1. Which ministry recently approved Rs 56 crore for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican?
A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
B. Ministry of Agriculture
C. Ministry of Finance
D. Ministry of Tourism
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) approved Rs 56 crore for the next phase of conserving the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican. This program, running since 2016, aims for the long-term recovery of these critically endangered species, with around 140 GIBs and fewer than 1,000 Lesser Floricans surviving. Key efforts include breeding centers, in-situ conservation, artificial insemination techniques, and addressing threats like hunting and power line collisions.
2. Recently, who won the Leon Masters Chess Championship for the 10th time?
A. Fabiano Caruana
B. Viswanathan Anand
C. Sergey Karjakin
D. Magnus Carlsen
- Former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand of India won the Leon Masters chess championship for the 10th time by defeating Jaime Santos Latasa of Spain 3-1 in the final on June 30, 2024, in Leon, Spain. Anand, a five-time world champion, has previously won the tournament in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2016. The Leon Masters features four players, including Arjun Erigaisi and Veselin Topalov.
3. Recently, which country’s Navy has signed a deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug?
A. Myanmar
B. Sri Lanka
C. Bangladesh
D. China
- The Bangladesh Navy signed a significant deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug, part of a $500-million line of credit from India for defence equipment. The contract was finalized in Dhaka, witnessed by GRSE and Bangladesh Navy officials. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Bangladesh coincided with the deal, emphasizing bilateral defence ties and exploring new naval cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
4. Recently, which country has sent two trains carrying coal to India through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for the first time?
A. Russia
B. China
C. Ukraine
D. Bangladesh
- Russia has initiated coal shipments to India via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for the first time. Two trains will travel 7,200 km from St. Petersburg to Mumbai port via Iran’s Bandar Abbas port. INSTC integrates shipping, rail, and road networks, facilitating cargo movement between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. Established in 2000, the corridor aims to enhance transportation cooperation, initially agreed upon during the Euro-Asian Conference on Transport.
5. Which state recently launched the ‘NTR Bharosa pension scheme’?
A. Andhra Pradesh
B. Telangana
C. Karnataka
D. Odisha
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the NTR Bharosa pension scheme on 1 July 2024, delivering pensions personally to beneficiaries. The scheme, a promise fulfilled by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, increases monthly pensions for various categories: from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 for elderly, widows, and others, and up to Rs 15,000 for severely disabled individuals. The initiative aims to enhance social security.
6. Where was the 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ held?
A. Kolkata, West Bengal
B. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
C. Umroi, Meghalaya
D. Guwahati, Assam
- The 16th India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant started at Umroi, Meghalaya, running from July 3 to 16, 2024. It involves 45 Indian personnel and Mongolian Army’s 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion. The annual event, alternating between the countries, focuses on counter-insurgency in semi-urban and mountainous terrain. Key attendees include Mongolian Ambassador Dambajavyn Ganbold and Major General Prasanna Joshi. The exercise enhances interoperability and defense cooperation.
7. What is the primary objective of the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR)?
A. To study the Earth’s core
B. To observe the Universe at low radio frequencies
C. To monitor climate change
D. To track asteroid movements
- Astronomers discovered a new radio galaxy using the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR), a pan-European distributed radio interferometer developed by the Dutch Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). LOFAR observes the Universe at low radio frequencies (90-200 MHz) and can simultaneously observe multiple directions. It aims to explore the early universe, solar activity, and the terrestrial atmosphere.
8. What is ‘Senna spectabilis’?
A. Invasive plant
B. Species of Fish
C. Traditional irrigation method
D. Communication satellite
- Environmental organizations recently urged the Forest department to maintain transparency in a project to extract Senna spectabilis from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Senna spectabilis, a legume family tree native to South and Central America, is invasive in India. Known for its bright yellow flowers and resilience, it was introduced for shade and fuelwood but now threatens native species due to its dense foliage.
9. What is Down syndrome?
A. A genetic disorder caused by missing chromosomes
B. A condition caused by an extra chromosome or piece of a chromosome
C. A viral infection affecting the nervous system
D. A type of muscular dystrophy
- A recent study potentially documents the first case of Down syndrome in Neanderthals. Down syndrome occurs when a person has an extra chromosome or a part of a chromosome, specifically an extra copy of chromosome 21, called trisomy 21. This genetic condition impacts mental and physical development, causing various challenges. Although individuals with Down syndrome share similarities, their abilities vary. The condition typically arises randomly during early fetal development and is not inherited.
10. Xenophrys apatani belongs to which species?
A. Ant
B. Frog
C. Fish
D. Spider
- Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India discovered a forest-dwelling frog, Xenophrys apatani, in Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, named after the Apatani community for their conservation efforts. This species is found in the Eastern Himalayan and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots. The Apatani, residing in Arunachal Pradesh’s Ziro valley, speak Tani, worship the sun and moon, and celebrate festivals like Dree and Myoko. They practice integrated rice-fish farming, using rice varieties Emeo, Pyape, and Mypia.
11. Which government agency recently released the report titled “Improving the Culture of Research and Development (R&D) in State Universities and Institutes”?
A. National Disaster Management Authority
B. Intellectual Property Appellate Board
C. NITI Aayog
D. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
- NITI Aayog’s report on R&D in Indian state universities highlights a doubling of Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) to Rs 127,381 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 60,197 crore in 2010-11. Government sectors, including central and state governments, and higher education institutions drive GERD. R&D fosters innovation, aligns education with industry needs, and addresses societal challenges. However, challenges include low GDP spending on R&D compared to global peers, emphasis on teaching over research, and limited enrollment in advanced programs like Ph.D.
12. Recently, which organization announced the New World Soil Health Index at International conference on Soils?
A. UNESCO
B. UNICEF
C. UNEP
D. UNDP
- UNESCO introduced the New World Soil Health Index at an international conference in Morocco to standardize soil quality assessment globally. It aims to monitor soil degradation trends and improvements across different ecosystems. UNESCO will pilot sustainable soil management in ten Biosphere Reserves to develop best practices. Globally, soil degradation affects 75% of land, impacting 3.2 billion people, and is projected to reach 90% by 2050. In India, 32% of land is degraded, with 25% undergoing desertification due to various factors including deforestation and industrial pollution.
