1. Fimbristylis wayanadensis, a plant species, was recently discovered from which region of India?
[A] Eastern Ghats
[B] Himalayas
[C] Chotanagpur plateau
[D] Western Ghats
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Western Ghats]
Notes:
A new plant species Fimbristylis wayanadensis has been discovered in the high-altitude regions of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India. It belongs to the group of sedges, which are grass-like plants characterized by triangular stems. The species was identified during a scientific expedition in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The name wayanadensis honours its place of discovery. It is found in transitional zones between rocky terrains and high-altitude grasslands, at elevations up to 1,900 meters.
2. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous body under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Culture
[B] Ministry of External Affairs
[C] Ministry of Tourism
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of External Affairs]
Notes:
The Minister of State for External Affairs highlighted the role of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy during a visit to Yangon, Myanmar. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. It was established in 1950 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister. ICCR promotes India’s external cultural relations through cultural exchanges and a global network of cultural centres.
3. Where was the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region Zone VII Conference inaugurated?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Goa
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Goa]
Notes:
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region Zone VII Conference was recently inaugurated in Goa by the Lok Sabha Speaker. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is one of the oldest organisations in the Commonwealth, established in 1911. It is a membership-based body bringing together parliamentarians committed to the rule of law, democracy, and individual rights and freedoms. The Association comprises over 180 legislatures (branches) across nine geographic regions of the Commonwealth. Its mission is to strengthen parliamentary democracy through knowledge sharing, youth participation, gender equality, and equal representation.
4. The WAVES OTT platform has been developed by which organization?
[A] Doordarshan
[B] Prasar Bharati
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] All India Radio
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prasar Bharati]
Notes:
The Publications Division has made its flagship journals Yojana and Kurukshetra available free on the WAVES OTT platform. WAVES (Wireless Access to Virtual Entertainment Services) is a digital streaming platform developed by Prasar Bharati. It aims to meet India’s rising demand for Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming services. The platform provides live television, video-on-demand, games, radio streaming, and e-commerce integration via the Open Network for Digital Commerce.
5. Indravati Tiger Reserve is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Odisha
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh is reopening for tourism, marking a shift from conflict to conservation and eco-tourism. The reserve, along with Bhairamgarh and Pamed Wildlife Sanctuaries, forms the larger Indravati landscape. It has ecological connectivity with tiger reserves like Kawal Tiger Reserve, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, and Kanha Tiger Reserve. The Indravati River forms its northern and western boundary and an interstate border with Maharashtra.
