1. As of January 2021, What is India’s revised target for achieving 20% ethanol-blending with gasoline?
[A] 2022
[B] 2025
[C] 2030
[D] 2050
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Answer 2
Explanation: India has planned to achieve 20% ethanol-blending with gasoline by the year 2025, which is 5 years ahead of its previous target. This is aimed to reduce India’s dependence on crude oil import and narrow down the Current Account Deficit (CAD). India is the world’s third largest importer of oil, relying on foreign suppliers to meet more than 80% of its demand.
Explanation: India has planned to achieve 20% ethanol-blending with gasoline by the year 2025, which is 5 years ahead of its previous target. This is aimed to reduce India’s dependence on crude oil import and narrow down the Current Account Deficit (CAD). India is the world’s third largest importer of oil, relying on foreign suppliers to meet more than 80% of its demand.
2.Siang river, which was making news with reference to Red Panda species, is located in which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Meghalaya
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Meghalaya
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Answer 2
Explanation: As per the recent study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Both the species of Panda, namely Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) are present in India. It also revealed that the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh serves as the boundary by splitting the red panda into these two genetic species. As per another study, the Himalayan red panda was affected more during the Pleistocene glaciation.
Explanation: As per the recent study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Both the species of Panda, namely Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens) and the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) are present in India. It also revealed that the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh serves as the boundary by splitting the red panda into these two genetic species. As per another study, the Himalayan red panda was affected more during the Pleistocene glaciation.
3.‘Ooceraea joshii’, is an Ant species recently discovered in which state?
[A] Telangana
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
[A] Telangana
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
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Answer 2
Explanation: Two new species of a rare ant genus have been recently discovered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by a team of scientists from Punjabi University. One of the two species which was discovered found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala has been named Ooceraea Joshii, to honour the veteran biologist ‘Amitabh Joshi’.
Explanation: Two new species of a rare ant genus have been recently discovered in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by a team of scientists from Punjabi University. One of the two species which was discovered found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala has been named Ooceraea Joshii, to honour the veteran biologist ‘Amitabh Joshi’.
4.Which organisation recently conducted the biggest ever opinion poll on climate change?
[A] UNDP
[B] UNEP
[C] WTO
[D] WMO
[A] UNDP
[B] UNEP
[C] WTO
[D] WMO
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Answer 1
Explanation: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) questioned 1.2 million people in 50 countries, conducting the biggest ever opinion poll on climate change. As per the survey’s findings, two-thirds of the total people polled see a “global climate emergency”. The survey also revealed that in nations with fossil fuels as a major source of emissions, people strongly supported renewable energy. ©navclasses
Explanation: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) questioned 1.2 million people in 50 countries, conducting the biggest ever opinion poll on climate change. As per the survey’s findings, two-thirds of the total people polled see a “global climate emergency”. The survey also revealed that in nations with fossil fuels as a major source of emissions, people strongly supported renewable energy. ©navclasses
5.In which state, the Kaliveli Lake is located?
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Goa
[D] Tamil Nadu
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Goa
[D] Tamil Nadu
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Answer 4
Explanation: The Kaliveli Lake is a coastal lake and a wet land, situated in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. The lake is near the Bay of Bengal and is the second-largest brackish water lake in Southern India after the lake Pulicat. The district administration has recently issued the first declaration under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to declare the wetlands as a bird sanctuary. ©navclasses
Explanation: The Kaliveli Lake is a coastal lake and a wet land, situated in Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu. The lake is near the Bay of Bengal and is the second-largest brackish water lake in Southern India after the lake Pulicat. The district administration has recently issued the first declaration under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to declare the wetlands as a bird sanctuary. ©navclasses
6.Srivilliputhur – Megamalai Tiger Reserve, which was recently approved, is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
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Answer 2
Explanation: The Central government has given its approval for the creation of Srivilliputhur – Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. This is the fifth tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu and will include the Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries. The State government will notify its fifth tiger reserve, after the notification from the Centre. ©navclasses
Explanation: The Central government has given its approval for the creation of Srivilliputhur – Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. This is the fifth tiger reserve in Tamil Nadu and will include the Meghamalai and Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuaries. The State government will notify its fifth tiger reserve, after the notification from the Centre. ©navclasses
7.Sigur plateau, which was making news recently, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Punjab
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Punjab
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Answer 2
Explanation: A group of six black storks (Ciconia nigra), were spotted recently in the Sigur plateau in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. The species is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the “Least Concern” category. The sighting of the black stork in this region is considered to be extremely rare. ©navclasses
Explanation: A group of six black storks (Ciconia nigra), were spotted recently in the Sigur plateau in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. The species is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the “Least Concern” category. The sighting of the black stork in this region is considered to be extremely rare. ©navclasses
8.‘Arribada’ is a term related to which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Sea Turtle
[C] Frog
[D] Spider
[A] Snake
[B] Sea Turtle
[C] Frog
[D] Spider
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Answer 2
Explanation: Arribada is a term used to describe the mass migration of sea turtles, where large groups of females assemble at a nesting site on the beach. Recently, the Olive Ridley turtles have started laying eggs in the beach in this nesting season. The nesting season which usually begins in November was delayed by a few weeks this year, due to changes in climate conditions due to the cyclones Nivar and Burevi. ©navclasses
Explanation: Arribada is a term used to describe the mass migration of sea turtles, where large groups of females assemble at a nesting site on the beach. Recently, the Olive Ridley turtles have started laying eggs in the beach in this nesting season. The nesting season which usually begins in November was delayed by a few weeks this year, due to changes in climate conditions due to the cyclones Nivar and Burevi. ©navclasses
9.Fall Army Worm (FAW) infestation on crops has been reported recently in which place?
[A] Chennai, Tamil Nadu
[B] Lucknow, UP
[C] Wayanad, Kerala
[D] Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
[A] Chennai, Tamil Nadu
[B] Lucknow, UP
[C] Wayanad, Kerala
[D] Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
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Answer 3
Explanation: Recently, Wayanad of Kerala has witnessed infestation of fall armyworm (FAW), which has caused excessive damage to crops in the place. The attack has been reported on maize and plantain cultivations and hence the state’s agriculture department has issued advisory to farmers. ©navclasses
Explanation: Recently, Wayanad of Kerala has witnessed infestation of fall armyworm (FAW), which has caused excessive damage to crops in the place. The attack has been reported on maize and plantain cultivations and hence the state’s agriculture department has issued advisory to farmers. ©navclasses
10.Ejiao, which was making news recently, is a hard gel made from the skin of which animal?
[A] Donkey
[B] Horse
[C] Cat
[D] Cow
[A] Donkey
[B] Horse
[C] Cat
[D] Cow
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Answer 1
Explanation: The donkey skins are being used to make Ejiao, a gelatin used in the Chinese market for manufacturing traditional medicines. It is a hard gel used sometimes in food or drink or in cosmetics. It is used in the Chinese market for manufacturing traditional medicines. The increased demand in China for this purpose is believed to be the cause of the sharp decline of India’s donkey population over the last decade. ©navclasses
Explanation: The donkey skins are being used to make Ejiao, a gelatin used in the Chinese market for manufacturing traditional medicines. It is a hard gel used sometimes in food or drink or in cosmetics. It is used in the Chinese market for manufacturing traditional medicines. The increased demand in China for this purpose is believed to be the cause of the sharp decline of India’s donkey population over the last decade. ©navclasses