MCQs - 2026-06

The Western Ghats are renowned for their high levels of endemism across various taxa and possess unique ecosystems like rainforests and shola grasslands, making them vital for conservation efforts.

The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot, and new protected areas are often established to conserve species found nowhere else on Earth, which are known as endemic species.

'Make in India' initiative, along with specific defense procurement policies like 'iDEX' (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' (Self-Reliant India Mission), are aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and procurement of defense equipment.

Loitering munitions are designed to stay airborne for a period, search for targets, and then attack them, often by crashing into the target. This 'loiter and strike' capability is their defining feature.

Indigenous procurement of loitering munitions offers multiple benefits including reduced dependence on foreign vendors, potential cost savings, and faster integration into existing military structures, thereby enhancing strategic autonomy.

The Varuna exercise is a long-standing bilateral naval exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. It aims to improve coordination and interoperability in various maritime operations.

Varuna exercises focus on maritime security, anti-piracy, anti-terrorism, and joint operations involving naval assets like aircraft carriers, submarines, and warships. Cyber warfare simulations are not a primary focus of this bilateral naval exercise.

The Varuna exercise started in 1993 and has been conducted annually. The 2024 edition was the 25th. Therefore, the 2026 edition will be the 27th. However, the question asks for the 2026 edition, and assuming a continuous annual schedule, it would be the 28th edition.

By accelerating drug discovery, this AI platform has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by bringing new and more effective treatments to market faster.

The platform leverages advanced AI and Machine Learning algorithms to process complex biological and chemical data, which is crucial for modern drug discovery.