Consider the following statements regarding deep-seabed mineral resources and their governance: 1. Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the seabed beyond national jurisdiction and its mineral resources are the ‘common heritage of mankind’. 2. The International Seabed Authority, headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, organises and controls mineral-related activities in the international seabed Area. 3. Polymetallic nodules occur mainly near hydrothermal vents along mid-ocean ridges, whereas polymetallic sulphides are found on abyssal plains. 4. An exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority gives a State sovereign rights to commercially exploit the minerals in its allotted area. Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?

All four statements are correct.

There is only one incorrect statement, that is statement 3.

There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.

During a review of dengue-control measures, ‘X’ argued that Qdenga, being built on a dengue virus type-2 backbone, protects only against DENV-2 and therefore cannot be called a tetravalent vaccine. ‘Y’ pointed out that genes for the surface proteins of the other three serotypes are engineered into the backbone to give protection against all four serotypes, and added that vaccination should complement, and not replace, vector control against Aedes mosquitoes. ‘X’ was not convinced. Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below:

‘X’ is correct, as protection is limited to the serotype forming the backbone.

‘Y’ is correct, as the vaccine is tetravalent and is meant to complement, not replace, vector control.

‘Y’ is correct on serotype coverage, but vector control becomes unnecessary once vaccination is available.

The views of both ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are incorrect.

Quest Daily CA Quiz 19-09-2026

2026-09-19

Test your knowledge with daily current affairs

Question 1: Consider the following assertion: Payments made to farmers under agricultural carbon programmes are linked to measured climate outcomes rather than to the mere adoption of a practice. Which of the following statements support/supports the above assertion? 1. Farmers in India’s first soil-carbon payments were paid according to their share of the carbon credits generated from their fields. 2. The greenhouse gas reductions and soil carbon gains were measured and independently verified before carbon credits were issued under the Verra VM0042 methodology. 3. Direct-seeded rice reduces irrigation requirements compared with conventional transplanted rice. Select the answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 only
- 1,2 and 3
Question 2: Consider the following statements regarding Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and India’s solid waste management framework: 1. Life Cycle Assessment evaluates the environmental impacts of a product or system across its life-cycle stages and is not limited to greenhouse gas emissions alone. 2. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 mandate source segregation of waste into four streams: wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste. 3. Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, bulk waste generators are exempted from processing responsibility, which continues to rest entirely with urban local bodies. 4. A greenhouse gas calculator built on an LCA framework can help urban local bodies compare the emissions of alternative waste-management technologies such as composting, anaerobic digestion, waste-to-energy and landfilling. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2,3 and 4 only
- 1,3 and 4 only
- 1,2 and 4 only
Question 3: Consider the following statements with reference to India’s deep-tech ecosystem: I. The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, functioning under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), provides long-term, low-cost financing through second-level fund managers, using loans or equity rather than grants. II. Deep-tech ventures typically face long research cycles, heavy capital needs and technological uncertainty before commercialisation. III. Under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notification of 2026, a Deep Tech Startup can retain startup recognition for up to 20 years from incorporation, compared with 10 years for other startups. Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct? 1. Statement II provides the rationale for the financing design described in Statement I. 2. Statement III is a policy response to the problem described in Statement II. 3. Statement III makes Statement I redundant, because longer recognition removes the need for patient capital. Select the answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
Question 4: Consider the following statements regarding India’s green-skilling initiatives: 1. The Skills4Future programme is designed to replace the existing Craftsmen Training Scheme in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with an industry-run certification system. 2. Skills4Future is a collaboration of the Directorate General of Training (under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), Shell India and Edunet Foundation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Question 5: Consider the following statements regarding Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 and the Swachh Bharat Mission: 1. The campaign follows a ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach, with Jan Bhagidari at its centre. 2. Its five pillars include Swachh Paathshala for youth engagement, Safai Mitra Suraksha Evam Samman Shivir and Swachhata Se Samriddhi. 3. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, SBM-Grameen is administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, while SBM-Urban is administered by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Question 6: Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists: List I (Term / Initiative) List II (Description) A. Gallium Nitride (GaN) 1. Industry-led, government-facilitated platform for indigenous 6G research, IP creation and standards participation B. Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) 2. Wide-bandgap semiconductor suited to high-power and high-frequency applications C. Bharat 6G Alliance 3. Single-chip circuits operating at microwave frequencies, used in radar and electronic warfare D. Bharat 6G Vision 4. Roadmap document of March 2023 to make India a frontline contributor to 6G design and deployment by 2030 Code: A B C D
- 3 2 1 4
- 2 3 4 1
- 2 3 1 4
- 3 2 4 1
Question 7: Consider the following statements regarding deep-seabed mineral resources and their governance: 1. Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the seabed beyond national jurisdiction and its mineral resources are the ‘common heritage of mankind’. 2. The International Seabed Authority, headquartered in Kingston, Jamaica, organises and controls mineral-related activities in the international seabed Area. 3. Polymetallic nodules occur mainly near hydrothermal vents along mid-ocean ridges, whereas polymetallic sulphides are found on abyssal plains. 4. An exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority gives a State sovereign rights to commercially exploit the minerals in its allotted area. Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct?
- All four statements are correct.
- There is only one incorrect statement, that is statement 3.
- There are two correct statements, that include statement 2.
- There is no correct statement.
Question 8: During a review of dengue-control measures, ‘X’ argued that Qdenga, being built on a dengue virus type-2 backbone, protects only against DENV-2 and therefore cannot be called a tetravalent vaccine. ‘Y’ pointed out that genes for the surface proteins of the other three serotypes are engineered into the backbone to give protection against all four serotypes, and added that vaccination should complement, and not replace, vector control against Aedes mosquitoes. ‘X’ was not convinced. Based on the above, select the correct conclusion from the options given below:
- ‘X’ is correct, as protection is limited to the serotype forming the backbone.
- ‘Y’ is correct, as the vaccine is tetravalent and is meant to complement, not replace, vector control.
- ‘Y’ is correct on serotype coverage, but vector control becomes unnecessary once vaccination is available.
- The views of both ‘X’ and ‘Y’ are incorrect.
Question 9: With reference to indigenous aircraft programmes of India, consider the following: 1. LCA Tejas is an indigenous, single-engine, multirole fighter with a tailless compound-delta configuration and digital fly-by-wire controls. 2. The HTT-40 (Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40) is an indigenously designed basic trainer with a turboprop engine. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Question 10: With reference to the entry of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into India’s mass-market passenger car segment, which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) for India’s transition to cleaner mobility? 1. It gives buyers concerned about charging infrastructure and range anxiety an intermediate option, allowing electric driving for short commutes while retaining a petrol engine for long journeys. 2. Since a PHEV’s battery is charged only by its engine and regenerative braking, it removes the need for any external charging infrastructure. 3. The actual emission benefit of a PHEV depends on how often it is charged and driven in electric mode, so usage behaviour and charging access become decisive for environmental gains. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3