Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Scientists from which institute found that PET bottle-derived nanoplastics can spread antibiotic resistance, as reported by DST in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali
PIB (Science & Technology): scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institution of DST, carried out the study.
In the INST Mohali study, PET bottle-derived nanoplastics facilitated gene transfer from E. coli to which gut bacterium?
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Correct answer: C — Lactobacillus acidophilus
PIB (Science & Technology): the scientists demonstrated that PBNPs can facilitate cross-species gene transfer from E. coli to Lactobacillus acidophilus, a significant bacterium in the human gut microbiota.
In which state was the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin tagged in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Assam
PIB (MoEFCC): the first-ever Ganges River Dolphin was tagged in Assam on 18 December 2024.
Which institution implemented the first Ganges River Dolphin tagging along with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak?
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Correct answer: A — Wildlife Institute of India
PIB (MoEFCC): the tagging was implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and Aaranyak, with National CAMPA funding.
Consider the following statements about the Ganges River Dolphin tagging of December 2024: 1. It was funded by the National CAMPA Authority. 2. A female dolphin was tagged. 3. It was described as the first tagging for the species. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB (MoEFCC): the project was funded by the National CAMPA Authority and was the first tagging not only in India but also for the species. A healthy male, not female, dolphin was tagged, so statement 2 is wrong.
Which body took up the development of a National Wildlife Health Policy through a stakeholder consultation in December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Central Zoo Authority
PIB (MoEFCC): the Central Zoo Authority, under the aegis of MoEFCC, took up the development of the National Wildlife Health Policy at a consultative workshop on 17 December 2024.
Consider the following statements about the proposed National Wildlife Health Policy: 1. It covers the health of both captive and free-ranging wildlife. 2. It aims to integrate wildlife health with public health and domestic animal health management. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoEFCC): the proposed policy aims at a comprehensive framework for safeguarding wildlife integrated with public health and domestic animal health management, and recognises the health of captive and free-ranging wildlife. Both statements are correct.
What was Delhi's average AQI at 10 PM on 16 December 2024, when the CAQM invoked GRAP Stage-IV across the NCR?
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Correct answer: C — 401
PIB (Environment): the Sub-Committee noted that the AQI was 399 at 9 PM and was recorded as 401 at 10 PM, breaching the 400 mark, and invoked Stage-IV.
As per the Supreme Court's directions of 5 December 2024 in M.C. Mehta vs Union of India, GRAP Stage-III measures must be implemented immediately if Delhi's AQI goes above:
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Correct answer: B — 350
PIB (Environment): the Supreme Court directed that if the AQI goes above 350, Stage-III measures will have to be immediately implemented, and if it crosses 400, Stage-IV measures will have to be reintroduced.
Padma Shri awardee environmentalist Tulsi Gowda, who died on 16 December 2024, belonged to which community of Uttara Kannada district?
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Correct answer: A — Halakki
The New Indian Express, India Today and The Indian Express all report that Tulsi Gowda belonged to the Halakki (tribal) community of Uttara Kannada district.
Consider the following statements about Tulsi Gowda: 1. She was a recipient of the Padma Shri. 2. She received the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra award. 3. She died at her residence in Honnali village of Ankola taluk. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
The New Indian Express and India Today report that she received the Padma Shri and the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra award, and that she died at her residence in Honnali village, Ankola taluk, Uttara Kannada. All three statements are correct.
Under the revised GRAP (December 2024), Stage II ('Very Poor' air quality) applies when Delhi's AQI is in which range?
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Correct answer: B — 301-400
PIB (Environment): in the revised GRAP, Stage II – 'Very Poor' Air Quality – covers Delhi AQI ranging between 301 and 400.
Under the revised GRAP (December 2024), strict restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar fall under which stage?
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Correct answer: C — Stage III
PIB (Environment): the revised GRAP lists strict restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and the four NCR districts under Stage III – 'Severe' Air Quality (Delhi AQI 401-450).
The 'District-level Climate Risk Assessment for India' report released on 13 December 2024 analysed flood and drought risks across how many districts?
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Correct answer: B — 698
PIB (Science & Technology): the report contains an in-depth analysis of flood and drought risks across 698 districts in India and was released on 13 December 2024 at IIT Delhi.
Which institutions developed the 'District-level Climate Risk Assessment for India' report released in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Mandi, IIT Guwahati and CSTEP Bengaluru
PIB (Science & Technology): the report was developed by IIT Mandi, IIT Guwahati and CSTEP Bengaluru, supported by DST in collaboration with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
According to the District-level Climate Risk Assessment report (December 2024), which of the following districts is NOT among the 11 districts at 'Very High' risk of both flood and drought?
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Correct answer: D — Barmer
PIB (Science & Technology): the 11 dual-risk districts are Patna (Bihar); Alappuzha (Kerala); Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, South Salmara Mankachar and Golaghat (Assam); Kendrapara (Odisha); and Murshidabad, Nadia and Uttar Dinajpur (West Bengal). Barmer is not on the list.
Under India's Green Steel Taxonomy (December 2024), five-star green-rated steel must have an emission intensity lower than how many tonnes of CO2e per tonne of finished steel?
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Correct answer: A — 1.6
PIB (Steel): five-star green-rated steel has emission intensity lower than 1.6 t-CO2e/tfs; four-star is 1.6-2.0, three-star 2.0-2.2, and steel above 2.2 is not eligible.
Which body is the nodal agency for measurement, reporting and verification and for issuing greenness certificates under India's Green Steel Taxonomy?
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Correct answer: D — National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology
PIB (Steel): the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST) shall serve as the nodal agency for MRV and for issuing greenness certificates and star ratings, on a yearly basis.
Consider the following statements about India's Green Steel Taxonomy: 1. India is the first nation to release a taxonomy of green steel. 2. The star-rating thresholds will be reviewed every five years. 3. Steel with emission intensity above 2.2 t-CO2e per tonne of finished steel is not eligible for a green rating. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Steel): India is the first nation to release a green steel taxonomy, and steel above 2.2 t-CO2e/tfs is not eligible for green rating. Statement 2 is incorrect: thresholds will be reviewed every three years.
As per MNRE data released on 11 December 2024, what was India's total RE installed capacity as of November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 213.70 GW
PIB (11 Dec 2024): total RE installed capacity reached 213.70 GW as of November 2024, up from 187.05 GW a year earlier.
By what percentage did India's RE installed capacity grow year-on-year as of November 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 14.2%
PIB (11 Dec 2024): India's RE capacity registered 14.2% year-on-year growth. 28.5% is the growth including pipeline projects, and 30.2% is the growth in solar.
What was India's installed solar capacity as of November 2024, according to MNRE?
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Correct answer: C — 94.17 GW
PIB (11 Dec 2024): installed solar capacity rose from 72.31 GW in 2023 to 94.17 GW in 2024, a growth of 30.2%; 261.15 GW includes pipeline projects.
What was the theme of the International Mountain Day 2024 event organised by the Environment Ministry on 11 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future - Innovation, Adaptation, and Youth
PIB (11 Dec 2024): the event centred on the theme 'Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future - Innovation, Adaptation, and Youth'.
How much did the MHA approve on 6 December 2024 for Tamil Nadu as the central share of the SDRF for Cyclone 'Fengal' relief?
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Correct answer: C — Rs 944.80 crore
PIB (6 Dec 2024): MHA approved release of Rs 944.80 crore to the State Government of Tamil Nadu, as both instalments of the central share from the SDRF.
The Rs 944.80 crore SDRF release to Tamil Nadu approved on 6 December 2024 was for people affected by which cyclone?
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Correct answer: D — Fengal
PIB (6 Dec 2024): the release was to help the people affected by Cyclone 'Fengal'; an IMCT was sent to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for assessment.
The MoU between the Geological Survey of India and Italy's CNR-IRPI, approved by the Union Cabinet on 6 December 2024, relates to:
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Correct answer: C — Landslide forecasting and early warning
PIB (10 Dec 2024): the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 06.12.2024 approved the MoU between GSI and CNR-IRPI, Italy, for collaboration in landslide forecast and early warning.
Where has the Geological Survey of India set up its National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC)?
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Correct answer: D — Kolkata
PIB (10 Dec 2024): GSI has established a state-of-the-art National Landslide Forecasting facility at GSI, Kolkata to operationalise regional Landslide Early Warning Systems.
What was the amount of the ADB loan signed on 5 December 2024 for the climate-adaptive water-harvesting project in Meghalaya?
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Correct answer: D — $50 million
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed a $50 million loan for the climate-adaptive water-harvesting project in Meghalaya.
How many small water-storage facilities will the ADB-funded Meghalaya water-harvesting project build?
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Correct answer: A — 532
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the project will support construction of 532 small water-storage facilities across 12 districts in Meghalaya.
Consider the following statements about the Meghalaya water-harvesting project for which a loan was signed with ADB on 5 December 2024: 1. It will establish 50 weather stations for climate data gathering and monitoring. 2. It aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (5 Dec 2024): the project will establish 50 weather stations for climate data gathering and monitoring, and it aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019. Both statements are correct. Answer: Both 1 and 2.
When the CAQM revoked GRAP Stages IV and III in NCR on 5 December 2024, what was Delhi's AQI recorded at 4 PM that day?
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Correct answer: D — 165 (Moderate)
PIB (5 Dec 2024): Delhi's AQI was recorded as 165 ('Moderate') on 05.12.2024 at 4:00 PM, after which the CAQM Sub-committee revoked GRAP Stages IV and III.
Where was CoP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification held, at which India delivered its formal statement on 3 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
PIB (3 Dec 2024): Bhupender Yadav delivered India's Formal Statement at the CoP16 of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
At UNCCD CoP16 on 3 December 2024, India reaffirmed its Bonn Challenge commitment to restore how much degraded land by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 26 million hectares
PIB (3 Dec 2024): India reaffirmed its commitment under the Bonn Challenge of restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, of which more than 22.50 million hectares has already been restored.
Ratapani, notified as a tiger reserve by Madhya Pradesh on 2 December 2024, is located in which district?
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Correct answer: A — Raisen
ThePrint/PTI and The Indian Express (3 Dec 2024): the Ratapani forest/sanctuary in Raisen district, close to Bhopal, was notified as a tiger reserve on Monday, 2 December.
With its notification on 2 December 2024, Ratapani became which tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: D — Eighth
ThePrint/PTI and The Indian Express: Ratapani is the eighth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, after Kanha, Satpura, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Sanjay Dubri, Panna and Veerangana Durgavati.
What is the approximate core area of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve notified on 2 December 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 763.8 sq km
ThePrint/PTI and The Indian Express: the core area is about 763.8 sq km (763.812 sq km) and the buffer area about 507.6 sq km, for a total of about 1,271 sq km.
Consider the following statements about the Ratapani Tiger Reserve notified on 2 December 2024: 1. Its total area is about 1,271 sq km. 2. It is located in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
ThePrint/PTI and The Indian Express: the total area is about 1,271 sq km, so statement 1 is correct. Ratapani is in Raisen district; Shivpuri is home to Madhav National Park, so statement 2 is wrong. Answer: 1 only.
According to officials, tiger reserve status for Ratapani enables Madhya Pradesh to receive funding from which body?
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Correct answer: C — National Tiger Conservation Authority
ThePrint/PTI and The Indian Express: officials said the tiger reserve designation enables the state to receive a budget/funding from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for better wildlife management.
At the CoP16 drought dialogue on 2 December 2024, Bhupender Yadav recalled India's presidency of which UNCCD Conference of the Parties, when India committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — CoP14
PIB (2 Dec 2024): Shri Yadav said it was during India's presidency at CoP14 that India presented its commitment to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
India announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in which field during its UNCCD CoP14 presidency, which the Minister said on 2 December 2024 has been established?
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Correct answer: D — Sustainable Land Management
PIB (2 Dec 2024): India announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Land Management to promote a scientific approach to land degradation; the Minister said it has already been established.
According to IMD's bulletin of 1 December 2024, into what had Cyclonic Storm Fengal weakened by 11:30 IST that day?
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Correct answer: B — A deep depression
IMD (1 Dec 2024): Fengal remained practically stationary, weakened into a deep depression and lay centred at 1130 hours IST of 1 December close to Puducherry.
In its 1 December 2024 bulletin on Fengal, IMD warned of 'extremely heavy rainfall' over north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. What rainfall amount does this term denote in the bulletin?
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Correct answer: C — ≥ 21 cm
IMD (1 Dec 2024): extremely heavy rainfall (≥ 21 cm) at isolated places was very likely over North Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on 1st December.
At the final plenary of INC-5 on plastic pollution in Busan on 1 December 2024, what did India say was required to support developing countries?
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Correct answer: D — A stand-alone dedicated Multilateral Fund
PIB (1 Dec 2024): India said a stand-alone dedicated Multilateral Fund is required to provide financial resources to developing countries for meeting incremental costs of their compliance obligations.
According to IMD, Cyclonic Storm 'Fengal' crossed the north Tamil Nadu–Puducherry coasts on 30 November 2024 close to which place?
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Correct answer: B — Puducherry
IMD: Fengal crossed the north Tamil Nadu & Puducherry coasts near 12.05°N, 79.9°E, close to Puducherry, between 2230 and 2330 hrs IST on 30 November 2024.
Consider the following statements about Cyclone Fengal (2024): 1. It intensified into a cyclonic storm over the Southwest Bay of Bengal on 29 November 2024. 2. It crossed the coast with a wind speed of 120–130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
IMD: it became a cyclonic storm at 1430 hrs IST on 29 November 2024 over the Southwest Bay of Bengal (1 is correct). It crossed the coast with 70–80 kmph gusting to 90 kmph, not 120–130 kmph (2 is wrong).
IMD monitored Cyclone Fengal during its landfall using Doppler Weather Radars located at which two places?
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Correct answer: C — Karaikal and Chennai
IMD's 1 December 2024 bulletin: the system was being continuously monitored by the Doppler Weather Radar at Karaikal and Chennai.
Which company was declared the preferred bidder for the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block in Tamil Nadu on 7 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Hindustan Zinc Ltd
PIB (Mines): the block was successfully auctioned with Hindustan Zinc Ltd declared as the preferred bidder on 07.11.2024.
Consider the following statements: 1. Section 11D, inserted in the MMDR Act, 1957 by the 2023 Amendment, empowers the Central Government to exclusively auction mining leases and composite licences for specified critical and strategic minerals. 2. The Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block was auctioned as a mining lease block that requires no further exploration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Mines): Section 11D empowers the Centre to exclusively auction such leases and licences (1 is correct). The block was auctioned as a composite licence block that is only partially explored, so the bidder must explore first (2 is wrong).
How many mineral blocks were offered in the first-ever tranche of offshore mineral block auctions launched on 28 November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 13
PIB (Mines): the first tranche includes 13 mineral blocks spanning the Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.
The blocks in the first tranche of offshore mineral auctions (November 2024) are located in which seas?
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Correct answer: B — Arabian Sea and Andaman Sea
PIB (Mines): the 13 blocks span the Arabian Sea and the Andaman Sea.
Consider the following statements about the first offshore mineral auction tranche: 1. The blocks feature construction sand, lime-mud and polymetallic nodules and crusts. 2. The Geological Survey of India has identified about six lakh sq km of offshore area with potential for offshore mining. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Mines): the tranche features construction sand, lime-mud and polymetallic nodules and crusts, and the Mines Secretary said GSI has identified about six lakh sq km of offshore area with mining potential. Both are correct.
The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on a plastic pollution treaty, held in November 2024, took place in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Busan
PIB (MoEFCC): India participated in the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan.
At INC-5, India said the new plastic pollution instrument should not overlap with the mandates of which multilateral environmental agreements?
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Correct answer: A — Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
PIB (MoEFCC): India highlighted that there should be no overlap with the mandates of MEAs such as the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and bodies like the WTO.
The MoU signed between NHPC and the Global Green Growth Institute on 28 November 2024 focuses on which areas?
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Correct answer: D — Agrivoltaics, green hydrogen and sustainable financing
PIB (Power): the collaboration aims to promote clean energy solutions focusing on agrivoltaics, green hydrogen and sustainable financing strategies.
What is the PSU status of NHPC Limited, as stated in the November 2024 release on its MoU with GGGI?
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Correct answer: C — Navratna
PIB (Power): NHPC Limited is India's premier hydropower company and a Navratna Enterprise of the Government of India.
India's proposed financial mechanism for the plastic pollution treaty at INC-5 is modelled on the fund operating under which international agreement?
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Correct answer: D — Montreal Protocol
PIB (MoEFCC): the model proposed by India has been in operation under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Consider the following statements about India's multilateral fund proposal at INC-5: 1. The fund would provide loan-based finance to developing countries. 2. It proposes a subsidiary body with equal representation of developed and developing countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (MoEFCC): the proposed fund would provide grant-based (not loan-based) finance — 1 is wrong. It provides for a subsidiary body with equal representation of developed and developing countries — 2 is correct.
Who chaired the 19th meeting of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas held on 27 November 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Rajesh Verma
PIB (MoEFCC): the 19th meeting of CAQM, chaired by Shri Rajesh Verma, Chairperson, was held on 27.11.2024.
As reviewed at CAQM's 27 November 2024 meeting, on which date was GRAP Stage IV invoked in Delhi-NCR in 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 18 November 2024
PIB (MoEFCC): the Commission reviewed actions since the invocation of GRAP Stage III on 15.11.2024 and Stage IV on 18.11.2024.
What total amount did the High-Level Committee chaired by Amit Shah approve for disaster mitigation and capacity-building projects (announced 26 November 2024)?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1,115.67 crore
PIB (MHA): the HLC approved ₹1,115.67 crore — ₹1,000 crore for landslide mitigation and ₹115.67 crore for Civil Defence training.
The ₹1,000-crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation project approved by the HLC in November 2024 is to be funded from which fund?
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Correct answer: C — National Disaster Mitigation Fund
PIB (MHA): the landslide proposal was considered for funding from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
Consider the following statements about the HLC approvals announced on 26 November 2024: 1. The National Landslide Risk Mitigation project covers 15 States. 2. The Civil Defence training and capacity-building project covers only the North Eastern States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MHA): the landslide project covers 15 States, but the ₹115.67-crore Civil Defence project covers all States and UTs. Only 1 is correct.
Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) technology, recognised by the CEA in November 2024, generates electricity mainly by using:
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Correct answer: C — Kinetic energy of flowing water with practically zero head
PIB (Power): SHKT uses the kinetic energy of flowing water with practically zero potential head, unlike conventional units that rely on dams, weirs or barrages.
What generation cost per unit did the CEA cite for Surface Hydrokinetic Turbines when recognising the technology in November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2-3 per unit
PIB (Power): Surface Hydrokinetic turbines are easy to install and cost-effective, with a generation cost of ₹2-3 per unit.
What new climate finance goal did COP29 in Baku adopt on 24 November 2024?
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Correct answer: C — Developed countries to lead in mobilising $300 billion a year by 2035
The Hindu and The Indian Express: the deal set $300 billion a year by 2035, with developed countries taking the lead, from a variety of public and private sources; the $1.3 trillion figure is only a call on all actors.
Which Indian negotiator objected at the COP29 closing plenary, calling the finance deal 'nothing more than an optical illusion'?
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Correct answer: D — Chandni Raina
The Hindu and The Indian Express: Indian delegation representative Chandni Raina told the closing plenary the document was 'nothing more than an optical illusion' and objected to how it was adopted.
In the 116th 'Mann Ki Baat' on 24 November 2024 (NCC Day), what did the PM say the share of girl cadets in NCC had risen to?
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Correct answer: A — Almost 40%
PIB (PMO): the PM said girl cadets were earlier around 25% of NCC and had now risen to almost 40%.
In Mann Ki Baat (24 November 2024), the PM cited a record of more than 12 lakh trees planted in 24 hours under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. Where was it set?
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Correct answer: D — Indore
PIB (PMO): the PM said a tree-planting record was made in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where more than 12 lakh trees were planted in 24 hours.
The Kudugal Trust, praised in the 116th Mann Ki Baat for making ten thousand nests with schoolchildren, is based in which city and works for which bird?
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Correct answer: B — Chennai — sparrows
PIB (PMO): Chennai's Kudugal Trust involved schoolchildren in a campaign to increase the sparrow population and made ten thousand sparrow nests in four years.