{"id":3655,"date":"2026-02-16T15:12:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=3655"},"modified":"2026-02-16T15:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T15:12:27","slug":"daily-current-affairs-16-02-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/daily-current-affairs-16-02-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS \u2013 16.02.2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Ol Chiki script, recently seen in news, is associated with which one of the following languages?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Bodo<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Dhongri<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Maithili<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Santhali<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) Santhali<\/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> Ol Chiki Script &#8211; 100 Years of Linguistic Empowerment<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ol Chiki Script:<\/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><strong>Ol Chiki<\/strong> is a script developed specifically for the <strong>Santhali language<\/strong>. <strong>Hence option (d) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was created in <strong>1925<\/strong> by <strong>Pandit Raghunath Murmu<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santhali belongs to the <strong>Austroasiatic language family<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ol Chiki consists of <strong>30 letters<\/strong> designed to represent Santhali phonetics accurately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each symbol corresponds directly to a <strong>distinct sound<\/strong>, making it a phonetic script.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The script was developed to overcome limitations of borrowed scripts like:<ul><li>Roman<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Bengali<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Odia<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Devanagari.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The creation of Ol Chiki enabled Santhali to transition from an <strong>oral tradition<\/strong> to a structured written language.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Santhali language was included in the <strong>Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India<\/strong> in <strong>2003<\/strong> through the <strong>92nd Constitutional Amendment Act<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ol Chiki is widely used in regions where Santhali speakers are concentrated:<ul><li>Jharkhand<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Odisha<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>West Bengal<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Assam<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bihar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Constitution of India has been translated into Santhali using the Ol Chiki script (released in 2025).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Government of India released a <strong>\u20b9100 commemorative coin<\/strong> and <strong>postage stamp<\/strong> to mark the centenary of the Ol Chiki script.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#aefdf2\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2024)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. The Constitution (71st Amendment) Act, 1992 amends the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution to include which of the following languages?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Konkani <br>2. Manipuri <br>3. Nepali <br>4. Maithilis <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) 1, 2 and 3<\/strong> <br>(b) 1, 2 and 4 <br>(c) 1,3 and 4 <br>(d) 2.3 and 4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0400ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228697&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228697&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-12 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. During a break in the southwest monsoon, which of the following changes are most likely?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Suppressed convection over peninsular and central regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Enhanced rainfall along the foothills of Himalayas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-15 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Strengthening of low-pressure systems over central India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 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-17 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-18 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-19 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 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-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Desert winds during monsoon breaks can be used for early warnings: Study<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Monsoon Breaks in India (Break Monsoon):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-25\">\n<li>A <strong>monsoon break<\/strong> refers to a temporary weakening or pause in rainfall during the <strong>Southwest Monsoon season (June\u2013September)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During break conditions:<ul><li>Rainfall reduces significantly over <strong>central India and Indo-Gangetic plains<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rainfall often increases over <strong>Himalayan foothills and northeast India<\/strong>, sometimes causing floods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breaks occur when the <strong>monsoon trough shifts northwards<\/strong> towards the Himalayan region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The monsoon trough is a <strong>low-pressure zone extending from northwest India to the Bay of Bengal<\/strong>, controlling monsoon rainfall distribution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Active and break phases are part of the <strong>intraseasonal variability<\/strong> of the monsoon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Meteorological Characteristics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-27\">\n<li>Weakening of low-pressure systems over central India. <strong>Hence statement 3 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced moisture transport from the Arabian Sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suppressed convection over peninsular and central regions. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhanced rainfall along Himalayan foothills due to orographic uplift. <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-28 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Causes \/ Drivers<\/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>Northward shift of the monsoon trough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Madden\u2013Julian Oscillation (MJO) phases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interaction with western disturbances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Variability in sea surface temperatures and monsoon circulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Role of Desert Winds (New Study Findings)<ul><li>Dry winds (dry intrusions) originating from west and northwest of India trigger monsoon breaks.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These winds originate from dry regions west of the <strong>Hindu Kush<\/strong> (near Afghanistan\u2013Iran\u2013Turkmenistan region).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/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>Impacts<\/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>Temporary dry spells affecting <strong>agriculture and sowing cycles<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased risk of floods and landslides in Himalayan regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Alters seasonal rainfall distribution even if total monsoon rainfall remains near normal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#aefdf2\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (1996)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. High temperature and low pressure over the Indian subcontinent during the summer season draws air from the Indian Ocean leading to the in-blowing of the:<\/strong> <br><br>(a) South-east monsoon <br><strong>(b) South-west monsoon<\/strong> <br>(c) Trade winds <br>(d) Westerlies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2600ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/desert-winds-during-monsoon-breaks-can-be-used-for-early-warnings-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/desert-winds-during-monsoon-breaks-can-be-used-for-early-warnings-study<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Which one of the following best describes the objective of the PM RAHAT Scheme, recently seen in the news?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) To provide financial compensation for damaged vehicles in road accidents<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) To ensure cashless hospitalization and assured treatment for road accident victims<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) To promote expansion of national highways across border areas<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-37 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) To regulate motor vehicle insurance claims settlement<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) To ensure cashless hospitalization and assured treatment for road accident victims<\/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<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>Government Launches \u201cPM RAHAT\u201d \u2013 Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-41 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PM RAHAT Scheme:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-42\">\n<li><strong>PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment)<\/strong> is a Central Government initiative aimed at providing <strong>cashless treatment<\/strong> to road accident victims. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme focuses on reducing preventable deaths by ensuring treatment within the <strong>Golden Hour<\/strong> after accidents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It provides <strong>cashless medical treatment up to \u20b91.5 lakh per victim<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coverage is available for a period of <strong>7 days from the date of accident<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stabilization treatment provisions:<ul><li>Up to <strong>24 hours<\/strong> for non-life-threatening cases.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Up to <strong>48 hours<\/strong> for life-threatening cases (subject to police authentication).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Applicable to accident victims on <strong>any category of road<\/strong> (national, state, or local roads).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrated with <strong>Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) \u2013 112 helpline<\/strong> for quick emergency response.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accident victims or Good Samaritans (\u201cRah-Veer\u201d) can call 112 to locate designated hospitals and ambulance services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implemented using technology platforms:<ul><li><strong>Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR)<\/strong> system of Ministry of Road Transport &amp; Highways.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0)<\/strong> of National Health Authority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital workflow includes accident reporting, police verification, hospital admission, claim processing and payment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Financial reimbursement made through the <strong>Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Funding sources:<ul><li>Contributions from general insurance companies (for insured vehicles).<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Government budget allocation (for uninsured and hit-and-run cases).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Claims approved by State Health Agencies to be settled within <strong>10 days<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>District-level grievance redressal handled by officer nominated by <strong>District Road Safety Committee<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Objective: strengthen emergency care ecosystem and ensure no accident victim is denied treatment due to lack of money.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0003ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228172&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228172&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-44 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. With reference to the Panchsheel principles, consider the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Mutual respect for each other\u2019s territorial integrity and sovereignty<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-46 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Mutual non-aggression<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Mutual non-interference in internal affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-48 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Equality and mutual benefit<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\">5. Peaceful coexistence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-50 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which of the above constitute the principles of Panchsheel?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 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-52 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2, 3 and 5 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 1, 4 and 5 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54 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-55 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-56 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-57 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Panchsheel Agreement:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-59\">\n<li>The Panchsheel Agreement was signed in <strong>1954<\/strong> between <strong>India<\/strong> and <strong>China<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Officially known as the <strong>Agreement on Trade and Intercourse between the Tibet Region of China and India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Signed during the tenure of Prime Minister <strong>Jawaharlal Nehru<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Based on the doctrine of <strong>Panchsheel (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Five Principles of Panchsheel:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-61 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Mutual respect for each other&#8217;s territorial integrity and sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Mutual non-aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Mutual non-interference in internal affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\">4. Equality and mutual benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-65 wp-block-paragraph\">5. Peaceful coexistence. <strong>Hence all are correct.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 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-67\">\n<li>Recognised Tibet as a region of China and regulated trade relations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aimed to promote peaceful India-China relations after independence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflected India\u2019s early foreign policy based on <strong>non-alignment and peaceful coexistence<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Panchsheel principles later influenced international diplomacy and NAM ideology.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#aefdf2\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2011)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to the \u201cLook East Policy\u201d of India , consider the following statements?<\/strong> <br><br>1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in East Asian affairs. <br>2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the Cold War. <br>3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia. <br><br><strong>Which of the statements given above is\/are correct?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 only <br><strong>(b) 1 and 3 only<\/strong> <br>(c) 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-68 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0e01ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/after-independence-india-wanted-good-ties-with-china-cds-anil-chauhan\/article70629465.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/after-independence-india-wanted-good-ties-with-china-cds-anil-chauhan\/article70629465.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Which of the following rivers is associated with the landscape of Rajaji National Park?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\">1. Ganga River<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\">2. Chilla River<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-72 wp-block-paragraph\">3. Suswa River<\/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 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 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 and 2 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 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-77 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 2 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-78 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-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: <\/strong>SC clears metalling of road through Rajaji National Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-81 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Background of the Case<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-82\">\n<li>The Supreme Court allowed construction of the <strong>Laldhang\u2013Chillarkhal road<\/strong> connecting <strong>Kotdwar and Haridwar<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total length: <strong>11 km<\/strong>, with <strong>4.7 km passing through Rajaji National Park<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The project had been under stay since <strong>January 11, 2023<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-83 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Rajaji National Park:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-84\">\n<li>Rajaji National Park is located in the state of <strong>Uttarakhand<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The park lies along the <strong>Shivalik (Siwalik) ranges<\/strong> in the Himalayan foothills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rajaji National Park was formed in <strong>1983<\/strong> by merging:<ul><li>Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Motichur Wildlife Sanctuary<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The park is named after <strong>C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)<\/strong>, freedom fighter and India\u2019s first Governor-General.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The total area of Rajaji National Park is approximately <strong>820.42 sq km<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The park extends across districts including: Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun (Earlier reference includes Saharanpur region area).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries are contiguous, while <strong>Chilla sanctuary is separated by the Ganga River and Chilla River<\/strong>. <strong>Hence 1 and 2 are correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The park lies in a <strong>transition zone between the Western Himalaya and Central Himalaya<\/strong>, enhancing biodiversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rajaji landscape includes:<ul><li>Hills and foothills<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Riverine areas<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Terai grasslands<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mixed deciduous forests.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dominant vegetation includes <strong>Sal forests<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forest types range from: Semi-evergreen, Deciduous, Mixed broad-leaved forests, Terai grasslands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The vegetation is classified under <strong>Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Several seasonal streams descend from the Siwalik ridge; they remain dry but become torrential during monsoon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Suswa River<\/strong> forms the northern boundary of parts of the park. <strong>Hence 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rajaji National Park is rich in avifauna, with about <strong>400 bird species recorded<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notable bird species include:<ul><li>Great Hornbill<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Black-necked Stork<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Pallas\u2019s Fish Eagle<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Northern Goshawk<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Yellow-billed Blue Magpie.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The park is known for both <strong>forest foothill birds and open grassland species<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major birding areas include:<ul><li>Forest rest houses<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Chilla forest drive (approx. 26 km)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Phanduwala\u2013Kansrao\u2013Motichur trail (~40 km).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#aefdf2\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2020)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin?<\/strong> <br><br>1. Nagarhole National Park <br>2. Papikonda National Park <br>3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve <br>4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary <br><br><strong>Select the correct answer using the code given below:<\/strong> <br><br>(a) 1 and 2 only <br>(b) 3 and 4 only <br><strong>(c) 1, 3 and 4 only<\/strong> <br>(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-85 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0a01ff\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/supreme-court-gives-nod-to-build-road-through-rajaji-national-park-no-commercial-vehicles-will-ply-on-it-101770924839761.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/supreme-court-gives-nod-to-build-road-through-rajaji-national-park-no-commercial-vehicles-will-ply-on-it-101770924839761.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-86 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0509ff\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rajajinationalpark.co.in\/1.about.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/rajajinationalpark.co.in\/1.about.htm<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-87 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6.&nbsp; Consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-88 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It is an urban freshwater lake situated in the Kashmir Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-89 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is often called the \u201cJewel in the crown of Kashmir\u201d due to its scenic and cultural importance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-90 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It has floating gardens locally known as \u201cRaad\u201d, used for vegetable cultivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-91 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Which one of the following lakes is best described in the statements given above?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-92 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Wular Lake<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-93 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Dal Lake<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-94 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Pangong Tso<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-95 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Tso Moriri<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-96 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) Dal Lake<\/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>Why has J&amp;K shelved the Dal Lake restoration plan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-99 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Dal Lake:<\/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>Dal Lake is located in <strong>Srinagar<\/strong>, Jammu &amp; Kashmir.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is an <strong>urban freshwater lake<\/strong> situated in the Kashmir Valley.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Often called the <strong>\u201cJewel in the crown of Kashmir\u201d<\/strong> due to scenic and cultural importance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has floating gardens locally known as <strong>\u201cRaad\u201d<\/strong>, used for vegetable cultivation. <strong>Hence option (b) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The lake is connected to other water bodies through channels and wetlands in the Jhelum basin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dal Lake contains multiple basins including:<ul><li>Gagribal<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Lokut Dal<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Bod Dal<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nagin (sometimes treated as separate but hydrologically linked).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known for <strong>houseboats and shikara transport<\/strong>, forming a unique human\u2013lake interaction ecosystem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Important for tourism, fisheries, agriculture and local livelihoods.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Classified as a significant <strong>urban wetland ecosystem<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major environmental issues:<ul><li>Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment)<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Encroachment and shrinking area<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Sewage inflow and pollution<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Excess aquatic weed growth<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Siltation from catchment erosion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conservation initiatives involve:<ul><li>De-weeding operations<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Sewage treatment measures<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Regulation of houseboats<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Catchment area management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dal Lake is part of Himalayan lacustrine systems influenced by glacial and fluvial processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#aefdf2\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2018)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. Which one of the following is an artificial lake?<\/strong> <br><br><strong>(a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)<\/strong> <br>(b) Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh) <br>(c) Nainital (Uttarakhand) <br>(d) Renuka (Himachal Pradesh)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-101 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0d00ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/jammu-and-kashmir\/why-has-jk-shelved-the-dal-lake-restoration-plan-explained\/article70623948.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/jammu-and-kashmir\/why-has-jk-shelved-the-dal-lake-restoration-plan-explained\/article70623948.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-102 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. With reference to recent discoveries, the term \u201cCikai Korran\u201d refers to which one of the following?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-103 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) A personal name identified in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egyptian tombs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-104 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) A Chera ruler mentioned in Sangam literature<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-105 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) A Buddhist monk associated with Southeast Asian trade routes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-106 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) A Roman official referred to in Indian epigraphic records<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-107 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (a) A personal name identified in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egyptian tombs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-108 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-109 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>How Tamil, Sanskrit and Prakrit names ended up on the walls of Egyptian Pharaohs\u2019 tombs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-110 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About \u201cCikai Korran\u201d:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-111\">\n<li>\u201cCikai Korran\u201d is a personal name identified in Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egyptian tombs. <strong>Hence option (a) is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The name appears multiple times (about <strong>eight inscriptions<\/strong>) across several tombs in Egypt\u2019s Valley of the Kings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is written in <strong>Tamil-Brahmi script<\/strong>, indicating early Tamil literacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The inscriptions are dated roughly between the <strong>1st and 3rd centuries CE<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The name reflects <strong>linguistic hybridity<\/strong>:<ul><li>\u201cCikai\u201d possibly linked to Sanskrit word <em>\u015bikh\u0101<\/em> (meaning tuft or crown).<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cKorran\u201d is distinctly Tamil, associated with victory or warrior identity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Tamil component relates to:<ul><li>Ko\u1e5f\u1e5favai \u2014 a warrior goddess in Tamil tradition.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The term <em>ko\u1e5f\u1e5fava\u1e49<\/em> meaning king or victorious person.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The repeated carving suggests deliberate marking of presence by an Indian traveller or merchant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The inscriptions indicate that Indian visitors travelled inland in Egypt, not just coastal trade centres.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Similar Tamil names appear in Sangam-age literature and inscriptions, linking the find to early historic Tamilakam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The name demonstrates the <strong>cosmopolitan and multilingual nature<\/strong> of ancient Indian trading communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It strengthens evidence of Indo-Mediterranean cultural interactions during the Roman trade period.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#aefdf2\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2020)<\/strong> <br><br><strong>Q. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term &#8216;paramitas&#8217;?<\/strong> <br><br>(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style <br>(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas <br><strong>(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path<\/strong> <br>(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-112 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2000ff\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-history\/tamil-sanskrit-prakrit-names-egypt-tombs-reason-10528975\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-history\/tamil-sanskrit-prakrit-names-egypt-tombs-reason-10528975\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-113 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. With reference to the Cheer Pheasant, consider the following statements:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-114 wp-block-paragraph\">1. It inhabits grassland and scrub ecosystems of the western Himalayas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-115 wp-block-paragraph\">2. It is classified as \u201cEndangered\u201d under the IUCN Red List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-116 wp-block-paragraph\">3. It is a ground-dwelling bird whose nesting is vulnerable to wildfires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-117 wp-block-paragraph\">4. It is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-118 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-119 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 3 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-120 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 1, 3 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-121 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 2 and 4 only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-122 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-123 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-124 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-125 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>On a slippery slope &#8211; Hunting and habitat degradation remain the biggest threats of this ground-dwelling bird<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-126 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The cheer pheasant:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-127\">\n<li>The <strong>cheer pheasant (Catreus wallichii)<\/strong> derives its name from its loud <strong>\u201cchir-a-pir\u201d call<\/strong>, common across western Himalayan valleys. <strong>Hence statement 1 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is classified as <strong>Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)<\/strong> due to <strong>small and fragmented populations<\/strong>.&nbsp; <strong>Hence statement 2 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The species occurs across the <strong>western Himalayas<\/strong> \u2014 from <strong>northern Pakistan, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand to central Nepal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It inhabits <strong>steep rocky slopes, grasslands, scrub vegetation<\/strong> at elevations of about <strong>1,200\u20133,350 metres<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bird is <strong>ground-dwelling<\/strong>, with nests built as <strong>simple ground scrapes<\/strong> under vegetation or rocks. <strong>Hence statement 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It shows <strong>high natal philopatry<\/strong>, meaning individuals often breed near their birthplace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The species depends on <strong>early successional grasslands<\/strong>, historically maintained by <strong>traditional grass cutting and controlled burning<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major threats include <strong>habitat loss<\/strong>, <strong>agricultural expansion<\/strong>, <strong>afforestation<\/strong>, <strong>human and livestock pressure<\/strong>, <strong>hunting<\/strong>, and <strong>land-use change<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wildfires during breeding season (April\u2013June)<\/strong> destroy nests and chicks, affecting population recruitment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conversion of grasslands into <strong>dense forests or agricultural terraces<\/strong> reduces suitable habitat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The species receives the highest protection under <strong>Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972<\/strong>. <strong>Hence statement 4 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is also listed in <strong>Appendix I of CITES<\/strong>, regulating international trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conservation measures include <strong>demographic studies<\/strong>, <strong>connectivity research<\/strong>, <strong>anti-hunting enforcement<\/strong>, <strong>community participation<\/strong>, and a <strong>coordinated range-wide conservation action plan<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"884\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-17.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3656\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-17.png 884w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-17-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-17-768x401.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 884px) 100vw, 884px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-128 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#3c00ff\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/on-a-slippery-slope\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/on-a-slippery-slope<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-129 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Exercise MILAN is primarily associated with which one of the following objectives?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-130 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) Nuclear deterrence cooperation among Indo-Pacific nations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-131 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) Anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-132 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) Exclusive bilateral naval exercises between India and ASEAN countries<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-133 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) Multilateral maritime security cooperation and naval interoperability<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-134 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (d) Multilateral maritime security cooperation and naval interoperability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-135 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-136 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In NEWS: <\/strong>INDIAN NAVY INAUGURATES MILAN VILLAGE AS PART OF EXERCISE MILAN 2026, VISAKHAPATNAM<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-137 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Exercise MILAN 2026:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-138\">\n<li><strong>Exercise MILAN<\/strong> is a <strong>flagship multilateral naval exercise<\/strong> conducted by the <strong>Indian Navy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MILAN 2026<\/strong> is being held at <strong>Visakhapatnam<\/strong> under the <strong>Eastern Naval Command<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The exercise aims to enhance:<ul><li><strong>Interoperability among participating navies<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Maritime domain awareness<\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Collective response capabilities. Hence option (d)&nbsp; is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Navies from <strong>over 70 countries<\/strong> are participating, making it one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The exercise includes:<ul><li><strong>Harbour Phase<\/strong> (professional interactions, seminars, cultural exchanges)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sea Phase<\/strong> (operational exercises)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-139 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Operational Focus Areas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-140\">\n<li>Anti-submarine warfare (ASW)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Air defence operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search and rescue missions (SAR)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooperative maritime security operations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-141 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#2200fe\"><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228574&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2228574&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-142 wp-block-paragraph\"><a><\/a><strong>10. Consider the following information:<\/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>Archaeological Site<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>State<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Description<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1.<\/td><td>Chandraketugarh<\/td><td>Odisha<\/td><td>Trading Port town<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>2.<\/td><td>Inamgaon<\/td><td>Maharashtra<\/td><td>Chalcolithic site<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>3.<\/td><td>Mangadu<\/td><td>Kerala<\/td><td>Megalithic site<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>4.<\/td><td>Salihundam<\/td><td>Andhra Pradesh<\/td><td>Rock-cut shrines<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-143 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-144 wp-block-paragraph\">(a) 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-145 wp-block-paragraph\">(b) 2 and 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-146 wp-block-paragraph\">(c) 3 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-147 wp-block-paragraph\">(d) 1 and 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-148 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Answer: (b) 2 and 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-149 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-150\">\n<li>Chandraketugarh is located in <strong>West Bengal<\/strong>, not Odisha (though it was an important ancient trading centre). <strong>Hence pair 1 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inamgaon is a well-known <strong>Chalcolithic (Jorwe culture)<\/strong> archaeological site in Maharashtra. <strong>Hence pair 2 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mangadu is associated with <strong>Megalithic cultural remains<\/strong> in Kerala. <strong>Hence pair 3 is correct.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Salihundam is primarily a <strong>Buddhist site<\/strong> with stupas, chaityas and monasteries, not known for rock-cut shrines. <strong>Hence pair 4 is incorrect.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ol Chiki script, recently seen in news, is associated with which one of the following languages? (a) Bodo (b) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,68,71,41,25,26,33,11,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-daily-current-affairs","category-good-morning-test","category-gs-1","category-gs-2","category-gs-3","category-gs-4","category-prelims","category-prelims-current-affairs-gmt"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3655"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3655\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3658,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3655\/revisions\/3658"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}