1. India recently launched a new sovereign green bond framework, primarily focusing on financing projects in which key sector?
A. Digital Infrastructure Expansion
B. Renewable Energy and Green Technologies
C. Healthcare Facility Upgrades
D. Agricultural Export Subsidies
Correct answer: B Notes: India’s government, in its continued commitment to sustainable development and climate action, recently unveiled a refreshed framework for its sovereign green bonds. These bonds are specifically designed to channel investment towards projects that offer environmental benefits, with a strong emphasis on boosting the nation’s renewable energy capacity and fostering green technologies. This initiative aligns with India’s ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to a cleaner energy economy, attracting domestic and international investors keen on supporting climate-friendly ventures while securing competitive returns. It represents a significant step in mobilising capital for India’s green transition efforts.
2. The recent COP30 summit, held in Brasília, Brazil, concluded with a landmark agreement on a global mechanism to address which critical environmental challenge?
A. Ocean Plastic Pollution Mitigation
B. Enhanced Climate Adaptation Finance for Developing Nations
C. Regulation of Geothermal Energy Exploration
D. International Cooperation on Asteroid Mining
Correct answer: B Notes: The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UNFCCC, held in Brasília, culminated in a significant breakthrough with the adoption of a new global framework for climate adaptation finance. This mechanism is crucial for enhancing support to developing countries, which are often the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels. The agreement aims to streamline funding, facilitate technology transfer, and build capacity for nations to develop and implement effective adaptation strategies, ensuring they can better protect their communities and economies from environmental shifts. It marks a pivotal moment in global climate justice efforts.
3. ISRO’s ‘Shukrayaan-2’ mission, launched recently, is India’s ambitious endeavour to conduct detailed scientific studies of which planet?
A. Mars
B. Jupiter
C. Venus
D. Saturn
Correct answer: C Notes: ISRO’s ‘Shukrayaan-2’ represents India’s cutting-edge foray into Venusian exploration, building upon its successful interplanetary missions. This advanced orbiter is equipped with a suite of sophisticated instruments designed to unravel the mysteries of Venus’s scorching hot atmosphere, its geological features, and the processes that shaped its extreme environment. The mission aims to provide crucial data on the planet’s atmospheric composition, surface mapping, and subsurface structure, offering insights into planetary evolution and habitability. ‘Shukrayaan-2’ reinforces India’s growing prowess in spacescience and its contribution to global understanding of our solar system.
4. The Indian government’s newly launched “Gramya Shiksha Abhiyan” scheme primarily focuses on which aspect of rural development?
A. Providing advanced agricultural machinery subsidies
B. Enhancing digital literacy and skill development in rural areas
C. Expanding rural healthcare infrastructure
D. Promoting traditional crafts and local tourism
Correct answer: B Notes: The “Gramya Shiksha Abhiyan” is a flagship initiative introduced by the Indian government with the primary objective of bridging the digital divide in rural India. The scheme focuses on imparting essential digital literacy skills, promoting vocational training, and facilitating access to online educational resources for rural populations. Through community learning centers and targeted training programs, it aims to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the digital world, enhancing their employment prospects and access to government services. This initiative is crucial for ensuring equitable growth and integrating rural communities into the mainstream digital economy.
5. Which iconic Indian city recently hosted the “Sanskriti Mahotsav 2025,” a major international festival celebrating cultural heritage and performing arts?
A. Mysore
B. Udaipur
C. Varanasi
D. Chennai
Correct answer: C Notes: Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities and a significant cultural hub of India, recently played host to the “Sanskriti Mahotsav 2025.” This grand international festival was organized to showcase and celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage, alongside fostering global cultural exchange through various performing arts, literary events, and traditional craft exhibitions. Artists and cultural enthusiasts from across the globe converged in Varanasi to participate in workshops, performances, and dialogues, highlighting the city’s unique position as a confluence of spirituality and artistic expression. The festival reinforced cultural diplomacy and mutual appreciation among nations.
