1. Which international body recently launched the “Global Green Transition Fund” (GGTF), a new financing mechanism aimed at accelerating climate action and sustainable development in developing nations?
Notes: The “Global Green Transition Fund” (GGTF) was a significant outcome of the recent COP30 Summit, demonstrating a renewed global commitment to climate finance. Established with pledges from several developed nations and philanthropic organizations, the GGTF aims to provide accessible, concessional funding for projects related to renewable energy, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions in developing countries. Its operational framework prioritizes transparency and direct access for local communities, bypassing traditional bureaucratic hurdles. This initiative is crucial for bridging the existing climate finance gap, enabling nations to meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and fostering a just transition towards a global green economy, aligning with India’s sustainable development goals.
2. The Indian government recently announced the nationwide expansion of the “One Nation, One Digital Health ID” initiative, integrating it with which existing flagship social welfare program to streamline citizen services?
D. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Correct answer: B
Notes: The “One Nation, One Digital Health ID” initiative, now fully integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), represents a monumental leap in India’s healthcare digitalization. This integration aims to create a seamless ecosystem where patients’ health records are digitally accessible across various healthcare providers, with explicit consent. By linking the unique digital health IDs with the broader ABDM framework, citizens can manage their medical history, prescriptions, and lab reports more efficiently. This will significantly enhance healthcare delivery, reduce administrative burdens, and enable better policy formulation based on comprehensive health data, ultimately improving access and quality of care for millions of Indians.
3. Which organization recently announced a significant breakthrough in scalable quantum error correction, pushing quantum computing closer to practical applications by maintaining qubit coherence for extended periods?
Notes: IBM Quantum’s recent announcement regarding a major breakthrough in scalable quantum error correction marks a pivotal moment in the race for practical quantum computing. Scientists have long grappled with quantum decoherence and errors, which severely limit the stability and scalability of quantum processors. IBM’s innovative protocol, focused on maintaining qubit coherence for significantly extended periods while performing error correction, could drastically accelerate the development of robust quantum computers. This advancement is crucial for fields like material science, drug discovery, and cryptography, potentially enabling simulations and computations currently impossible, solidifying the global effort at the forefront of this transformative technology.
4. India recently launched the “Virasat Sanrakshan Abhiyan”, a national mission dedicated to the digital documentation, preservation, and public access of intangible cultural heritage. Which government ministry is leading this initiative?
A. Ministry of Tourism
B. Ministry of Culture
C. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
D. Ministry of Education
Correct answer: B
Notes: The “Virasat Sanrakshan Abhiyan,” spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, is a monumental national mission aimed at safeguarding India’s rich and diverse intangible cultural heritage. This initiative seeks to digitally document and create publicly accessible archives of various traditional arts, performing arts, rituals, social practices, and indigenous knowledge systems that are often passed down orally or through practice. By leveraging modern technology, the mission ensures the preservation of these invaluable cultural assets for future generations, preventing their erosion due to modernization or neglect. It also promotes research, education, and awareness about India’s unique cultural tapestry, aligning with UNESCO’s efforts to protect intangible heritage worldwide.
5. A new international standard for measuring and verifying carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) efficacy was recently adopted. This standard aims to ensure transparency and accountability in global climate mitigation efforts. Which organization played a key role in its development?
A. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
B. International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
C. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
D. Global CCS Institute
Correct answer: B
Notes: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) played a pivotal role in developing and adopting the new international standard for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) efficacy. This standard, designated ISO 14068, provides a harmonized framework for measuring, verifying, and reporting the performance of CCUS projects globally. Its adoption is critical for fostering trust and investment in CCUS technologies, which are seen as essential tools for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries. By ensuring transparent and accountable methodologies, the standard helps prevent greenwashing and ensures that CCUS projects genuinely contribute to climate mitigation goals, supporting global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, including India’s ambitious targets.
