DART 22-07-26 - Questlink IAS

#210 Sci

Q1. The term "Fighter Drug", recently seen in the news, refers to:

(a) A stimulant drug used by armed forces to enhance alertness during combat

(b) An opioid analgesic, Tramadol Hydrochloride, which has been widely trafficked and misused by terrorist and extremist groups

(d) A synthetic antiviral drug used in the treatment of viral haemorrhagic fevers

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance, recently seized 12 crore Tramadol Hydrochloride a.k.a. “fighter drug” tablets under Operation Vajra to curb illegal drug trafficking.
Although some stimulants have historically been used by militaries, the term "fighter drug" in this context does not refer to such substances.
Tramadol Hydrochloride is a synthetic opioid painkiller that has been illegally trafficked and abused by terrorist and extremist groups to suppress pain and fatigue, earning it the nickname "fighter drug."
Tramadol is not a WADA-approved performance-enhancing drug; rather, its misuse in sports is regulated due to safety concerns.
Tramadol has no antiviral properties and is primarily prescribed for pain management.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#220 Env

Q2. Consider the following triplets:

Protected Area	State	Flagship Species
1. Gir National Park	Gujarat	Asiatic Lion
2. Dachigam National Park	Jammu & Kashmir	Sangai
3. Keibul Lamjao National Park	Manipur	Hangul
4. Kaziranga National Park	Assam	One-horned Rhinoceros

How many of the above triplets are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(d) All four

Ans: (b)

Explanation:

Gujarat recently translocated 50 spotted deer (Chital) from Sasan Gir Wildlife Division to Mandvi Forest Range to strengthen the natural prey base for carnivores and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Gir National Park – Gujarat – Asiatic Lion is correctly matched. Gir is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion. Hence, Triplet 1 is correct.
Dachigam National Park – Jammu & Kashmir – Sangai is not correctly matched. Dachigam is famous for the Hangul (Kashmir Stag), whereas Sangai is endemic to Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur. Hence, Triplet 2 is not correct.
Keibul Lamjao National Park – Manipur – Hangul is not correctly matched. Keibul Lamjao is known for the Sangai (Brow-antlered Deer), not the Hangul. Hence, Triplet 3 is not correct.
Kaziranga National Park – Assam – One-horned Rhinoceros is correctly matched. Kaziranga is globally renowned for conserving the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros. Hence, Triplet 4 is correct.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

#110 His

Q3. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below:

List-I (Leader)	List-II (Associated Place)
A. Mangal Pandey	1. Barrackpore
B. Rani Lakshmibai	2. Jhansi
C. Kunwar Singh	3. Lucknow
D. Begum Hazrat Mahal	4. Jagdishpur

Code:

(a) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3

(b) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

(d) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1

Ans: (a)

Explanation:

Prime Minister of India, paid tributes to the great revolutionary Mangal Pandey ji on his birth anniversary on 19th July.
Mangal Pandey (1827–1857) was a sepoy in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry of the East India Company.
On 29 March 1857, he attacked British officers at Barrackpore (West Bengal), an incident regarded as one of the earliest sparks of the Revolt of 1857.

Hence, Pair A-1 is correctly matched.

Rani Lakshmibai – Jhansi: She led the resistance against the British from Jhansi and became one of the most iconic leaders of the revolt. Hence, Pair B-2 is correctly matched.
Kunwar Singh – Jagdishpur: The zamindar of Jagdishpur (Bihar), he led the rebellion in Bihar despite being over 80 years old. Hence, Pair C-4 is correctly matched.
Begum Hazrat Mahal – Lucknow: She led the revolt in Lucknow after the annexation of Awadh and proclaimed her son Birjis Qadr as the ruler. Hence, Pair D-3 is correctly matched.

Hence, option (a) is correct.

#120 Eco

Q4. The 'State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)' report, recently seen in the news, is jointly published by which of the following organizations?

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
World Food Programme (WFP)
World Health Organization (WHO)

Select the correct answer using the code below.

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report was recently released by five United Nations agencies. The report highlighted that Africa has surpassed Asia in the absolute number of people facing hunger, underscoring persistent regional disparities in global food security.
The SOFI Report is jointly published by five UN agencies FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO and serves as the principal global assessment of hunger, food insecurity, and nutrition, while also monitoring progress towards SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the lead UN agency for food security, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and nutrition. It coordinates the preparation of the SOFI report and provides global estimates on hunger and undernourishment. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) focuses on reducing rural poverty by financing agricultural and rural development projects in developing countries. Since rural livelihoods are central to food security, IFAD is one of the co-publishers of the SOFI report. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) contributes data and analysis on child nutrition, stunting, wasting, breastfeeding, and maternal health, making it a key partner in assessing global nutrition outcomes. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization combating hunger through emergency food assistance, school feeding programmes, and resilience-building initiatives. It also contributes operational and analytical inputs to the SOFI report. Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
The World Health Organization (WHO) contributes expertise on nutrition, public health, diet-related diseases, and global health indicators. It is one of the five UN agencies jointly publishing the SOFI report. Hence, Statement 5 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.

#220 Env

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis), recently seen in the news:

It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
It is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
It primarily inhabits fast-flowing Himalayan rivers with mature riparian forests.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

The White-bellied Heron was recently in the news due to concerns that the proposed hydropower project on the Lohit River in Arunachal Pradesh could threaten one of its last remaining habitats in India.
The White-bellied Heron has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2007. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
The species is protected under Schedule I, not Schedule II, of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of legal protection. Hence, Statement 2 is not correct.
The species is closely associated with fast-flowing Himalayan rivers and mature riparian forests, which are essential for its feeding and nesting. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.

Hence, option (c) is correct.