UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 3 March 2026

Solution: B

Statement 1 is correct as methane often escapes during oil and gas production, transportation, and storage due to leaks and equipment failure.

Statement 3 is also correct; flaring and venting processes in the energy sector release methane.

Statement 2 is incorrect because methane leaks occur more frequently in natural gas production than in coal extraction.

Solution: B

Statement 2 is correct. The SEC can be removed only in the manner and on the grounds prescribed for a High Court judge, ensuring their independence.

Statement 1 is incorrect because the tenure of the SEC is determined by the Governor, not the Election Commission of India.

Statement 3 is incorrect because the conditions of the SEC’s service cannot be varied to their disadvantage after their appointment.

Solution: C

The Great Red Spot is a notable feature of Jupiter, a giant storm that has been ongoing for centuries. Saturn, on the other hand, is known for its spectacular ring system with seven rings, and it also has the large moon Titan. Saturn has a longer orbital period of 29.5 Earth years compared to Jupiter’s 11.9 years.

Solution: A

Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) offers cloud-based infrastructure and tools that enable businesses and developers to build, deploy, and manage blockchain applications without the need for creating or maintaining the blockchain infrastructure themselves. Microsoft Azure’s BaaS is an example, allowing businesses to quickly set up blockchain applications.

Solution: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct – A site must be on the Tentative List for at least one year before being officially nominated.
• Statement 2 is incorrect – There is no limit on the number of sites a country can submit to the Tentative List.
• Statement 3 is correct – The list undergoes periodic revisions every 10 years.

What is the Tentative List?

• An inventory of cultural and natural heritage sites that a country intends to nominate for UNESCO World Heritage status.

How Are Sites Added?

• Countries submit Tentative Lists to the World Heritage Centre.
• A site must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).
• The list must be submitted at least one year before official nomination.
• Periodic revisions are encouraged every 10 years.

Solution: A

Explanation:

• Option a is correct – Armenia is part of the South Caucasus region, bordered by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.
• Option b is incorrect – Armenia is not part of Central Asia, as it lies west of the Caspian Sea.
• Option c is incorrect – The Levant covers countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel, not Armenia.
• Option d is incorrect – The Balkans refer to Southeastern Europe, while Armenia is located in Eurasia.

About Armenia:

• Location: A landlocked country in the South Caucasus.
• Border nations: Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran
• Capital:
• Geographic Features:
  • Mountains: A highly mountainous country, dominated by the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Aragats (4,090 meters).
  • Rivers: The Aras River, forming the southern border with Turkey and Iran.
  • Lakes: Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the region.

Solution: C

Explanation:

• Option a is incorrect – The Red Sea and Arabian Sea are much farther south, near the Arabian Peninsula.
• Option b is incorrect – The Persian Gulf is far south, and Azerbaijan does not reach it.
• Option c is correct – Azerbaijan is situated between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, making it a critical transit hub for trade and energy exports.
• Option d is incorrect – Azerbaijan does not border the Mediterranean Sea.

About Azerbaijan:

• Location: Located in eastern Transcaucasia.
• Bordered by: Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, and Caspian Sea.
• Capital: Baku, a major oil-rich city on the Caspian Sea coast.
• Geographic Features:
  • Mountains: The Greater Caucasus Mountains dominate the north, with Mount Bazardüzü (4,466 meters) as the highest peak.
  • Rivers: Major rivers include the Kura and Aras, supporting agriculture and hydroelectric power.
  • Caspian Sea Coastline: Azerbaijan has a large coastline along the Caspian Sea, playing a crucial role in trade and energy exports.

Solution: C

• Oxo-degradable plastics are not truly biodegradable but instead fragment into microplastics due to the presence of chemical additives. These additives enable oxidation, which accelerates the breakdown of plastic under exposure to heat, light, and oxygen. However, instead of decomposing into harmless organic matter, they disintegrate into microplastics, which persist in the environment and contribute to long-term pollution.
• Unlike compostable plastics (which degrade into biomass, water, and carbon dioxide), oxo-degradable plastics do not fully break down and instead create microplastic contamination in soil, water bodies, and marine ecosystems. They are often mistaken as a solution to plastic waste, but their environmental impact remains a major concern.
• Due to these issues, many countries and environmental organizations discourage or ban the use of oxo-degradable plastics, advocating instead for biodegradable or compostable alternatives that completely degrade into natural elements without harmful residues.

Solution: B

• Helium plays a crucial role in rocketry, particularly in pressurizing fuel tanks. Unlike most gases, helium remains in a gaseous state even at extremely low temperatures, making it ideal for maintaining pressure in cryogenic fuel tanks that store liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. This ensures a steady and controlled flow of fuel into the rocket engines, preventing tank collapse due to external pressure.
• Statement 2 is incorrect because helium is an inert gas—it does not react with fuel or contribute to combustion. Its primary role is maintaining pressure and purging systems, not enhancing fuel efficiency.
• Statement 3 is also incorrect because, despite its high cost, helium remains the preferred choice in the space industry due to its unique properties. While argon and nitrogen have been explored, they are less effective for critical space applications.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is correct because polar ice melt leads to habitat loss for species like polar bears and penguins, which depend on sea ice for hunting and breeding.

Statement 2 is also correct, as changing salinity and rising ocean temperatures due to melting ice are altering marine biodiversity, affecting species composition and distribution.

However, statement 3 is incorrect because ocean acidification harms shell-forming species by reducing the availability of carbonate ions, which are essential for building shells. Acidification poses a severe threat to these species.