Pragyesh IAS • Daily Current Affairs
Bihar, National and International Current Affairs
Ten examination-relevant topics covering Bihar fisheries and industry, heritage conservation, nuclear energy, space science, wetlands, environmental performance, scientific innovation and modern Indian history.
Prelims + BPSC Focus1. Chaur Vikas Yojana: Wetlands to Boost Fish Production
The Bihar government has identified unused and waterlogged wetlands, locally called chaurs, in five districts for conversion into organised fish-production centres.
- The five districts are East Champaran, Madhubani, Saran, Munger and Bhagalpur.
- The proposal received in-principle approval from the Chief Secretary of Bihar.
- Major components include tilapia farming, giant freshwater prawn farming, fish hatcheries, processing facilities and scientific use of waterlogged land.
- Cage fish culture is proposed in Munger.
- A separate wetland-development project for Siwan covers about 650 hectares and includes hatcheries, scientific aquaculture, fish processing and eco-tourism promotion.
Bihar Fisheries Profile
The transcript states that Bihar produces approximately 10.28 lakh metric tonnes of fish annually. Madhubani is described as the leading fish-producing district, followed by East Champaran and Bhagalpur. Bihar is placed fourth nationally in inland fish production.
Bihar Current Affairs MCQ
Question 1 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the Bihar Chaur Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:
- The scheme seeks to develop waterlogged wetlands for scientific fish farming.
- Cage fish culture has been proposed in Munger district.
- Madhubani is described as Bihar's leading fish-producing district.
- A separate Siwan wetland project covers about 650 hectares.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
2. Muzaffarpur to Be Developed as a Leather Hub
On the lines of Kanpur and Agra, Muzaffarpur is being developed as a major leather-production centre through two proposed leather parks at Mahwal and Bela.
Mahwal Leather Park
Proposed over approximately 62 acres; construction is described as under way.
Bela Leather Park
Proposed over approximately 23 acres; the transcript describes it as nearly complete.
- The implementing department is the Bihar Industries Department.
- Products may include leather bags, purses, jackets, belts, slippers and other leather-based goods.
- Retail outlets are proposed across all 38 districts of Bihar.
- Domestic supply markets mentioned are Assam, West Bengal, Meghalaya and Nagaland.
- Export destinations mentioned are Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Bihar Current Affairs MCQ
Question 2 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the proposed Muzaffarpur Leather Hub, consider the following statements:
- Two leather parks are being developed at Mahwal and Bela.
- The combined area of the two parks is about 85 acres.
- The project is expected to generate employment for around 12,000 people.
- Retail outlets are proposed only in Muzaffarpur district.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
3. Bihar Heritage and Temple Circuit Development Plan
The Bihar government is preparing a comprehensive action plan for the scientific survey, conservation, excavation and integrated development of major archaeological, religious and natural heritage sites.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex
A scientific survey is proposed around the Mahabodhi Temple complex at Bodh Gaya using LiDAR and ground-penetrating radar. These non-invasive technologies can identify underground structures and archaeological remains without extensive excavation.
Other Priority Sites
- Kesaria Stupa, East Champaran: scientific excavation of the remaining unexcavated portion, followed by documentation and conservation.
- Mundeshwari Temple, Kaimur: detailed survey and conservation attention.
- Telhar Kund and Karkatgarh: proposed development as part of an integrated heritage and eco-tourism zone with nearby natural and prehistoric sites.
- Sultanganj and Mandar Hill: conservation, restoration, documentation, integrated cultural-religious tourism and improved visitor infrastructure.
- The transcript mentions archaeologist K.K. Muhammed as an expert associated with the initiative.
Bihar Current Affairs MCQ
Question 3 • Select the correct answer
With reference to Bihar's proposed temple and heritage circuit plan, consider the following statements:
- LiDAR and ground-penetrating radar surveys are proposed around the Mahabodhi Temple complex.
- Scientific excavation of the remaining unexcavated portion of Kesaria Stupa has been proposed.
- Telhar Kund and Karkatgarh are proposed as part of a heritage and eco-tourism circuit.
- Ground-penetrating radar surveys have been specifically announced for Sultanganj and Mandar Hill.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
4. NPCIL Crosses 1,000 Billion Units of Nuclear Electricity
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited has cumulatively generated more than 1,000 billion units, or one trillion kilowatt-hours, of nuclear electricity since commencing operations.
- NPCIL is a public-sector enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy.
- It is responsible for the design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power plants.
- The transcript states that the milestone represents more than 1,000 billion units of clean, reliable and low-carbon electricity.
- The associated avoided emissions are stated as more than 860 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
- India's long-term nuclear-power capacity target is stated as 100 GW by 2047, alongside the national net-zero target for 2070.
National Current Affairs MCQ
Question 4 • Select the correct answer
With reference to NPCIL, consider the following statements:
- NPCIL has cumulatively generated more than 1,000 billion units of nuclear electricity.
- This generation is stated to have avoided more than 860 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions.
- India aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear-power capacity by 2047.
- NPCIL functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
5. Annapurni Subramaniam Receives the 2026 Vikram Sarabhai Medal
Indian astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, became the first Indian woman to receive the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal.
- The medal was presented during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy.
- COSPAR stands for the Committee on Space Research. The medal is jointly associated with COSPAR and ISRO.
- Her specialisation is stellar physics, including star clusters, nearby galaxies, stellar evolution and astronomical instrumentation.
- She contributed to the calibration of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope aboard AstroSat, launched in 2015 as India's first dedicated space-based astronomical observatory.
- She has also been associated with the Thirty Meter Telescope project and holds additional charge at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences.
Previous Indian Recipients Mentioned
U.R. Rao (1996), G.S. Lakhina (2014) and Anil Bhardwaj (2024). The transcript describes Annapurni Subramaniam as the fourth Indian recipient and the third woman globally.
Science Current Affairs MCQ
Question 5 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026, consider the following statements:
- Annapurni Subramaniam became the first Indian woman to receive the medal.
- The medal is jointly associated with COSPAR and ISRO.
- She received it during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence.
- She was the first Indian scientist ever to receive the medal.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
6. Glow Lake Becomes India's 101st Ramsar Site
Glow Lake in Arunachal Pradesh has been designated as India's 101st Ramsar site and the first Ramsar wetland from the state.
- The lake is located in Lohit district within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary landscape.
- It is a pristine freshwater lake in the biodiversity-rich Eastern Himalaya.
- Perennial mountain streams feed the lake, while the Kamlang Tiger Reserve forms its catchment.
- The transcript mentions the Kamlang, Lang and Lati rivers in the wider hydrological context.
- The lake and catchment support more than 150 tree species, around 49 orchid species and diverse birds, mammals, reptiles and aquatic organisms.
- The Mishmi community regards the lake as sacred.
Environment Current Affairs MCQ
Question 6 • Select the correct answer
With reference to Glow Lake, consider the following statements:
- It is located in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It became India's 101st Ramsar site.
- It is the first Ramsar site of Arunachal Pradesh.
- It lies within the Kamlang Tiger Reserve landscape.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
7. Bihar's First Fish Brood Bank Established in Sitamarhi
Bihar's first fish brood bank, also described in the transcript as a fish seed bank, has been completed at Pakri in Sitamarhi district.
A brood bank is a specialised facility where mature, high-quality parent fish are maintained and used for breeding. It can supply healthy eggs, spawn, fry, genetically improved seed and disease-free fish seed to hatcheries and fish farmers.
- The project was developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
- It will operate under Bihar's Dairy, Fisheries and Animal Resources Department.
- The facility is intended to reduce Bihar's dependence on other states for brood fish and quality fish seed.
- The expected value chain is: brood bank → hatcheries → fish seed → fish farmers → increased fish production.
- Anticipated benefits include better seed quality, productivity, farmer income, hatchery employment and support for Bihar's blue economy.
Bihar Current Affairs MCQ
Question 7 • Select the correct answer
With reference to Bihar's first fish brood bank, consider the following statements:
- It has been established at Pakri in Sitamarhi district.
- It was developed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.
- The project covers nearly 40 acres and costs about ₹10.92 crore.
- Its main purpose is to process and export marine fish.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
8. India Ranked 176th in the Environmental Performance Index 2026
The Environmental Performance Index is a biennial assessment of countries' progress toward environmental-policy targets. According to the transcript, India ranked 176th out of 177 countries.
The index is described as being prepared by researchers associated with the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, the Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University and the Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions.
Three Broad Objectives
Environmental health, ecosystem vitality and climate change.
India's Sub-ranks
Environmental health: 174; ecosystem vitality: 171; climate change: 130.
- Top three stated in the transcript: Estonia, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.
- Bottom three stated: Bangladesh at 175, India at 176 and Laos at 177.
- India is described as eighth among eight South Asian countries.
- The ten-year change under the 2026 methodology is stated as +7.47 points.
Environment Current Affairs MCQ
Question 8 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the Environmental Performance Index 2026, consider the following statements:
- It assesses 177 countries using 47 indicators and 12 issue categories.
- Estonia secured the first rank in the index.
- India ranked 176th with a score of about 22.4.
- India ranked above Bangladesh.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
9. IIT Patna Develops a Hybrid Magnetorheometer
Scientists at IIT Patna have developed a hybrid magnetorheometer for studying nano-iron-based magnetorheological fluids under combined compression and shear conditions.
What Are MR Fluids?
They contain magnetically responsive particles. Their viscosity can increase when they are exposed to a magnetic field.
What Does the Device Measure?
The device can test combined compression and shear and measure rheological and tribological properties.
- The device is designed specifically to study the behaviour of magnetorheological fluids.
- It allows testing under combined loading conditions rather than a single mechanical condition.
- The work was supported by the Department of Science and Technology.
Science Current Affairs MCQ
Question 9 • Select the correct answer
The hybrid magnetorheometer designed to study nano-iron-based magnetorheological fluids under combined compression and shear conditions was developed by:
10. Justice M.S. Liberhan and the Babri Masjid Inquiry Commission
Justice Manohar Singh Liberhan, who headed the commission of inquiry into the demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992, passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 87.
Career Profile
The transcript states that Justice Liberhan was born on 11 November 1938, began legal practice in 1962, shifted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1964, became a judge in 1987, served as Chief Justice of the Madras High Court in 1997 and Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in December 1998, and retired in 2000.
Liberhan Commission
- The commission was constituted by the P.V. Narasimha Rao government.
- Its mandate was to investigate the circumstances leading to the demolition and identify responsibility.
- Although initially expected to complete its work in three months, it functioned for nearly 17 years and submitted its report in 2009.
- The commission's findings did not automatically amount to criminal convictions against persons named in the report.
Polity and History MCQ
Question 10 • Select the correct answer
With reference to the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry, consider the following statements:
- It was constituted to investigate the demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992.
- It was appointed by the P.V. Narasimha Rao government.
- The commission submitted its report in 2009 after functioning for nearly 17 years.
- Its findings automatically amounted to criminal convictions against persons named in the report.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Source: Article structured from the video transcript supplied by the user. Claims, rankings and dates have been retained from the transcript except for obvious speech-to-text normalisation.