2. M 23 rebels captured large parts of Goma, the biggest city in the eastern part of a particular
African country. Identify the country from the list given below.

Answer: C
Soln:
● The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured large parts of Goma, the biggest city in the
eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including its airport. Hence, option C
is correct.
● The M23 rebels, who said that they captured the city on Monday after a weeks-long
advance, are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern
Congo.

3. Consider the following statements about ITER.
1. It is a collaborative project to build the world's largest magnetic fusion device to prove the
feasibility of fusion reactions.
2. India is one of the countries which contribute to the construction of this facility.

4. Consider the following statements about the Archeological Survey of India
1) It is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural
heritage of the nation. 
2) It is an attached office under the Ministry of Tourism.

Answer: C
Soln:
● In southern France, 33 nations (As of 2024) are collaborating to build the world's largest
tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of
fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that
powers our Sun and stars. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● The experimental campaign that will be carried out at ITER is crucial to advancing fusion
science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants of tomorrow.
● Thousands of engineers and scientists have contributed to the design of ITER since the idea
for an international joint experiment in fusion was first launched in 1985.
● The ITER Members—China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the
United States—are now engaged in a decades-long collaboration to build and operate the
ITER experimental device, and together bring fusion to the point where a demonstration
fusion reactor can be designed. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Answer: A
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: The Archaeological Survey of India is the premier organization for
the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. 
● Statement 2 is incorrect: It is an attached office under the Ministry of Culture.
● Maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national
importance is the prime concern of the ASI. 
● Besides, it regulates all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions of the
Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It also regulates
the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
History
● Archaeological and historical pursuits in India started with the efforts of Sir William Jones,
who put together a group of antiquarians to form the Asiatic Society in 1784 in Calcutta.
● The Archaeological Survey of India was eventually formed in 1861 by a statute passed into
law by Viceroy Lord Canning with Alexander Cunningham as the first Archaeological
Surveyor.

5. In which of the following regions of India are you most likely to come across the ‘Hoolock
Gibbons’ in its natural habitat?

Answer: C
Explanation
● Hoolock Gibbons are native to the forests of the Eastern Himalayas in India, specifically in
the northeastern states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Meghalaya.
● These regions provide the dense, tropical rainforests that form the natural habitat
necessary for the survival of Hoolock Gibbons.
● They are arboreal animals, meaning they live in trees, and they require large stretches of
contiguous forest canopy to move around using brachiation (swinging from branch to branch).
Types of Gibbons Found in India
● Hoolock gibbons are the only apes found in India. They were divided into two species:
the Western Hoolock Gibbon and the Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
○ Western Hoolock Gibbon: It is found in the northeastern states of India, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.Western Hoolock gibbons have a white or pale browband, distinguishing them from Eastern Hoolock gibbons.
○ Eastern Hoolock Gibbon: Also found in northeastern India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Eastern Hoolock gibbons have a distinct dark
browband.

● Until 2021 there were two known species of Gibbon, however a study conducted by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad could not find any
genetic differences between the two gibbons which were earlier differentiated based on
skin coat colour.

● This study revealed that there is only one species of Hoolock Gibbon in India Threats
● Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: One of the primary threats to gibbons is habitat loss due
to deforestation, agriculture, logging, and urban expansion.
● Illegal Wildlife Trade: Gibbons are sometimes captured and sold for their body parts,
which are used in traditional medicine or for ornamental purposes.
● Infrastructure Development: The construction of roads, dams, and other infrastructure
projects can fragment gibbon habitats, disrupt their movement patterns, and increase the
risk of accidental deaths due to collisions with vehicles.
Conservation status
● Western hoolock gibbon is classified as endangered and the eastern hoolock gibbon as
vulnerable as per the IUCN Red list
● Hoolock gibbons are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 2022.
Why in news?
● As railway lines are going to be laid through the Hollongapar gibbon sanctuary, Canopy bridges will be constructed on top of railway tracks for gibbons to move across regions in the sanctuary with ease.
○ Canopy bridges refer to artificial and natural crossing structures, built across roads and railway tracks to enable arboreal animals to traverse with ease. Refer to
the image provided below.

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Regards
Officers IAS Academy

1. Consider the following statements about e-SHRAM portal
1) It is a national portal launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
2) It aims to create a centralized national database of unorganized workers.
3) It is mandatory for all informal workers to register on the portal.
4) Only workers above the age of 18 are eligible to register on e-SHRAM.

Answer: B
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: In 2021, the Ministry of Labour and Employment unveiled the
e-shram portal to register 38 crore unorganized workers, such as construction
laborers, migrant workforce, street vendors and domestic workers, among others. 
● Statement 3 is incorrect: Unorganized workers are required to volunteer on their
own to register on the e-Shram portal using their Aadhaar cards and bank account
details. Hence it is not mandatory.
● The workers will be issued an e-Shram card containing a 12 digit unique number.
This is a permanent number and valid for lifetime.
● Statement 2 is correct: The portal would lead to the creation of a national database of
unorganized workers. In future, it is envisaged that all the social security benefits to
unorganized workers will be delivered through this portal. In emergency and national
pandemic like situations, this database may be utilized to provide necessary assistance
to the eligible unorganized workers.
● Apart from being Aadhaar-linked, it will collect details of the name, occupation, address,
educational qualification, skill types and family of the registered workers.
● The portal was developed by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, in technical
collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (an attached office under the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology).
● Statement 4 is incorrect: The portal is open to workers engaged in the unorganized
sector and aged between 16 and 59.

2. Consider the following statements with respect to Payments Banks.
1. Payments banks are expected to increase the penetration level of financial services to the
remote areas of the country.
2. Deposits mobilized by the payments bank are covered under the deposit insurance scheme
of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (DICGC).
3. They cannot offer loans.
4. They cannot issue credit cards.