ANSWER: C

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: B

ANSWER: B

• Recently, an Indian grey wolf was sighted in National Chambal Sanctuary, which is its first confirmed sighting in the region in about two decades.
• The last wolf sightings were reported during Operation Bhediya carried out between 1997 and 2000 to map the canines’ footprint in Chambal.

ABOUT INDIAN GREY WOLF

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus pallipes
• It is a subspecies of grey wolf that ranges from Southwest Asia to the Indian Subcontinent.
• Habitat includes scrublands, grasslands and semi-arid regions.
• Indian wolves generally live in smaller packs rarely exceeding 6-8 individuals.
• They are also relatively less vocal and have rarely been known to howl.
• Indian wolves are monogamous and mate for life.
• They are nocturnal and hunt from dusk to dawn.
• Threats include habitat loss, unregulated hunting, and loss of prey.
• About 2,000-3,000 individuals are remaining in India.
• Protection status
  • IUCN Red list status – Least Concern
  • WPA 1972- Schedule I
  • CITES- Appendix I

ANSWER: D

• The Goa-headquartered National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has launched a coral monitoring autonomous underwater vehicle, Coral Reef Monitoring and Surveillance Robot, or C-bot.
• It can reach depths of 200 metres.
• It will help in maintaining surveillance over the coral reefs in the ocean.
• C-bot will also help the Indian Navy perform bathymetry studies to help plot navigation channels.
• The robot will also help in finding the active hydrothermal vents which are emitting a lot of elements into the ocean and active biology which is going on in many places, like in many extreme environments where the temperature is 400-500 degrees Celsius.
• The vehicle can send real time data and photographs, which will help researchers in their studies.

ANSWER: D

• The Indian Navy’s INS Sumitra safely rescued fishermen hijacked by pirates along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.

ABOUT INS SUMITRA

• INS Sumitra is an indigenous Offshore Patrol Vessel.
• Sumitra, is the fourth of the Saryu class ships, based on an indigenous design and constructed by M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd, India.
• Since commissioning in 2014, the ship has been deployed for multiple operational tasks.
• It is propelled by two diesel engines.
• The ship has a range of 6,500 nautical miles and is capable of embarking one Dhruv/ Chetak helicopter.
• Measuring about 105 metres in length, 13 metres in breadth and displacing 2,200 tonnes, the ship can achieve speed of 25 knots.
• The primary role of the ship is to undertake surveillance of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) besides other operational tasks such as anti-piracy patrols, fleet support operations, maritime security of offshore assets and escort operations of high value naval platforms.

ANSWER: C

• Every year, the country observes Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day on January 30^th.
• On January 30^th 1948, during Mahatma Gandhi’s evening prayer at Birla Bhavan, Delhi, he was shot thrice by Nathuram Vinayak Godse.
  • As per historical records, Gandhiji succumbed instantly to his injuries.
• In November 1949, Godse was sentenced to death.

Other fact

• The International Day of Non-Violence is also celebrated on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on 2^nd

ANSWER: B

• World Leprosy Day (WLD) is celebrated on the last Sunday of January.
• This year it falls on Sunday, 28^th
• The theme for World Leprosy Day 2024 is “Beat Leprosy”.
• This theme encapsulates the dual objectives of the day: to eradicate the stigma associated with leprosy and to promote the dignity of people affected by the disease.
• In 1954, French Journalist Raoul Follereau established the World Leprosy Day to be celebrated to campaign to create awareness about this disease and explore the treatment options available.

ANSWER: D

• The academic community has mourned the loss of eminent historian R. Champakalakshmi.
• She was the former president of Indian History Congress and professor in the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University.
• Champakalakshmi was a multidisciplinary expert in archaeology, iconography, ideology, statecraft and trade.

ANSWER: C

• Three panels of judges were appointed for assessing the performance of Marching Contingents from three Services, Marching Contingents from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)/other auxiliary forces and tableaux from various States/Union Territories and Ministries/Departments.

RESULTS

• Best Marching Contingent among the three services – Sikh Regiment Contingent
• Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces – Delhi Police Women Marching Contingent
• Best three Tableaux (States/UTs)
  • First – Odisha (Woman Empowerment in Viksit Bharat)
  • Second – Gujarat (Dhordo : A Global Icon Of Gujarat’s Border Tourism)
  • Third – Tamil Nadu (Kudavolai System in ancient Tamil Nadu – Mother of Democracy)
• Best Tableau (Ministries/Departments) – Ministry of Culture – (Bharat : Mother of Democracy)
• Special Prize – Central Public Works Department (Central Vista -Viksit Bharat Ka Pratibimb)
• Special memento to ‘Vande Bharatam’ – Dance Group

In addition to the panel of judges, an online poll was conducted by MyGov for the citizens to vote for their favourite Tableaux

Results

• Best Marching Contingent among the three services – Rajputana Rifles Regimental Marching Contingent
• Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces – CRPF Woman Marching Contingent
• Best three Tableaux (States/UTs):
  • First – Gujarat (Dhordo : A Global Icon Of Gujarat’s Border Tourism)
  • Second – Uttar Pradesh (Viksit Bharat Samradh Virasat)
  • Third – Andhra Pradesh (Transforming School Education in Andhra Pradesh – Making Students Globally Competitive)
• Best Tableau (Central Ministries/Departments) – Vibrant Villages (Ministry of Home Affairs