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551. Which two Indian cities has recently joined the list of accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention?
[A] Indore and Udaipur
[B] Bengaluru and Hyderabad
[C] Kolkata and Gandhinagar
[D] Lucknow and Amaravati
Correct Answer: A[Indore and Udaipur]
Notes:
India has recently celebrated a significant milestone with Indore and Udaipur being recognized as the first Wetland Cities in the country under the Ramsar Convention. This acknowledgment highlights the value of wetlands in cities and the importance of protecting them. The news was announced just ahead of World Wetlands Day, reflecting India’s dedication to sustainable urban growth. The Ramsar Convention, an international agreement formed in 1971, focuses on the conservation and responsible use of wetlands. It now has 172 member nations and aims to ensure that wetlands offer ecological, economic, and social advantages to local communities.
552. The Teesta-3 dam, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Sikkim
[C] Assam
[D] Meghalaya
Correct Answer: B [Sikkim]
Notes:
The Teesta-3 dam in Sikkim, which was severely damaged by a glacier lake outburst flood, is going to be rebuilt. This flood caused many deaths and significant damage to infrastructure. An expert committee from the Environment Ministry has suggested a new design to improve safety and efficiency. The new dam will be made entirely of concrete and will include a spillway designed to handle larger water flows. In October 2024, a GLOF caused the Teesta-3 dam to fail, leading to widespread flooding and at least 100 fatalities. The situation worsened because the dam’s floodgates could not be opened quickly enough. The old dam, which was made of both rock and concrete, could not withstand the flood’s force. The new dam will be made entirely of concrete. This change is meant to strengthen its structure. The updated spillway will manage a maximum flow of 19,946 cubic meters per second, which is three times more than the old dam could handle. This design change is to avoid any future overtopping problems.
553. The Rushikulya River, was seen in the news recently, is one of the major rivers in which state?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Odisha
Correct Answer: D [Odisha]
Notes:
Olive Ridley turtles are an endangered species famous for their special mass nesting behavior called “arribada.” In 2024, these turtles did not nest at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha, which is a key nesting area. However, experts expect more turtles to nest this year. The Rushikulya river mouth is one of the main nesting sites in India, along with Gahirmatha and the Deve river mouth. Typically, Olive Ridley turtles nest every three years. This pattern was seen in past years when there was no mass nesting. In 2023, a record 637,000 turtles nested over a three-kilometer area, suggesting that nesting numbers may increase after a skipped year.
554. Which ministry has developed an advisory aimed at the safe disposal and reuse of sewage sludge?
[A] MInistry of Health and Family Welfare
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
[C] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[D] Ministry of Culture
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)]
Notes:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in India has created guidelines for the safe disposal and reuse of sewage sludge. This effort addresses the large amounts of sewage sludge produced every day. The guidelines suggest ways to treat and manage sewage sludge, with a special emphasis on using solar greenhouse dryers to improve the quality of bio-solids. In rural areas, India produces about 39,604 Million Litres per Day (MLD) of wastewater, while urban areas generate an even higher amount of 72,368 MLD. Unfortunately, only 28 percent of this wastewater is treated. Moreover, around 1.20 lakh tonnes of faecal sludge is generated daily. This situation calls for effective management solutions.
555. Namdapha National Park is located in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Sikkim
[C] Manipur
[D] Nagaland
Correct Answer: A [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
An event took place in Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. After 12 years, a camera captured an adult male elephant in the Kathan area of the reserve. This sighting has brought new hope for conservation efforts in the region. Officials highlighted the significance of this event for understanding elephant movements and the need to protect their habitat. Namdapha National Park covers 1,985 square kilometers and is the easternmost tiger reserve in India. It is famous for its rich biodiversity, which includes many plant and animal species. The park is a crucial habitat for elephants, tigers, and other wildlife.
556. Recently, Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The recent conditional approval of the Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project has caused debate among environmentalists and local residents. This project is located in the Sharavathy Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary in Karnataka, which is vital for protecting the endangered Lion-Tailed Macaque. The State Board of Wildlife, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, granted the approval, raising worries about the project’s environmental effects. The Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project plans to produce 2,000 MW of hydroelectric power. Originally, the project intended to cut down about 16,000 trees in the evergreen forests, but the updated approval now allows for the removal of around 7,000 to 8,000 trees. It will impact 125 acres of dense forest and 245 acres of non-forest land.
557. Which ministry has recently reported that 1,646 food processing projects have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)?
[A] Ministry of Home
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Food and Public Distribution
[D] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Finance]
Notes:
As of January 18, 2025, the Ministry of Finance has announced the approval of 1,646 food processing initiatives under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). These projects are anticipated to create significant employment and investment prospects. The total valuation of these initiatives stands at ₹31,830.23 crore, with the potential to draw in private investments amounting to ₹22,722.55 crore. The PMKSY was established with the objective of modernizing the food processing sector, aiming to minimize agricultural waste and enhance the efficiency of supply chains. The program encompasses various elements, including Mega Food Parks and Integrated Cold Chains.
558. Entity Locker is a secure, cloud-based platform developed by the National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
[D] Ministry of Current Affairs
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)]
Notes:
Recently, the Government of India revealed Entity Locker, a digital platform designed to streamline the management and verification of business documents. Developed by the National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this initiative aims to enhance digital governance and facilitate ease of doing business in India. Entity Locker is a secure, cloud-based solution designed to serve a diverse range of entities, such as corporations, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, and startups. This platform streamlines the processes of document storage, sharing, and verification.
559. Which state government has recently launched Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Gujarat
[D] Chhattisgarh
Correct Answer: D [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday launched ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’ in Raipur. Under this scheme, more than 5.62 lakh landless agricultural labourers, Baigas and Gunias of the state will be given financial assistance of Rs 10,000 annually. The scheme aims to benefit approximately 7.5 lakh landless agricultural labourers in Chhattisgarh, reflecting the government’s focus on improving their financial stability. The CM’s announcement builds on past promises made during elections and further strengthens the state’s social welfare framework.
560. Which ministry has recently celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme?
[A] Ministry of Home
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Ministry of Current Affairs
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, a significant program that was inaugurated on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Panipat, Haryana. This national campaign seeks to tackle gender disparity and enhance the well-being of the girl child throughout India.
