Art & Cul

Q1. Consider the following pairs:

TribeState/Region primarily associated
SoligaKarnataka
TodaTamil Nadu
Dongria KondhOdisha
ApataniArunachal Pradesh
KaniMeghalaya

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) All five

Ans: (c)

Explanation

  1. A recent study cited the Soliga tribe of Karnataka's Biligiri Rangaswamy Hills as an example of community-based conservation, questioning the effectiveness of the 'fortress conservation' approach. 
  2. The Soliga tribe is primarily associated with Karnataka, especially the B.R. Hills. Hence, Pair 1 is correctly matched.
  3. The Toda tribe inhabits the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Hence, Pair 2 is correctly matched.
  4. The Dongria Kondh are primarily found in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha. Hence, Pair 3 is correctly matched.
  5. The Apatani tribe is associated with Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the Ziro Valley. Hence, Pair 4 is correctly matched.
  6. The Kani (Kanikkar) tribe is primarily found in the Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, not Meghalaya. Hence, Pair 5 is not correctly matched.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/study-cites-soligas-of-biligiri-as-an-example-against-fortress-conservation-approach/article71275832.ece





Miscellaneous

Q2. With reference to the term 'Generation Alpha', recently in the news, consider the following. Generation Alpha generally refers to individuals who: 

(a) Were born during the post-World War II period and experienced rapid economic growth.

(b) Were born approximately between 2010 and the mid-2020s and are considered the first generation born entirely in the 21st century.

(c) Were born approximately between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s and witnessed the rise of the internet.

(d) Were born approximately between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s and came of age before the digital revolution.

Ans: (b)

Explanation

  1. The term ‘Generation Alpha’ was recently in the news after school students in Uttar Pradesh staged a protest demanding better educational facilities.
  2. It refers to the Baby Boomer Generation (1946–1964), born during the post-World War II population boom. Hence, Option (a) is not correct.
  3. Generation Alpha generally includes individuals born from around 2010 to the mid-2020s and is widely regarded as the first generation born entirely in the 21st century. Hence, Option (b) is correct.
  4. It refers to the Millennial (Generation Y) cohort, generally born between 1981 and 1996. Hence, Option (c) is not correct.
  5. Option (d) is not correct. It broadly refers to Generation X, generally born between 1965 and 1980. 

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/uttar-pradesh/echoes-of-jantar-mantar-in-up-as-gen-alpha-school-students-stage-protest-for-basic-facilities/article71277203.ece





Science & Tech

Q3. With reference to the Andromeda Galaxy, consider the following statements:

  1. It is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way.
  2. It is larger than the Milky Way.
  3. It is expected to collide with the Milky Way within the next 10 billion years.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (c)

Explanation

  1. Astronomers recently reported that the Andromeda Galaxy is transitioning towards a "middle age" phase, marked by a declining rate of star formation.
  2. The Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way, located about 2.5 million light-years away. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  3. Andromeda is larger than the Milky Way, being roughly 2–2.5 times wider. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  4. Astronomers estimate that the Milky Way and Andromeda are likely to collide in about 4 - 10 billion years, eventually forming a single giant galaxy. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/andromeda-galaxy-entering-middle-age/article71276485.ece





 Environment

Q4. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: 

India has emerged as a global leader in tiger conservation.

Statement II: 

India has developed a science-based monitoring framework using technologies such as M-STrIPES, camera traps and artificial intelligence.

Statement III: 

India actively promotes international cooperation through initiatives such as the International Big Cat Alliance and the Global Tiger Forum.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both explain Statement I.

(b) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct, but only one explains Statement I.

(c) Only one of Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I.

(d) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct.

Ans: (a)

Explanation

  1. International Tiger Day is observed annually on 29 July to promote tiger conservation, protect habitats, and raise awareness about declining wild tiger populations. 
  2. It was established at the 2010 Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where the 13 tiger-range countries, including India, adopted the Tx2 goal to double the global wild tiger population by 2022.
  3. India's leadership in tiger conservation is based on both scientific management and international engagement.
  4. Technology-driven monitoring through M-STrIPES, camera traps and AI-based tools has strengthened conservation outcomes and explains India's leadership. Hence, Statement II is correct.
  5. Statement III is correct. India's leadership is also reflected in global initiatives such as the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF), which promote international cooperation in big cat conservation. Hence, Statement III is correct.
  6. Both Statements II and III explain why India is regarded as a global leader in tiger conservation.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/co-existing-with-tigers-outside-reserves/article71278463.ece





 Environment

Q5. Which of the following States are proposed to have areas included within the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area?

  1. Gujarat
  2. Goa
  3. Karnataka
  4. Andhra Pradesh

How many of the above States are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Ans: (c)

Explanation

  1. The proposed Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) covers 56,825.7 sq. km. across six States based broadly on the recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee, with some State-specific modifications.
  2. The Western Ghats extend for about 1,600 km from the Tapti River valley (Gujarat) to Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu).
  3. They pass through 6 States: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
  4. Gujarat forms the northernmost extent of the Western Ghats (Dang district) and has 449 sq. km. proposed under the ESA notification. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
  5. Goa lies entirely within the central stretch of the Western Ghats and has 1,461 sq. km. proposed under the ESA. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
  6. Karnataka contains the largest share of the proposed ESA, with 20,668 sq. km., owing to its extensive forested Western Ghats landscape and rich biodiversity. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
  7. Andhra Pradesh is not traversed by the Western Ghats; it is associated with the Eastern Ghats. Therefore, it is not included in the proposed Western Ghats ESA notification. Hence, Statement 4 is not correct.
  8. The Western Ghats are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity in the world.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

Read More: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/centre-reissues-notification-on-western-ghats-eco-sensitive-zone-amid-deadlock-with-states/article71277625.ece