Daily Quiz

Solution (c)
Explanation:
• Mangalyaan, or the Mars Orbiter Mission, was launched on November 5, 2013, but it was an orbiter mission and did not involve a landing on Mars. It is not celebrated as the ‘National Space Day’. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• Aryabhata was India’s first satellite, launched on April 19, 1975, but it was a launch event, not a landing. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• The Government of India declared August 23rd as National Space Day to honor the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which achieved a safe and soft landing of the Vikram Lander at the ‘Shiv Shakti’ point and deployed the Pragyaan Rover on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023. (Option (c) is correct)
• GSAT-1 was India’s first geostationary satellite, successfully launched on April 18, 2001, but it was a deployment in orbit, not a landing event. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/chandrayaan-3-team-ex-iisc-director-win-national-science-awards/article68497903.ece#:~:text=can%20get%20%7C%20Explained-,Noted%20biochemist%20and%20former%20director%20of%20the%20Indian%20Institute%20of,winner%20of%20the%20Vigyan%20Ratna.

Solution (d)

Explanation:

• The BIMSTEC member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand – are among the countries dependent on the Bay of Bengal.
• (Option (a) is incorrect)
• India is also a founding member of BIMSTEC. It plays a significant role in the organization, contributing to various sectors like security, trade, and connectivity. (Option (b) is incorrect)
• Thailand is one of the seven member countries of BIMSTEC. It has been involved since the group’s inception and participates in various cooperative projects. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Nepal is a member of BIMSTEC. The member countries of BIMSTEC are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Nepal also participates in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Initiative, which focuses on regional connectivity and cooperation among these four countries. (Option (d) is correct)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/incoming/fta-talks-with-bimstec-needs-revival-with-realistic-possibilities-goyal/article68496961.ece#:~:text=Negotiations%20regarding%20a%20Free%20Trade,could%20be%20explored%2C%20Commerce%20Minister

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Fossil fuels refer to natural fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient organisms. (Option (a) is incorrect)
• The terms ‘H floresiensis’, ‘H heidelbergensis’ and ‘H Naledi’ refer to different species of the genus Homo, which are part of the human evolutionary lineage.
• Homo floresiensis, discovered in Indonesia, is notable for its small size and has been nicknamed the “Hobbit”. Homo heidelbergensis, found in Europe and Africa, is considered a common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans. Homo naledi, discovered in South Africa, has a mix of primitive and modern features, indicating a complex evolutionary history. (Option (b) is correct)
• Extinct plants refer to plant species that no longer exist. Examples might include the extinct tree species known from fossil records. (Option (c) is incorrect)
• Ancient civilizations refer to early complex societies with established cultures, governments, and economies, such as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, and Indus Valley civilizations. (Option (d) is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/fossils-suggest-even-smaller-hobbits-roamed-an-indonesian-island-700000-years-ago/article68493521.ece

Solution (b)

Explanation:

• Osteoporosis is characterized by weakened and brittle bones, making them more susceptible to fractures. The condition arises when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. (Statement 1 is correct)
• Osteoporosis disproportionately affects ageing women more than men. The decrease in estrogen levels after menopause significantly contributes to bone loss in women. (Statement 2 is correct)
• While it might seem logical that pregnancy and breastfeeding would weaken a woman’s bones due to high calcium demands, recent studies have shown that the hormone CCN3 actually increases bone mass in postpartum lactating mothers. This hormone helps make bones stronger during this period to compensate for bone loss during pregnancy. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/scientists-find-hidden-hormone-keeping-mice-mothers-bones-healthy/article68496064.ece#:~:text=In%20a%20recent%20study%20published,The%20hormone%20is%20called%20CCN3.

Solution (a)

Explanation:

• The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve integrates the Guru Ghasidas National Park with the Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary. This integration is aimed at creating a more extensive habitat for tigers and other wildlife. (Statement 1 is correct)
• The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located in Chhattisgarh, not Madhya Pradesh. This reserve spans across four northern districts of Chhattisgarh. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is the third largest in the country. The largest tiger reserve in India is the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh, covering 3,296.31 sq km. The second largest is the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam, with an area of 2,837.1 sq km. (Statement 3 is incorrect)

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarh-fourth-tiger-reserve-third-largest-9500998/