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MCQ 1. Which of the following correctly differentiate Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs) from Lithium-ion batteries?

1. VRFBs store energy in liquid electrolytes, while Li-ion batteries store energy in solid electrodes.
2. VRFBs can be scaled easily for large MWh systems, while Li-ion batteries face significant scalability limits.
3. VRFBs have high risk of fire due to flammable electrolytes, while Li-ion batteries are safer.

Select the correct answer:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation:
Statement 1: Correct
• VRFB: Energy stored in liquid vanadium electrolytes.
• Li-ion: Energy stored in solid electrodes (anode/cathode).

Statement 2: Correct
• VRFBs can scale by simply increasing tank size → ideal for MWh–GWh grid storage.

Statement 3: Incorrect
• VRFBs use water-based electrolytes → very low fire risk.
• Li-ion batteries are prone to thermal runaway, not VRFBs.

MCQ 2. Which of the following statements about the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) Awards are correct?

1. It is a component of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
2. It follows the “3Cs” model: Community, CSR, and Cost.
3. It aims for construction of artificial recharge or storage structures at the grassroots.

Select the correct answer:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

Solution:
• Statement 1: Incorrect – JSJB is under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain, not Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Statement 2: Correct – Guided by “3Cs”: Community, CSR, Cost.
• Statement 3: Correct – Promotes construction of recharge/storage structures like rainwater harvesting, percolation tanks, etc.

MCQ 3. Regarding the 6th National Water Awards (2025), consider the following:

1. It recognizes initiatives in water conservation, including schools and industries.
2. Applications are evaluated through field verification by Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
3. The “Best State” award in the 6th edition was given to Gujarat.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 only
D) All of the above

Solution:
• Statement 1: Correct – Categories include Best School/College, Best Industry, etc.
• Statement 2: Correct – Awardees were verified by CWC and CGWB.
• Statement 3: Incorrect – The Best State for the 6th edition is Maharashtra, not Gujarat.

MCQ 4. Which of these is NOT a stated aim or feature of the JSJB initiative (First Awards)?

A) Encourage public participation in rainwater harvesting
B) Reward corporate social responsibility for water projects
C) Fully finance water conservation projects without public contribution
D) Promote artificial groundwater recharge

Solution:
• JSJB has a participatory, cost-sharing model; it does not fully finance projects without public contribution.
• Option C is therefore NOT a stated aim. A, B, and D align with its mission.

MCQ 5. Which of the following states or institutions featured among the winners of the 6th National Water Awards (2024 / awarded in 2025)?

A) Best State – Maharashtra
B) Best District – Tirunelveli
C) Best Institution – IUST (Islamic University of Science & Technology)
D) All of the above

Solution:
• All three – Maharashtra, Tirunelveli (TN), and IUST – were among the awardees; hence option D is correct.

MCQ 6. Why are initiatives such as JSJB Awards and National Water Awards significant from India’s national policy perspective? Choose the best option.

A) They incentivize competition among states and institutions for better water management.
B) They are purely symbolic and have no real financial incentives.
C) They discourage the use of private-public partnership (PPP) in water sector.
D) They are limited only to urban water bodies.

Solution:
• These awards create competitive federalism – rewarding Best State, Best District, Best ULB, etc.
• JSJB has financial awards (₹ crores) and uses CSR + community cost-sharing → PPP is encouraged, not discouraged.
• Coverage includes both rural and urban categories → not limited to urban water bodies.

MCQ 7. Which of the following statements correctly describes UNESCO’s MAB Programme (Man and the Biosphere)?

1. It was launched in 1971 to improve the relationship between people and their environments.
2. It establishes biosphere reserves that consist of core, buffer, and transition zones.
3. It is administered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Select the correct answer:

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

Solution:
• Statement 1: Correct – MAB was initiated in 1971 by UNESCO.
• Statement 2: Correct – Biosphere reserves have core, buffer, and transition zones.
• Statement 3: Incorrect – It is a UNESCO programme, not administered by IUCN.

MCQ 8. What is the significance of Oman’s election to the UNESCO MAB Council (2025–2029)?

A) Oman becomes the only country in the Arab world to host a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
B) It enables Oman to influence global biosphere reserve policy and research priorities.
C) Oman will now fund all new biosphere reserve designations under UNESCO.
D) Oman must relinquish its national environmental sovereignty.

Solution:
• Option B: Correct – Membership allows Oman to guide policy, research, and cooperation under the MAB Programme.
• A: Irrelevant to MAB Council; about World Heritage Sites.
• C: False – No obligation to fund all new reserves.
• D: False – Biosphere reserves remain under national jurisdiction.

MCQ 9. Which of the following biosphere reserves in Oman are now part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves?

A) Rubʿ al-Khali Biosphere Reserve
B) Al Sareen Nature Reserve
C) Jabal Akhdar (Al Jabal Al Akhdar) Reserve
D) Both B and C

Solution:
• Oman has two UNESCO biosphere reserves: Al Sareen (Al Sireen) Nature Reserve and Jabal Akhdar Reserve.
• Rubʿ al-Khali is not listed as such in this context.

MCQ 10. The International Coordinating Council (ICC) of the UNESCO MAB Programme:

1. Is composed of around 34 member states elected by the UNESCO General Conference.
2. Decides on the designation of new biosphere reserves.
3. Works under the overall guidance of the UNESCO Executive Board.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3

Solution:
• Statement 1: Correct – ICC/MAB Council has about 34 member states, elected by the General Conference.
• Statement 2: Correct – It plays a key role in designating new biosphere reserves.
• Statement 3: Considered not fully correct – ICC is an intergovernmental body under UNESCO with its own statutes, not simply under the Executive Board’s hierarchical guidance.

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