1. Satkosia Tiger Reserve, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Haryana
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved the resumption of the big cat relocation project in Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Odisha, after a four-and-a-half-year suspension. Satkosia Tiger Reserve is located in Odisha, spanning four districts: Angul, Cuttack, Boudh, and Nayagarh. It covers 1,136.70 sq. km., with a core area of 523.61 sq. km., and is part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve. The reserve is a meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats regions. The terrain is hilly with slopes and valleys; the Mahanadi River flows through it.
2. Nazca Ridge, recently seen in the news, is a submarine ridge located in which ocean?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Arctic Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Atlantic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Oceanographers found a new seamount on the Nazca Ridge, 900 miles off Chile’s coast. Nazca Ridge is a submarine ridge in the southeastern Pacific Ocean near South America. It is around 1,100 kilometers long and varies in width. The ridge starts at the Nazca Plate off Peru and extends southwest towards Easter Island, Chile. It was created by volcanic activity from a hotspot in the Earth’s mantle. The ridge consists of unusually thick basaltic ocean crust.
It is tectonically active, subducting beneath the South American Plate at the Peru-Chile Trench.
3. Recently, where was the “National Conference of District Judiciary” held?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Chennai
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Supreme Court of India organized a two-day National Conference of the District Judiciary on August 31 and September 1, 2024 in New Delhi. The conference was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, where a coin and postage stamp were released to commemorate 75 years of the Apex Court. The event featured six sessions attended by over 800 participants from the district judiciary across all States and Union Territories. Sessions focused on improving infrastructure, accessibility, and inclusivity in the judiciary, addressing judicial security, case management strategies, and enhancing judicial training programs. The conference also discussed how higher courts can better support district judiciary needs.
4. What is the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), recently in news?
[A] Environmental protection
[B] Economic development
[C] Maintenance of international peace and security
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maintenance of international peace and security]
Notes:
India should be given a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for its rightful place, according to former Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani. The UNSC is one of the five main organizations of the United Nations, responsible for maintaining global peace and security. All UN member states must follow UNSC decisions. The UNSC identifies threats to peace, urges peaceful dispute resolution, and may impose sanctions or authorize military action. It has 15 members: five permanent (P5) with veto power (UK, China, France, Russia, USA) and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. UNSC headquarters is in New York City.
5. Recently, which state government has been launched ‘Project Bhediya’ to capture wolves?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Bihar
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
A recent man-eating wolf attack in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, has put about 35 villages on high alert. Forest officials have launched ‘Project Bhediya’ to capture the wolves involved. India has two wolf species: the Indian Wolf in peninsular regions and the Himalayan Wolf in the upper trans-Himalayan ranges. Wolves are highly social, living in packs of 6-8, running at high speeds, and maintaining a male dominance hierarchy. They communicate through vocalizations and scent-marking. Grey Wolf is listed as Least Concern by IUCN, while the Himalayan Wolf is Vulnerable; both are protected under Schedule I of WPA, 1974.
6. What is ‘Ophiocordyceps unilateralis’, recently seen in news?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Fish
[C] Virus
[D] Fungus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Fungus]
Notes:
Wildlife researcher Chris Ketola shared a video of a tarantula infected by a zombie fungus called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. This fungus drains its host of nutrients and fills its body with spores for reproduction. The fungus takes control of the host’s mind and motor functions, then eats away at the body. Cordyceps fungi mainly infect invertebrates, especially insects like ants and spiders. Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders belonging to the Theraphosidae family. Over 900 species of tarantulas exist worldwide, except in Antarctica. Tarantulas are nocturnal predators with an average body length of 5 inches and a leg span of up to 11 inches.
7. ‘Exercise Varuna’, recently seen in the news, is the bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Australia
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [France]
Notes:
The 2024 edition of Indo-French bilateral naval ‘Exercise Varuna’ held in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2-4, 2024, involving advanced tactical exercises. The Indian Navy’s P-8I aircraft landed at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube in France for its first-ever European deployment. This was for the 22nd edition of Exercise Varuna with the French Navy. The last time an Indian Navy aircraft flew in France was 63 years ago when the Alize aircraft from INS Vikrant operated at Hyeres Airbase. The India-France naval exercise began in 1993, was named ‘Varuna’ in 2001, and reflects a strong strategic partnership between the two countries.
8. Which ministry recently launched the ‘AgriSURE Fund’ and ‘Krishi Nivesh Portal’ in New Delhi?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
[B] Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare]
Notes:
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AgriSURE Fund and Krishi Nivesh Portal in New Delhi. He conferred the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Excellence Awards to top-performing banks and states. The awards recognized and appreciated outstanding efforts in agricultural infrastructure. Ministers of State and representatives from various states and banks attended the event. The Ministry believed the award ceremony would inspire other banks to improve their performance. The AIF was launched in 2022 to develop post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
9. Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is organizing a five-day residential Management Development Programme (MDP) with which institution?
[A] IIM Ahmedabad
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIM Amritsar
[D] IIT Kanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIM Amritsar]
Notes:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and IIM Amritsar conducted a five-day Management Development Programme. The program ran from 2nd to 6th September 2024. It included Elected Representatives and Functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions from ten states. Participants came from Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The aim was to strengthen leadership, management, and governance skills. The initiative focused on improving local governance and enhancing Panchayat services. The program supported the vision of a developed India.
10. Recently, how much fund has been approved for the Digital Agriculture Mission by the Union Cabinet of India?
[A] Rs 500 Crore
[B] Rs 2,500 Crore
[C] Rs 2,817 Crore
[D] Rs 1,500 Crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 2,817 Crore]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the Digital Agriculture Mission with a budget of Rs. 2817 Crore. The central share for this mission is Rs. 1940 Crore. The mission supports digital agriculture initiatives through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Digital General Crop Estimation Survey (DGCES), and other IT projects. Three main components under DPI are AgriStack, Krishi Decision Support System (DSS), and Soil Profile Maps. These components aim to provide solutions for farmers to access various services. AgriStack will include a Farmers’ Registry, Geo-referenced Village Maps, and a Crop Sown Registry managed by state governments