Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 19 April 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
In a recent update, Japan has announced to donate two Shinkansen train sets – the E5 and E3 series – to India. The news was first in The Japan Times and since then has been gaining attention for all the right reasons. This donation is intended to assist in the testing and inspection of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor, which is currently under construction.
The trains are expected to arrive in early 2026. Soon after being equipped with necessary inspection tools and will play an important role in gathering operational data, particularly in relation to the environmental challenges India faces, such as extreme temperatures and dust.
The E10 series is a more advanced Shinkansen model set to debut in the early 2030s. It is being considered for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed route. However, it will not be ready for the partial opening of the line in August 2027. The testing of the E5 and E3 trains will aid Japan in refining the design of the E10 model, which both countries plan to adopt by the early 2030s.
For those who don’t know, the E5 series is a modern high-speed train developed by East Japan Railway (JR East), entering service in 2011. Capable of reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h, it was initially chosen for India’s first bullet train project. The E3 series, slightly older, is used primarily for mini-shinkansen services and offers advanced safety systems and smooth travel.
Although India initially intended to deploy E5 trains for passenger service, delays and escalating costs prompted a change in direction. The donation of these trains, combined with the shift to the more advanced E10 model, has injected fresh energy into the project. Known as Alfa-X, the E10 can reach speeds of up to 400 km/h and represents the cutting edge of Japanese railway innovation.
For India, the Shinkansen represents more than just a high-speed train; it is a symbol of cutting-edge engineering, safety, and punctuality. Its introduction on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor marks a significant step in transforming the Indian railway system. By using the E5 and E3 trains for inspection, India will gain valuable firsthand experience with the technology before the E10’s full implementation. The bullet train project is funded largely by a low-interest loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), covering around 80% of the costs, with repayment spread over 50 years at a very low interest rate, making it financially sustainable for India.
This is not the first instance of Japan sharing Shinkansen technology internationally. Japan previously provided a first-generation Shinkansen train for Taiwan's high-speed rail network, continuing its tradition of supporting the development of high-speed rail globally.
[Excerpt from TOI "Japan’s High-Speed Train Collaboration with India" Dated 19/04/25]

Q1: Which two Shinkansen train models will Japan provide to India for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project?
(a) E2 and E5
(b) E5 and E3
(c) E7 and E3
(d) E5 and E10

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: Japan will deliver one E5 and one E3 train to India for testing in early 2026.

Q2: What percentage of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project is being funded by a low-interest loan from Japan?
(a) 50%
(b) 60%
(c) 80%
(d) 90%

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: The project is largely funded by a low-interest loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) covering approximately 80% of the project costs.

Q3: When did Japan’s first Shinkansen line, linking Tokyo and Osaka, begin operations?
(a) 1954
(b) 1964
(c) 1974
(d) 1984

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: The first Shinkansen began operations in 1964, coinciding with the Tokyo Olympics.

Q4: Which current Japanese high-speed train project is testing speeds of up to 400 km/h?
(a) ALFA-X
(b) E5
(c) Maglev Alpha
(d) E3 Max

View Answer  

Ans: (a)
Sol: ALFA-X is Japan’s current project testing speeds up to 400 km/h for the next generation of high-speed rail.

Q5: Which country now has the world’s longest high-speed rail network, inspired by Japan’s Shinkansen?
(a) India
(b) China
(c) Spain
(d) France

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: China has developed the world’s longest high-speed rail network, much of it influenced by Japan’s Shinkansen technology.