UPSC EXAM QUIZ 07.02.2025

Explanation:

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stopped the Andhra Pradesh government from going ahead with six infrastructure projects in the Kolleru wetland area.

Kolleru Wetland Area (Kolleru Lake)

Geographical Location

• A natural, shallow, freshwater lake located in northeastern Andhra Pradesh.
• Located near the town of Eluru, between the Krishna and Godavari deltas.

Features

• Asia's largest shallow freshwater lake.
• Total area 308 sq km.
• Acts as a flood control reservoir of the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
• Drains into the Bay of Bengal through the Upputeru River.
• Occasionally mild saline water enters this lake.

Explanation:

• Researchers have developed a new efficient high-entropy alloy (HEA) catalyst called PtPdCoNiMn for improved hydrogen production through electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• The research was carried out at the Bengaluru-based Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• The research was funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) of India, administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Two research papers related to this research were recently published in the journals Advanced Functional Materials and Small.

Explanation:

Ministry of Culture has set up the National Cultural Mapping Mission (NMCM) to preserve and promote India's rich cultural heritage.

NMCM

• Launched by the Ministry of Culture in the year 2017, this program aims to create a cultural map of India, highlight its diversity and support the artist community.
• Cultural mapping records the unique cultural elements of a region, including stories, rituals, arts, languages, heritage and cuisine, and documents both tangible and intangible assets.

Explanation:

• An MoU has been signed by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and the Carbon Market Association of India (CMAI) in New Delhi to strengthen India's carbon markets and advance decarbonization efforts.
• On February 4, this historic agreement was announced at the inaugural day of the IICA-CMAI Masterclass on Global and Indian Carbon Markets.
• Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, participated in this masterclass and emphasized the vital role of biofuels and green hydrogen in shaping India’s economic and environmental future.
• This strategic partnership aims to equip industry professionals, policymakers, and academia with the knowledge and expertise needed to advance in India’s emerging carbon markets.
• Under the agreement, CMAI and IICA will collaborate on training programs, joint research, workshops and conferences, and policy advocacy.
• CMAI is a leading industry association focused on accelerating sustainable business initiatives.
• It will work as a knowledge partner for IICA, a think tank under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to support the growth and development of the corporate sector in India.

Explanation:

• The 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias (IMWP) has been hosted by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• IPC hosted the event in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Global pharmacopoeial leaders, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders participated in the meeting and discussed key issues related to pharmaceutical standards and harmonization.
• Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel addressed the meeting. She highlighted India’s role as the “Pharmacy of the World” and emphasized the importance of ensuring access to high-quality medicines globally.
• IMWP will act as an important platform to foster international collaboration in pharmacopoeial science and regulatory harmonization.
• The 15th IMWP has concluded on 7th February. The discussions held over three days will further strengthen global pharmacopoeial cooperation and enhance pharmaceutical quality assurance.