1. The Bnei Menashe community is primarily found in which states?
[A] Mizoram and Manipur
[B] Gujarat and Rajasthan
[C] Nagaland and Tripura
[D] Bihar and Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mizoram and Manipur]
Notes:
Israel approved a plan to bring all the remaining 5,800 Bnei Menashe people from India over the next five years. Bnei Menashe is an ethnic community from Mizoram and Manipur in North-East India. They claim descent from the biblical Tribe of Manasseh, one of the lost tribes of Israel. They were Christians who later adopted Judaism and follow Jewish customs and festivals. Historians believe they came to India around 300 to 500 years ago. After contact with Israel in the 1980s, they adopted modern Jewish education and practices. About half the community has already migrated and taken Israeli citizenship. Around 1,200 will move by 2026 and the remaining 4,600 by 2030, completing the migration.
2. The Hawfinch Bird was recently recorded in which national park of Uttarakhand?
[A] Nanda Devi National Park
[B] Rajaji National Park
[C] Jim Corbett National Park
[D] Valley of Flowers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jim Corbett National Park]
Notes:
The Hawfinch was recently recorded at Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and East Asia. Its scientific name is Coccothraustes coccothraustes. It lives in forests, orchards, parks, and near streams. It is about 18 centimetres long with a wingspan of 29 to 33 centimetres. Its conservation status is Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.
3. The Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Programme is implemented by which government department?
[A] Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
[B] Department of Biotechnology
[C] Department of Commerce
[D] Department of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Department of Science and Technology ]
Notes:
The Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme is becoming popular among young startups and innovators. It works under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations which is NIDHI. It encourages graduate students to choose entrepreneurship as a career. It provides financial and non-financial support in the form of a fellowship. It offers startup infrastructure, mentoring, technical guidance, and industry support. It is implemented by the Department of Science and Technology with NCL Venture Centre.
4. Finn’s Weaver, that was recently seen in news, is naturally found in which region?
[A] Western Ghats
[B] Deccan Plateau
[C] Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys
[D] Aravalli Range
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys]
Notes:
The Finn’s Weaver is silently disappearing from the marshy lowlands of the Terai region in India. Its scientific name is Ploceus megarhynchus and it is also called Finn’s baya or yellow weaver. It is named after Frank Finn, a British officer and bird expert. It is native to the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys in India and Nepal. It lives near dams, reservoirs, marshy soil, tall grass, semal and shisham trees. It builds nests on tall grass and trees and feeds mainly on seeds and insects. Its status is Vulnerable as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
5. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is implemented by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
[B] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[C] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Minority Affairs]
Notes:
The government reviewed the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) and emphasized better use of its portal and SNA-SPARSH. PMJVK is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The scheme aims to provide basic amenities such as schools, health centers, hostels, community halls, drinking water, sanitation, and skill development facilities in Minority Concentrated Areas (MCAs). It is open to all districts where the minority population exceeds 25% within a 15-kilometre radius.
