4. Consider the following
1) Pulicat Lake
2) Rann of Kutch
3) Chilika Lake

Answer: C
Explanation
● Flamingos are naturally gray or white, and their pink color comes from the carotenoid
pigments in the organisms they consume, such as algae, crustaceans, and small

invertebrates. The carotenoids are broken down in the flamingo's liver and then deposited
in their feathers, skin, and beaks, giving them their distinctive pink hue.
● Pulicat Lake in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, and
Chilika Lake in Odisha are indeed notable sites where flamingos can be found in India.
These locations provide the suitable conditions, such as brackish or saline water, for
flamingos to feed and breed.
● Flamingos are filter feeders, using their unique bills with specialized structures called
lamellae to filter small organisms such as shrimp, algae, and insects from the water. They
often feed in shallow waters by stirring up mud and water with their bills and then using
their lamellae to filter out the food.
● In India, flamingos are commonly found in both freshwater lakes and coastal areas.
Pulicat Lake, for example, is a brackish water lagoon, and flamingos are frequently observed
in coastal regions, including estuaries and mudflats.
Other important points about Flamingo
● Flamingos are social birds that live in groups of varying sizes, from a few pairs to sometimes
thousands or tens of thousands.
● There are 6 species of Flamingos. Caribbean flamingos, the lesser, greater, James’s (or
Puna), Chilean and Andean flamingos.
● In order to fly, flamingos need to run a few paces to gather speed.
● Of the six species of flamingos in the world, two are found in India: the tallest of them, the
greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) and the smallest one, the lesser flamingo
(Phoeniconaias minor).
● Both these species of Flamingos are resident species and breeds in the Little Rann of
Kachchh in Gujarat.

5. Consider the following statements regarding the International Space Station (ISS)
1. It is a habitable artificial satellite located in the medium earth orbit
2. It serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory in which crew
members conduct experiments
3. The ISS programme is a joint project between P5 countries.

Answer: A
Explanation
● Statement 1 is incorrect: The International Space Station (ISS) is a space station, or a
habitable artificial satellite, in low Earth orbit (not medium earth orbit)
○ Low Earth orbit (LEO) is a geocentric orbits with altitudes below 2,000 km
○ Medium Earth orbit (MEO) is a geocentric orbits ranging in altitude from 2,000 km
to just below geosynchronous orbit at 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles)

● Its first component launched into orbit in 1998 and the ISS is now the largest human-made
body in low Earth orbit.
● Statement 2 is correct: The ISS serves as a microgravity and space environment research
laboratory in which crew members conduct experiments in biology, human biology, physics,
astronomy, meteorology, and other fields.
● Statement 3 is incorrect: The ISS programme is a joint project between five participating
space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe) and
CSA (Canada). (not P5 countries)

1. Mount Ibu, recently seen in the news, is a volcano present in which of the following country?

2. Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Hydroponics’
1. It is a method of soilless farming in which plants are grown using mineral nutrient solutions
in the liquid medium.
2. Hydroponics helps plants to grow faster with higher yield when compared with
conventional soil based cultivation.

Answer: C
Soln:
● Mount Ibu, on the remote island of Halmahera, Indonesia, sent a column of smoke up to 4
km into the sky in an eruption on January 15, 2024.
● The volcano in eastern Indonesia has erupted at least a thousand times in a single month
(January 2024). Hence, option C is correct.

Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, which is a method of
growing plants without soil (Soilless farming) by instead using mineral nutrient solutions in
a liquid medium. Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the
nutritious liquid, or the roots may be physically supported by an inert medium such as
perlite or gravel.
Advantages of Hydroponics
● The increased control over growing conditions makes it easier to provide the best possible
environment for plants, leading to better quality produce and high yield.
● Statement 2 is correct: Plants grow 50% faster than soil based cultivation under the same
condition because of the easy access to food and water. The production in hydroponics may
be increased approximately two times as compared with soil cultivation in a comparable
area with correct management practiced because the plant does not have to compete for
moisture and nutrients.
● Hydroponics gardens can provide plants with optimum qualities of the necessary nutrients
during the different seasons. This will enable maximize growth to be achieved
● A small hydroponics garden can be set up almost anywhere, even upstairs, balconies and
open areas and protected structures because the land is not necessary.
● Hydroponics products generally taste better and are higher in nutritional value than field-
grown crops.
● The occurrence of soil borne disease and nematode damage is not possible, so hydroponic
production is exported safely

● There is no need for crop rotations as growing media can be reused continuously or
replaced.
● The plants are uniform in growth and maturity.

3. Which of the following principles are adhered to by regenerative agriculture?
1) Minimize soil distribution through conservation tillage
2) Diversify crops to replenish nutrients
3) Retain soil cover using cover crops

4. Consider the following statements about the International Labour Organisation(ILO)
1) India is a founder member of the ILO.
2) It is a specialized agency under the United Nations.
3) It is a tripartite agency which brings together governments, employers and workers of 187
member States, to set labor standards.

Answer: D
Explanation
● Regenerative agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that seeks to
rehabilitate farm ecosystems by placing a heavy premium on soil health , biodiversity
improvement, water and air quality.
● It includes practices like use of natural inputs, minimum-till, mulching, multicropping and
sowing of diverse and native varieties.
Principles in Regenerative Agriculture
● Regenerative agriculture adheres to the following principles:
○ Minimize soil distribution through conservation tillage
○ Diversify crops to replenish nutrients
○ Retain soil cover using cover crops. Hence all the statements are correct.
○ Integrate livestock, which adds manure to the soil and serves as a source of carbon
sinks.
Significance
● Regenerative farming can reduce emissions from agriculture and convert croplands and
pastures into carbon sinks.
● It improves crop yield and promotes the growth of nutrient rich crops.
● It facilitates soil aggregation and nutrient cycling.
● Other benefits of regenerative agriculture include more efficient water use and fewer pests.
Why in the news ?
● States like Odisha have been promoting regenerative agricultural practices to promote food
security and enhance resilience to climate change.