Daily Current Affairs (MCQ) | Date 17.03.22

Q1. Which of the following are key components of a circular economy?

1. Reducing material flows
2. Designing products that are fit for circularity
3. Use of non toxic substances and avoiding depletion of natural resources
4. Disposal of waste as first choice
5. Relying on fossil fuels
6. Promotion of use rather than ownership of resources

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 only
c. 1, 2, 3 and 6 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

Clean energy must use the battery of a circular economy An efficient waste management ecosystem is crucial to managing the huge waste generated in India’s new energy push Circular economy:
1. In the Budget speech this year, the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasised the role of cleaner technologies such as solar energy and batteries in India’s future economic growth.
2. In addition, she mentioned the importance of transitioning to a circular economy from the existing linear one.
3. The call for a creation of a circular economy is significant since an efficient waste management ecosystem would be necessary to manage the enormous waste generated by renewable energy projects in the coming decades.
4. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) — an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future — the cumulative waste generated by India’s total installed solar capacity could be as high as 325 kilotonnes by 2030.
5. A consulting firm, JMK Research and Analytics, estimates that the market for battery recycling will be around 23 Gigawatt hours (GWh) by 2030.
6. The prevalence of a circular economy could also partially insulate these industries from potential supply chain shocks triggered by extraneous developments.
7. A study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has estimated that India would need over 5,630 GW of solar and 1,792 GW of wind energy to achieve its net-zero target in the year 2070.

Q2. Which of the following are benefits of a robust renewables waste management and recycling ecosystem?

1. Reduced environmental harm
2. Energy security
3. Creation of new jobs

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 2 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Renewables waste management and recycling ecosystem
A robust renewables waste management and recycling ecosystem could help people and India reduce environmental harm, provide energy security, and also create new jobs. So, here are six steps to nurture a circular economy in the Indian renewable energy industry.

A clear framework: First, policymakers should revise existing electronic waste management rules to bring various clean energy components under their ambit.
 These rules are based on extended producer responsibility that identifies component producers as responsible entities to manage their waste products.
 The Indian renewable energy industry has a complex structure that comprises various manufacturers, assemblers, importers and distributors.
 Hence, the revised regulations should clearly define the responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in the renewable energy value chain and provide annual targets for the collection and recycling of waste.

Q3. Consider the following statements

1. Lead and cadmium are used in solar photovoltaic modules
2. Burning the solar photovoltaic modules can releases toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and some volatile organic compounds

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

Second, the dumping and burning of different components should be banned.

 Currently, in the absence of any regulation, landfilling is the cheapest and most common practice to manage renewable energy waste.
 However, it is not environmentally sustainable. All clean energy technologies thrive on metals and non-metals with different levels of toxicity. If the waste equipment is dumped in the open, then these elements could leach into the environment and enter the food chain.
 Studies show that the leaching of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium from solar photovoltaic modules could increase by 90% and 40%, respectively, under acidic conditions.
 Further, burning the polymeric encapsulant layer in solar photovoltaic modules releases toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide and some volatile organic compounds.

Q4. Consider following statements about India’s recycling sector

1. It is largely formal in nature with standardised wages
2. Working conditions are unsafe

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : b

Why is the Question ?

Largely in the informal sector: We ought to remember that the majority of India’s recycling sector is informal and workers have to work in unsafe environments without standardised wages.

 Therefore, developing an efficient renewable energy waste management and circular ecosystem is imperative rather than a choice. We can ignore this, but only at our own peril.
The renewable energy recycling ecosystem has a complex structure where there are multiple actors involved, but it would be an integral part of our journey toward a sustainable future. Beyond sustainability, it would also offer quality employment opportunities for future generations as new jobs would be created across the entire value chain of waste management and recycling.

Q5. Zero waste living on Individual level may involve

1. Refuse
2. Reuse
3. Recycle
4. Reduce
5. Compost your own waste

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
c. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

The 5 R's of Zero Waste Living

Q6. The MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme can improve performance in following Sustainable Development Goals

1. No Poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Quality Education
4. Gender Equality
5. Reduced inequality

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
c. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

Q7. Which of the following factors are affecting the performance of the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme?

1. Fake job cards
2. Widespread corruption
3. Late uploading of muster rolls
4. Huge pending payments for wages and materials
5. Insufficient funding

Select the correct answer from the codes given below

a. 1 and 4 only
b. 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
c. 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
d. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer : d

Why is the Question ?

House panel flags issues plaguing MGNREGS
1. Fake job cards, widespread corruption, late uploading of muster rolls, and huge pending payments for wages and materials are among the issues hampering the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme, apart from insufficient funding, according to a Parliamentary Standing Committee report.
2. “Genuine labourers not getting their dues while the money keeps changing hands due to collusion of unscrupulous elements surrounding the implementation of the scheme at ground level is a bitter truth of the time,” said the report.
3. The Committee said that study visits and observations had shown that “rozgar Sevak-s are in the habit of filling up kachha muster at the start and go to the Block once a week for online uploading of muster-rolls”.
4. It noted that if the muster-roll is not updated and uploaded within the stipulated time, it could not be backdated, causing a loss in payment.
5. It noted that the intent of a demand-driven scheme for the marginalised was defeated when pending wages amounted to ₹4,060 crores.
6. The panel found it “alarming” that in such a scenario, the budget estimates for the scheme for 2022-23 were reduced from the ₹78,000 crores sought by the Department of Rural Development to ₹73,000 crores.

Q8. Consider following statements about the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

1. It is one of the best Zero-Emission solutions
2. It is completely environmentally friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

Benefits of hydrogen
1. The transport Minister hailed hydrogen as the “fuel for the future”. He launched a Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) by Toyota.
2. An MoU was also signed by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) for a pilot project to evaluate the vehicle’s performance on Indian roads and climatic conditions.
3. “We can collect sewage and by using electrolysis we can get green hydrogen. We can compress it with the generator running on ethanol, which again is a biofuel, and we will get the main hydrogen,” the Minister said about the technology used.
4. It is an important initiative that will promote clean energy and environmental protection by reducing dependence on fossil fuels and thereby make India ‘Energy Self-reliant’ by 2047.
5. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), powered by Hydrogen, is one of the best Zero-Emission solutions. It is completely environmentally friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)

Q9. Consider the following statements

1. The number of EVs registered (3,24,840) in 2021 was only 17% of petrol and diesel vehicles registered (1,83,12,760) that year
2. Four-wheelers lead two wheelers in EV adoption

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

‘EV sales will rise 10 times by 2022-end’
1. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari made an ardent plea in Parliament for adopting alternative fuels and said sales of electric vehicles (EVs) were set to rise by 10 times by 2022-end in the country.
2. Between 2019-20 and 2020-21, sale of two-wheeler EVs rose by 422% going up from 28,508 to 1,49,068; three-wheelers by 75% from 90,216 to 1,57,682; and four-wheelers up by 230% from 4,695 to 15,860. The number of electric buses increased from 80 to 1,177 — over 1,200%.
3. According to data shared by the Minister with the House, the number of EVs registered (3,24,840) in 2021 was 1.7% of petrol and diesel vehicles registered (1,83,12,760) that year.
4. It is important for the country to adopt alternative fuels to cut dependence on the import of oil and reduce the import bills.
5. The Minister acknowledged that the cost of batteries in India was a big challenge. Efforts were also being made to promote battery manufacturing.

In the interest of the economy and environment
1. Presently, the Indian import of crude oil [costs] ₹8 lakh crore. The way the automobiles are now increasing, the import will be to the tune of ₹25 lakh crore.
2. So, this is the time for all of us — in the economic interest, in the interest of our country, and in the interest of ecology and environment — to switch over to alternative fuels like electricity, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, bio-CNG, and green hydrogen.

Q10. Consider the following statements

1. The total fertility rate (TFR) is the number of children a woman is expected to have in her reproductive age (15-49 years).
2. Education is important in bringing down TFR among women 

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : c

Why is the Question ?

Progress, but at a slow pace
The 2019 SRS data shows India is improving on many indicators but more needs to be done. The findings of the 2019 Sample Registration Survey (SRS) — they are the only official source of demographic data in India apart from the Census — provide important insights into the ongoing demographic transformation in India. At least three of them, and associated policy implications, are significant.
Fertility rates:
1. One, fertility behaviour in rural and urban areas is increasingly converging. SRS data shows that rural fertility has been falling at a faster rate than urban fertility, a trend that will eventually bring the size of rural and urban households on par.
2. Rural total fertility rate (TFR) is now the closest to its urban counterpart since 2006, the earliest period for which this data is available. TFR is the number of children a woman is expected to have in her reproductive age (15-49 years).
3. Given India’s rapid urbanisation process, this will generate additional tailwinds for the urban population share in India.
4. This, when read with trends of the increasing share of the working-age population (15-59 years) in India — the share of under-15 children has been falling for some time — underlines the need for ensuring adequate and healthy employment growth outside agriculture.
Impact of Education:
1. The second interesting aspect that SRS highlights is the importance of education in bringing down TFR among women. This number is three for illiterate women and just 1.6 for women who have finished college education.
2. SRS data also shows that the average age of women at the time of marriage is increasing consistently. These two findings clearly point out that the empowerment of women through education is an effective way to ensure marriage at an appropriate age and stabilise the population.
3. When seen in this context, laws that seek to impose penalties on families with more than two children or plan to increase the minimum age of marriage for women, appear to be unnecessary.
Child and maternal welfare
1. Finally, SRS numbers offer fresh evidence that India is making an improvement on developmental indicators such as child and maternal welfare including mortality.
2. While this is good news, and the pace of improvement has increased for some indicators, it is also a fact that India is still a laggard on many of these indicators.
3. What SRS data also shows is that there are examples within India — the southern states do much better on these counts — which can be successfully emulated to accelerate our progress on such indicators.