Ans: A

Exp:

India has achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting flight trial of long range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. The missile can carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km for the Armed Forces.

Hypersonic missile: 

• • Statement 1 is correct: Speed: A hypersonic missile is a weapon system which flies at least at the speed of Mach 5 i.e. five times the speed of sound and is manoeuvrable. 
  • Statement 2 is not correct: Manoeuvrability: Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles do not follow a ballistic trajectory
    • Statement 3 is not correct: It can be manoeuvred to the intended target.

• Types: Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV) and Hypersonic Cruise Missiles. 

• • The HGV is launched from a rocket before gliding to the intended target. 
  • The hypersonic cruise missile is powered by air breathing high speed engines or ‘scramjets’ after acquiring their target.
• Advantage: Hypersonic weapons can enable responsive, long range strike options against distant, defended or time critical threats (such as road mobile missiles) when other forces are unavailable, denied access or not preferred.

Ans: B

Exp:

Nigeria conferred its second-highest national award — the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger — on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making him the second foreign dignitary to receive the distinction.

About Nigeria:

• Statement 1 is not correct: Located on the west coast of Africa.
  • Territorial boundaries: Niger (North), Chad and Cameroon (East), Benin (West)
  • Maritime boundaries: The Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean in the South.
• Statement 2 is correct: Nigeria is the most populous African Country.
• Statement 3 is not correct: The Equator does not pass through Nigeria.
• Statement 4 is not correct: It is not part of the Sahara desert. 

Ans: A

Exp: 

Commission for air quality management in NCR and adjoining areas ordered the imposition of the graded response action plan (GRAP) stage IV restrictions as the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi goes above 400.

About Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):

• Statement 1 is correct: It is a set of emergency measures implemented in the Delhi-NCR region to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches specific threshold levels. 
• It was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and officially notified in 2017. 
• Statement 2 is not correct: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas oversees the implementation of GRAP.
  • Established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021

Key features of GRAP:

• Incremental Nature: GRAP is designed to be incremental, meaning as air quality worsens, measures from successive stages are triggered.
  • Stage 1 (Poor AQI – 201 to 300)
  • Stage 2 (Very Poor AQI – 301 to 400)
  • Stage 3 (Severe AQI – 401 to 450)
  • Stage 4 (Severe + AQI – More than 450)

Ans: D

Exp: 

In a remarkable first, the critically endangered Red-Headed Vulture has been sighted in Kasaragod, marking a significant addition to the region’s avian biodiversity.

About the Vultures Species in India:

• Vultures are part of 22 species of large scavenger birds primarily found in tropical and subtropical areas.
• Scavengers: They serve an essential role as natural waste removers, keeping the environment clean by consuming carrion.
  • Vultures help control the spread of wildlife diseases.
• Statement 1 is not correct: India is home to nine vulture species: Oriental White-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and Eurasian Griffon.
• Statement 2 is not correct: Decline in population: Vulture populations have seen a steep decline across South Asia, especially in India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
  • The primary cause of this decline, occurring in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was the widespread use of the veterinary drug diclofenac, which is toxic to vultures.
• Conservation: India’s only vulture sanctuary is located in Ramanagara, Karnataka, and is called the Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary

Ans: B

Exp:

Recently, the Ministry of Science & Technology launched Operation Dronagiri, a pilot project under National Geospatial Policy 2022.

About Operation Dronagiri:

• Operation Dronagiri is a pilot project launched under India’s National Geospatial Policy 2022 aimed at showcasing the transformative potential of geospatial technologies in improving the quality of life for citizens and enhancing the ease of doing business.
• Objective: To demonstrate practical applications of geospatial technology in sectors such as agriculture, livelihoods, logistics, and transport.
• Initial Implementation: The first phase will be conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra, showcasing pilot projects and use cases.
• Collaborations: Involvement of various government departments, industry leaders, corporate bodies, and startups to foster innovation and collaborative efforts.
• Support System: Operation Dronagiri is supported by the Integrated Geospatial Data Sharing Interface (GDI), which facilitates seamless data sharing and analysis, enhancing coordination for urban planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster management.