1. India’s ambitious ‘Chandrayaan-4’ mission recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully deploying its advanced robotic rover, ‘Pragyan-2’, on which lunar pole for resource exploration?
A) North Pole
B) South Pole
C) Equatorial Region
D) Oceanus Procellarum
Correct answer: B) South Pole Notes: The Chandrayaan-4 mission marks a significant leap in India’s space exploration endeavors, following the successes of its predecessors. The successful deployment of ‘Pragyan-2’ on the Moon’s South Pole is a strategic move, driven by the region’s unique characteristics. This area is believed to harbor significant quantities of water ice in permanently shadowed craters, a crucial resource for future human lunar missions and potential in-situ resource utilization. The rover’s advanced instruments are designed to conduct detailed analyses of the lunar regolith, identifying water ice composition, elemental abundances, and geological formations, thus paving the way for deeper understanding of lunar evolution and resource potential.
2. The “Global Carbon Sequestration Accord (GCSA)” was recently signed by 15 nations, including India, aiming to significantly boost carbon capture technologies. This accord primarily focuses on which of the following?
A) Regulating cryptocurrency mining
B) Enhancing deep-sea exploration
C) Deploying advanced direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technologies
D) Standardizing international drone regulations
Correct answer: C) Deploying advanced direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS) technologies Notes: The Global Carbon Sequestration Accord (GCSA) represents a concerted international effort to combat climate change by accelerating the development and deployment of crucial carbon removal technologies. Its core objective is to incentivize and facilitate the widespread adoption of Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Bioenergy Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technologies. These methods are vital for actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, not just reducing emissions. The accord includes provisions for funding, technology transfer, and collaborative research, ensuring that signatory nations, like India, can collectively achieve ambitious climate targets and mitigate the impacts of global warming effectively.
3. To combat the alarming decline in the population of a critical apex predator, the Indian government, in collaboration with conservation groups, launched ‘Project Snow Leopard 2.0’. This project’s primary goal is to:
A) Relocate snow leopards to warmer climates
B) Establish dedicated snow leopard breeding centers in zoos
C) Expand protected areas, implement community-based conservation, and enhance anti-poaching measures in high-altitude regions
D) Introduce new species to snow leopard habitats for biodiversity
Correct answer: C) Expand protected areas, implement community-based conservation, and enhance anti-poaching measures in high-altitude regions Notes: Project Snow Leopard 2.0 is an ambitious initiative by the Indian government to safeguard the endangered snow leopard, often referred to as the ‘ghost of the mountains’. This project goes beyond traditional conservation by focusing on a holistic approach. Its primary objectives include the expansion and effective management of protected areas across India’s high-altitude Himalayan ranges, crucial for their habitat. Furthermore, it strongly emphasizes community-based conservation, engaging local communities in protection efforts and sustainable livelihood development to reduce human-wildlife conflict. Enhanced anti-poaching strategies and advanced monitoring technologies are also central to the project, ensuring the long-term survival of this majestic species.
4. The ‘Kisan Udyami Utkrisht Yojana’, recently unveiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to empower farmers through technological innovation and entrepreneurship. Which of the following is its core objective?
A) Providing free seeds to all farmers
B) Subsidizing agricultural exports exclusively
C) Promoting drone technology for precision farming, fostering agro-processing units, and offering financial incentives for sustainable agricultural startups
D) Implementing a universal basic income for rural populations
Correct answer: C) Promoting drone technology for precision farming, fostering agro-processing units, and offering financial incentives for sustainable agricultural startups Notes: The ‘Kisan Udyami Utkrisht Yojana’ represents a forward-thinking initiative by the Indian government to revolutionize the agricultural sector. Moving beyond traditional farming support, the scheme’s core objective is to transform farmers into agri-entrepreneurs by integrating modern technology and business acumen. It specifically promotes the adoption of drone technology for precision farming, enabling efficient monitoring, spraying, and data collection. Furthermore, it focuses on establishing and strengthening agro-processing units, adding value to agricultural produce. The scheme also provides substantial financial incentives and mentorship for sustainable agricultural startups, aiming to create a robust, technologically advanced, and self-reliant farming ecosystem across the nation.
5. India recently successfully hosted the 2026 World Athletics Championships. Which Indian city was the primary host for this prestigious global event, showcasing its state-of-the-art sports infrastructure?
A) Mumbai
B) Bengaluru
C) New Delhi
D) Chennai
Correct answer: C) New Delhi Notes: New Delhi proudly served as the primary host city for the 2026 World Athletics Championships, marking a historic moment for India in the global sporting arena. The city’s extensive preparations, including significant upgrades to its existing sports infrastructure and the construction of new, world-class facilities, ensured a seamless and spectacular event. Major venues like the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the newly built National Athletics Arena were pivotal in hosting various track and field events, attracting athletes and spectators from around the globe. This successful hosting underscored India’s growing capability to organize large-scale international sporting events and further bolstered its image as a prominent player in world sports.
