1. Recently, the ‘Lunar Gateway Mission’ was mentioned in news concerning international space collaboration. Which space agency, besides NASA, is a primary partner in the development and operation of the habitat module for this ambitious lunar outpost?
A) Roscosmos (Russia)
B) European Space Agency (ESA)
C) China National Space Administration (CNSA)
D) Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Correct answer: B) European Space Agency (ESA) Notes: The Lunar Gateway is a critical component of NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon. While NASA leads the overall mission, it is a truly international effort. The European Space Agency (ESA) is a key partner, contributing significantly to the habitat module, I-HAB (International Habitat), and providing important service modules and refuelling capabilities. JAXA (Japan) and CSA (Canada) are also integral partners, providing modules like the ESPRIT and Canadarm3 respectively. This collaborative model underscores a global commitment to deep space exploration, sharing both the scientific rewards and the immense technical challenges of humanity’s return to the Moon. The Gateway will serve as a science laboratory, a staging area for lunar surface missions, and potentially a stepping stone for future Mars missions.
2. The Indian government recently announced the launch of the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Phase 2’. What is the primary objective of this enhanced scheme?
A) To provide free cooking gas connections to rural households.
B) To subsidize electricity bills for industrial units using solar power.
C) To install rooftop solar panels in one crore households with significant subsidies.
D) To distribute free solar-powered water pumps to farmers across the country.
Correct answer: C) To install rooftop solar panels in one crore households with significant subsidies. Notes: The ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana Phase 2’ builds upon the successful first phase, with an ambitious target to further boost solar energy adoption at the household level. Its core objective is to facilitate the installation of rooftop solar panels in one crore (10 million) households across India, aiming to provide them with up to 300 units of free electricity every month. The scheme offers substantial financial assistance, including a central financial assistance for the installation of the systems, alongside accessible bank loans at concessional rates. This initiative is a significant step towards enhancing energy security, promoting sustainable living, and reducing carbon emissions, while also creating employment opportunities in the green energy sector.
3. Which of the following international bodies recently adopted a landmark resolution on ‘Sustainable Fisheries Management in High Seas’ to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices globally?
A) World Trade Organization (WTO)
B) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
C) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
D) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Correct answer: C) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Notes: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has historically been instrumental in establishing international legal frameworks and resolutions concerning the oceans and marine resources. While bodies like the FAO play a crucial role in technical guidance and data collection for fisheries, and the IMO focuses on maritime safety and pollution, it is often the UNGA that provides the overarching political mandate and adopts broad resolutions impacting global governance. This particular landmark resolution reflects a growing international consensus on the urgency of protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fish stocks in areas beyond national jurisdiction, where IUU fishing poses a significant threat to ecological balance and economic equity for responsible fishing nations.
4. The Indian Navy recently commissioned its newest indigenously built Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer, INS ‘Vindhyagiri’. This warship belongs to which class of destroyers, known for their advanced stealth features and firepower?
A) Kolkata-class
B) Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B)
C) Delhi-class
D) Shivalik-class
Correct answer: B) Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) Notes: INS Vindhyagiri, commissioned into the Indian Navy, represents a significant milestone in India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative in defence manufacturing. It is the latest addition to the Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) destroyers, following INS Visakhapatnam, INS Mormugao, and INS Imphal. These destroyers are an upgraded follow-on to the successful Kolkata-class (Project 15A) and boast enhanced stealth features, advanced automation systems, and powerful indigenous weaponry, including BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles. The Visakhapatnam-class ships are designed to bolster the Indian Navy’s blue-water capabilities and play a crucial role in maintaining maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
5. Which Indian state recently launched the ‘Mukhya Mantri Gramin Sauchalaya Punar-Jeevani Yojana’ to revamp and ensure the sustained usage of community toilets in rural areas, focusing on hygiene and accessibility?
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Bihar
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Rajasthan
Correct answer: A) Uttar Pradesh Notes: The ‘Mukhya Mantri Gramin Sauchalaya Punar-Jeevani Yojana’ is an initiative recently launched by the government of Uttar Pradesh. The scheme’s primary focus is to ensure the long-term functionality and cleanliness of community toilets (इज्जत घर – Izzat Ghar) that were previously constructed in rural areas under various cleanliness drives. Recognizing that mere construction is not enough, this Yojana aims to undertake repair, maintenance, and regular cleaning of these facilities, making them more accessible and user-friendly for villagers. It emphasizes community participation and aims to instill behavioral change regarding hygiene, thereby contributing significantly to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s goals of sustained sanitation and improved public health in rural Uttar Pradesh.
