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 regional headquarters of the Indian Coast Guard put in place preventive measures ahead of Cyclone Dana (PIB, 23 October 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — ICG Region (North-East)
PIB, 23 Oct 2024: as Cyclone Dana is forecast to make landfall on October 24-25 along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Region (North-East) has implemented a series of preventive measures.
Which State won the first prize in the best State category of the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, conferred on 22 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Odisha
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: Odisha won the first prize in the best State category; Uttar Pradesh was second; Gujarat and Puducherry were jointly third.
In the best State category of the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, which two jointly took the third position?
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Correct answer: C — Gujarat and Puducherry
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: Gujarat and Puducherry won the third position jointly in the best State category.
How many winners, including joint winners, were awarded at the 5th National Water Awards, 2023, and across how many categories?
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Correct answer: B — 38 winners, 9 categories
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: 38 winners, including joint winners, across 09 categories were awarded.
The final mine closure certificates announced by the Ministry of Coal on 22 October 2024 were for mines located in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Betul, Madhya Pradesh
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: Pathakhera Mine No-I UG, Pathakhera Mine No-II UG and Satpura II UG Mine are all in Betul district, Madhya Pradesh.
The three mines that received final mine closure certificates (announced 22 October 2024) belong to which coal company?
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Correct answer: D — Western Coalfields Limited
PIB, 22 Oct 2024: the certificates were issued for the Pathakhera Area of M/s WCL (Western Coalfields Limited).
Who chaired the National Crisis Management Committee meeting on 21 October 2024 that reviewed preparedness for the impending Bay of Bengal cyclone?
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Correct answer: B — Cabinet Secretary Dr T.V. Somanathan
PIB, 21 Oct 2024: Cabinet Secretary Dr T.V. Somanathan chaired the NCMC meeting; the DG of IMD briefed the Committee.
From when did Stage-II of GRAP come into force across NCR, as per the CAQM decision of 21 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 08:00 hrs on 22 October 2024
PIB, 21 Oct 2024: the CAQM sub-committee invoked Stage-II of GRAP across NCR from 0800 hrs on 22.10.2024.
What daily average AQI did Delhi record (CPCB bulletin) when GRAP Stage-II was invoked on 21 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 310
PIB, 21 Oct 2024: Delhi recorded a daily average AQI of 310, i.e. 'Very Poor' category, as per the CPCB bulletin.
How many pilot projects for using hydrogen in steel production were sanctioned under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, as announced on 18 October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Three
PIB, 18 Oct 2024: the Union Government has sanctioned three pilot projects for use of hydrogen in steel production.
Among the green hydrogen steel pilot projects sanctioned in October 2024, which has the largest plant capacity (3,200 TPD)?
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Correct answer: D — Steel Authority of India Ltd (Ranchi)
PIB, 18 Oct 2024: SAIL (Ranchi) 3,200 TPD; Matrix Gas and Renewables 50 TPD; Simplex Castings 40 TPD.
Which ministry sanctioned the green hydrogen pilot projects in the steel sector (October 2024)?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
PIB, 18 Oct 2024: the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has sanctioned total three pilot projects in the steel sector.
The tripartite agreement signed under Namami Gange (reported 17 October 2024) for Saharanpur, UP, aims to conserve Pawandhoi and Dhamola, which are tributaries of:
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Correct answer: A — Hindon
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: a tripartite agreement has been signed for the conservation of the Hindon River's tributaries, Pawandhoi and Dhamola, in Saharanpur.
Consider the following statements about the Namami Gange 2.0 projects reported on 17 October 2024: 1. A 25 MLD STP was completed in Patna-Danapur, Bihar. 2. The Saharanpur 135 MLD STP project will be built on the EPC model with full central funding. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct per PIB. Statement 2 is wrong: the Saharanpur project will operate on a Hybrid Annuity PPP model, with World Bank financial assistance.
'Pavana Chitra', unveiled on 17 October 2024 as India's first airport-based self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility, is located at:
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Correct answer: B — Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled Pavana Chitra, India's first Airport based self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
The indoor solar cells powering the 'Pavana Chitra' air quality monitor (October 2024) were developed by:
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-NIIST
PIB, 17 Oct 2024: the off-grid air quality monitor is powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST, crafted from locally available materials.
Which body issued the 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024' on 15 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Central Consumer Protection Authority
PIB, 15 Oct 2024: the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) unveiled the guidelines titled 'Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing or Misleading Environmental Claims, 2024'.
Consider the following statements about the CCPA greenwashing guidelines of 15 October 2024: 1. Words such as 'sustainable', 'natural' and 'organic' may be used freely without any qualifier. 2. Specific environmental claims must be supported by credible certification or reliable scientific evidence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: such words shall not be used without adequate, accurate and accessible qualifier. Statement 2 is correct per PIB. So statement 2 is correct.
Stage-I of GRAP, invoked across the NCR on 14 October 2024, corresponds to which Delhi AQI range?
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Correct answer: A — 201-300 ('Poor')
PIB (14 Oct 2024): Stage-I of GRAP - 'POOR' Air Quality (Delhi AQI ranging between 201-300).
How many actions are envisaged under Stage-I of the revised GRAP invoked on 14 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 27
PIB (14 Oct 2024): all 27 actions as envisaged under Stage-I of the revised GRAP to be implemented from 8:00 AM of 15.10.2024.
Which helpline number did Tamil Nadu announce on 13 October 2024 for round-the-clock rain-related help in Chennai?
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Correct answer: A — 1913
The Hindu and Business Standard (13 Oct 2024): helpline 1913 established to serve the public round the clock, with 150 personnel.
Residents were asked to download which app for rain information when the Chennai command centre was reviewed on 13 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — TN Alert
The Hindu ('Tamil Nadu Alert') and Business Standard ('TN ALERT'), 13 Oct 2024: people can download the TN Alert app to receive rain information.
Under which provision did the CAQM authorise district authorities on 12 October 2024 to prosecute officials for inaction on stubble burning?
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Correct answer: D — Section 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021
PIB (12 Oct 2024): the CAQM, in exercise of the powers vested under section 14 of the CAQM Act 2021, authorised the Deputy Commissioners/District Collectors/District Magistrates.
How many Central Teams did the CAQM deploy to Punjab and Haryana to check paddy stubble burning (October 2024)?
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Correct answer: B — 26
PIB (12 Oct 2024): the CAQM deployed 26 Central Teams to Punjab and Haryana.
How many paddy residue burning events were reported from Punjab between 15 September and 9 October 2024, as per the CAQM?
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Correct answer: A — 267
PIB (12 Oct 2024): 267 and 187 paddy residue burning events were reported from Punjab and Haryana respectively during 15 September - 9 October 2024.
Prerna Sthal, inaugurated on 11 October 2024 in memory of 22 soldiers, is located at Burdang in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Sikkim
PIB (11 Oct 2024): Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated Prerna Sthal at Burdang in Sikkim in memory of 22 soldiers.
The 22 soldiers commemorated at Prerna Sthal, Burdang, lost their lives in a glacial lake outburst flood at which lake?
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Correct answer: B — South Lhonak Lake
PIB (11 Oct 2024): the soldiers lost their lives during a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood at the South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim in October last year.
According to the CEA, what was India's total renewable energy capacity as of 10 October 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 201.45 GW
MNRE/PIB (14 Oct 2024): as per the Central Electricity Authority, total renewable energy capacity stands at 201.45 GW, crossing 200 GW as of October 10, 2024.
What share of India's total installed electricity capacity did renewable energy account for when it crossed 200 GW in October 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 46.3 percent
MNRE/PIB (14 Oct 2024): renewable energy now constitutes 46.3% of total capacity of 452.69 GW.
Which source contributed the most to India's renewable energy capacity of 201.45 GW in October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Solar
MNRE/PIB backgrounder (14 Oct 2024): solar power leads with 90.76 GW, followed by wind with 47.36 GW and large hydro with 46.92 GW.
Consider the following statements about India's renewable energy capacity as of October 2024: 1. Wind capacity (47.36 GW) exceeded large hydro capacity (46.92 GW). 2. India's total installed electricity generation capacity was 452.69 GW. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. MNRE/PIB backgrounder (14 Oct 2024): wind 47.36 GW, large hydro 46.92 GW; total generation capacity 452.69 GW.
The Red Panda Conservation Breeding and Augmentation Programme shortlisted for the 2024 WAZA Conservation Award belongs to which zoo?
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Correct answer: C — Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling
PIB (7 Oct 2024): the Red Panda Conservation Breeding and Augmentation Programme of Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, has been shortlisted among the top three finalists by WAZA.
Into which protected area were nine captive-bred red pandas released between 2022 and 2024 under the Darjeeling zoo's programme?
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Correct answer: A — Singalila National Park
PIB (7 Oct 2024): between 2022 and 2024, nine captive-bred red pandas (seven females and two males) were released into Singalila National Park in West Bengal.
Which Coal India subsidiary planted 1,46,675 saplings in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, as reported on 7 October 2024?
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Correct answer: A — South Eastern Coalfields Limited
PIB (7 Oct 2024): South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Chhattisgarh-based Coal India subsidiary, has planted 1,46,675 saplings across its operational areas in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.