1. The ‘Jalaj’ project is an initiative of which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[C] Ministry of Urban Development
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Jal Shakti]
Notes:
Jal Shakti Minister C R Paatil held a review meeting on 30 April with the Wildlife Institute of India to assess the progress of the ‘Jalaj’ project. The ‘Jalaj’ project is a key initiative developed by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to support the rejuvenation of the Ganga River and biodiversity conservation. It involves setting up floating platforms on the Ganga River to promote livelihood activities for local communities. These platforms also raise awareness about conserving the river and its ecosystem. The project blends ecological restoration with sustainable development for Ganga-dependent populations.
2. The European Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) was recently spotted in which Indian state?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The European Red Admiral butterfly, scientifically called Vanessa atalanta, has been recorded for the first time in India near Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. This rare sighting was confirmed during a butterfly survey at Thatharna Hill in the Dhauladhar mountain range, at an altitude of 2,500 metres. The observation was verified by Himalayan butterfly expert Lovish Garlani from the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. This raises the total number of butterfly species in Himachal Pradesh to 440, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity. The species is known for long migrations across Europe and North America and was last seen in South Asia in 2022 in Pakistan after a 93-year gap. It has no confirmed records from China, Mongolia, or Afghanistan, making its presence in India a significant eastward range expansion.
3. What is the name of the new portal introduced by government to monitor food storage depots in real-time?
[A] Grain Tracker
[B] Depot Darpan
[C] Storage Suraksha
[D] Bharat Bhandaran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Depot Darpan]
Notes:
The government introduced the “Depot Darpan” portal and mobile app to monitor food storage depots in real time. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution is responsible for launching the Depot Darpan portal. The initiative aims to ensure quality and safety in food grain storage for over 80 crore beneficiaries. Depot Darpan is part of a larger push for scientific warehousing and smart storage solutions. It will allow depot managers to track infrastructure, operational efficiency, and financial performance using geo-tagged data. The platform will provide automated ratings and insights for timely improvements. All data will be 100% validated by supervisory officers and random third-party audits.
4. Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPDMA) initiative was announced during which major event?
[A] BRICS Summit 2024
[B] QUAD Tokyo Summit 2022
[C] ASEAN-India Summit 2021
[D] G7 Summit 2022
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [QUAD Tokyo Summit 2022]
Notes:
The United States has recently approved a military hardware and logistics support package for India to assist in the Integrated Platform for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). IPMDA is a technology and training initiative designed to boost maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and increase transparency in its vital waterways. It was announced by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, during the Tokyo summit in 2022. The initiative uses innovative technology to provide near real-time information on maritime activities to partners in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and the Pacific.
5. Which sector does the “Orange Economy” primarily refer to?
[A] Agriculture and horticulture sectors
[B] Digital and AI industries
[C] Creativity and cultural industries
[D] Renewable energy sectors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Creativity and cultural industries]
Notes:
At the recent World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s growing Orange Economy driven by content, creativity and culture. The Orange Economy, also called the creative economy, covers sectors that are based on cultural and creative ideas. As per the United Nations Economic Network, it focuses on using creative assets to boost economic growth and development. It combines economic, cultural and social factors while linking with technology, intellectual property and tourism. It includes industries based on individual talent, skill and innovation that can generate jobs, income and cultural value.
6. The Kisan Kalyan scheme was launched by which state government?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has banned stubble burning due to a rise in such cases after crop harvesting. Farmers found burning stubble will be denied benefits under the Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana (MKKY). Mukhyamantri Kisan Kalyan Yojana (MKKY) was launched by Madhya Pradesh government to provide financial help and improve the economic condition of farmers. It also aims to promote the use of modern agricultural technologies in the state. This decision highlights the government’s focus on controlling pollution and encouraging sustainable farming practices.
7. Mount Makalu, that was recently seen in news, lies on the border between which two regions?
[A] India and Nepal
[B] Nepal and Tibet
[C] India and Bhutan
[D] Bhutan and China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal and Tibet]
Notes:
The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently scaled Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. Mt. Makalu stands at 8,485 meters above sea level and is located in the Mahalangur range of the Nepal Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border. It lies 23 kilometers southeast of Mount Everest and is part of the Makalu Barun National Park. The mountain is famous for its pyramid-like shape with sharp ridges and includes two subsidiary peaks, Makalu I and Makalu II.
8. Which two countries jointly developed a new non-contact wearable device that monitors skin molecular flux without direct contact?
[A] India and Japan
[B] China and Germany
[C] United States and South Korea
[D] United Kingdom and France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States and South Korea]
Notes:
A new non-contact wearable device developed by researchers from the United States and South Korea can monitor health by measuring skin flux without touching the skin. The device is about the size of a smartphone and tracks molecular movements like vapour leaving the body and chemicals entering through the skin. It was developed under the leadership of Professor John A. Rogers at Northwestern University, USA. It creates a small sealed microclimate next to the skin and uses wireless electronics and tiny sensors to detect water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A remote-controlled valve adjusts the chamber’s openness for accurate comparisons.
9. Baglihar Dam is constructed on which river?
[A] Jhelum
[B] Chenab
[C] Narmada
[D] Godavari
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chenab]
Notes:
India recently halted the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River, a significant move impacting water access to Pakistan. The Baglihar Dam, also known as the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project, is located on the Chenab River in the Doda District of Jammu and Kashmir. It features a concrete gravity dam that is 144.5 meters high and 363 meters long, with a reservoir capacity of 475 million cubic meters. The underground powerhouse of the project measures 221 meters long, 24 meters wide, and 51 meters high.
10. The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is located in which state?
[A] Telangana
[B] Karnataka
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Telangana]
Notes:
The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has reported major damage to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) barrages after the 2023 floods. NDSA is India’s national safety regulator for large dams and was established under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021. KLIP is a multi-purpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River in Kaleshwaram, Telangana. The Godavari River, also called Dakshin Ganga, is the largest river in Peninsular India and originates from the Western Ghats in Nasik, Maharashtra. KLIP is set to become the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, using pumps to lift water to high points for irrigation.