Urban mining and the circular economy

1. Question 1Answer B

   The Cabinet approved a critical-mineral recycling scheme on 3 September 2025 with what outlay?

   • ARs 1,000 crore
   • BCorrect answer: Rs 1,500 crore
   • CRs 2,500 crore
   • DRs 5,000 crore

   Core Trigger: On 3 September 2025 the Cabinet approved a Rs 1,500 crore critical-mineral recycling scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   The recycling scheme offers what capex subsidy?

   • A10%
   • B30%
   • C50%
   • DCorrect answer: 20%

   Scheme Design: It runs FY 2025–26 to 2030–31, with a 20% capex subsidy; one-third is for small recyclers.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 2

3. Question 3Answer D

   Which Union Ministry runs the National Critical Mineral Mission and the recycling scheme?

   • AMinistry of Power
   • BMinistry of New and Renewable Energy
   • CMinistry of Heavy Industries
   • DCorrect answer: Ministry of Mines

   Nodal Body: The Ministry of Mines runs the National Critical Mineral Mission and the recycling scheme.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 3

4. Question 4Answer B

   Who coined the term 'urban mine' in 1988?

   • AWalter Stahel
   • BCorrect answer: Hideo Nanjyo
   • CKenji Okamoto
   • DMasao Ito

   Key Term: The term 'urban mine' was coined in 1988 by Professor Hideo Nanjyo of Tohoku University, Japan.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 4

5. Question 5Answer A

   India ranked third in global e-waste generation in 2022 at how many million tonnes?

   • ACorrect answer: 4.1 million tonnes
   • B6.2 million tonnes
   • C2.1 million tonnes
   • D5.1 million tonnes

   Data / Report: The world made 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, 22.3% formally recycled; India ranked third at 4.1 million tonnes.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 5

6. Question 6Answer A

   Which of the following is/are correct? 1. The scheme expects about 270 kilotonnes of capacity. 2. It expects nearly 7,000 jobs.

   • ACorrect answer: Only 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither

   Targets: It expects 270 kilotonnes of capacity and nearly 70,000 jobs; it pays for mineral extraction, not black mass.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 6

7. Question 7Answer C

   Which body runs the EPR portals and estimates national e-waste generation?

   • ACentral Electricity Authority
   • BBureau of Indian Standards
   • CCorrect answer: Central Pollution Control Board
   • DNational Green Tribunal

   Regulator: The Central Pollution Control Board runs the EPR portals and estimates national e-waste generation.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 8

8. Question 8Answer C

   The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 took effect on which date?

   • A1 January 2023
   • B1 April 2022
   • CCorrect answer: 1 April 2023
   • D1 April 2016

   Founded: The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 took effect on 1 April 2023, replacing the 2016 Rules.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 9

9. Question 9Answer B

   Which Swedish academic introduced Extended Producer Responsibility in 1990?

   • ACarl Bildt
   • BCorrect answer: Thomas Lindhqvist
   • CHans Rosling
   • DJohan Rockstrom

   Concept Origin: Extended Producer Responsibility was introduced in 1990 by Swedish academic Thomas Lindhqvist.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 10

10. Question 10Answer C

    Which of the following is/are correct? 1. Black mass is crushed spent-battery powder with lithium, cobalt and nickel. 2. A circular economy keeps materials in use via recycling.

    • AOnly 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CCorrect answer: Both 1 and 2
    • DNeither

    Definition: Black mass is crushed spent-battery powder holding lithium, cobalt and nickel; a circular economy keeps materials in use through reuse and recycling.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 240, point 12

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