1. Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar, which were recently seen in news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Ant
[C] Butterfly
[D] Honeybee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Spider]
Notes:
Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new jumping spider species — Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar — in Meghalaya. Both belong to the Salticidae family known for sharp vision, fast reflexes and hunting by stalking instead of web-making. Asemonea dentis is only the third Indian species of its genus, named for a tooth-like projection on the male; males are greenish-brown with a pale-yellow V-shape and females are creamy white with black marks. Colyttus nongwar is the second Indian species of its genus, named after Nongwar village; both sexes have a reddish-brown oval body with creamy bands and chevron patches.
2. What is the name of India’s first solar observatory mission launched to study the Sun?
[A] Chandrayaan-3
[B] Aditya-L1
[C] Astrosat
[D] NISAR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aditya-L1]
Notes:
Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, helped scientists understand why the May 2024 solar storm — the strongest in 20+ years — behaved unusually. A solar storm is a sudden burst of particles, energy, magnetic fields, and solar material ejected by the Sun. It is caused when the Sun’s twisted magnetic fields become overstretched and snap in a magnetic reconnection, releasing huge energy. Solar storms can produce a solar flare, radiation storm, or a coronal mass ejection (CME).
3. Sultanpur National Park is located in which state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Haryana]
Notes:
Sultanpur National Park, located in the Gurgaon district of Haryana about 46 km from Delhi, is witnessing a major increase in migratory birds as winter temperatures drop. The Sultanpur Jheel is a seasonal freshwater wetland whose water levels rise and fall depending on rainfall and seasonal inflows. This shallow lake is mainly replenished by water from the Yamuna River’s Gurgaon canal and by overflow from surrounding agricultural fields. It was designated a Ramsar Site in 2021, recognising its global ecological importance.
4. African penguin, that was recently seen in news, is mainly found in which regions?
[A] Tanzania and Kenya
[B] Namibia and South Africa
[C] Mozambique and Madagascar
[D] Ghana and Angola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Namibia and South Africa]
Notes:
A new study revealed that over 60,000 African penguins died from starvation between 2004 and 2011 due to a collapse in sardine stocks. The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a flightless species adapted to marine life in southern African waters. They live mostly within 40 km of the shore, using coastal habitats for breeding, resting and moulting. Their distribution mainly covers Namibia and South Africa’s Atlantic coast. The species has an average wild lifespan of 20 years. Global warming is severely damaging their marine and coastal habitats. The IUCN lists the African penguin as Critically Endangered.
5. Where was the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) inaugurated?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mumbai]
Notes:
The 3rd Session of the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) was recently inaugurated virtually in Mumbai by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Its motto is “Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet.” It aims to improve and standardise aids to navigation worldwide, promote safe and efficient vessel movement, support new technological developments and strengthen international cooperation.
