21. Indravati National Park is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Five Maoists, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Indravati National Park, Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. Indravati National Park is located in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. It was established in 1981. It became a tiger reserve in 1983 under India’s Project Tiger. The park is named after the Indravati River, which flows east to west and forms its northern boundary with Maharashtra.
22. Which institute has developed bacterial enzyme-based solution to degrade plasticizers?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Kanpur
[D] IIT Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IIT Roorkee]
Notes:
IIT Roorkee researchers developed a method to degrade plasticizers like diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) using bacterial enzymes. DEHP is found in plastics and personal care products, posing health risks. Esterase enzyme from Sulfobacillus acidophilus breaks DEHP into mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethyl hexanol. The enzyme was structurally studied using X-ray crystallography and remains active for about a month. Researchers used four additional enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni to complete the degradation process. Integrating enzymes into bacteria ensures prolonged activity and continuous degradation without needing fresh batches. Plasticizers enhance flexibility and shine in products but can be absorbed through the skin, posing health dangers.
23. Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Mizoram
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved oil and gas exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Jorhat district, Assam. It is the only sanctuary in India named after gibbons and has the densest gibbon population in Assam. The sanctuary’s terrain slopes from southeast to northwest, with the Bhogdoi River creating a waterlogged region.
24. Diego Garcia Island, that was recently seen in news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Atlantic Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Ocean]
Notes:
Fifteen Tamil Nadu fishermen were reportedly detained near Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) for crossing the maritime boundary. Diego Garcia is a coral atoll, the largest and southernmost island in the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean. It covers 44 sq. km with a V-shaped cay and an open lagoon. The UK leased Diego Garcia to the US in 1966 for a military base, displacing its inhabitants.
25. Which ministry has implemented Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY)?
[A] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[B] Ministry of Rural Development
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Rural Development]
Notes:
The Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY) to develop degraded and rainfed areas. Activities include ridge area treatment, drainage line treatment, soil conservation, rainwater harvesting, nursery raising, and pasture development. WDC-PMKSY 1.0 improved groundwater, surface water, crop productivity, and farmers’ income. In 2021-22, 1150 projects covering 50 lakh hectares were sanctioned under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 with ₹12,303 Crores. 56 new projects worth ₹700 Crores are sanctioned in 10 top-performing states, covering 2.8 lakh hectares to improve farmers’ income, combat land degradation, and enhance climate resilience.
26. What is Hydroclimate Whiplash, that was recently highlighted in news?
[A] A sudden drop in atmospheric pressure
[B] A condition where an extremely wet season is followed by an extremely dry season
[C] A phenomenon of rising sea levels
[D] A rapid temperature drop over a short period
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A condition where an extremely wet season is followed by an extremely dry season]
Notes:
Experts link the severity of wildfires in the USA to hydroclimate whiplash, intensified by climate change. Hydroclimate whiplash is a rare condition where a wet season is followed by an extremely dry one. This leads to increased hazards like flash floods, wildfires, landslides, and disease outbreaks. It can harm water quality due to harmful algal blooms and excess organic or mineral content. It also affects food security by reducing plant productivity, causing crop failures, and leading to livestock mortality.
27. What is the name of India’s first warship equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions?
[A] INS Surat
[B] INS Kaveri
[C] INS Arihant
[D] INS Nilgiri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [INS Surat]
Notes:
INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer were commissioned into the Indian Navy for the first time. INS Surat is a stealth-guided missile destroyer, part of Project 15B, known as the Visakhapatnam class. It is India’s first warship equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. INS Surat has a displacement of 7,400 tonnes, a length of 164 meters, and a COGAG propulsion system with four gas turbines. It can achieve speeds over 30 knots (56 km/h) and is armed with advanced surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and sensors. Designed for high-speed offensive naval operations with superior strike power and maneuverability.
28. Which Indian Naval Ship (INS) is participated in the fourth edition of the Multinational Exercise LA PEROUSE?
[A] INS Surat
[B] INS Kolkata
[C] INS Mumbai
[D] INS Vikrant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [INS Mumbai]
Notes:
INS Mumbai, an indigenously built guided missile destroyer, is participating in the fourth edition of Exercise LA PEROUSE. The exercise involves navies from Australia, France, the UK, the US, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. It focuses on enhancing maritime situational awareness, surveillance, interdiction, air operations, and information sharing. The exercise highlights India’s naval synergy, interoperability, and commitment to a rules-based maritime order. It aligns with India’s SAGAR vision to ensure security and growth in the Indo-Pacific region.
29. What are the names of the two new initiatives launched by the Rubber Board to enhance India’s rubber industry?
[A] Green Rubber and RPIS
[B] iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect
[C] Ne-Mitra and SustainRubber
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect]
Notes:
The Rubber Board launched two initiatives, iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect. iSNR ensures compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by streamlining the rubber supply chain for EU markets. It provides traceability certificates verifying the origin of rubber products and their compliance with EUDR standards. This initiative aims to make Indian natural rubber competitive and responsible globally, promoting sustainable production and industry growth. INR Konnect is a web-based platform connecting untapped rubber growers with adopters to improve plantation productivity. It certifies participants, offers training in sustainable practices, and maintains a database of certified tappers.
30. Lake Naivasha, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] France
[C] Kenya
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kenya]
Notes:
Lake Naivasha in Kenya is severely affected by the invasive water hyacinth, covering large areas. It is a shallow freshwater lake in Kenya’s southern Rift Valley, fed by the Malewa and Gilgil Rivers from the Aberdare Mountains. The lake is surrounded by extinct or dormant volcanoes and features vegetation like Cyperus papyrus and submerged plants. It supports waterbirds, large mammals, fishing, flower farming, and geothermal power, making it economically vital. Lake Naivasha is a Ramsar site, recognized for its ecological importance. Water hyacinth, an invasive species from South America, blocks sunlight, reduces airflow, and harms aquatic life.