities was also launched.

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Option (d) is correct: Azerbaijan is hosting the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in November 2024, in Baku. A major focus of this conference is the negotiation of a climate finance agreement, particularly the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG). The NCQG is intended to replace the existing $100 billion goal with a more substantial and needs-based target. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is a key element of the Paris Agreement, designed to set a new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post-2025.The NCQG seeks to fill persistent gaps in climate finance, building on the $100 billion target set in 2009 and aiming to provide a more realistic and ambitious financial framework.

Answer: B

Explanation: The global rhinoceros population has slightly increased, with white rhinos rising from 15,942 in 2022 to 17,464 in 2023. There are around 3,700 Indian rhinos in the wild today. Kaziranga National Park (KNP) of Assam alone has 2,613 animals.

• Statement 1 is incorrect: The greater one-horned rhino is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives it an armor-plated appearance. The species is solitary, except when adult males or rhinos nearing adulthood gather at wallows or to graze. The Indian Rhinoceros (Greater one-horned rhino) can only be found in the  Brahmaputra valley,parts of North Bengal and parts of southern Nepal.
• Statements 2 and 3 are correct: It is the largest of the three Asian rhinos and, together with African white rhinos it is the largest of all rhino species. Males have loosely defined home ranges that are not well defended and often overlap. They primarily graze, with a diet consisting almost entirely of grasses as well as leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit, and aquatic plants.

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

CITES: Appendix – I

WPA: Schedule – I.

Answer: B

Explanation:  The Indian Army has enhanced its high-altitude capabilities with the induction of 100 robotic mules in forward areas.

• Statements 1,2 and 3 are correct: It is a four-legged, remote-controlled ground robot designed to support military operations in diverse terrains. The mule is controlled by a remote control and can be operated using Wi-Fi or Long-Term Evolution (LTE). It has a payload capacity of 12 kg. It can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +45°C, and has a battery life of at least three hours. It can climb stairs and steep hills, and navigate snow-clad ground and rugged mountains. It also has electro-optics and infrared to help it recognize objects.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: Logistics drones are also undergoing trials which will significantly streamline support and movement to forward areas, especially in high altitude. The mule can transport small loads to frontline soldiers, and can be used for surveillance in mountainous regions. It can also be equipped with small arms to engage enemies.