1. A new species of snake, Lycodon irwini, was recently discovered in which region of India?
[A] Western Ghats
[B] Eastern Himalayas
[C] Great Nicobar Island
[D] Eastern Ghats
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Great Nicobar Island]
Notes:
Researchers recently confirmed a new species called Lycodon irwini, a glossy-black wolf snake from Great Nicobar Island, giving fresh importance to India’s biodiversity studies. It was discovered on the remote southern tip of the Nicobar Islands and belongs to the Lycodon subcinctus group. It is named after Australian conservationist Stephen Robert Irwin. It stayed unidentified for years because it closely resembled a widespread species. It has a uniform glossy-black colour, unlike relatives with white bands.
2. The National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) are the highest honours in which sector in India?
[A] Agriculture sector
[B] Fisheries sector
[C] Livestock and dairy sector
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Livestock and dairy sector]
Notes:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying recently announced winners of the National Gopal Ratna Awards (NGRA) 2025, highlighting current progress in India’s dairy sector. NGRA are the highest honours in the livestock and dairy sector and were launched under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in 2021. They are given by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The awards promote excellence among farmers, Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS), Milk Producer Companies (MPC), Dairy Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO) and Artificial Insemination Technicians (AIT).
3. Kwar Hydroelectric Project is located in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
A recent incident at the Kwar Hydroelectric Project tunnel in Kishtwar, Jammu region saw several labourers safely rescued after a truck caught fire. The Kwar Hydroelectric Project is a 540 Megawatt (MW) run-of-river project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd (CVPPL), a joint venture of NHPC Ltd (51%) and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) (49%). The project will generate 1,975.54 million units in a 90% dependable year.
4. Which UN body developed the Convention against Cybercrime?
[A] UN Security Council
[B] UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
[C] International Court of Justice (ICJ)
[D] UN Human Rights Council
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)]
Notes:
The Supreme Court recently asked the Centre to decide on ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, stressing its global relevance. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2024 to boost global cooperation against cybercrime. It aims to strengthen prevention, support capacity-building for developing countries, and promote international coordination. It will come into force 90 days after 40 countries ratify it, and India has not signed it yet. It is the first universal legally binding treaty against cybercrime, developed by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
5. Sentinel-6B is a joint mission of which agencies?
[A] NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] European Space Agency (ESA) and China National Space Administration (CNSA)
[D] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and European Space Agency (ESA)]
Notes:
Sentinel-6B was recently launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, marking a major step in global ocean monitoring. It is a joint mission of NASA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and European Space Agency (ESA). It will track rising sea levels and their impacts, continuing the work of Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich launched in 2020. It orbits Earth at 7.2 km per second, completing one revolution in 112 minutes. It will measure sea levels with accuracy up to one inch, covering over 90% of oceans. Its mission life is 5.5 years. It carries six science instruments and uses fixed plus deployable solar panels in a non-Sun-synchronous orbit
