Current Affairs MCQs – August 06, 2026

 Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Explanation

• Water levels in Rhine river sank below the record set in October 2018.

Option (a) is the correct answer

• Berlin is located on the banks of the River Spree, which is a tributary of the River Havel in northeastern Germany.
• The Rhine River is one of the most important rivers in Europe. Originating in the Swiss Alps, it flows for about 1,236 km through Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea.
• The Thames is the longest river in England (346 km) and the second-longest in the UK, flowing through southern England from the Cotswold Hills to the North Sea.
• New York City is associated with the Hudson River, which flows from the Adirondack Mountains into the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Danube River, Europe’s second-longest river after the Volga, originates in the Black Forest region of Germany and flows for about 2,860 km before emptying into the Black Sea through the Danube Delta. It is one of the world’s most international rivers, flowing through or bordering ten countries — Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine — making it the river that passes through the second-highest number of countries after the Nile. Several major European capitals and cities, including Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgrade, are located along its banks.

Answer: (a) Berlin-Rhine; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo, recently in the news in the context of its conservation in Central India, consider the following statements:

1. The species is characterized by female-led maternal herds and is known to wallow in mud, which helps in regulating body temperature.
2. Genetic swamping through interbreeding with domestic water buffaloes is among the threats to the genetic integrity of wild populations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo generally lives in female-led maternal herds. It is also known to wallow in mud, which helps regulate body temperature, particularly in hot conditions, and may also provide protection against insects.

Statement 2 is correct

• Genetic swamping is an important threat to wild buffalo populations. Interbreeding between wild buffaloes and free-ranging domestic water buffaloes can dilute the genetic characteristics of wild populations. Disease transmission from domestic buffaloes sharing the same habitats is another conservation concern.
• Habitat: Wet grasslands, swamps, alluvial plains, and river valleys. Over 90% of the global population is concentrated in northeast India, primarily in Assam.
• IUCN: Endangered, CITES: Appendix III, WPA: Schedule I.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy

 With reference to the Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) and Mainland Clouded Leopard, consider the following statements:

1. Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India for habitat restoration and corridor conservation.
2. The Action Plan was prepared under an India–GEF–UNDP initiative and incorporates climate resilience and adaptive management into conservation planning.
3. The Mainland Clouded Leopard is predominantly arboreal and is generally solitary, with activity occurring mainly during nocturnal and crepuscular periods.

How many of the statements given above is/are not correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• The Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India. It focuses on habitat restoration and corridor conservation to improve connectivity between fragmented forest habitats and support the long-term conservation of the species.

Statement 2 is correct

• The Action Plan was prepared under the India–GEF–UNDP initiative. It adopts a comprehensive approach by integrating climate resilience and adaptive management into conservation planning, thereby addressing changing environmental conditions and improving the resilience of clouded leopard habitats.

Statement 3 is correct

• The Mainland Clouded Leopard is primarily arboreal, spending much of its time in trees. It is generally solitary and exhibits nocturnal as well as crepuscular activity, meaning it is active mainly at night and around dawn and dusk.
• It is distinct from the Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi), which is found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. State Animal: Manipur
• Distribution: Found in Himalayan foothills, Northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern China, & mainland Southeast Asia.
• IUCN: Vulnerable (VU) | WPA, 1972: Schedule I | CITES: Appendix I

Answer: (d) None; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), consider the following statements:

1. An OECM is a geographically defined area outside the formal protected area network that delivers long-term, positive outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity.
2. Recognition of an area as an OECM confers a new statutory legal status and mandates a dedicated management authority for the site.
3. The conservation objective of an OECM need not be its primary management purpose, provided that the area demonstrates effective and sustained biodiversity conservation outcomes.
4. The Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram was recognised as India’s first OECM site in 2022.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 1, 2 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 2, 3 and 4 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

• Under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) framework, an OECM is a geographically defined area outside the formal protected area network that achieves positive and sustained long-term outcomes for in-situ biodiversity conservation.

Statement 2 is incorrect

• Recognition as an OECM does not itself create a new legal, financial or management authority over the area. OECMs rely on existing governance and legal arrangements to maintain conservation outcomes.

Statement 3 is correct

• An OECM is outcome-oriented rather than purpose-oriented. Conservation need not be the original or primary purpose of managing the area. Even areas managed for other purposes can qualify if they deliver effective and lasting biodiversity conservation.

Statement 4 is correct

• The Aravalli Biodiversity Park in Gurugram was recognised as India’s first OECM site in 2022, following restoration of a degraded mining area through efforts involving the local community and municipal authorities.

Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only; Difficulty Level: Medium

With reference to the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), consider the following statements:

1. AMRUT 1.0 primarily targeted 500 cities and included interventions relating to water supply, sewerage, drainage, green spaces and non-motorised transport.
2. Unlike AMRUT 1.0, AMRUT 2.0 extends its coverage to all statutory towns and places greater emphasis on water reuse, wastewater recycling and a circular water economy.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct

AMRUT 1.0, launched in 2015, focused on 500 cities, mainly cities with populations above one lakh. Its interventions covered water supply, sewerage, drainage, green spaces and non-motorised transport, with the objective of improving basic urban infrastructure.

Statement 2 is correct

AMRUT 2.0, launched in 2021, broadened the mission to all statutory towns. It focuses on water security, reuse and recycling of treated wastewater, water conservation and developing a circular water economy.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2; Difficulty Level: Easy