Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which shipbuilder designed and built the Ocean Research Vessel 'Sagar Manthan', launched on 9 September 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
GRSE built ORV Sagar Manthan for NCPOR; it was launched at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata.
ORV Sagar Manthan was built for which institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences?
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Correct answer: C — National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
The vessel was built for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).
Consider the following about ORV Sagar Manthan: 1. It was built under the Deep Ocean Mission at a cost of about ₹840 crore. 2. It has a projected service life of 30 years and can operate in the Southern Ocean. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. It was built under Vertical-4 of the Deep Ocean Mission for about ₹840 crore and is designed for extreme environments including the Southern Ocean, with a 30-year life.
On 8 September 2026, CAQM reviewed which State's pollution control board over non-compliance on C&D site video monitoring?
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Correct answer: D — Haryana
CAQM held the review with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB).
Under CAQM's statutory directions, construction and demolition projects above what plot area must register on the State portal and install video monitoring?
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Correct answer: A — 500 sq m
The directions cover all C&D projects with a plot area of 500 sq m or more.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): 1. It is a statutory body under an Act of Parliament that received presidential assent in August 2021. 2. The Act dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the NCR. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The CAQM Act, 2021 received assent on 12 August 2021 and dissolved EPCA, set up in 1998.
The 7th India–Japan Joint Working Group on Forests, held in Bengaluru on 8 September 2026, endorsed a roadmap for which period?
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Correct answer: B — 2027–2031
Both sides endorsed the Roadmap for 2027–2031 under the 2015 Memorandum of Cooperation.
PACT, launched at the 5th e-FAST India Summit on 7 September 2026, stands for what?
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Correct answer: D — Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport
PACT is the Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport, launched by NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba.
e-FAST India, under which PACT was launched to support zero-emission trucks, is an initiative of which body?
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Correct answer: A — NITI Aayog
PIB describes e-FAST India as an initiative of NITI Aayog.
The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies is observed on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 7 September
The day is observed every year on 7 September; the UN General Assembly designated it in 2019.
What is 'PRANA' in the context of India's air quality management?
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Correct answer: A — A portal for monitoring implementation of the National Clean Air Programme
PRANA, the Portal for Regulation of Air-Pollution in Non-Attainment cities, tracks the physical and financial progress of NCAP city action plans. SAMEER is the AQI app.
Consider the following statements about the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): 1. It was launched in 2019 and covers 130 cities. 2. Cities receive NCAP funds as performance-linked grants based on air quality. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: NCAP was launched in 2019 in 130 cities, and ₹16,423.55 crore was given as air-quality performance-linked grants from 2019-20 to 2025-26.
Which body organised the 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils at Chandigarh in September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — National Biodiversity Authority
The meet was organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
Where is the headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority, as provided under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
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Correct answer: D — Chennai
The Act provides that the head office of the NBA shall be at Chennai.
Consider the following statements about the institutional structure under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. Biodiversity Management Committees function at the local body level. 2. State Biodiversity Boards are set up by the Central Government. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. BMCs work at the local level; SBBs are established by the respective State Governments under Section 22 of the Act.
International Vulture Awareness Day 2026 was celebrated on 6 September 2026 at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Panchkula, Haryana
The national celebration was held at Panchkula, Haryana, led by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav.
The Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre at Pinjore is a collaborative initiative of the Haryana Forest Department and which organisation?
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Correct answer: D — Bombay Natural History Society
JCBC Pinjore is a collaborative initiative of the Haryana Forest Department and BNHS.
What was the theme of the national workshop held on International Vulture Awareness Day 2026?
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Correct answer: B — From Crisis to Recovery – Conserving India's Vultures
The workshop theme was 'From Crisis to Recovery – Conserving India's Vultures'.
The National Biodiversity Authority's cumulative Access and Benefit-Sharing disbursements crossed which mark in September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹200 crore
The NBA said cumulative ABS disbursements have exceeded ₹200 crore.
The ₹8.23 crore ABS tranche sanctioned by the NBA in September 2026 arose from the use of which crop group?
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Correct answer: D — Bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion
The proceeds came from seed companies' access to bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion.
Since the biological resources could not be traced to specific farmers or communities, on what basis did the NBA distribute the September 2026 ABS proceeds among States and UTs?
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Correct answer: C — Area under cultivation of the crops in each State/UT
As recommended by an Expert Committee, the share was distributed according to area under cultivation published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's September 2026 ABS tranche: 1. It was sanctioned to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 Union Territory Biodiversity Councils. 2. Maharashtra is the largest cumulative recipient across the four crops. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Madhya Pradesh is the largest recipient, followed by Maharashtra.
In CAQM's special industrial inspection drive in Nuh on 3 September 2026, how many of the 35 units inspected were found non-compliant?
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Correct answer: C — 17
17 units were non-compliant, 11 were compliant and 7 were closed or non-operational.
Which pollution control devices were found defective or poorly maintained at several units during CAQM's Nuh inspection drive?
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Correct answer: A — Wet scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators
Defective wet scrubbers and non-functional or poorly maintained electrostatic precipitators were observed, along with inadequate stack heights.
Which of the following was NOT among the Himalayan States/UTs whose GLOF and avalanche preparedness was reviewed by the Union Home Secretary on 3 September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Meghalaya
The States/UT were Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
In disaster management, what does the abbreviation GLOF stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
GLOF stands for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, the hazard reviewed by the MHA along with snow avalanches.
Which three major ports presented progress on Green Fuel Bunkering Hubs during Sarbananda Sonowal's review at TERI on 3 September 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Deendayal, Paradip and V.O. Chidambaranar
Deendayal, Paradip and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authorities presented progress on Green Fuel Bunkering Hubs; Kamarajar Port reported separately.
Where is the National Centre of Excellence for Green Ports and Shipping (NCoEGPS) that briefed Sarbananda Sonowal in September 2026 based?
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Correct answer: B — TERI Gwal Pahari campus, Gurugram
Sonowal was briefed by NCoEGPS during his visit to TERI's Gwal Pahari campus in Gurugram.
Which project won first prize in the 'Plantation in Land Parcels' category of NHAI's Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Jamtha Clover Leaf Oxygen Bird Park, NH-44 (Nagpur)
The Jamtha Clover Leaf Oxygen Bird Park on NH-44 under RO Nagpur won first prize in the land parcels category.
Which ministry organised the National Departmental Summit on Water whose valedictory session PM Modi chaired on 2 September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Jal Shakti
The two-day summit was organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Consider the following statements about the National Departmental Summit on Water (September 2026): 1. It was the first in a series of Departmental Summits envisioned by the Prime Minister to deepen cooperative federalism. 2. It was a three-day summit held in Gandhinagar. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it was a two-day summit, and the release does not place it in Gandhinagar.
At the international workshop on tiger landscapes in New Delhi (September 2026), the International Big Cat Alliance signed an MoU with which body?
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Correct answer: C — Asian Development Bank
IBCA and ADB signed an MoU on landscape conservation, capacity building and nature-positive financing.
The September 2026 international workshop on tiger landscapes highlighted which three pillars for livelihood and income generation?
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Correct answer: B — Conservation, bioeconomy and ecotourism
The theme was 'Tiger Landscapes: Conservation, Bioeconomy and Ecotourism as Pillars for Livelihood and Income Generation'.
At the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum in September 2026, India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on what?
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Correct answer: C — Conservation and wise use of Wetlands of International Importance
The ministers signed a JDI on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance.
What was the theme of the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum held in New Delhi in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Together For More Resilience
The forum's theme was 'Together For More Resilience'.
How many blocks are offered in the 8th tranche of critical and strategic mineral block auctions, promoted at the Raipur roadshow in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 20
The 8th tranche has 20 blocks — 17 composite licences and 3 mining leases — across nine States.
How many of the 8th-tranche critical mineral blocks are located in Chhattisgarh?
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Correct answer: B — Five
Five mineral blocks from Chhattisgarh are included in the 8th tranche.
The largest component of the ₹5.68 crore Access and Benefit-Sharing funds disbursed by the NBA in August 2026 related to which crop?
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Correct answer: A — Okra
Okra (139 varieties, 28 hybrids) accounted for ₹3.51 crore released to 32 SBBs/UTBCs.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement: 1. The ABS amount for okra was received from Bayer Science and Innovation Pvt. Ltd. 2. The funds were channelled to State Biodiversity Boards, UT Biodiversity Councils and a national research institution. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the okra ABS amount came from Nunhems India Pvt. Ltd. Statement 2 is correct.
At what level has the compressed biogas (CBG) procurement price been fixed under the GOBARdhan Scheme, as explained in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹2,110 per MMBtu
The CBG price is ₹2,110 per MMBtu; after ₹215 per MMBtu government support, about ₹1,895 is recovered from consumers.
What affordability support will the government provide on compressed biogas under the revised GOBARdhan pricing?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10 per kg
The government will provide ₹10 per kg of CBG, about ₹215 per MMBtu.
Where and when will the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (BRESE) 2026 be held?
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, 2–5 November 2026
BRESE 2026 will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 2 to 5 November 2026; the Mumbai event was a roadshow.
Consider the following statements made at the BRESE 2026 Mumbai roadshow: 1. India's non-fossil-fuel capacity has risen from 80.3 GW to about 300.5 GW over 12 years. 2. Reaching 500 GW of non-fossil-fuel capacity by 2030 will need more than ₹30 lakh crore of investment over the next five years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated by Pralhad Joshi.
The flash flood that devastated central Nepal on 26 August 2026 came down which river from the Nepal–Tibet border?
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Correct answer: B — Bhote Koshi
The flood swept down the Bhote Koshi river, which flows from Tibet into Nepal, hitting Rasuwa and districts downstream.
According to the US Geological Survey, what caused the Nepal–Tibet border flash flood of 26 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — A glacial collapse and debris flow
The USGS confirmed the flood was caused by a glacial collapse and debris flow.
As Nepal's floodwater reached India on 26 August 2026, Bihar opened all 36 gates of which barrage?
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Correct answer: A — Gandak barrage
Bihar opened all 36 gates of the Gandak barrage as floodwater from Nepal entered the Gandak river system.
Consider the following statements about India's response to the Nepal flash flood of 26 August 2026: 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah and offered humanitarian assistance. 2. The Union Home Minister spoke to the Chief Ministers of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and NDRF teams in border areas were put on high alert. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct.
The Russian–Indian Roundtable on Snow Leopard Study and Conservation on 26 August 2026 was held at which institution?
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Correct answer: B — A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution
The roundtable was held at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.
Consider the following statements about the Moscow snow leopard roundtable of 26 August 2026: 1. The roundtable was organised under a partnership agreement between the Interregional Association 'Irbis' and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 2. The Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2025.
Which city hosted the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) of the UNCCD in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ulaanbaatar
UNCCD COP17 was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026.
What was the theme of UNCCD COP17 held in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Restoring Land. Restoring Hope
COP17 was held under the theme 'Restoring Land. Restoring Hope'.
Consider the following statements made by India at UNCCD COP17 on 26 August 2026: 1. India has around 25,000 community-protected sacred groves covering about 0.6 million hectares. 2. India has about 10 million hectares of permanent pastures and grazing lands. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per India's address at the ministerial dialogue.
At UNCCD COP17 on 25 August 2026, India's Environment Minister addressed a ministerial dialogue on which theme?
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Correct answer: A — Accelerating Drought Resilience
Bhupender Yadav addressed the Ministerial Dialogue on 'Accelerating Drought Resilience' in Ulaanbaatar, calling drought a predictable, preventable risk.
According to India's Second Progress Report on the Bonn Challenge, presented at UNCCD COP17 in August 2026, how much land did India bring under restoration during 2011–2020?
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Correct answer: D — 21.76 million hectares
India brought 21.76 million hectares under restoration during 2011–2020, generating about 1.22 billion person-days of employment.
Under its enhanced Bonn Challenge commitment, India aims to restore how much degraded and deforested land by 2030?
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Correct answer: C — 26 million hectares
India's initial 2015 Bonn Challenge commitment was later enhanced to 26 million hectares by 2030.
India's next Bonn Challenge reporting cycle, for 2021–2025, is being carried out in collaboration with which two bodies?
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Correct answer: A — ICFRE Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management and IUCN
Yadav said the 2021–2025 cycle is being done with the ICFRE Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management and IUCN, tracking area restored, financial flows and employment.
How much did the National Biodiversity Authority disburse under the Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.82 crore
The NBA disbursed ₹2.82 crore: ₹2.80 crore to State and UT biodiversity bodies and about ₹2.01 lakh to ICAR-IIHR.
Which state received the largest share of the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
Gujarat received the largest share (₹44.59 lakh), followed by West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the NBA's August 2026 ABS disbursement: 1. The funds came from a payment by Advanta Enterprises for genetic resources behind hybrids of cauliflower, hot pepper, okra and tomato. 2. The money was released to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 3 UT Biodiversity Councils, besides ICAR-IIHR. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Since the resources could not be traced to specific farmers or communities, the money was shared by crop cultivation area.
How much is the ADB loan signed in August 2026 for Chennai's water supply and sewerage?
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Correct answer: A — $230 million
India and ADB signed a $230 million loan for the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project.
Under the ADB-backed project, Chennai will become the first Indian city to implement:
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Correct answer: C — A comprehensive ring-main water supply solution
Chennai will be the first Indian city to implement a comprehensive ring-main solution, a closed-loop plumbing system that balances water pressure.
Consider the following statements about the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project: 1. It is financed by a World Bank loan. 2. It will lay over 170 km of pipes and upgrade 7 water and 38 sewer pumping stations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The project is financed by a $230 million loan from the Asian Development Bank.
Aboard which research vessel was most of the survey work behind CMLRE's 2026 national report on deep-sea fishery resources carried out?
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Correct answer: D — FORV Sagar Sampada
The Fishery and Oceanographic Research Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada served as the floating laboratory for the surveys.
Consider the following statements about CMLRE's National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ: 1. It describes the mesopelagic 'twilight zone' as extending from 200 to 1,000 metres deep. 2. It covers India's Exclusive Economic Zone of about 2.37 million sq km. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The report also names biodiversity hotspots such as Kollam Bank and Angria Bank.
In which city did the DRI bust an ivory artefact trafficking syndicate and seize 54 artefacts on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Lucknow
The DRI operation was carried out in Lucknow; the four accused and the artefacts were handed to the UP Forest Department.
Consider the following statements about the DRI ivory seizure of 19 August 2026: 1. The seized artefacts and the accused were handed over to the CBI. 2. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 prohibits trade in elephant ivory and articles made from it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The artefacts and accused were handed over to the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.
On which Kolkata street did a hotel fire kill nine people, including five Bangladeshi nationals, on 19 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Mirza Ghalib Street
The fire broke out at a hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street (Free School Street) in central Kolkata's New Market area.
What does CAQM's Direction No. 102, approved on 18 August 2026, deal with?
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Correct answer: B — Phased shift to cleaner light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR
Direction No. 102 mandates phased restrictions on new registration of diesel, petrol and CNG N1 light goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR; Direction No. 103 covers stone crushers.
Consider the following statements about CAQM's Direction No. 102: 1. Light goods vehicles form about 1.2% of the active vehicle stock but contribute about 3.3% of particulate emissions from the fleet. 2. Registration restrictions on diesel, petrol and CNG N1 LGVs begin in Delhi from 1 January 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. In the high vehicle density NCR districts the restrictions start from 1 July 2027.