ANSWER: B

• The members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) from the Great Nicobar Islands exercised their votes for the first time in Lok Sabha polls in the Union territory.
• Not only did they vote but also posed for selfies at polling station 411 named as ‘Shompen Hut’.
• The ECI in the last two years has made efforts for the inclusion of PVTG communities and other tribal groups for their enrolment as voters and also participation in the voting process in various states/Union Territories in phase 1 and phase 2 of the general election 2024 at polling stations.
• India has an 6% tribal population which includes 75 groups of tribals which are PVTGs. The location of new polling booths in previously inaccessible areas has led to the large-scale inclusion of PVTGs.
• According to the ECI, in last 11 state legislative elections, there were around 900,000 eligible voters from 14 PVTG communities namely Kamar, Bhunjia, Baiga, Pahadi Korwa, Abujhmadia, Birhor, Sahariya, Bhariya, Chenchu, Kolam, Thoti, Kondareddy, Jenu Kuruba and Koraga.

ANSWER: D

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar received a copy of the book ‘India’s Nuclear Titans’.
• The book ‘India’s Nuclear Titans’ edited by Soumya Awasthi and Shrabana Barua.
• The book traces the evolution of India into a nuclear state while analysing the role played by stalwarts like Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Abdul Kalam, K Subrahmanyam, among others.

ANSWER: C

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs celebrated Swachhata Pakhwada from 16th to 30th April This was celebrated as per the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada for the year 2024, released by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Government of India.
• The Swachhata Pakhwada commenced with administering of ‘Swachhata Pledge’ by Secretary, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on 16th April, 2024.
• During Swachhata Pakhwada, cleanliness drive was carried out and reviewing, recording and weeding out of old Physical Files were done by various Sections of the Ministry and old and obsolete items were identified for auction. Cleaning and regular maintenance of rooms and appliances were also carried out in ministry offices located in Samvidhan Sadan.
• As part of the programme, Swachhata Pledge was administered to students of Kerala Senior Secondary School, Vikaspuri to spread awareness and develop a culture of cleanliness. An essay competition was also held in the school and winners were awarded with cash prizes with certificates.
• Swachhata Pakhwada, 2024 concluded with Prize Distribution to top three Sections of the Ministry who stood best on Swachhata Parameters.

ANSWER: A

• The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) from May 20 to 30, 2024, in Kochi, Kerala.
• This is in line with India’s poise to facilitate constructive global dialogue on environmental stewardship, scientific collaboration, and cooperation in Antarctica.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• The ATCM and meetings of the CEP are pivotal in the international community’s on-going efforts to safeguard Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem and promote scientific research in the region.
• The Meetings are organised annually under the Antarctic Treaty System, these meetings serve as forums for Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties and other stakeholders to address Antarctica’s pressing environmental, scientific, and governance issues.
• The Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959 and entered into force in 1961, established Antarctica as a region dedicated to peaceful purposes, scientific cooperation, and environmental protection. The Treaty has 56 countries currently party to it.
• The CEP was established under the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) in 1991. The CEP advises the ATCM on environmental protection and conservation in Antarctica.

ABOUT ANTARCTIC TREATY:

• India has been a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty since 1983. It participates in the decision-making process along with other 28 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty to date.
• India’s first Antarctic research station, Dakshin Gangotri, was established in 1983.
• At present, India operates two year-round research stations: Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012).
• The permanent research stations facilitate Indian Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica, which have been on-going annually since 1981.
• In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

ANSWER: B

• Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM assumes charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff on 01 May 2024.
• He was Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 87 and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
• A recipient of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
• He Commanded the missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash; the missile corvette INS Kulish; the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

ANSWER: C

• Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor has assumed charge as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command. He was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on the 06th of December 1986.
• A Qualified Flying Instructor and a Fighter Combat Leader, he has more than 34 hundred hours of flying experience.
• In recognition of his meritorious service, the Air Marshal was awarded with Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.

COMMANDS OF INDIAN AIR FORCE:

• Eastern Air Command (HQ: Shillong)
• South-Western Air Command (HQ: Gandhinagar)
• Southern Air Command (HQ: Thiruvananthapuram)
• Western Air Command (HQ: New Delhi)
• Central Air Command (HQ: Allahabad)
• Maintenance Command (HQ: Nagpur)
• Training Command (HQ: Bangalore)

ANSWER: B

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully carried out a test firing of a new version of an air-launched medium-range ballistic missile that is capable of hitting targets at a distance exceeding 250 km.
• The missile, also referred to as ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2, originated from Israel and underwent a test launch from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands last week.
• The missile boasts a strike range of over 250 km and is capable of targeting enemy long-range radar and air defence systems.

ANSWER: C

• India will host the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 at the National Centre of Excellence in
• The 2025 edition in India will mark the return of the BWF Junior World Championships to the country for the first time since 2008 when Pune hosted the event.
• The team as well as individual events will be held at the National Centre of Excellence, which was inaugurated by the Badminton Association of India (BAI) last year. It boasts 16 badminton courts, a 4,000 square feet gymnasium, a hostel for players and a dedicated 2,000 square feet physiotherapy centre.
• The next edition of the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals will head in Horsens, Denmark.

ANSWER: A

• The Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA) has announced that Krishna Ella, co-founder and executive chairman of Bharat Biotech, will be the association’s new president for 2 years from April 2024.
• Ella is taking over the presidency from Adar C. Poonawala (CEO of the Serum Institute of India), who held the post from 2019 to March 2024.
• Other Appointments:
  • Mahima Datla, managing director of Biological E, has been appointed vice-chairman.
  • Srinivas, chief financial officer (CFO) of Bharat Biotech, will be the treasurer.
  • Harsh Vardhan will continue as the Director General of IVMA.

ABOUT INDIAN VACCINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION (IVMA):

• IVMA was established in 2010 by four founding members from the private sector. IVMA is the voice of India’s vaccine business and industry.
• IVMA works to create and maintain an environment conducive to the development of vaccination using vaccines in India. This creates a partnership between industry, government and civil society.
• IVMA is a non-governmental apex body, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization. It is playing an active role in the Indian health care development process.