1. The recently approved Rs 1,500 crore incentive scheme for critical minerals is a part of which mission?
[A] National Resource Efficiency Mission
[B] National Critical Mineral Mission
[C] National Circular Economy Mission
[D] National Mineral Security Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Critical Mineral Mission ]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved a Rs.1,500 crore Incentive Scheme to recycle critical minerals from secondary sources. This scheme is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) to build domestic capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience. The scheme will run for six years from Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs.1,500 crore. The scheme will benefit large recyclers, small recyclers and start-ups with one-third of the funds reserved for them. It will support investments in new units, expansion of capacity, modernization and diversification of existing units. The scheme will incentivize only those involved in actual extraction of critical minerals and not those doing only black mass production.
2. According to recent report, which States have crossed 50% coverage of Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card issuance?
[A] Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Odisha, Karnataka
[B] Bihar, Assam, Tripura, Sikkim
[C] Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand
[D] Assam, Tripura, Sikkim, West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Odisha, Karnataka]
Notes:
Less than 40% of India’s Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) have received a Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card. More than 11 lakh applications are pending, with 60% delayed for more than six months. The UDID sub-scheme under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) creates a national database and enables access to schemes. UDID cards allow PwDs to get benefits like Assistance to Persons with Disabilities (ADIP) scheme, scholarships, and job reservations. Coverage is above 50% only in Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya, Odisha, and Karnataka, while West Bengal has just 6%.
3. Researchers have found evidence that interstellar dust grains align with magnetic fields in the Milky Way. Interstellar dust grains are composed of which materials?
[A] Iron and nickel
[B] Silicates and carbonaceous material
[C] Hydrogen and helium
[D] Oxygen and nitrogen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Silicates and carbonaceous material]
Notes:
Scientists have found that tiny interstellar dust grains act as storytellers of the universe. A team led by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, provided the strongest observational evidence of how these dust grains align with magnetic fields in the Milky Way. Dust grains are a few micrometers in size, made of silicates and carbonaceous material, and exist throughout the interstellar medium. They play a key role in star and planet formation and cause starlight polarization detected since 1949.
4. What is the name of the biggest anti-Naxal operation conducted on Karregutta hill along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border?
[A] Operation Green Hunt
[B] Operation Prahar
[C] Operation Black Forest
[D] Operation Thunder
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Operation Black Forest]
Notes:
Personnel of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) were felicitated in New Delhi for ‘Operation Black Forest’. ‘Operation Black Forest’ is the biggest anti-Naxal operation ever on Karreguttalu hill along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The operation destroyed a major Naxal base camp, including material dumps and supply chains, despite extreme heat, high altitude, and threats from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The government aims to make India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.
5. According to recent study, which state has the lowest density of rosewood tree population in south India?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Only 17.2% of India’s suitable habitat for Dalbergia latifolia (Indian rosewood) lies within protected areas, according to the Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST), Bengaluru. The species is native to Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Parambikulam ranges. Field studies across 12 States (2019–2025) show Tamil Nadu has the lowest rosewood density at 2.85 trees per 0.1 hectare. Karnataka showed a higher density of 6.19 trees per 0.1 hectare, and Kerala had 5.38 trees per 0.1 hectare. Indian rosewood improves soil fertility, acts as a carbon sink, and is a keystone ecological species. Economically, it is called “Ivory of the Forests,” used in furniture, musical instruments, and handicrafts.
