1. The Indian Mouse Deer was recently spotted at which wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra?
[A] Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
[B] Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary
[C] Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
[D] Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary]
Notes:
A rare Indian Mouse Deer was recently spotted at Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vasai, Maharashtra. The Indian Mouse Deer, also called the Indian Spotted Chevrotain, is a small even-toed ungulate of the family Tragulidae. Its scientific name is Moschiola indica. It is the smallest deer species in India and is very shy and elusive. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. Sri Lanka hosts a separate species called Moschiola meminna. In India, it lives in forests of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats up to Odisha, and Central India.
2. Which Indian shipyard built INS Savitri?
[A] Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata
[B] Cochin Shipyard Limited
[C] Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai
[D] Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai]
Notes:
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Savitri recently arrived at Port Louis, Mauritius, during its Long-Range Operational Deployment to the South West Indian Ocean Region. INS Savitri is an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy. It was built by Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai, and commissioned on 7 June 1990. The ship operates under the Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam. It performs roles like aerial surveillance, search and rescue, and patrol duties. It has a top speed of 15 knots (30 km/h) and is equipped with a 40×60 Bofors Gun and a helicopter deck for Chetak operations.
3. Scrub Typhus, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which microorganism?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Protozoa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacteria]
Notes:
A Gulf Keralite’s quick return home for fever treatment proved life-saving after he was diagnosed with scrub typhus. Scrub Typhus is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi. It spreads through bites of infected chiggers (young mites) and not from person to person. Its prevalence depends on factors like climate, vector abundance, farming, domestic animals, and sanitation. The disease is more common during cooler months.
4. Which institute recently initiated research on the Cycad plant due to concerns about a potential neurotoxin?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar
[C] National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow
[D] Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar]
Notes:
AIIMS Bhubaneswar has started research on the Cycad plant due to the presence of BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine), a possible neurotoxin. Cycads are palmlike, woody gymnosperm plants. They are ancient species that existed alongside dinosaurs for over 300 million years. They grow in various habitats, from wet rainforests and grasslands to semidesert and seasonally dry forests. Their distribution spans tropical and subtropical regions, including the Americas, Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, eastern India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Australia.
5. River Umngot, that was recently seen in news, flows through which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Manipur
[D] Meghalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Meghalaya]
Notes:
The pristine waters of River Umngot in Meghalaya are turning murky due to soil dumping and construction debris. River Umngot, also called Dawki River, flows through the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. It originates from the Eastern Shillong Peak at about 1,800 meters above sea level. The river forms a natural divide between the Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills. It is known for its crystal-clear water and is considered the cleanest river in India. An annual boat race is held on the river during March–April. It also serves as a natural boundary between India and Bangladesh.
