1. Recently, the ‘Prithvi Shakti’ initiative was unveiled, aiming to integrate advanced AI-driven climate modeling with localized agricultural practices. Which ministry is primarily responsible for spearheading this ambitious project in India?
A) Ministry of Earth Sciences
B) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
C) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
D) Ministry of Science & Technology
Correct answer: B) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Notes: The ‘Prithvi Shakti’ initiative, launched on March 22, 2026, by the Indian government, is a groundbreaking project led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Its primary objective is to enhance agricultural resilience and productivity across India by leveraging cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and machine learning models for hyper-local climate predictions. This initiative integrates real-time satellite data, soil health metrics, and farmer feedback to provide precise, actionable advisories on crop selection, irrigation schedules, and pest management. By empowering farmers with data-driven insights, Prithvi Shakti aims to mitigate climate change impacts, reduce agricultural losses, and significantly boost the income of the agrarian community, fostering sustainable food security for the nation.
2. The ‘Deep Ocean Accord’, a landmark international treaty aimed at regulating resource exploration and conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction, officially entered into force today. Which of the following is NOT a primary focus area of this new accord?
A) Establishing marine protected areas in the high seas
B) Regulating deep-sea mining activities
C) Ensuring equitable benefit-sharing from marine genetic resources
D) Managing fishing quotas within Exclusive Economic Zones
Correct answer: D) Managing fishing quotas within Exclusive Economic Zones Notes: The Deep Ocean Accord, coming into effect on March 22, 2026, marks a pivotal moment for international ocean governance. Its core mandate is to protect and sustainably manage marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the high seas). Key pillars of the accord include establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems, implementing stringent environmental impact assessments for all activities, and developing frameworks for regulating deep-sea mining. Furthermore, it addresses the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from marine genetic resources. However, the accord specifically focuses on areas *beyond* national jurisdiction; managing fishing quotas *within* Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) remains under the sovereign control of individual coastal states, not this international treaty.
3. India recently concluded the ‘Dharma Guardian 2026’ military exercise with a key strategic partner. This annual exercise primarily focuses on enhancing interoperability and tactical skills in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Which country participated alongside India in this latest iteration?
A) France
B) Japan
C) United States
D) United Kingdom
Correct answer: B) Japan Notes: The ‘Dharma Guardian’ series of joint military exercises is a crucial component of the robust defense cooperation between India and Japan. The latest iteration, ‘Dharma Guardian 2026’, successfully concluded on March 22, 2026, further cementing the strategic partnership between the two nations. This annual exercise is specifically designed to enhance the interoperability and tactical proficiency of both armies in conducting operations in challenging environments, particularly semi-urban settings and mountainous terrains, which are highly relevant to potential security scenarios in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, fostering mutual understanding and best practices between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
4. The ‘BharatNet Phase III’ project, aiming to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages across India, received a significant budgetary allocation in the recent fiscal year. What is the primary technology backbone being utilized for the last-mile connectivity in this phase?
A) Satellite-based internet
B) Terrestrial 5G wireless networks
C) Optical Fiber Cable (OFC)
D) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations
Correct answer: C) Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) Notes: The ‘BharatNet’ project is India’s ambitious initiative to bring high-speed broadband connectivity to rural areas, aiming to bridge the digital divide. Phase III, which received substantial funding and is currently under rapid deployment as of March 22, 2026, primarily relies on Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) as its robust technology backbone for last-mile connectivity. While other technologies like 5G and satellite internet play supplementary roles in challenging terrains or specific use cases, OFC remains the fundamental medium for providing reliable, high-bandwidth connections to Gram Panchayats and rural households. This extensive fiber optic network is crucial for enabling digital services, e-governance, online education, and telemedicine across the country’s vast rural landscape, driving inclusive digital growth.
5. In a significant development for medical science, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently endorsed the global rollout of a new gene therapy for a rare neurodegenerative disorder. This therapy, known as ‘NeuroGen-X’, utilizes which advanced biotechnology approach?
A) CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
B) mRNA vaccine technology
C) Stem cell transplantation
D) Monoclonal antibody treatment
Correct answer: A) CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing Notes: The endorsement of ‘NeuroGen-X’ by the World Health Organization on March 22, 2026, represents a monumental leap in medical science, particularly in the treatment of rare genetic disorders. This pioneering gene therapy leverages the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology. CRISPR-Cas9 allows for precise targeting and modification of specific faulty genes responsible for the neurodegenerative disorder, effectively correcting the genetic defect at its source. Unlike traditional symptomatic treatments, NeuroGen-X aims for a curative approach, offering new hope to patients and their families. This development underscores the growing impact of advanced biotechnology in transforming healthcare, moving beyond conventional medicine to address diseases at their fundamental genetic level, potentially leading to long-term remission or full recovery.
