1. Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is the highest level of global health alert issued by which organization?
[A] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[B] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
[C] United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
[D] World Health Organization (WHO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [World Health Organization (WHO)]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is the highest level of global health alert issued by WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR). It is declared when a health crisis poses an international public health risk and requires coordinated global action.
2. Which organisation is the nodal agency for the National One Health Mission?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Indian Council of Agricultural Research
[C] Indian Council of Medical Research
[D] Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Council of Medical Research]
Notes:
The fifth meeting of the Scientific Steering Committee on the National One Health Mission was held in New Delhi. The mission was launched in 2024 to strengthen integrated disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness in India. It follows a collaborative approach connecting human, animal, and environmental health sectors. The mission aims to improve coordinated disease control and health security across sectors. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, is the nodal agency for the mission.
3. According to recent report, which state is the largest producer of Jaggery?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
India accounts for over 70% of global jaggery production, making it the world’s largest producer of jaggery. Jaggery, commonly called gur, is an unrefined natural sweetener made by concentrating sugarcane juice without chemicals. It retains important minerals and micronutrients often lost during sugar refining. Jaggery contains minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus along with vitamins and antioxidants. In India, Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
4. The Red Sand Boa (Eryx johnii), that was recently seen in news, is endemic to which countries?
[A] India, Nepal and Bhutan
[B] India, Pakistan and Iran
[C] India, Bangladesh and Myanmar
[D] India, Sri Lanka and Maldives
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India, Pakistan and Iran]
Notes:
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recovered live Red Sand Boa snakes from an illegal wildlife trade operation in Warangal. Scientifically known as Eryx johnii, the Red Sand Boa is a non-venomous snake found in dry regions of the Indian subcontinent. The species is endemic to India, Pakistan, and Iran. It prefers sandy and loose soil habitats and spends most of its time underground. The snake is known for its thick reddish-brown body and “double-headed” appearance due to its tail shape. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Near Threatened.
5. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is being developed as a second habitat for the Asiatic Lion to reduce extinction risks associated with concentrating the entire wild population in Gir Forest. The sanctuary is located in the Barda Hills near Porbandar in Gujarat. Historically, it served as a private hunting ground for the royal families of Jamnagar and Porbandar. The sanctuary features hilly terrain surrounded by forests, wastelands, and agricultural land.
