1. Cumbum valley, recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Cumbum Valley, known as the “Grapes City of South India,” is known for Panneer Thratchai grapes, comprising 85% of India’s production. Introduced in 1832 by a French priest, these grapes thrive year-round, unlike elsewhere. Recognized for its rapid growth and early maturity, it earned a Geographical Indication tag in 2023. Cumbum Valley’s grapes, rich in nutrients, are used for wine, spirits, and more. Its location in Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats adds to its allure.
2. Decision Support System (DSS), recently seen in news, is discovered by which institutional organization?
[A] Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
[B] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[C] Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow
[D] Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune]
Notes:
The Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi’s air pollution, developed by IITM Pune, will resume in September with new features. It forecasts Delhi’s air quality and pollution sources, including emissions from Delhi and neighboring districts. It also assesses the impact of emission interventions and biomass burning. Now, it will extend to eight surrounding NCR districts. DSS, operational in winter, halted temporarily due to forecast discrepancies. It collaborates with SAFAR for comprehensive air quality data.
3. Which IIT recently signed an MoU with Canada based biotechnology company (Conlis Global) for bone grafting technology?
[A] IIT Roorkee
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Kanpur
[D] IIT Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Kanpur]
Notes:
IIT Kanpur recently signed an MoU with Conlis Global, a Canadian biotech company, for licensing a groundbreaking technology promoting bone healing and regeneration. Nano Hydroxyapatite-based Porous Composite Scaffolds, developed indigenously, possess biodegradable, osteoinductive, and osteopromotive properties crucial for bone regeneration. Highly biocompatible, these scaffolds demonstrate robust mechanical strength and foster excellent interaction between polymer networks and solvents, facilitating cell-material interactions with osteoblast cells.
4. Konda Reddi tribe, recently seen in news, is primarily inhabits in which state of India?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Konda Reddi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in the Godavari region, possess valuable indigenous knowledge. They reside along the Godavari river and in hilly forests of Andhra Pradesh. Their language, Telugu, has a distinct accent. Marriage customs include negotiations, elopement, and capture. The tribe practices Folk Hinduism, worshiping local deities. They have a patriarchal family structure allowing polygamy.
5. Recently, which city is being established by the armed forces as the country’s first India’s first tri-service common defense station?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Chennai
[C] Mumbai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]
Notes:
The Armed Forces plan to transform Mumbai into India’s inaugural tri-service common defense station for the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force (IAF). This aims at fostering jointness among the services preceding the establishment of integrated theatre commands. Theatreization involves integrating army, air force, and navy capabilities to optimize resources for warfare. Such commands combine assets from all three services under unified leadership, mirroring practices in major nations like China, Russia, the US, the UK, and France.
6. What is AI Hume, recently seen in news?
[A] Use of AI to find and predict financial frauds
[B] World’s first conversational AI with emotional intelligence
[C] It provides real time update on election results
[D] Humanoid robot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World’s first conversational AI with emotional intelligence]
Notes:
Hume, a New York-based research lab, unveiled the first emotionally intelligent conversational AI named Empathic Voice Interface (EVI). It utilizes live audio input, returning both audio and transcripts with vocal expression measures. Powered by an empathic large language model (eLLM), it understands tones and word emphasis, optimizing human-AI conversations. Trained on human reactions, EVI learns from users to enhance positive expressions. By analyzing speech nuances, it can determine when to speak and generate empathic language.
7. What is ‘Senna spectabilis’, recently seen in news?
[A] Highly invasive tree
[B] Asteroid
[C] Exoplanet
[D] Black hole
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Highly invasive tree]
Notes:
The forest department is eradicating Senna spectabilis, a highly invasive tree, from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). Originally introduced as ornamental trees by private estates, the Madras High Court ordered their removal due to ecological impact on local reserves. Belonging to the legume family, native to South and Central America, it’s also known as golden wonder tree for its bright yellow flowers. Despite medicinal uses, including treating ringworm and food-borne pathogens, its removal is necessary for preserving local ecology.
8. Recently, who has been appointed as India’s next ambassador to Niger?
[A] Pankaj Saran
[B] P. R. Chakraborty
[C] Vikram Misri
[D] Sita Ram Meena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sita Ram Meena]
Notes:
Mr. Sita Ram Meena, a 2008 batch IFS officer, has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to the Republic of Niger. Previously serving as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, this appointment marks a significant career advancement. Mr. Meena’s diplomatic experience and expertise position him well for this new role, which underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Niger on the international stage.
9. OptiDrop, a microfluidic chip-based platform, recently developed by which organization?
[A] Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru
[B] Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai
[C] Central Scientific Industrial Organisation, Chandigarh
[D] National environmental engineering research institute, Nagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in Bengaluru unveils OptiDrop, a groundbreaking microfluidic chip-based platform. OptiDrop simplifies single-cell studies, cutting costs and enabling precise analysis within encapsulated droplets. Supported by BIRAC, DST, and MHRD, its features include live data visualization and a ‘closed’ system design. With applications spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, agriculture, and animal health, OptiDrop facilitates drug screening, water contamination monitoring, CAR-T cell sorting, CRISPR-modified cell selection, and single-cell genomics.
10. Papikonda National Park, recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh government is taking measures to prevent forest fires in Papikonda National Park (PNP), receiving technical assistance. PNP, located in the Eastern Ghats, is crucial for high precipitation and hosts the River Godavari. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1978 and upgraded to a national park in 2008, it’s recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The region also boasts a unique dwarf goat breed, the “kanchu mekha.”