1. Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra Forest Department has recently partnered with Microsoft and Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), Pune, to solve socio-ecological issues in Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary. Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest located in the Western Ghats near Pune, Maharashtra. It includes 12 compartments from Paund and Sinhgad ranges in Pune division and 8 compartments from Mangaon range in Roha division of Thane.
2. Where was the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2025 held?
[A] Indonesia
[B] France
[C] India
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
The seventh edition of the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) was held on June 6 and 7, 2025, in Nice, France. It was organised by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), which is headquartered in New Delhi. This was the first time the ICDRI conference was held in Europe. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a global platform launched by India in 2019 to strengthen infrastructure against climate and disaster risks.
3. Where was the new species of planarian worm named Dugesia punensis recently discovered?
[A] Loktak Lake, Manipur
[B] Chilika Lake, Odisha
[C] Pashan Lake, Pune
[D] Dal Lake, Srinagar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pashan Lake, Pune]
Notes:
A new species of planarian worm named Dugesia punensis was recently discovered in Pashan Lake, Pune, Maharashtra. Planarians are aquatic flatworms known for their amazing ability to regenerate lost body parts. This species was found in a wetland within the Western Ghats, which is a biodiversity hotspot. The discovery marks the first time since 1983 that a new planarian species has been identified in India. Dugesia punensis adds to the understanding of India’s freshwater biodiversity and highlights the ecological importance of urban wetlands like Pashan Lake.
4. Thitu Island, that was recently seen in news, is located in which region?
[A] South China Sea
[B] Red Sea
[C] Arabian Sea
[D] Black Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [South China Sea]
Notes:
A Chinese ship recently ran aground due to severe weather near Thitu Island, raising alert levels among Filipino soldiers in the disputed South China Sea. Thitu Island, also called Pag-asa Island in the Philippines, lies within the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The Spratly Islands are claimed entirely by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, and partially by Malaysia and the Philippines. Thitu is the second largest natural island in the Spratlys and the biggest of the nine occupied by the Philippines.
5. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) was launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]
Notes:
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 11 years in office, the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) has completed 9 years, improving maternal health across India. It was launched in June 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. PMSMA provides free and quality antenatal care (ANC) to pregnant women every month. India’s Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has reduced from 130 in 2014–16 to 80 in 2021–23, showing strong impact.
