Correct Answer : December 16
* Vijay Diwas is observed annually on December 16 to honour the Indian armed forces' victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. * The 13-day intense battle resulted in India’s decisive win, leading to the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation. * This day also pays tribute to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the conflict. * In Bangladesh, this day is celebrated as ‘Bijoy Dibos’ or Victory Day, marking their independence from Pakistan. * Vijay Diwas serves as a reminder of India’s military strength and the successful culmination of the war.
Correct Answer : Boost Inland Waterways Cargo
* The ‘Jalvahak’ scheme was launched to promote long-haul cargo transportation on major rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Barak. * The scheme specifically targets cargo owners who transport goods over 300 km using inland waterways, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. * As part of the launch, Minister Sonowal flagged off three cargo ships and two barges from Kolkata's GR Jetty, signalling the commencement of regular cargo services on National Waterways 1 and 2. * This initiative is expected to reduce road congestion and promote the efficient use of inland water transport in India.
Correct Answer : South Korea
* South Korea has announced an investment of $1.9 billion (2.7 trillion won) to develop technologies aimed at combating climate change. * This marks a 3.9 percent increase from the previous allocation of 2.6 trillion won. * The investment is part of South Korea’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 2018 levels by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. * This initiative highlights South Korea’s proactive approach toward sustainable development and its focus on meeting global climate goals through technological innovation and green investments.
Correct Answer : United States
* The United States military successfully tested its Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), known as "Dark Eagle," at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. * This test demonstrated the missile’s ability to travel faster than 3,800 miles per hour (Mach 5), which is over five times the speed of sound. * The "Dark Eagle" is designed to strike distant and well-defended targets with precision, marking a major milestone in hypersonic weapons development. * The successful trial included the complete LRHW system, including the ground-based launcher and operations centre, moving the U.S. closer to operational deployment by 2025.
Correct Answer : India
* India has become the first country to define standards for ‘green steel,’ setting an emissions cap of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel produced. * Along with this, a star-rating system was introduced to classify steel producers based on their emissions performance. * The ?15,000 crore Green Steel Mission aims to promote sustainable steel production, with 37% of public procurement reserved for top-rated steel. * To achieve this, the industry plans a significant ?260,000 crore transition toward adopting green technologies, underscoring India’s commitment to reducing industrial carbon emissions.
Correct Answer : Australia
* India and Australia are working towards finalizing the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), a free trade agreement aimed at eliminating tariffs, liberalizing services, and enhancing trade opportunities. * This collaboration focuses on key areas such as goods, services, digital trade, and government procurement while exploring new areas like innovation, critical minerals, and agri-tech. * The CECA reflects the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations, strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual growth.
Correct Answer : IIT Madras
* IIT Madras developed DHARINI, a groundbreaking high-resolution 3D atlas of the foetal brain. * This revolutionary tool maps over 5,000 brain sections and 500 brain regions during the crucial second trimester of pregnancy. * It aids in understanding brain disorders such as autism, and cerebral palsy, and mental health conditions like depression. * By utilizing thin slices of still-born brains for cellular-level imaging, DHARINI uniquely captures the developing brain in fetuses. * It surpasses existing brain atlases, including the 2016 US Allen Institute's adult brain atlas, and is expected to advance artificial intelligence research and brain science significantly.
Correct Answer : Article 136
* Article 136 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court discretionary power to hear special leave petitions (SLPs). * This extraordinary jurisdiction allows the Court to address cases involving substantial questions of law or potential miscarriages of justice, even where no direct right of appeal exists. * Originating from the Government of India Act, of 1935, the mechanism empowers the Court to intervene in both civil and criminal matters. * SLPs are instrumental in reducing the backlog of pending cases, ensuring justice in exceptional situations, and maintaining the Court's role as the ultimate arbiter of law in India.
Correct Answer : 50%
* In 2023, India contributed nearly 50% of the estimated malaria cases in the region, marking a significant share compared to other countries. * This highlights the burden of malaria in India despite notable progress in reducing cases over the years. * Alongside Indonesia, which accounted for nearly one-third of cases, these two countries are central to the regional malaria statistics. * Efforts to further reduce malaria cases in India are critical to achieving global malaria reduction targets.
Correct Answer : Andhra Pradesh
* Andhra Pradesh is pioneering India’s first statewide skill census, aiming to map skill gaps and strengths among its workforce. * Building on the success of a pilot project in Mangalagiri, this initiative will cover 3.5 crore working-age individuals across 1.8 crore households. * By aligning existing skills with industry demands and addressing youth unemployment, the census seeks to boost job creation and economic development. * Innovative measures like linking Skill IDs to Aadhaar will enhance accessibility to skilling opportunities, showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to addressing employment challenges through targeted interventions.
