Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Maharashtra authorities have been directed to conduct an objective assessment of unauthorised structures around Shivneri Fort, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Shivneri Fort, located in Pune district, Maharashtra, is historically significant as the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort was associated with the Yadavas of Devagiri and later came under several ruling powers. It was an important defensive stronghold overlooking the Junnar region and surrounding trade routes.

Notes:
The Ladakh administration has launched a project to revive the shrinking Tso Kar Lake. Tso Kar is a high-altitude salt lake/wetland complex in Ladakh. It is located in the Rupshu Plateau region of southeastern Ladakh. The name Tso Kar means “White Lake” in the local Tibetan language. It is an important habitat for migratory birds, particularly the Black-necked Crane. The lake forms part of the important high-altitude wetland ecosystem of Ladakh. Tso Kar Wetland Conservation Reserve is recognised as a Ramsar Site.

Notes:
A seminar organised by the Cochin Port Employees Organisation (CPEO) called for the comprehensive revitalisation of Willingdon Island. The objective is to unlock the full potential of Cochin Port and increase revenue and employment. Willingdon Island is a man-made/artificial island located in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala. It is situated in the Vembanad Lake–Kochi backwater system. The island was created primarily to support the development and expansion of Cochin Port. It is named after Lord Willingdon, the former Viceroy and Governor-General of India.

Notes:
Nevados de Chillán volcano in Chile recently experienced an eruptive pulse, releasing ash and volcanic material. The volcanic material rose about 380 metres above the crater. Nevados de Chillán is an active volcanic complex located in the Andes Mountains of central Chile. It is part of the Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex, which includes several volcanic cones and vents. The complex is known for frequent eruptive activity, including ash emissions, lava flows and explosive events. Volcanic ash and gases can pose risks to nearby communities, aviation and agriculture, making continuous monitoring important. The volcano is monitored by Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN).

Notes:
Scientists have identified a new penguin species for the first time in more than 100 years. The new species is called Pygoscelis kerguelensis, commonly known as the southeastern gentoo penguin. It is found on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean, north of Antarctica. The archipelago consists of Grande Terre, the main island, along with more than 300 smaller islands and islets.

Notes:
A UN report has called for further steps by the United States to address the long-term consequences of its nuclear testing legacy in the Marshall Islands. The recommendations include providing better healthcare to affected communities and releasing classified historical records related to the nuclear testing programme. Marshall Islands is located in Central Pacific Ocean, roughly between Hawaii and Australia. It is a Micronesian island country consisting mainly of atolls and small islands. The country has 29 atolls and 5 individual islands, containing more than 1,000 individual islets. The two major population centres are Majuro Atoll and Kwajalein Atoll.

Notes:
A 17-member expedition team of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully climbed Mount Mukut on 7 October 2026, reaching a reported elevation of 7,045 metres. Mount Mukut, also known as Mukut Parbat, is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, near the India–Tibet border. It forms part of the Garhwal Himalayas and is associated with the Kamet mountain group in the Zanskar Range. The expedition was conducted under the technical supervision and training guidance of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), located in Darjeeling, West Bengal. The name Mukut means crown in Sanskrit and Hindi, referring to the mountain’s crown-like summit.

Notes:
Aldabra Atoll is located in the western Indian Ocean and forms part of the Outer Islands of Seychelles. A recent survey estimated approximately 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises, exceeding Seychelles’ human population of around 122,000. Aldabra Atoll and the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador are the two places where giant tortoises still roam freely in the wild. During the 19th century, hunting and exploitation reduced the Aldabra giant tortoise population to fewer than 1,000, bringing the species close to extinction. Strict conservation measures helped the population recover, making it an important wildlife conservation success story. Aldabra became an IUCN Strict Nature Reserve in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.

Notes:
Recently, the chemical tanker YARA J reached the Port of Constanta in Romania after being hit by a drone near Romania’s Sulina Anchorage. The Port of Constanta is located on the western coast of the Black Sea in Romania. It is one of the largest seaports in Europe and an important maritime gateway connecting Europe with international markets. The port is situated near the city of Constanta in southeastern Romania. It provides maritime connections between the Black Sea and the Danube River, supporting trade between the Black Sea region and Central and Eastern Europe.

Notes:
The world’s largest chinstrap penguin colony, located on Zavodovski Island, has experienced a major population decline. Zavodovski Island is a volcanic island in the South Sandwich Islands, located in the southern Atlantic Ocean near Antarctica. It is part of the British Overseas Territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The island lies in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the southern tip of South America.