21. What are Glenochrysa zeylanica and Indophanes barbara, that were recently seen in news?
[A] Drugs for Tuberculosis (TB)
[B] Neuroptera species
[C] Invasive plant
[D] Newly discovered minerals
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Neuroptera species]
Notes:
Researchers discovered two rare Neuroptera species, Indophanes barbara and Glenochrysa zeylanica, in Kerala. Indophanes barbara, an antlion from the Myrmeleontidae family, does not build pits like other antlion larvae and lives in loose soil for protection. Adult Indophanes barbara resemble damselflies but can be identified by their long antennae and belong to holometabolous Neuroptera insects, unlike hemimetabolous damselflies. Glenochrysa zeylanica, a green lacewing from the Chrysopidae family, was rediscovered in Wayanad after 111 years and reported for the first time in India. Neuroptera, commonly called lacewings, are terrestrial insects with complex wing vein patterns.
22. Which city has become home to India’s first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
[A] Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
[B] Indore, Madhya Pradesh
[C] Vadodara, Gujarat
[D] Jaipur, Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of India’s first Green Hydrogen Hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). NGHM was announced in January 2023 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Its objective is to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export. The target is to produce 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
23. What is the name of the indigenous dog breed recently recognized by ICAR-NBAGR from the Himalayas?
[A] Damchi
[B] Gaddi
[C] Bakharwal
[D] Bangara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gaddi]
Notes:
The Gaddi dog, a loyal shepherd dog from the Himalayas, is now recognized as an indigenous breed by Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR). It is found in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and the Pir Panjal range. It is known for guarding flocks against predators like the Snow Leopard and is named after the Gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh. Other registered indigenous breeds include the Rajapalayam and Chippiparai from Tamil Nadu and the Mudhol Hound from Karnataka, known for agility, guarding, and loyalty.
24. Which institute in Himachal Pradesh was recently renamed after former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh?
[A] Himachal Pradesh Institute of Management Studies
[B] Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration
[C] Himachal Pradesh National Law University
[D] Indus International University
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration]
Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh government approved renaming the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) to Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration. This honors Dr. Singh’s contributions to national and state development. The Cabinet acknowledged his transformative role during his tenure as Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister.
25. Martin Guptill, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, belongs to which country?
[A] New Zealand
[B] Australia
[C] South Africa
[D] England
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Zealand]
Notes:
Former New Zealand cricketer Martin Guptill retired from international cricket after a 14-year career (2009–2022). He played 367 matches (198 ODIs, 122 T20Is, 47 Tests) and scored 23 international centuries. Guptill is New Zealand’s leading T20I run-scorer (3,531 runs) and third-highest ODI run-scorer (7,346 runs). He scored New Zealand’s first ODI double-century (237*) in the 2015 ICC World Cup and a century on ODI debut in 2009. Known for spectacular fielding, he famously ran out MS Dhoni in the 2019 World Cup semifinal.
26. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), that was recently seen in news, is caused by which microorganism in cattles?
[A] Protozoa
[B] Fungus
[C] Bacteria
[D] Virus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Virus]
Notes:
Germany recently faced its first foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in nearly 40 years, affecting water buffalo near Berlin. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease impacting livestock like cattle, swine, sheep, and goats but not horses, dogs, or cats. The disease severely affects livestock production and disrupts trade in animals and animal products. It circulates in 77% of global livestock, mainly in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and parts of South America. FMD is not a human health risk and is transmitted through excretions, secretions, and aerosolized virus from infected animals.
27. What is the name of India’s indigenous surgical robotic system that successfully conducted telesurgery recently?
[A] RoboMed
[B] SSI Mantra
[C] HealthBot
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SSI Mantra]
Notes:
India’s indigenous surgical robotic system, SSI Mantra, conducted two successful robotic cardiac telesurgeries. The first procedure, Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting, was completed in 58 minutes with 35-40 milliseconds latency. SSI Mantra successfully performed a robotic beating heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB), one of the most complex cardiac surgeries. SSI Mantra is the only robotic system globally approved for telesurgery and tele-proctoring, revolutionizing rural healthcare access in India. It recently received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
28. Kalamkari Painting is mainly practised in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Odisha
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
A bamboo weave box with Kalamkari paintings by Nimmalakunta artisans will be showcased at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Kalamkari is a popular hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile art form from Andhra Pradesh. The art originated during the reign of Qutb Shahis in the 16-17th century in the Tilang region, now part of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. “Kalam” means pen and “Kari” means craftsmanship, highlighting the skillful artistry involved.
29. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve lies at the junction of which two mountain ranges?
[A] Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
[B] Satpura and Vindhyas
[C] Aravallis and Vindhyas
[D] Himalayas and Shivaliks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aravallis and Vindhyas]
Notes:
A flagship river-link irrigation project in Rajasthan will submerge 37 sq. km of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (RTR), dividing it into two sections. It is situated at the junction of the Aravallis and Vindhyas ranges in Rajasthan. It was once a royal hunting ground for Jaipur’s Maharajas and is now one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves. The reserve is ideal for tiger monitoring due to its unique climate and vegetation. It is bordered by the Chambal River in the south and the Banas River in the north. The Ranthambhore Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies within the reserve.
30. India has designated which day as “Lokpal Day”?
[A] 14 January
[B] 15 January
[C] 16 January
[D] 17 January
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [16 January]
Notes:
The Lokpal of India has declared January 16 as “Lokpal Day,” with the first observance on January 16, 2025. The decision was made during a meeting on March 14, 2024. Lokpal Day highlights the establishment of the Lokpal and aims to raise awareness about its role in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.