1. Recently, which state government has signed a MoU with NTPC for green hydrogen and renewable energy development?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra ]
Notes:
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government for the development of green hydrogen and renewable energy. The MoU includes the development of green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as green ammonia and green methanol, with a capacity of up to 1 million tons per year. The MoU also includes the development of renewable energy projects and pumped storage projects of 2 GW.
2. Agasthyagama edge, which was seen in the news, belongs to which one of the following species?
[A] Snake
[B] Kangaroo lizard
[C] Wolf spider
[D] Frog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kangaroo lizard]
Notes:
Scientists recently discovered a new kangaroo lizard species, Agasthyagama edge, in the Western Ghats. Named after the EDGE program, it’s the second in the Agasthyagama genus. Found in Kulamavu, Idukki, it belongs to the Agamidae family. These terrestrial reptiles, lacking a fifth toe for climbing, prefer leaf-covered areas. Averaging 4.3 cm in length, they are fast runners feeding on small insects, and they hide within dry leaves to avoid predators. The species is significant for its distinctiveness and global endangerment.
3. What is ‘Volt Typhoon’, recently mentioned in the news?
[A] A new artificial intelligence tool
[B] A new environment initiative
[C] A cyber hacking group
[D] A cryptocurrency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A cyber hacking group]
Notes:
The US government recently shut down China-backed hacking group “Volt Typhoon,” active since at least 2021. Specializing in espionage and targeting critical infrastructure, Volt Typhoon utilized stealth, living-off-the-land techniques, and preinstalled utilities. The group compromised small office/home office devices, maintaining persistence with stolen credentials. Known for routing traffic through hacked network equipment, such as home routers, Volt Typhoon made detection challenging.
4. Which Union Ministry implemented the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme’, recently seen in the news?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
The budget allocation for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 in 2023-24 is ₹25,449 crore, which is a 6%, increase from the revised estimates of ₹23,913 crore for 2022-23. In 2024, the budget estimate is ₹20,554 crore, which is 1.4% higher than the revised allocation of ₹20,263 crore for 2023. Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a part of the Mission Poshan 2.0, which was launched in February 2021 by Finance Minister. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is responsible for implementing this scheme.
5. Endangered Forest Owlet, recently sighted at which tiger reserve?
[A] Pench Tiger Reserve
[B] Melghat Tiger Reserve
[C] Bor Tiger Reserve
[D] Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Melghat Tiger Reserve]
Notes:
The endangered Forest Owlet, Athene blewitti, was recently sighted three times in the Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Initially described in 1873, it was considered extinct after 1884 but rediscovered in 1997. Endemic to central India, it’s observed in various states. Inhabiting diverse ecosystems, it’s small, stocky, with distinctive features. Diurnal and hunting during the day, it preys on rodents, reptiles, and insects. With an IUCN Red List status of Endangered and CITES Appendix I, conservation efforts are crucial.
6. What is the primary focus of the Gamma Ray Astronomy PeV EnergieS phase-3 (GRAPES-3) project, recently seen in news?
[A] To study cosmic rays
[B] To study exoplanet
[C] Investigating dark matter
[D] Measuring Earth’s natural resources
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To study cosmic rays]
Notes:
The GRAPES-3 experiment, situated in Ooty, India and operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, made a significant discovery in the cosmic-ray proton spectrum, revealing a new feature at 166 TeV. Equipped with air shower detectors and a large muon detector, GRAPES-3 aims to investigate the origin, acceleration, and propagation of cosmic rays, including the existence of the “Knee” in their energy spectrum. It also explores the production of highest-energy cosmic rays, astronomy of multi-TeV γ-rays, and the impact of the Sun on Earth.
7. Where was the ‘Digital India FutureLABS Summit 2024’ held?
[A] IIIT Guwahati
[B] IIIT Delhi
[C] IIIT Kottayam
[D] IIIT Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIIT Delhi]
Notes:
At the “Digital India FutureLABS Summit 2024” at IIIT-Delhi, CDAC Thiruvananthapuram transferred three Indigenous Technologies—Thermal Camera, CMOS Camera, and Fleet Management System—to 12 industries under the InTranSE Program of MeitY. This aligns with the Innovation, Science, and Technology theme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vikshit Bharat @2047 initiative. The Thermal Camera, with AI-based analytics, is intended for applications in Smart cities, Industries, Defence, Health, and more, after successful field testing for Road traffic applications.
8. Who has been appointed as the new Advocate General of Rajasthan?
[A] Ashok Kumar Jain
[B] Rajendra Prasad Gupta
[C] N.M. Lodha
[D] Praveer Bhatnagar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajendra Prasad Gupta ]
Notes:
Rajendra Prasad Gupta is the new Advocate General of Rajasthan. In India, the Advocate General is a legal advisor to the state government. The Governor of each state appoints an Advocate General who is qualified to be appointed as a Judge of a High Court.
9. Which one of the following is the best description of ‘ABHYAS’, recently seen in the news?
[A] A Transit method to detect planets
[B] A high-speed expendable aerial target
[C] A satellite
[D] A next generation Stealth aircraft
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A high-speed expendable aerial target]
Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently achieved success with four flight trials of ‘ABHYAS,’ a high-speed expendable aerial target. Developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, ABHYAS serves as a realistic threat scenario for weapon systems practice and validates Armed Forces equipment for aerial engagement. It features an autonomous flying design, an indigenously made autopilot, and a laptop-based Ground Control System for integration and analysis.
10. The term ‘Lupus’, recently seen in the news, is related to which one of the following?
[A] Autoimmune disease
[B] A geological formation
[C] Satellite launched by ISRO
[D] Invasive plant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Autoimmune disease]
Notes:
Australian researchers recently developed a solution for a lupus defect. Lupus, an autoimmune disease, prompts the immune system to harm organs and tissues, causing inflammation in skin, joints, blood, and vital organs like kidneys and heart. Its origin is unknown, believed to result from a blend of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Lupus predominantly affects women. Variants include Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Discoid lupus, Subacute cutaneous lupus, Drug-induced lupus, and rare Neonatal lupus linked to maternal antibodies in newborns.