Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At its 129th Enforcement Task Force meeting on 17 April 2026, CAQM reviewed how many inspections carried out by its flying squads during the 15-day reporting period?
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Correct answer: D — 162
162 inspections were carried out between 27 March and 10 April 2026, finding 64 violations.
In the CAQM inspections reviewed in April 2026, which category accounted for the largest number of inspections and violations?
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Correct answer: C — Diesel generator sets
DG sets accounted for 109 of 162 inspections and 42 of 64 violations.
GRAP Stage-I was invoked across the NCR on 16 April 2026 when Delhi's daily average AQI was recorded at:
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Correct answer: B — 226
Delhi's AQI was 226, in the 'Poor' category (201–300).
Consider the following statements about the GRAP action of April 2026: 1. The AQI range for the 'Poor' category, as cited by CAQM, is 201–300. 2. Stage-I was applied only to Delhi and not to the rest of the NCR. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Stage-I actions were invoked across the entire NCR.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each worker killed in the Sakti power plant explosion of 14 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF per deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured; ₹5 lakh was the Chhattisgarh government's assistance.
Consider the following statements about the power plant explosion in Chhattisgarh on 14 April 2026: 1. The explosion occurred at Vedanta's power plant at Singhitarai in Sakti district. 2. The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister announced ₹5 lakh for the families of each deceased worker. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as reported by The Hindu.
According to IMD's first-stage forecast of April 2026, the 2026 southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over India is expected to be what percentage of the Long Period Average?
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Correct answer: D — 92%
IMD forecast 92% of the LPA with a model error of ±5%, which falls in the below-normal category.
The Long Period Average of India's southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall used by IMD in 2026 is:
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Correct answer: A — 87 cm, based on 1971–2020
IMD states the LPA of seasonal rainfall over the country, based on 1971–2020, is 87 cm.
Consider the following statements from IMD's April 2026 monsoon forecast: 1. The Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System suggests El Niño conditions may develop during the southwest monsoon season. 2. Indian Ocean Dipole conditions are currently neutral, and positive IOD conditions are likely to develop towards the end of the season. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per IMD.
In April 2026, an Indian-born female cheetah gave birth to four cubs in the wild at which national park?
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Correct answer: C — Kuno National Park
The cubs were born in the wild at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
The Indian-born female cheetah KGP12, which gave birth in the wild in April 2026, is a cub of which cheetah?
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Correct answer: D — Gamini
KGP12 is the second cub of Gamini's first litter.
Consider the following statements about the April 2026 cheetah births at Kuno: 1. It is the first recorded birth in the wild since cheetah reintroduction in India began in 2022. 2. The mother was brought to India from Namibia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the mother, KGP12, is an Indian-born cheetah.
The NHAI-WII report on wildlife use of animal underpasses on the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor, released in April 2026, is titled:
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Correct answer: C — Landscapes Reconnected
The report is titled 'Landscapes Reconnected'.
The NHAI-WII wildlife study on the Delhi–Dehradun Economic Corridor was conducted along which stretch?
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Correct answer: B — Ganeshpur–Asharodi
The study covered an 18 km stretch between Ganeshpur and Asharodi.
Under the Environment (Utilisation of Crop Residue by Thermal Power Plants) Rules, 2023, coal-based thermal plants must use what blend of biomass pellets or briquettes with coal?
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Correct answer: B — 5%
The Rules mandate a 5% blend of biomass pellets or briquettes with coal, with a minimum threshold of 3% prescribed for FY 2024-25.
Which thermal power plant faced the largest Environmental Compensation (about ₹33.02 crore) in CAQM's April 2026 action on biomass co-firing?
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Correct answer: C — Talwandi Sabo Power Limited, Mansa
CAQM listed about ₹33.02 crore on Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (Mansa, Punjab), the highest of the six; Harduaganj had the lowest at about ₹2.74 crore.
Consider the following statements about CAQM's action of April 2026: 1. It covers thermal power plants located within 500 km of Delhi. 2. The minimum co-firing threshold prescribed for FY 2024-25 was 5%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the six plants are within 300 km of Delhi, and the minimum threshold for FY 2024-25 was 3% (5% is the mandated blend).
According to IRENA's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, India moved ahead of which country to rank third in installed renewable energy capacity?
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Correct answer: B — Brazil
Pralhad Joshi said India moved ahead of Brazil; IRENA lists India at 250.52 GW and Brazil at 228.20 GW, behind China and the USA.
What was India's total installed non-fossil fuel capacity as on 31 March 2026, according to MNRE?
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Correct answer: D — 283.46 GW
MNRE put non-fossil capacity at 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026: 274.68 GW renewable (incl. large hydro) plus 8.78 GW nuclear. 250.52 GW is IRENA's renewable figure as of December 2025.
Consider the following statements: 1. India reached 50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target. 2. Wind capacity additions of 6.05 GW in 2025-26 were the highest ever in a single year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per MNRE: the 50% milestone came in June 2025, and 6.05 GW of wind in 2025-26 was the highest ever (4.15 GW the year before).
Under which section of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 has the Centre designated repositories such as CMLRE's Referral Centre Bhavasagara?
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Correct answer: C — Section 39
The Environment Ministry said the institutions were notified as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Consider the following statements about the repositories notified in April 2026: 1. The Referral Centre Bhavasagara at CMLRE, Kochi, is dedicated to deep-sea biodiversity. 2. The National Fungal Culture Collection of India is housed at CMLRE, Kochi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the National Fungal Culture Collection is at the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.
Which Union Minister took cognisance of crop damage from hailstorms and heavy rainfall in several states on 5 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The Agriculture Ministry said Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took cognisance.
Consider the following statements about the Agriculture Minister's response on 5 April 2026: 1. He directed ministry officials to review crop damage caused by hailstorms and heavy rain. 2. He said he would discuss the damage with the agriculture ministers of the affected states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Agriculture Ministry release.
Which meeting of CAQM's Enforcement Task Force was held on 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 128th
The Environment Ministry said the 128th ETF meeting was held on 2 April 2026.
How many inspections by CAQM flying squads were reviewed at the Enforcement Task Force meeting of 2 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 175
A total of 175 inspections were carried out in the reporting period, including 114 for DG-set violations; 140 was the road-dust violation count.
India leads the world in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under which international agreement?
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Correct answer: B — Nagoya Protocol
India is the global leader in issuing IRCCs under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing.
As reported in March 2026, which country is second after India in the number of IRCCs issued under the Nagoya Protocol?
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Correct answer: A — France
India (3,561) is followed by France with 964 certificates, then Spain (320) and Argentina (257).
Consider the following statements: 1. India accounts for over 56% of all IRCCs issued worldwide under the Nagoya Protocol. 2. All 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House have issued IRCCs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
India has issued 3,561 of 6,311 IRCCs (over 56%); of the 142 registered countries, only 34 have issued IRCCs.
The 'Bhavasagara' Referral Centre, designated as India's National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna in March 2026, belongs to which institution?
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Correct answer: D — Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology, Kochi
'Bhavasagara' is the Referral Centre of CMLRE, Kochi, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Under which law was 'Bhavasagara' designated as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna?
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Correct answer: A — Biological Diversity Act, 2002
The designation was conferred by MoEFCC under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Which agency conducted the competitive bidding for supply of green ammonia to fertiliser units under the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
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Correct answer: D — Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
SECI conducted competitive bidding for the supply of green ammonia to fertiliser units under the SIGHT programme.
About how much green ammonia per annum was allocated to the fertiliser sector under the agreements exchanged on 30 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 7.24 lakh tonnes
Minister J P Nadda said about 7.24 lakh tonnes per annum of green ammonia had been allocated.
Consider the following statements about the National Green Hydrogen Mission: 1. Its outlay is ₹19,744 crore. 2. It targets production of at least 5 MMT of green hydrogen per annum by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The Mission has an outlay of ₹19,744 crore and targets at least 5 MMT of green hydrogen per annum by 2030.
The Gyan Bharatam Survey, highlighted in the 132nd Mann Ki Baat on 29 March 2026, collects information about:
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Correct answer: D — Manuscripts
The PM said the objective of the Gyan Bharatam Survey is to collect information about manuscripts across the country, through the Gyan Bharatam App.
According to the PM in Mann Ki Baat (March 2026), about how many artificial water harvesting structures have been created under the Jal Sanchay Abhiyan?
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Correct answer: C — 50 lakh
Nearly 50 lakh artificial water harvesting structures have been created under the Jal Sanchay Abhiyan; nearly 70,000 Amrit Sarovars have been built.
Chizami village, praised in Mann Ki Baat for women preserving over 150 traditional seed varieties in a community seed bank, is in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Nagaland
The PM cited Chizami village in Nagaland, where women preserve over 150 varieties of traditional seeds.
Match the place with its mention in Mann Ki Baat (29 March 2026): 1. Wangmun – a. Seed bank run by women 2. Chizami – b. Rooftop rainwater harvesting in Jampui Hills Which is the correct match?
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Correct answer: B — 1-b, 2-a
Wangmun village in Tripura's Jampui Hills adopted rooftop rainwater harvesting; Chizami village in Nagaland has a women-run community seed bank.
Which Indian athlete, mentioned in Mann Ki Baat in March 2026, became the first Indian to complete a half marathon in under an hour?
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Correct answer: B — Gulveer Singh
The PM said Gulveer Singh of Uttar Pradesh finished third in the New York City Half Marathon and became the first Indian to complete a half marathon in under an hour.
Earth Hour, which marked its 20th anniversary in March 2026, is a global movement started by which organisation in 2007?
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Correct answer: B — WWF
WWF-India organised the 20th-anniversary activities; Earth Hour, WWF's grassroots movement, began in 2007 and spans 190+ countries.
In which city did MoEFCC and WWF-India hold awareness activities to mark 20 years of Earth Hour on 28 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Gwalior
The activities were held at The Scindia School and IITTM in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
In March 2026, a Great Indian Bustard chick hatched after a decade in which region of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Kutch
The chick hatched in Kutch, where only three female GIBs survive.
The Great Indian Bustard egg used in the Kutch 'jump-start' was transported by road from which place in Rajasthan?
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Correct answer: A — Sam
The egg was transported about 770 km by road from Sam (Rajasthan) to Naliya (Gujarat).
How many Great Indian Bustards are now in the conservation breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra, as per the March 2026 announcement?
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Correct answer: C — 73
The number of birds in the breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra has reached 73, with five new chicks this season.
Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard 'jump-start' in Gujarat (March 2026): 1. It was India's first inter-state jump-start initiative for the GIB. 2. Gujarat's wild GIB population still has a few males, but their eggs were infertile. 3. Project GIB was formally launched in 2016. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
It was the first inter-state jump-start, and Project GIB was launched in 2016. Kutch's local population had lost all its males long ago, so statement 2 is wrong.
The bus fire accident of 26 March 2026 in which at least 14 people died occurred in which district?
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Correct answer: B — Markapuram, Andhra Pradesh
The bus collided with a tipper lorry and caught fire near Rayavaram in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh.
For the Markapuram bus accident, the ex-gratia announced by the PM for the next of kin of each deceased from PMNRF was:
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Correct answer: D — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Under its NDC for 2031-2035 approved in March 2026, India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2035, from the 2005 level, by:
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Correct answer: C — 47%
The new NDC targets a 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 over 2005. 33-35% was the 2015 NDC target for 2030.
Consider the following about India's NDC for 2031-2035: 1. It targets 60% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035. 2. It targets an additional carbon sink of 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 from the 2005 level. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are targets of the NDC 2031-35, alongside the 47% emissions-intensity target.
According to the government (March 2026), what share of India's installed electric power capacity was from non-fossil sources in February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 52.57%
Non-fossil capacity reached 52.57% in February 2026, meeting the updated NDC target five years ahead of the timeline; the new target is 60% by 2035.
The cold storage collapse of 23 March 2026, in which four workers died, took place in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Prayagraj
Part of Adarsh Cold Storage in Phaphamau, Prayagraj (UP) collapsed after an explosion in its ammonia gas chamber.
After the Prayagraj cold storage collapse (March 2026), the Prime Minister announced ex gratia from PMNRF of:
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Correct answer: A — ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for each deceased's next of kin and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Prakriti 2026, at which the Indian Carbon Market Portal was launched, was organised by:
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Correct answer: D — Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Prakriti 2026, the International Conference on Carbon Markets, was organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
According to the Power Minister on 21 March 2026, GEI targets have been notified for about how many obligated entities under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme?
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Correct answer: B — About 490
GEI targets have been notified for nearly 490 obligated entities across seven energy-intensive sectors.
Consider the following about the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme as described on 21 March 2026: 1. It has nine notified methodologies on the offset side. 2. Compliance targets cover obligated entities across twelve energy-intensive sectors. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
There are nine notified methodologies; compliance targets cover about 490 entities across seven, not twelve, energy-intensive sectors.
Which body constituted the Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species in March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Biodiversity Authority
The National Biodiversity Authority constituted the committee following NGT directions.
Who chairs the NBA's Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species?
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Correct answer: A — Dhananjai Mohan
Dhananjai Mohan, former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand, chairs it; Prof. A. Biju Kumar is Co-Chair.
Consider the following about the NBA's Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species: 1. It was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. It followed a suo motu proceeding of the National Green Tribunal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The committee was constituted under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (as amended in 2023), so statement 1 is wrong; it followed NGT's suo motu case O.A. No. 162/2023.
Where was the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife held on 21 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dehradun
The meeting was chaired by Bhupender Yadav in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
At the 90th SC-NBWL meeting, the Forest Survey of India signed an MoU on geospatial and AI tools for forest fire management with:
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Correct answer: D — BISAG-N
FSI signed the MoU with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).
The fire in the trauma care ICU on 16 March 2026 that killed 12 patients occurred at which hospital?
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Correct answer: C — SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack
The fire broke out in the first-floor trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from PMNRF for the next of kin of each person killed in the Cuttack hospital fire?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Which body revoked GRAP Stage-I across Delhi-NCR on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas
The GRAP sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked all Stage-I actions across NCR.
Delhi's daily average AQI on 16 March 2026, when GRAP Stage-I was revoked, was recorded at:
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Correct answer: A — 119
Delhi's AQI improved from 175 on 15 March to 119 on 16 March 2026, in the 'Moderate' category.
Which State received the largest share of the ₹1,912.99 crore NDRF assistance announced on 13 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
Gujarat got ₹778.67 crore, the largest share; Andhra Pradesh got ₹341.48 crore and Himachal Pradesh ₹288.39 crore.
Which cyclone of 2025 is named in the Home Ministry's 13 March 2026 release on additional central assistance?
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Correct answer: C — Montha
The assistance covers States hit by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and Cyclone 'Montha' during 2025.
The National Disaster Response Fund, from which the 13 March 2026 assistance was approved, is constituted under:
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Correct answer: D — Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
The NDRF is constituted under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and supplements a State's SDRF in disasters of a severe nature.
After two chicks hatched in March 2026, how many Great Indian Bustards are in captivity under Project GIB?
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Correct answer: A — 70
The two new chicks took the tally of birds in captivity to 70, the Environment Minister said.
How were the two Great Indian Bustard chicks announced on 13 March 2026 produced?
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Correct answer: D — One by natural mating, one by artificial insemination
One chick came from natural mating and the other from artificial insemination at the Conservation Breeding Centre in Rajasthan.
Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard: 1. It is listed in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. It is the state bird of Gujarat. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: Schedule I gives it the highest legal protection. Statement 2 is wrong: the Great Indian Bustard is the state bird of Rajasthan.
Where was the March 2026 national workshop on minimising elephant deaths on railway tracks held?
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Correct answer: D — Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun
The workshop was held on 10–11 March 2026 at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.
How many railway stretches were prioritised for mitigation measures against elephant–train collisions, as reported in March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 77
Out of 127 stretches assessed (3,452.4 km), 77 stretches spanning 1,965.2 km in 14 states were prioritised, with 705 mitigation structures recommended.
According to the Environment Ministry, roughly what share of the global Asian elephant population lives in India?
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Correct answer: A — More than 60%
The Ministry said India harbours more than 60% of the global Asian elephant population.
What is 'NETRA', launched by the Jal Shakti Minister on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — An AI-enabled tracking and review platform of the National Dam Safety Authority
NETRA (NDSA Engine for Tracking and Review using AI) is an AI-enabled platform developed by NDSA with the Navy's WESEE.
With which organisation did the NDSA develop its AI platform NETRA?
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Correct answer: B — WESEE, Indian Navy
NETRA was developed with the Weapons and Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment (WESEE), an R&D laboratory of the Indian Navy.
Consider the following statements about the National Dam Safety Authority: 1. It was established under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and came into force on 18 February 2022. 2. It frames dam safety policy, while the National Committee on Dam Safety implements it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 reverses the roles: the National Committee on Dam Safety evolves policies, and the NDSA is the regulator that implements them for specified dams.
How much textile waste does India generate annually, according to the report released by the Textiles Ministry on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 70.73 lakh tonnes
The report 'Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India' estimates about 70.73 lakh tonnes of textile waste a year.