1.Parvati valley, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
Sikkim
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
A tourist from Haryana drowned in the Parvati River near Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, while taking photos. The Parvati River, a major tributary of the Beas River, rises from the Man Talai Glacier at 5200 meters. It flows 150 km through the Parvati Valley, passing Malana and Manikaran, collecting water from glacial streams and monsoons. It merges with the Beas River at Bhuntar. The river also has geothermal springs.
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
Sikkim
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
A tourist from Haryana drowned in the Parvati River near Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh, while taking photos. The Parvati River, a major tributary of the Beas River, rises from the Man Talai Glacier at 5200 meters. It flows 150 km through the Parvati Valley, passing Malana and Manikaran, collecting water from glacial streams and monsoons. It merges with the Beas River at Bhuntar. The river also has geothermal springs.
2.What is the causative agent of ‘Oropouche fever’, recently seen in news?
[A] Bacteria
Fungus
[C] Virus
[D] Protozoa
Correct Answer: C [Virus]
Notes:
Italy recently reported its first case of Oropouche fever, caused by the Oropouche Virus (OROV), an emerging mosquito-borne disease. OROV, part of the orthobunyavirus family, has an incubation period of 4 to 8 days and was first identified in Trinidad and Tobago in 1955. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Severe cases can lead to meningitis or encephalitis. Transmission occurs through infected midges or mosquitoes, with no specific treatment or vaccine currently available.
3.Saryu River, recently seen in news, flows through which Indian states?
[A] Maharashtra and Karnataka
Kerala and Tamil Nadu
[C] Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat and Rajasthan
Correct Answer: C [Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
An artificial lake in the Saryu River poses a significant threat as draining attempts have failed for two days. The Saryu River, also known as Sarayu or Sarju, flows through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. It is historically significant, mentioned in the Vedas and Ramayana, with Ayodhya, Lord Rama’s birthplace, on its banks. Originating from the Himalayas, it flows into the Sharada River at Pancheshwar, which then merges with the Ghaghara River.
4.Recently, Air India is establishing South Asia’s largest flight training school in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
Maharashtra
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Air India is establishing South Asia’s largest flight training school in Maharashtra’s Amravati district with an investment of over ₹200 crore. Opening in the next financial year’s first quarter, it will address the airline’s need for 500-700 pilots annually, following a large aircraft order. In partnership with Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), the 10-acre facility will train 180 commercial pilots yearly using 31 single-engine Piper aircraft and three twin-engine Diamond aircraft.
5.Recently, where was the District Mineral Foundation Gallery inaugurated?
[A] Bhopal
New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Bengaluru
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Gallery was inaugurated at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. DMFs are non-profit trusts established in 2015 by state governments in mining-affected districts. They aim to benefit people and areas impacted by mining activities. Funded by royalties, state budgets, and private donations, DMFs are governed by a Board of Trustees, including government, local, and expert representatives, who oversee project implementation under PMKKKY and other schemes.
6.Which day is observed as ‘International Plastic Bag Free Day’?
[A] 2 July
3 July
[C] 4 July
[D] 5 July
Correct Answer: B [3 July]
Notes:
International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3 to encourage avoiding single-use plastics and combat plastic pollution. Established by Bag Free World, the day saw its first observance in 2008, initiated by Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe. In 2015, the EU passed directives to reduce single-use plastic bags. Bangladesh was the first country to ban these bags in 2022, followed by India and others.
7.Recently, where was the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held?
[A] Tehran, Iran
Astana, Kazakhstan
[C] Beijing, China
[D] New Delhi, India
Correct Answer: B [Astana, Kazakhstan]
Notes:
The 24th SCO Heads of State Meeting was held on July 4, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan. Hosted by President Tokayev, the summit admitted Belarus as the 10th full member. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the meeting, represented by External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar, who reiterated Modi’s stance against terrorism. Key leaders, including Putin, Xi Jinping, and Erdogan, attended, emphasizing the priority of combating terrorism and radicalization.
8.What is ‘Junk DNA’, recently mentioned in news?
[A] Regions of DNA that code for proteins
Noncoding regions of DNA
[C] DNA used in cellular respiration
[D] DNA that is completely functional
Correct Answer: B [Noncoding regions of DNA]
Notes:
Using AI, researchers discovered potential cancer drivers in ‘junk’ DNA regions, which are noncoding sections of DNA. While DNA codes for proteins, not all sequences serve this function. Some noncoding DNA produces RNA components, but others have unknown functions and are termed junk DNA. In humans, 98% of DNA is noncoding, compared to 2% in bacteria. Evidence suggests junk DNA might have functional roles through exaptation, gaining functions beyond natural selection.
9.Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, recently seen in the news, is a flagship programme of which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Defence]
Notes:
The Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, led by the Ministry of Defence and executed by DRDO under ‘Make in India’, promotes self-reliance in defence. It provides grants to Indian industries, MSMEs, start-ups, and academic institutions to develop defence and dual-use technologies not currently available domestically. The scheme fosters a culture of military technology design and development among private sectors, focusing on pioneering niche technologies and fostering collaboration among Armed Forces, research bodies, academia, and private entities.
10.Recently, where was the ‘Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS)’ inaugurated?
[A] Hyderabad
Bengaluru
[C] New Delhi
[D] Chennai
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) commenced at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi with Chief Guest Smt. Nivedita Shukla Verma inaugurating. Key attendees included AIPMA and CPMA leaders. Verma highlighted the need for collaborative efforts and government initiatives like the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016. Smt. Mercy Epao emphasized MSME’s support. The conference aims to address plastic waste management, with India’s industry projected to reach $6.9 billion by 2033.