31. Dead Sea, which was seen in the news, is located between which two countries?
[A] Syria and Lebanon
[B] Egypt and Saudi Arabia
[C] Israel and Jordan
[D] Turkey and Cyprus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Israel and Jordan ]
Notes:
Researchers found meter-high chimneys on the Dead Sea floor formed by crystallized minerals from high-salt groundwater. The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is a saline lake between Jordan and Israel. Its eastern shore lies in Jordan, and the western shore is divided between Israel and the West Bank. It is one of the saltiest water bodies globally, with 34.2% salinity, making swimming feel like floating. The lake has no outlet, so water mainly evaporates, leaving it devoid of life except for algae and microorganisms.
32. The Māori are an Indigenous Polynesian people of which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Ukraine
[C] Sweden
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Zealand]
Notes:
Māori Party MPs performed a haka in New Zealand’s parliament to protest the Treaty Principles Bill, opposing changes to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Māori are an Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. They migrated from East Polynesia to New Zealand between 1320-1350. They developed a unique culture, language, mythology, and arts. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 with the British, established coexistence but remains central to political and economic grievances. Māori are the second-largest ethnic group in New Zealand. The haka, a traditional Māori dance, expresses pride, strength, and unity, and is used in various ceremonies and as a challenge.
33. The Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) connects which two cities of India and Russia?
[A] Mumbai and Moscow
[B] Bhubaneswar and Moscow
[C] Chennai and Vladivostok
[D] Cuttack and St. Petersburg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chennai and Vladivostok]
Notes:
The Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) is now operational, transporting oil, food, and machinery. The EMC links Russia’s east coast with South India, reducing cargo transit time by up to 16 days and distance by 40%. The current Mumbai-St. Petersburg route spans 8,675 nautical miles, taking about 40 days. The Chennai-Vladivostok route is only 5,647 nautical miles, saving 5,608 km and reducing logistical costs. The EMC passes through key seas and straits, including the Sea of Japan and Malacca Straits, with port options in major cities like Shanghai, Singapore, and Colombo.
34. What is the name of the cybersecurity exercise inaugurated by the National Security Council Secretariat in 2024?
[A] Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024)
[B] Cyber Defence India 2024
[C] Digital Shield 2024
[D] Cyber Challenges Exercise 2024
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024)]
Notes:
The Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024) was inaugurated by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The 12-day exercise aims to strengthen India’s cybersecurity resilience. It focuses on leadership engagement and capacity building for tackling cyber challenges. Key activities include immersive training on cyber defense, live-fire simulations of attacks on IT and OT systems, and collaboration among government and industry stakeholders. A Strategic Decision-Making Exercise will simulate national-level cyber crises to improve strategic decision-making under high-pressure scenarios.
35. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh recently welcomed a young male tiger, marking the first tiger sighting in nearly 40 years. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. The rivers Balmedhi, Jonk, and Mahanadi flow through the sanctuary, with Balamdehi River forming its western boundary and Jonk River its northeastern boundary. The area, spanning 244.66 sq. km, has a sufficient prey base and water availability, but challenges remain in protecting the sanctuary from poachers and ensuring a stable food cycle for the tigers.
36. Binar Space Programme, that was recently seen in news, is associated with which country?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] Australia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Three Australian satellites from Curtin University’s Binar Space Program recently burned up in Earth’s atmosphere due to increased solar activity. The program, based in Australia, focuses on Solar System research and reducing barriers to space operations. Binar-1, the first satellite launched in September 2021, lasted 364 days in orbit during low solar activity. The follow-up mission included three CubeSats (Binar-2, 3, and 4) designed with deployable solar arrays but expected to last about six months. Intense solar activity caused the satellites to deorbit much earlier than anticipated.
37. What is the name of the portal launched to improve groundwater management in India?
[A] Bhu-Neer
[B] Aqua-Regulate
[C] Jal-Neer
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bhu-Neer]
Notes:
The “Bhu-Neer” portal, launched on September 19, 2024, aims to improve groundwater management in India. Introduced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil during India Water Week 2024, it replaces the older NOCAP system. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it features a PAN-based single ID system and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This initiative enhances transparency and efficiency in groundwater usage, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Ease of Doing Business. The portal serves as a vital resource for stakeholders in groundwater regulation.
38. Which state is the host of Khelo India Youth Games 2025?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Bihar
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bihar]
Notes:
Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in April, marking its addition to the Khelo India map. For the first time, Bihar will also host the Khelo India Para Games, following the Youth Games with a 10-15 day gap. The first Para Games edition was held in Delhi last year. The Khelo India Youth Games 2023 were in Tamil Nadu. Bihar plays a key role in the Ministry’s infrastructure development and grassroots athlete support.
39. Which institution has developed STRONG (STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry), a novel language for nanopore research?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
[C] Banaras Hindu University
[D] Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) introduced STRONG (STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry), a new language for encoding nanopore shapes as character sequences. STRONG helps machine learning models predict nanopore properties accurately. It assigns letters to atomic configurations, improving understanding of nanopore geometries. This tool supports applications like gas separation and enhances data analysis. STRONG’s integration with neural networks boosts prediction accuracy. This breakthrough marks a significant advancement in materials science and computational research.
40. Subhadra Yojana is the largest women-centric scheme of which state??
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
The Subhadra Yojana, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women aged 21 to 60 years in Odisha. Each beneficiary will receive Rs 50,000 over five years, with annual installments credited directly to their bank accounts. The scheme is designed to empower women and improve their economic status, with over 80 lakh women expected to benefit in the current phase alone. Launched in Bhubaneswar, it reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to women’s welfare and financial inclusion.