41. Hooch tragedy, recently occured in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
In Tamil Nadu’s Kallakurichi, at least 34 people died, and around 100 were hospitalized after consuming spurious liquor, known as hooch. Hooch, derived from the Alaskan Hoochinoo tribe, is produced in crude settings without quality control. Made through fermentation and distillation, it often contains toxic methanol. Improper distillation can concentrate methanol, making it highly dangerous. The incident underscores the lethal risks of consuming illicit alcohol.
42. Recently, who was elected unanimously as the Speaker of the 16th Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly?
[A] Ashok Bendalam
[B] C Ayyannapatrudu
[C] Koyye Moshenu Raju
[D] Jagan Mohan Reddy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [C Ayyannapatrudu]
Notes:
Telugu Desam Party’s Narsipatnam MLA, C. Ayyanna Patrudu, was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 16th Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on June 22, 2024. His election was unopposed as no other MLA filed a nomination for the Speaker’s post.
43. What is the primary purpose of the e-Samridhi Portal, recently seen in news?
[A] To provide agricultural loans
[B] For registration of farmers to procure pulses at MSP
[C] To offer crop insurance
[D] To promote organic farming
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [For registration of farmers to procure pulses at MSP]
Notes:
The Union Minister of Agriculture urged state governments to encourage farmers to register on the e-Samridhi portal for assured pulse procurement at Minimum Support Prices (MSP). Launched by NAFED and NCCF, the portal allows direct registration or through PACS and FPO. Payments are made directly to farmers’ bank accounts by NAFED. NAFED, an apex marketing cooperative founded in 1958, promotes agricultural trade and is headquartered in New Delhi.
44. What is ‘Dendrophthoe longensis’, recently mentioned in news?
[A] Fungal disease
[B] High speed attack submarine
[C] New species of plant
[D] Space exploration rover
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New species of plant]
Notes:
Indian botanists discovered two new plant species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Arunachal Pradesh. Dendrophthoe longensis, an aerial stem-parasitic plant, was found on mango trees in the evergreen forests of the Andamans. Petrocosmea arunachalense, a small, white, and hairy herb with purple blotches, was discovered in a cave in Arunachal Pradesh. It is only the second known Petrocosmea species in India.
45. What type of missile system is the ‘Javelin’, recently seen in news?
[A] Man-portable anti tank guided missile (ATGM)
[B] Intercontinental ballistic missile
[C] Cruise missile
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Man-portable anti tank guided missile (ATGM)]
Notes:
India and the US are discussing co-producing American Javelin missiles in India for its military needs. The Javelin is a man-portable antitank guided missile (ATGM) developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles and other targets like bunkers and helicopters, it features a 2,500-meter range, “fire-and-forget” infrared guidance, and a high-explosive antitank warhead. It can be shoulder-fired or vehicle-mounted.
46. Exercise HOPEX, recently seen in news, is a joint military exercise between which two countries?
[A] India and Japan
[B] India and UAE
[C] India and France
[D] India and Egypt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [India and Egypt]
Notes:
Exercise HOPEX is a joint military drill between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Egyptian Air Force aimed at enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation. Indian assets like Rafale fighter jets, C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and IL-78 tankers are participating in this exercise, which takes place in Egypt.
47. ‘School in a Box’ initiative, recently seen in news, is associated with flood-affected children of which Northeastern state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Nagaland
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
Flood-affected children in Assam will receive a ‘school in a box’ in 167 relief camps to continue their education. The initiative, aimed at children aged 6 to 18, helps them cope with trauma from losing homes or family members. Each camp will get a UNICEF-designed child-friendly space (CFS) kit with notebooks and learning materials. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority is training officials to maximize the kits’ utility and reduce children’s mental stress.
48. David Warner, who recently announced his retirement from International cricket, belongs to which country?
[A] Australia
[B] South Africa
[C] England
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
Notes:
David Warner’s 15-year international cricket career ended quietly as Australia’s exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Warner had announced this World Cup as his last, marking his final stages in international cricket. He played his last ODI in 2023, his final Test in early 2024, and concluded his career after the T20 World Cup, despite hinting at a possible return for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
49. Recently, which country has announced plans to implement the world’s first carbon tax on livestock emissions, starting in 2030?
[A] India
[B] Denmark
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Denmark]
Notes:
Denmark will introduce the world’s first emissions tax on livestock in 2030, targeting greenhouse gases from cows, pigs, and sheep. Farmers will initially pay 43 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent, increasing to 108 by 2035. However, a 60% tax deduction will reduce the effective rates to 17 per metric ton in 2030 and 43 in 2035.
50. What is ‘Factory farming’, recently seen in news?
[A] A traditional farming method of paddy
[B] Raising livestock and poultry in high-density facilities under controlled conditions
[C] It is related to Organic farming
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Raising livestock and poultry in high-density facilities under controlled conditions]
Notes:
Intensive animal agriculture, or factory farming, raises livestock and poultry in dense facilities to boost dairy output cost-effectively. Concerns include antibiotic resistance in 53% of Indian egg samples, zoonotic diseases originating from animals (60% known, 75% emerging), and significant environmental impact (14.5%-16.5% of global greenhouse gases). Diets rich in animal products also heighten risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
