1. According to Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) report, which state/UT has the highest number of snow leopard?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ladakh ]
Notes:
Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released India’s first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment report. The four-year-long scientific exercise, coordinated by the Wildlife Institute of India, estimates approximately 718 snow leopards in the wild. Ladakh leads with 477, followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (nine). India holds 10-15% of the global snow leopard population.
2. “Ungalai Thedi, Ungal Ooril” (Come Look for You, In Your Village) scheme, recently seen in the news, is launched by which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Government of Tamil Nadu introduces the Ungalai Thedi Ungal Ooril Scheme 2024, offering citizens monthly access to state government schemes and scholarships. This initiative aims to review project performance, inspect infrastructure, and address public concerns, ensuring effective implementation of government programs.
3. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, recently seen in the news, are located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
India has included five additional wetlands in the Ramsar Convention’s global list of significant wetlands, bringing the nation’s total to 80. Announced by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the newly added wetlands include Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, and Aghanashini Estuary from Karnataka, along with Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest from Tamil Nadu. This designation underscores India’s commitment to preserving vital waterlogged ecosystems.
4. What is the primary habitat of ‘Black-crowned Night Heron’, recently seen in the news?
[A] Wetlands
[B] Tropical rainforests
[C] Deserts
[D] Snow Mountains
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Wetlands]
Notes:
A ringed juvenile black-crowned night heron, found dead at a local pond in Imphal, was banded in China’s Beijing. The black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax, is a medium-sized heron with a stocky build, weighing 727-1014 grams and measuring 58-66 cm in length. Recognizable by its black crown, gray body, and red eyes, it’s a migratory species inhabiting wetlands. Opportunistic feeders, they mainly consume fish. The species is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
5. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on which payment bank?
[A] Airtel Payment Bank
[B] Paytm Payment Bank
[C] Jio Payment Bank
[D] India Post Payment Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Paytm Payment Bank]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL). The restrictions will come into effect on February 29, 2024. The RBI has ordered PPBL to stop accepting fresh deposits in its accounts or wallets after February 29, 2024. The RBI has also ordered PPBL to halt deposits and credit transactions after February 29, 2024. Customers will face restrictions on deposits, credit transactions, and top-ups. Certain services, including fund transfers and UPI facilities, will be discontinued. The RBI’s action against PPBL follows a comprehensive system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of external auditors.
6. Which state government has recently launched a ‘Mass Drug Administration’ campaign to eliminate filariasis?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh ]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is launching the Annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign from February 5 to 15 to eradicate filariasis. This initiative covers 17 districts and involves door-to-door visits by health workers to administer preventive medication, excluding specific demographics. The Chief Minister emphasizes active public participation, warns of filariasis symptoms, and advocates preventive medicine intake. The government is committed to eliminating filariasis by 2027, providing training for patient management, and involving Community Health Officers in the mission.
7. ‘Digital Detox’ initiative, recently seen in the news, is associated with which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka ]
Notes:
The Karnataka Government, in partnership with AIGDF and NIMHANS, introduced the Digital Detox Initiative to address mental health challenges arising from excessive technology use. The initiative aims to promote responsible gaming, offering awareness programs, personalized guidance at Digital Detox centers, and community connection through workshops. It responds to issues like decreasing attention spans and strained real-world connections due to over reliance on electronic devices, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to technology use for improved mental well-being.
8. What are Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), recently seen in the news?
[A] Events related to ocean tides
[B] Astronomical phenomena involving a star and a black hole
[C] Weather disturbances on exoplanets
[D] Supernova explosions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Astronomical phenomena involving a star and a black hole]
Notes:
An international team of astronomers recently observed AT 2023clx, the nearest Tidal Disruption Event (TDE) to Earth. TDEs happen when a star comes too close to a supermassive black hole, torn apart by tidal forces. The resulting debris falls onto the black hole, emitting radiation that indicates a TDE’s occurrence. This international team’s multi-wavelength observations enhance our understanding of these celestial events.
9. ‘Electricity 2024’ report, recently seen in the news, is released by which organization?
[A] International Energy Agency
[B] International Development Association
[C] Organization for Economic Development
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Energy Agency ]
Notes:
The International Energy Agency’s “Electricity 2024” report on India’s energy future reveals key trends: persistent coal reliance, a surge in renewable energy (44% of total capacity), and nuclear power’s promising growth. Despite India’s net-zero target by 2070, coal is projected to meet 68% of electricity demand by 2026. Renewable generation stabilizes with 21% in 2023, and hydropower faces a 15% fall due to changing weather. India aims to triple nuclear capacity by 2032, with 4 GW entering commercial operation by 2026, contributing to a global 10% increase.
10. Recently, which institution launched North India’s first Human DNA Bank under ‘Make in India’ initiative?
[A] Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] Delhi University (DU)
[D] IIT Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Banaras Hindu University (BHU)]
Notes:
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) inaugurates North India’s first human DNA bank, equipped with an Automated DNA Extractor Machine developed indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Installed at the Gnyaneshwar Lab in the Zoology Department on January 30, 2024, the machine minimizes plastic usage, ensuring environmental sustainability. It efficiently extracts DNA from various biological materials, accommodating 32 samples in 30 minutes. The initiative stemmed from a three-day conference on Personalized Medicine held in March 2023, where BHU expressed readiness to establish a genome bank inspired by Estonia.