1. Canary island archipelago, recently seen in the news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Atlantic Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Indian Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Atlantic Ocean]
Notes:
Rescue teams are searching for 48 missing migrants after their boat overturned near Spain’s Canary Islands. The Canary Islands are an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1300 km south of mainland Spain and 115 km west of Morocco. They consist of two Spanish provinces: Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, the islands have rich volcanic soil. The climate is subtropical with warm temperatures and little seasonal variation. An archipelago refers to a group of islands formed by volcanic activity, tectonic movements, or sediment accumulation.
2. “Casuarina tree”, recently seen in the news, is native to which country?
[A] China
[B] Australia
[C] New Zealand
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
Six years after Cyclone Gaja, farmers in Vedaranyam, Tamil Nadu, are preparing for their first harvest of casuarina (savukku) plantations. Casuarina, native to Australia, was introduced in India in the 19th century and is also known as kattadi. There are four cultivated species: Casuarina equisetifolia, glauca, cunninghamaina, and junghuniana.
Its nitrogen-fixing ability and adaptability to diverse soil and climates make it ideal for commercial and environmental planting. Casuarinas grow well in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean regions, thriving in temperatures from 10°C-33°C and rainfall of 700-2000 mm.
3. What are “Garra zubzaensis and Psilorhynchus kosygini”, recently seen in news?
[A] Fish
[B] Spider
[C] Frog
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fish]
Notes:
Researchers discovered two new fish species in Nagaland: Garra zubzaensis and Psilorhynchus kosygini. These are torrent minnows, small freshwater fish found in fast-flowing streams. Garra zubzaensis was found in the Zubza River, a Brahmaputra tributary in Kohima, with its habitat being fast-flowing, rocky streams. Psilorhynchus kosygini was discovered in the Tepuiki River, a Barak River tributary in Peren, thriving in fast-flowing, shaded waters. Both species are adapted to strong currents, using sucker-like structures to cling to surfaces and forage in rocky habitats
4. Recently, which state secured the top rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI)?
[A] Odisha
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala has achieved the top rank in the Urban Governance Index (UGI), a study by the Praja Foundation assessing cities in India. Scoring 59.31 out of 100, it excelled in fiscal empowerment and local governance. The state’s commitment to decentralized planning has been acknowledged, despite challenges in city administration empowerment. Odisha followed in second place with a score of 55.10, highlighting the competitive nature of urban governance across India.
5. ‘Harpoon Missile’, recently seen in the news, is developed by which country?
[A] China
[B] Germany
[C] France
[D] United States of America
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United States of America]
Notes:
Taiwan received the first shipment of 100 land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems from the U.S. The Harpoon missile (RGM-84/UGM-84/AGM-84) has been in service since 1977 with air, ship, and sub-launched versions. It is used by over 30 countries, including India. Key features include all-weather, over-the-horizon capability, low-level sea-skimming trajectory, and active radar guidance. It has a 4.5m length, weighs 526 kg, and carries a 221 kg warhead. It can execute both land-strike and anti-ship missions with a range of 90-240 km using GPS-aided navigation.
6. Recently, which ministry has launched the “Jal hi AMRIT” program to incentivise states/UTs to promote efficient reuse of water?
[A] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Urban Development
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the “Jal Hi AMRIT” program under AMRUT 2.0 to enhance the quality of treated wastewater and promote its recycling in urban areas. The program aims to incentivize states and union territories to manage sewage treatment plants (STPs) for producing good quality recyclable water. It introduces a Clean Water Credit System to foster competition among cities and develop their capacities for effective water management. STPs will receive star ratings (3 to 5 stars) as clean water credits, valid for six months, and performance-based incentives will be awarded based on these ratings.
7. What is the name of world’s first government-funded Multimodal Large Language Model, recently launched by India?
[A] Antriksh
[B] GTS-5
[C] BharatGen
[D] IndiaPT5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [BharatGen]
Notes:
BharatGen was inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi as a generative AI aimed at improving public service delivery and citizen engagement. It is the world’s first government-funded multimodal large language model, focusing on developing efficient and inclusive AI in Indian languages. The project will take two years to complete and will benefit government, private, educational, and research institutions. BharatGen will support both text and speech, ensuring representation of India’s diverse languages and cultures. Its roadmap includes milestones up to July 2026 and aims to scale AI adoption across various sectors.
8. Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission, recently in news, is associated with which space organization?
[A] ISRO
[B] CNSA
[C] NASA
[D] ESA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NASA]
Notes:
NASA cancelled the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission due to delays and high costs. VIPER was fully assembled and partially tested before cancellation. It was a NASA mission to explore the Moon’s south pole for water ice and other resources. VIPER was part of the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, involving India. India missed an opportunity by approving Chandrayaan-4’s sample-return mission after VIPER’s cancellation.
9. Which state government recently declared desi (indigenous) cows as ‘Rajyamata-Gomata’?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Bihar
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra government granted indigenous cow breeds the title of ‘Rajyamata-Gomata’ for their cultural and agricultural significance. The decision was made by the Cabinet led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ahead of the state elections. The statement highlighted the cow’s importance in Indian culture since the Vedic period. Native cows’ milk, cow dung, and urine are valued in Ayurveda, Panchgavya treatment, and organic farming. The move officially recognizes the significant role of indigenous cows in these areas.
10. Lake Prespa, which was seen in the news, is located in which continent?
[A] Antarctica
[B] South America
[C] Europe
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Europe]
Notes:
Experts report that 430 of the 450 hectares of Albania’s Little Prespa Lake have become swamps or dried up. It is one of Europe’s oldest and highest tectonic lakes, located at the junction of three geological masses: granite, karstic, and Suva Gora. The area contains rocks from the Paleozoic era to the Neogene era. The lake system includes Great Prespa Lake (shared by Albania, Greece, and Macedonia) and Little Prespa Lake, mostly in Greece. Climate change, rising temperatures, and lack of snowfall and rain have significantly impacted the lake.