Daily Current Affairs Quiz March 10, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz

Question 1: With reference to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), consider the following statements:

1. It is a treaty-based initiative for countries to work together for cooperative solutions to challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
   2. It was first proposed by the Indian Prime Minister during the 14th East Asia Summit in 2019.
   3. The initiative aims for a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific region.
   4. It is primarily focused on military cooperation rather than sustainable resource usage.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1 and 4 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
   (d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Question 2: With reference to “Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)”, consider the following statements:

1. It is India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean, unveiled in 2015.
   2. The initiative focuses on strengthening economic and security ties with maritime neighbors.
   3. India was admitted as the fifth observer to the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in March 2020.
   4. Prime Minister Modi first articulated this vision during his address to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
   (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 3: In the context of the East Asia Summit (EAS), consider the following statements:

1. The idea of an East Asia Grouping was first proposed by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1991.
   2. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005.
   3. The EAS comprises 10 ASEAN countries and 9 dialogue partners.
   4. The 19th East Asia Summit was recently held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
   (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   (c) 1 and 3 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 4: With reference to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, consider the following statements:

1. The pipeline will transport natural gas from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan.
   2. The project is expected to deliver around 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.
   3. The pipeline will supply equal proportions of gas to all four participating countries.
   4. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has supported the development of this project since 2003.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 5: Which of the following statements regarding Rare Earth Elements is/are correct?

1. Rare Earth Elements comprise 17 metallic elements including the 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium.
   2. Despite their name, some Rare Earth Elements like cerium are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust.
   3. They are divided into two categories: light elements (lanthanum through samarium) and heavy elements (europium to lutetium).
   4. Rare Earth Elements are primarily used in traditional heavy industries like steel production and construction.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (a) 1 and 4 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 6: With reference to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), consider the following statements:

1. It is a regional development bank focused on promoting military development and arms trade among its member countries.
   2. It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines.
   3. Japan and the United States are equally the largest shareholders of the ADB.
   4. The ADB was established in 1966 to promote social and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1 and 3 only
   (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   (c) 2 and 4 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 7: In the context of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an initiative launched by China to counter American influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
   2. The framework focuses on areas such as digital trade, supply chain resilience, and clean energy transitions.
   3. It is a legally binding free trade agreement with tariff reduction commitments.
   4. The framework aims to serve as a strategic countermeasure to China’s increasing influence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:
   (a) 2 and 4 only
   (b) 1 and 3 only
   (c) 2 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 8: Consider the following statements about the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF):

1. It is an intergovernmental organization that aims to enhance cooperation between countries in the Pacific Ocean.
   2. Its recent annual meeting was held in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga.
   3. The forum advocates for global climate action to protect vulnerable Pacific island nations.
   4. It funds resilience efforts through the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF).
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1 and 2 only
   (b) 3 and 4 only
   (c) 1, 2 and 3 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 9: With reference to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), consider the following statements:

1. It consists of six member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
   2. The primary objective of GCC is to promote scientific research and technological advancement among member states.
   3. Iran has observer status in the organization.
   4. The headquarters of the GCC is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1 and 4 only
   (b) 2 and 3 only
   (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 10: In the context of the Sea of Okhotsk, consider the following statements:

1. It is bounded by Russia on the west and north and by Japan on the south.
   2. In 2014, the United Nations recognized Russia’s claim over a large part of the Sea of Okhotsk as an extension of its continental shelf.
   3. It is an important fishing ground, particularly for salmon and crab.
   4. The sea is connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Kuril Islands and the La Pérouse Strait.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?
   (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
   (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
   (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
   (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer Key with Explanations

Question 1
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative is not a treaty-based initiative but rather a non-binding cooperative framework aimed at managing the maritime domain. Statement 2 is correct as IPOI was indeed proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok in November 2019. Statement 3 is correct as the initiative aims for a safe, secure, and stable maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific region. Statement 4 is incorrect because IPOI has a comprehensive approach covering seven pillars: Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Capacity Building, Disaster Risk Reduction, Science and Technology Cooperation, and Trade Connectivity rather than focusing primarily on military cooperation.

Question 2
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) was unveiled as India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean by Prime Minister Modi in 2015. Statement 2 is correct as the initiative does focus on strengthening economic and security cooperation with India’s maritime neighbors. Statement 3 is correct as India was admitted as the fifth observer to the Indian Ocean Commission in March 2020, reinforcing the SAGAR vision. Statement 4 is incorrect because Prime Minister Modi articulated the SAGAR vision during his visit to Mauritius in March 2015, not during an address to the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

Question 3
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the idea of an East Asia Grouping was first proposed by then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1991. Statement 2 is correct as the first East Asia Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005. Statement 3 is incorrect because the EAS comprises 10 ASEAN countries and 8 dialogue partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States), not 9. Statement 4 is correct as the 19th East Asia Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

Question 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the TAPI pipeline will transport natural gas from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan, which is among the largest gas fields in the world. Statement 2 is correct as the project is designed to deliver approximately 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. Statement 3 is incorrect because the pipeline will not supply equal proportions to all countries—Afghanistan will receive 5-6% of the gas, while Pakistan and India will each receive about 42%. Statement 4 is correct as the Asian Development Bank has been supporting the TAPI project since 2003, providing technical assistance and helping establish the TAPI Pipeline Company Limited.

Question 5
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as Rare Earth Elements do comprise 17 metallic elements including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Statement 2 is correct as despite their name, some REEs like cerium are indeed relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, comparable to copper or lead. Statement 3 is correct as REEs are typically divided into light rare earth elements (from lanthanum through samarium) and heavy rare earth elements (from europium through lutetium plus yttrium). Statement 4 is incorrect because REEs are primarily used in high-tech industries and applications such as electronics, renewable energy technologies, defense systems, and medical devices—not in traditional heavy industries like steel production.

Question 6
Answer: (b) 2, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as the ADB focuses on promoting social and economic development, poverty reduction, and regional integration—not military development or arms trade. Statement 2 is correct as the ADB is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Statement 3 is correct as Japan and the United States are the largest shareholders of the ADB, each holding 15.6% of total shares. Statement 4 is correct as the ADB was established in 1966 with the primary mission to foster economic growth and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Question 7
Answer: (a) 2 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as IPEF was launched by the United States in May 2022, not by China. It was initiated by the Biden administration as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Statement 2 is correct as IPEF focuses on four key pillars: trade (including digital trade), supply chain resilience, clean energy and decarbonization, and tax and anti-corruption measures. Statement 3 is incorrect because IPEF is not a traditional free trade agreement and does not include market access commitments or tariff reductions—it’s a framework for economic cooperation. Statement 4 is correct as IPEF is widely viewed as a strategic initiative by the US to counter China’s growing economic influence in the region, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.

Question 8
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the Pacific Islands Forum is an intergovernmental organization aimed at enhancing cooperation between countries and territories of the Pacific Ocean. Statement 2 is correct as a recent annual meeting of the PIF was held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Statement 3 is correct as the PIF has been at the forefront of advocacy for global climate action, particularly to protect vulnerable Pacific island nations facing threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Statement 4 is correct as the Pacific Islands Forum has established the Pacific Resilience Facility to fund climate resilience efforts across the region.

Question 9
Answer: (a) 1 and 4 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the GCC consists of six member states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Statement 2 is incorrect because while scientific research may be one area of cooperation, the primary objective of the GCC is political and economic coordination, integration, and cooperation among the member states. Statement 3 is incorrect as Iran does not have observer status in the GCC; in fact, relations between Iran and the GCC have often been tense. Statement 4 is correct as the headquarters of the GCC is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Question 10
Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the Sea of Okhotsk is bounded by Russia on the west and north and by Japan’s Hokkaido island on the south. Statement 2 is correct as in 2014, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf recognized Russia’s claim over a large enclave in the Sea of Okhotsk as an extension of its continental shelf. Statement 3 is correct as the Sea of Okhotsk is an important fishing ground, particularly known for salmon, crab, and pollock fisheries. Statement 4 is correct as the sea is connected to the Pacific Ocean through the Kuril Islands, which separate it from the Pacific Ocean, and through the La Pérouse Strait (also known as Soya Strait) between Sakhalin and Hokkaido.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz