The CPD Environmental Hazards of Electronic Waste training module, delivered on the DIKSHA platform under the NISHTHA teacher development initiative by the Ministry of Education and NCERT, educates teachers, students, and administrators on the ecological, health, and regulatory dimensions of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste).

This guide provides the verified answer key for the module assessment, supplemented by toxicological data, policy analysis under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, and UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) frameworks.

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Key Assessment Parameters

Parameter	Official Details
Course Name	CPD Environmental Hazards of Electronic Waste
Platform	DIKSHA (Ministry of Education / NCERT)
Target Audience	School Teachers, Headmasters, Educational Administrators
Minimum Passing Score	70% (Required for official certificate generation)
Core Regulatory Framework	E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 & Amendments

Verified Quiz Questions, Answers & Technical Context

Question 1: Hazardous element found in medical equipment like thermometer is

• Correct Answer: Mercury
• Technical Context: Traditional glass thermometers, sphygmomanometers, and medical sensors utilize elemental mercury ($\text{Hg}$). When broken or improperly landfilled, inorganic mercury converts into methylmercury via aquatic bacterial action—a bioaccumulative neurotoxin that causes severe central nervous system impairment.

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Question 2: In 2016, which continent produced the maximum E-waste?

• Correct Answer: Asia
• Technical Context: According to the Global E-waste Monitor, Asia generated the highest absolute volume of e-waste in 2016 (approximately 18.2 million metric tonnes), driven by rapid urbanization, expanding consumer electronics markets, and high obsolescence rates across eastern and southern Asian nations.

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Question 3: Seventy percent of E-Waste generated in India comes from

• Correct Answer: Computer equipment
• Technical Context: Information technology and telecommunications equipment—primarily personal computers, servers, monitors, and laptops—constitute over 70% of total domestic e-waste generation in India. Telecommunication devices (mobile phones) form the second largest category at approximately 12%.

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Question 4: The total E-waste generated across the world is

• Correct Answer: 32 Million tone (Note: Based on the historical baseline dataset utilized in the DIKSHA module curriculum; global annual generation exceeded 50 million metric tonnes in subsequent global assessments).
• Technical Context: E-waste remains the fastest-growing solid waste stream globally, growing at a rate of 3–5% annually due to short product lifespans and limited repair options.

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Question 5: The number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are

• Correct Answer: 17
• Technical Context: Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 17 SDGs establish global targets for environmental preservation, economic equity, and resource sustainability.

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Question 6: E-Waste stands for

• Correct Answer: Electronic Waste
• Technical Context: E-waste (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment – WEEE) encompasses discarded electronic devices, printed circuit boards (PCBs), cathode ray tubes (CRTs), power cords, and household appliances that have reached their end-of-life stage.

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Question 7: The Goal of Responsible consumption and production, is goal number

• Correct Answer: 12
• Technical Context: SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) specifically mandates environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize their release to air, water, and soil.

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Question 8: The E-waste Management and Handling Rules, 2012 were amended in the year

• Correct Answer: 2016
• Technical Context: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, superseding the 2011/2012 framework. The 2016 rules introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), bringing Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and other mercury-containing lamps under compliance targets.

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Question 9: Valuable commodity found in wires

• Correct Answer: Copper
• Technical Context: Electrical wiring and printed circuit boards contain high-purity copper ($\text{Cu}$) due to its exceptional electrical conductivity. E-waste recycling extracts copper, gold, silver, and palladium, reducing the need for primary virgin ore mining.

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Question 10: Reasons for overconsumption of resources are

• Correct Answer: All of the above
• Technical Context: Overconsumption is driven by planned obsolescence, consumerism, rapid population growth, accelerating technological upgrades, and short device replacement cycles.

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Question 11: The most harmful metal released during the informal management of E-waste is

• Correct Answer: Lead
• Technical Context: Informal processing—such as open burning of insulated wires and acid bathing of circuit boards—releases heavy concentrations of Lead ($\text{Pb}$). Lead poisoning damages the kidneys, cardiovascular system, and brain development in children.

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Question 12: The environmentally sound method used for E-waste disposal is

• Correct Answer: Recycle
• Technical Context: Environmentally sound management (ESM) requires systematic dismantling, segregation, mechanical shredding, and hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical recovery in authorized, closed-loop industrial recycling facilities rather than open dumping or incineration.

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Question 13: The famous Indian company manufacturer in the field of electronic and electrical devices

• Correct Answer: Samsung (Note: Select the designated option provided within the DIKSHA module multiple-choice option set).
• Technical Context: Electronics manufacturers operating in India are bound under EPR directives to establish collection centers, take-back channels, and authorized dismantler networks for end-of-life products.

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Question 14: The different household wastes which are collected during household activities like cooking, cleaning, etc are known as

• Correct Answer: Domestic waste
• Technical Context: Domestic waste includes organic kitchen waste, paper, plastic, glass, and household hazardous items. Proper source segregation prevents e-waste from contaminating municipal solid waste streams.

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Question 15: Improper disposal of E-waste harms

• Correct Answer: All of the above
• Technical Context: Uncontrolled e-waste disposal contaminates soil matrices through heavy metal leaching, pollutes groundwater tables, emits toxic dioxins/furans into the atmosphere during open burning, and poses severe occupational health hazards to informal waste handlers.

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Quick Reference Answer Matrix

Q. No.	Question Summary	Verified Answer Choice
1	Thermometer toxic element	Mercury
2	Max e-waste producing continent (2016)	Asia
3	Primary e-waste source in India (70%)	Computer equipment
4	Global e-waste generation baseline	32 Million tone
5	Total UN Sustainable Development Goals	17
6	Expansion of E-Waste	Electronic Waste
7	Responsible Consumption & Production	Goal 12
8	E-Waste Rules amendment year	2016
9	Valuable commodity in wires	Copper
10	Overconsumption drivers	All of the above
11	Toxic metal from informal processing	Lead
12	Environmentally sound disposal method	Recycle
13	Electronic devices manufacturer option	Samsung
14	Household cleaning/cooking waste	Domestic waste
15	Impact of improper e-waste disposal	All of the above

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) & E-Waste Rules in India

India’s regulatory framework for managing e-waste has evolved through key legislative milestones administered by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):

• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets were imposed on producers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE). Producers must collect a specific percentage of the e-waste generated from end-of-life products placed in the market.
• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022: Introduced an EPR Certificate Trading Mechanism, digital registration portals for manufacturers, refurbishers, and recyclers, and restricted the use of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electronic manufacturing.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Complete Module & Download Certificate on DIKSHA

1. Log In: Access the official DIKSHA Portal or mobile application using registered teacher credentials.
2. Locate Course: Navigate to My Courses $\rightarrow$ Search for CPD Environmental Hazards of Electronic Waste.
3. Complete Modules: Review all digital learning modules, video presentations, and PDF resources prior to attempting the quiz.
4. Attempt Assessment: Open the assessment tab and record answers using the verified matrix above.
5. Verify Passing Score: Confirm a score of at least 70% (11/15 or higher).
6. Download Certificate: Navigate to your Profile page after 24–48 hours to view and download your verified digital completion certificate.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in E-Waste Management?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of its life cycle, mandating collection, channelization, and recycling targets.

Why is lead considered extremely dangerous in e-waste?

Lead is a potent neurotoxin found in computer monitors (CRTs) and solder joints. Informal acid leaching or burning releases lead dust into air and water, causing irreversible brain damage, kidney failure, and developmental delays in exposed populations.

Which UN Sustainable Development Goal governs electronic waste management?

SDG Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) directly governs e-waste through target 12.4, which focuses on achieving environmentally sound management of chemical and hazardous wastes throughout their life cycle.