BioE3: Commercial Launch of Bio-Based PLA Plastic

1. Question 1Answer C

   Under which Union policy was the commercial launch of bio-based PLA plastic formalised on 24 September 2026?

   • ANational Biofuel Policy
   • BBio-RIDE scheme
   • CCorrect answer: BioE3 policy
   • DNational Green Hydrogen Mission

   Core Trigger: On 24 September 2026 Dr Jitendra Singh formalised the commercial launch of bio-based biodegradable PLA plastic under the BioE3 policy.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 1

2. Question 2Answer D

   How much did BIRAC grant for a 100-tonne-a-year PLA co-polymer R&D facility?

   • ARs 25 crore
   • BRs 150 crore
   • CRs 500 crore
   • DCorrect answer: Rs 75 crore

   Funding: BIRAC granted Rs 75 crore to Balrampur Chini Mills for a 100-tonne-a-year PLA co-polymer R&D facility at Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 2

3. Question 3Answer A

   What office does Dr Jitendra Singh hold for Science and Technology?

   • ACorrect answer: Minister of State (Independent Charge)
   • BCabinet Minister
   • CSecretary of the Department
   • DPrincipal Scientific Adviser

   Current Head: Dr Jitendra Singh is Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 3

4. Question 4Answer B

   What does PLA, the bio-based plastic, stand for?

   • APolyethylene lauric acid
   • BCorrect answer: Polylactic acid
   • CPolypropylene lactate
   • DPlant lignin acid

   Key Term: PLA, or polylactic acid, is a biodegradable polymer made from fermented plant sugars such as sugarcane.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 4

5. Question 5Answer C

   How large is the commercial PLA plant beside the R&D unit?

   • A8,000 tonnes
   • B40,000 tonnes
   • CCorrect answer: 80,000 tonnes
   • D1,60,000 tonnes

   Scale: Beside the R&D unit stands an 80,000-tonne commercial plant using sugarcane feedstock.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 5

6. Question 6Answer D

   Which company is the manufacturer behind the PLA launch?

   • ADalmia Bharat Sugar
   • BBajaj Hindusthan Sugar
   • CTriveni Engineering
   • DCorrect answer: Balrampur Chini Mills

   Stakeholders: The key players are BIRAC, the funding agency, and Balrampur Chini Mills, the manufacturer.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 6

7. Question 7Answer A

   In which city is BIRAC headquartered?

   • ACorrect answer: New Delhi
   • BFaridabad
   • CBengaluru
   • DPune

   Headquarters: BIRAC is headquartered in New Delhi.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 8

8. Question 8Answer A

   Which is/are correct? (1) BIRAC was set up in March 2012 by the Department of Biotechnology. (2) The Union Cabinet approved BioE3 in August 2022.

   • ACorrect answer: Only 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2

   Founded: BIRAC was set up in March 2012 by the Department of Biotechnology; the BioE3 policy was approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2024.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 9

9. Question 9Answer B

   Which rules prescribe Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic waste?

   • AWater Act, 1974
   • BCorrect answer: Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
   • CForest Conservation Act, 1980
   • DWildlife Protection Act, 1972

   Landmark: The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended, regulate plastic and prescribe Extended Producer Responsibility.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 10

10. Question 10Answer C

    Which is/are correct? (1) The polluter pays principle was applied in Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action (1996). (2) It makes producers bear environmental costs.

    • AOnly 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CCorrect answer: Both 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2

    Doctrine: The polluter pays principle, applied in Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action v Union of India (1996), makes producers bear environmental costs.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 268, point 12

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