1. Where was the first ‘Child-Friendly Police Station’ inaugurated?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Maharashtra
C. Puducherry
D. Andhra Pradesh
- A child-friendly police station has been inaugurated in Maharashtra’s Dhule district at Azadnagar Police Station. Conceived by District Collector Abhinav Goyal and Women and Child Development Officer Rajendra Birari, the initiative aims to create a safe and enjoyable space for children.
2. The Chars are riverine areas associated with which river?
A. River Ganga
B. River Brahmaputra
C. River Kaveri
D. River Godavari
- The Chief Minister of Assam has announced a mission to reclaim chars, riverine islands in the Brahmaputra, to preserve ecological integrity. Chars face constant migration, with erosion upstream and deposition downstream during floods, impacting their geometry.
- Char areas encounter challenges like poor communication, mobility, and infrastructure, hindering development. Issues include isolation, flood threats, and difficulties implementing schemes for roads, irrigation, power, and education in these unique, flood-prone regions.
3. Which ministry released the ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines for Indian Port Performance Index?
A. Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
B. Ministry of Defence
C. Ministry of Home Affairs
D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal launched ‘Sagar Aankalan’ guidelines to improve Indian ports’ performance, focusing on mapping, benchmarking, and aligning standards globally. Stemming from the success of GMIS 2023, a major maritime summit, the initiative aims to boost the maritime sector, evidenced by a ₹10 lakh crore investment commitment.
4. Nagi Bird Festival is associated with which state?
A. Gujarat
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Bihar
D. Odisha
- The Nagi Bird Festival is associated with the state of Bihar. The Bihar government’s Forest and Environment department hosts the three-day festival in Jamui, the district’s Nagi bird sanctuary. The festival’s primary objective is to educate people on migratory birds and their habitats, and to promote bird conservation.
5. What is ‘ANUVADINI’?
A. Satellite
B. Tribal Language
C. AI tool
D. Tribal Festival
- ‘Anuvadini’ is an AI-driven multilingual translation app designed in-house, enabling rapid conversion of English content into various languages via machine learning, supplemented by expert reviews. In the last two years, it has translated numerous textbooks for Ekumbh, an online platform. The initiative also offers 12 regional language choices for national entrance exams.
6. Which among the following best describes about Rhodamine B?
A. Toxic and carcinogenic chemical used in various industries for dyeing and coloring
B. Protein found in the flower Rhododendron, used in treating in joint pain
C. Recently developed vaccine against arthritis
D. Water molecules on the surface of asteroids
- Tamil Nadu has banned the sale and production of cotton candy due to the presence of Rhodamine B, a chemical used in various industries for dyeing and coloring. Despite appearing green in powdered form, it turns pink when added to water. Rhodamine B, also used in incense and match sticks, is highly toxic and carcinogenic even in small quantities. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has prohibited its usage in food products.
7. PM Vishwakarma Yojana is launched by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Home Affairs
B. Ministry of Rural Development
C. Ministry of MSME
D. Ministry of Tourism
- The ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises offers artisans and craftsmen affordable loans, skill training, modern equipment, and promotes digital transactions. With a budget of Rs 13,000 crore, the scheme covers 18 businesses and is set to run for five years until the financial year 2027-28, aiming to boost the growth and development of the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector.
8. Recently, which country’s women’s team clinched the gold medal in the Badminton Asia Team Championship?
A. Thailand
B. India
C. Malaysia
D. China
- India’s women’s badminton team won their first-ever gold medal at the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia. The team defeated Thailand 3-2 in the final match.
9. Recently, who has been elected as the new president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
A. Nawaf Salam
B. Dalveer Bhandari
C. Joan Donoghue
D. Ronny Abraham
- Nawaf Salam, the first Lebanese and second Arab, succeeded US Judge Joan Donoghue as the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. He serves a three-year term, starting in 2024. As the highest global judicial authority, ICJ resolves legal disputes between states and offers advisory opinions on UN-related legal matters.
10. Where was the 60th Munich Security Conference held?
A. Germany
B. Russia
C. China
D. France
- External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is attending the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany, engaging in discussions with global leaders to address bilateral cooperation and global concerns. The three-day conference serves as a platform for high-level debates on pressing security challenges, fostering international dialogue and cooperation.
11. Ponmudi hills is located in which state?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Gujarat
D. Maharashtra
- Researchers have identified a new damselfly species, named Cliffside Bambootail (Phylloneura rupestris), in Kerala’s Ponmudi hills. Ponmudi, part of the Western Ghats, sits at an altitude of 1100 meters. This discovery is significant as the genus Phylloneura was considered monotypic for 160 years, with only the Myristica Bambootail known.
12. Recently, which state has secured ₹740 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Madhya Pradesh
C. Bihar
D. Odisha
- Uttar Pradesh secures ₹740 crore, the highest in India, under the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Scheme, a revamped version of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). The centrally sponsored scheme, under the Ministry of Education, aims to enhance the quality of state higher educational institutions in line with the National Education Policy 2020. PM-USHA emphasizes conformity to prescribed norms, standards, and accreditation for quality assurance in higher education.
