21. Ebola Virus, that was recently seen in news, are primarily found in which region?
[A] South America
[B] Sub-Saharan Africa
[C] North America
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sub-Saharan Africa]
Notes:
Researchers developed the first nanobody-based inhibitors targeting the Ebola virus. Ebola is caused by ortho ebola viruses, discovered in 1976 in the Congo, primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. The virus gets its name from the Ebola River in Congo. Fruit bats are natural hosts, and it spreads through contact with infected animals or humans. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, and often death. The average fatality rate is around 50%. There is no cure exists for Ebola. Experimental treatments like monoclonal antibodies have been used. Treatment focuses on fluid balance, blood plasma, and early intervention for better recovery chances.
22. Desert National Park is located in which city?
[A] Pushkar
[B] Bikaner
[C] Jaisalmer
[D] Jodhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jaisalmer]
Notes:
A group of 12 critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) was recently spotted at Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan, boosting conservation efforts. Desert National Park (DNP) is located in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer and spans over 3,160 sq. km, making it one of India’s largest national parks. The park lies in an extremely arid region with annual rainfall below 100 mm. Its terrain includes craggy rocks, salt lake bottoms, dunes (20% of the park), and three main lakes: Rajbaugh, Malik Talao, and Padam Talao.
23. 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.
24. The Boda Tyohar festival is celebrated by which tribe in Himachal Pradesh?
[A] Khampa Tribe
[B] Swangla Tribe
[C] Lahauli Tribe
[D] Hatti Tribe
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hatti Tribe]
Notes:
The Boda Tyohar festival, the largest annual celebration for the Hatti tribes in Himachal Pradesh, started recently with great enthusiasm. Hattis are a close-knit community known for selling home-grown crops, vegetables, meat, and wool at ‘haats’. They traditionally wear white headgear on ceremonial occasions. Hatti homeland spans the Himachal-Uttarakhand border, near the Giri and Tons rivers, tributaries of the Yamuna. There are two main Hatti clans, one in Trans-Giri, Himachal, and the other in Jaunsar Bawar, Uttarakhand.
25. 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.
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. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) was established under which institution?
[A] Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
[B] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
[C] National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
[D] Ministry of Fisheries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)]
Notes:
Around 100 tribal people from Pulicat will receive training in pearl spot culture, crab fattening, and clownfish aquaculture, organized by the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR). NBFGR was established in 1983 under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), focuses on fish germplasm conservation. Its infrastructure was set up in Lucknow in 1999. NBFGR’s vision includes the sustainable utilization and conservation of fish genetic resources. The bureau works on documenting fish diversity, developing databases, genotyping, and genebanking to support fish population health and sustainability.
28. Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0) has been launched by which organizations?
[A] Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Data Security Council of India
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs and National Informatics Centre
[C] NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre
[D] Data Security Council of India and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Data Security Council of India ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) launched the second edition of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0). The prize pool has been increased to Rs. 6.85 crores from Rs. 3.2 crores. Innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs are invited to address six key cybersecurity challenges, including API Security, Data Security, and AI for Threat Detection. Intellectual property rights for solutions developed will stay with startups. The competition has four stages, with winners receiving Rs. 25 lakh, and the overall winner getting Rs. 1 crore. The initiative supports Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
29. Tungabhadra River, which was seen in news, is tributary of which river?
[A] Godavari
[B] Kaveri
[C] Krishna
[D] Narmada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishna]
Notes:
Tungabhadra River water turned green near villages in Mundargi taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka, causing panic. It is a major tributary of the Krishna River, sacred to Hindus, and mentioned as “Pampa” in the Ramayana. The river originates from the Tunga (147 km) and Bhadra (178 km) streams in the Western Ghats and runs 531 km to meet the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. It passes through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and forms an interstate boundary.
30. The world’s first Maha Mrityunjaya Yantra has been installed in which city?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Ayodhya
[C] Gorakhpur
[D] Prayagraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Prayagraj]
Notes:
The world’s first 52-foot Mahamrityunjaya Yantra has been installed at Tapovan Ashram, Jhunsi Havelis, Prayagraj, a sacred Maha Kumbh site. The Yantra is a spiritual marvel believed to connect devotees with the higher consciousness of Lord Shiva. It symbolizes “Victory over Death,” helping individuals overcome fears of death, disease, and danger. The Yantra enhances courage, positivity, and spiritual energy among devotees. This monumental installation holds immense significance for spiritual seekers and devotees of Lord Shiva.