1. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Question (Q1):
Which of the following objectives is NOT a part of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture?
निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा उद्देश्य ‘अंतरराष्ट्रीय पादप आनुवंशिक संसाधन संधि’ का हिस्सा नहीं है?
a) Establishing a global system for access to genetic materials
b) Protecting endangered animal species
c) Ensuring benefit-sharing from genetic resources
d) Recognizing farmers’ contribution to crop diversity
Answer:
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Answer: b) Protecting endangered animal species
Why in News:
India has raised concerns over the proposed amendments to Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, adopted in 2001 by FAO. The amendment could affect access and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
Explanation:
The Treaty focuses exclusively on plant genetic resources, not animals.
Its goals include:
Recognizing the role of farmers in preserving crop diversity.
Ensuring benefit-sharing mechanisms (via the Multilateral System – MLS).
Facilitating global access to plant genetic materials.
Protection of endangered animal species is outside the treaty’s scope and falls under other conventions (like CITES). Hence, (b) is NOT a part of this treaty.
2. National Biobank (Phenome India Project)
Question (Q2):
Consider the following statements regarding the National Biobank:
It will collect genomic and clinical data from 1 lakh individuals across India.
It is launched under the Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase project.
It aims to build India-specific risk prediction models for cardio-metabolic diseases.
राष्ट्रीय बायोबैंक के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:
यह पूरे भारत से 1 लाख व्यक्तियों का जीनोमिक और क्लीनिकल डेटा एकत्र करेगा।
इसे फिनोम इंडिया-सीएसआईआर हेल्थ कोहोर्ट नॉलेजबेस परियोजना के तहत शुरू किया गया है।
इसका उद्देश्य कार्डियो-चयापचयी रोगों के लिए भारत-विशिष्ट जोखिम पूर्वानुमान मॉडल बनाना है।**
a) Only 1 and 2
b) Only 2 and 3
c) Only 1 and 3
d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: b) Only 2 and 3
Why in News:
The government recently inaugurated the state-of-the-art “National Biobank” at CSIR-IGIB. It will gather health data from 10,000 people across India and support long-term health tracking.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The biobank will collect data from 10,000 individuals, not 1 lakh.
Statement 2 is correct: The initiative is under Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase (PI-CheCK).
Statement 3 is correct: A major goal is to develop India-specific risk models for cardio-metabolic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Hence, correct answer is (b).
3. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)
Question (Q3):
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)? परमाणु ऊर्जा विनियामक बोर्ड (AERB) के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/से कथन सही है/हैं?
It was established under the Atomic Energy Act of 1962.
AERB is responsible for framing policies related to nuclear weapons development.
It regulates safety in nuclear power plants and radiation facilities in India.
Options:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: c) 1 and 3 only
Why in News:
AERB has initiated a fresh nationwide safety audit of India’s radiation facilities and nuclear power plants following global concerns over aging infrastructure and radiation risks.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: AERB was set up in 1983 under Section 27 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to regulate nuclear and radiation safety.
Statement 2 is incorrect: AERB has no role in nuclear weapons; its focus is civilian nuclear and radiation safety.
Statement 3 is correct: AERB ensures safety in nuclear power plants, medical radiation units, and industrial radiation sources.
Hence, only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
4. Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV)
Question (Q4):
The Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), recently in news, belongs to which of the following virus families? हाल ही में चर्चा में रहा ऑस्ट्रेलियन बैट लाइसावायरस (ABLV) निम्नलिखित में से किस वायरस परिवार से संबंधित है?
a) Paramyxoviridae
b) Coronaviridae
c) Rhabdoviridae
d) Flaviviridae
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Answer: c) Rhabdoviridae
Why in News:
A case of Australian Bat Lyssavirus infection was recently confirmed in Queensland, Australia, raising global health concerns due to its high fatality rate and zoonotic transmission.
Explanation:
ABLV is closely related to Rabies virus and belongs to the Lyssavirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family.
It can be transmitted to humans via bat bites or scratches and can cause a fatal rabies-like illness.
It is preventable through timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), similar to rabies.
The news came to attention due to a fatal human case after bat exposure.
5. Wildlife Institute of India
Question (Q5):
Which of the following is NOT a function of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII)? निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा वन्यजीव संस्थान (WII) का कार्य नहीं है?
a) Conducting research on wildlife ecology and management
b) Training forest officers in wildlife conservation
c) Formulating international environmental treaties
d) Supporting policy development for biodiversity conservation
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Answer: c) Formulating international environmental treaties
Why in News:
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) completed 40 years of its establishment. Celebratory events and a new roadmap for future research in biodiversity were unveiled recently.
Explanation:
WII is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
It plays a crucial role in:
Wildlife research
Capacity building for forest officials
Wildlife monitoring
Scientific support to national and state-level policies
However, formulating international treaties is the role of the central government and not WII.
Hence, (c) is the correct answer as it is NOT a function of WII.
6. National Commission for Minorities
Question (Q6):
Consider the following statements about the National Commission for Minorities (NCM): राष्ट्रीय अल्पसंख्यक आयोग (NCM) के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:
NCM is a constitutional body under Article 338 of the Constitution.
It is mandated to evaluate the development of minorities in India.
Christians, Sikhs, and Jains are among the communities notified as minorities under the NCM Act.
Options:
a) Only 1 and 2
b) Only 2 and 3
c) Only 1 and 3
d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: b) Only 2 and 3
Why in News:
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has released its annual report on the status of minority welfare schemes and recommended improving grievance redressal systems.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: NCM is NOT a constitutional body. It is a statutory body under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.
Statement 2 is correct: One of its primary tasks is to monitor and evaluate the progress of minority development.
Statement 3 is correct: Communities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis are notified as minorities under the Act.
Hence, the correct answer is (b).
7. Satkosia Tiger Reserve
Question (Q7):
Consider the following statements about Satkosia Tiger Reserve: सतकोसिया टाइगर रिजर्व के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार करें:
It is located at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Eastern Ghats.
It spans across the states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
The reserve was created by merging Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary.
Options:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: c) 1 and 3 only
Why in News:
Satkosia Tiger Reserve has been in the news due to the revival of discussions around tiger reintroduction efforts, after the failure of past translocation attempts and renewed conservation push by Odisha Forest Department.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: The reserve lies along the Mahanadi River where it cuts across the Eastern Ghats, creating a gorge.
Statement 2 is incorrect: It is entirely located in Odisha, not in Chhattisgarh.
Statement 3 is correct: It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2007 by merging Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary and Baisipalli Sanctuary.
Thus, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
8. Seine River
Question (Q8):
The Seine River, often in global news, flows through which of the following capital cities? सेन नदी, जो अक्सर वैश्विक समाचारों में रहती है, निम्नलिखित में से किस राजधानी शहर से होकर बहती है?
a) Berlin
b) Rome
c) Madrid
d) Paris
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Answer: d) Paris
Why in News:
The Seine River has been cleared for open-water swimming as part of the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the first time in a century that the river will be used for such sporting events.
Explanation:
The Seine River is a major European river flowing through Paris, France.
It had long been polluted and unfit for swimming, but with a €1.4 billion clean-up project, it’s now being prepared for Olympic triathlon and open-water swimming events.
This restoration has been hailed as a significant urban ecological achievement.
9. AIR LORA
Question (Q9):
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the AIR LORA missile system? AIR LORA मिसाइल प्रणाली के संबंध में निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा/से कथन सही है/हैं?
It is a long-range ballistic missile system developed by Israel.
It can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms.
It is known for its pinpoint accuracy using GPS and inertial navigation.
Options:
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
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Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Why in News:
AIR LORA was recently showcased in a major international arms expo, drawing attention to its advanced strike capabilities and precision guidance.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: AIR LORA (Long Range Artillery) is a ballistic missile system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Statement 2 is correct: It has the flexibility to be launched from land, sea, and air-based platforms, offering multi-dimensional deployment.
Statement 3 is correct: The missile boasts pinpoint accuracy using a combination of GPS and inertial guidance systems, making it highly effective for tactical use.
Hence, all three statements are correct.
10. Pethia Dibrugarhensis
Question (Q10):
Pethia Dibrugarhensis, sometimes seen in news, is: पेथिया डिब्रूगढ़ेन्सिस, जिसे कभी-कभी समाचारों में देखा जाता है, क्या है?
a) A newly discovered species of butterfly in Arunachal Pradesh
b) An indigenous fish species found in the Brahmaputra drainage
c) A type of medicinal herb used by tribal communities in Assam
d) A traditional weaving pattern native to northeast India
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Answer: b) An indigenous fish species found in the Brahmaputra drainage
Why in News: Pethia Dibrugarhensis was recently reported in a research survey on freshwater biodiversity, emphasizing the need to protect native fish species in northeastern India.
Explanation:
It is a freshwater fish species endemic to the Brahmaputra River system, especially near Dibrugarh in Assam.
This species belongs to the Cyprinidae family, which includes carps and minnows.
Its conservation is crucial due to increasing habitat degradation and water pollution in the region.
