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. According to the ‘Solar Policy 2024’, what is the targeted installed capacity of solar power in Delhi by 2027?
[A] 5500 MW
[B] 3500 MW
[C] 4500 MW
[D] 2500 MW
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4500 MW]
Notes:
The Delhi government has launched the Delhi Solar Policy 2024 to boost solar power adoption. Residents can install rooftop solar panels, leading to zero electricity bills and potential income from excess power sales to the grid. The policy targets 4500 MW of solar power by 2027, up from the previous goal of 1500 MW. Stemming from the 2016 policy, which yielded 1500 MW capacity, the new policy aims to curb air pollution, cut electricity costs, and promote sustainable energy in Delhi.
3. “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.
4. Which one of the following is the mascot for the Khelo India Winter Games 2024?
[A] Bengal Tiger
[B] Snow Leopard
[C] Hangul
[D] Arctic Fox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Snow Leopard]
Notes:
The mascot for the 2024 Khelo India Winter Games is the snow leopard, named “Sheen-e She” or “Shan” in the Ladakh region. The mascot was chosen to reflect the region’s biodiversity and tradition. The games will be held in Ladakh from February 2–6, and in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21–25. The mascot symbolizes the spirit of the games and highlights the need to conserve this endangered species.
5. 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.
6. What is ‘eROSITA’, recently mentioned in the news?
[A] Drone
[B] X-ray telescope
[C] Artificial Intelligence tool
[D] Submarine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [X-ray telescope]
Notes:
The German eROSITA consortium has released data from the first all-sky survey conducted by the eROSITA X-ray telescope on the Russian-German SRG observatory. eROSITA stands for extended ROentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array and is the main instrument on the Russian spacecraft Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG). Launched in July 2019, it maps the entire celestial sphere every six months, with eight surveys planned until December 2023. The survey aims to provide insights into various astrophysical phenomena, including supermassive black hole evolution and X-ray-emitting solar system bodies.
7. Recently, who has taken charge as the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India?
[A] Adhir Arora
[B] Karambir Singh
[C] Lochan Singh Pathania
[D] Sunil Lamba
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Lochan Singh Pathania]
Notes:
Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania is the Chief Hydrographer of the Indian government. Pathania is a Hydrography Specialist who has a naval career spanning over four decades. He joined the Indian Navy in 1990 in the Executive branch. He has commanded the ships Darshak and Sandhayak, and has carried out hydrographic surveys across India and the Indian Ocean Region.
8. 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.
9. Where was the ‘India’s First Digital National Museum of Epigraphy’ inaugurated?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Chennai
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hyderabad]
Notes:
Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the foundation stone for India’s digital National Museum of Epigraphy at the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad. Managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum aims to digitize one lakh ancient inscriptions from various periods and languages, aligning with the Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions initiative. Reddy praised the development as a key stride in the Modi government’s “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” commitment, underscoring the role of technology in providing universal access to cultural heritage and highlighting the museum’s transformative potential for scholars.
10. Which country recently adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing?
[A] Angola
[B] Gabon
[C] Cameroon
[D] Rwanda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cameroon ]
Notes:
Cameroon recently adopted the Nagoya Protocol, a global agreement enforcing access and benefit-sharing obligations outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity. Adopted in 2010 and effective since 2014, the Protocol establishes a legal framework facilitating fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resource utilization. It supports biodiversity-based research, ensuring researchers access resources for biotechnology while indigenous communities receive fair returns, respecting the value of traditional knowledge linked to genetic resources.