MCQs 2026

India's National Biodiversity Strategy 2026 emphasizes the integration of biodiversity conservation into all sectors of national planning and policy-making to ensure sustainable development.

In March 2024, India successfully conducted the first flight test of the Agni-5 missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology under 'Mission Divyastra'. This technology allows a single missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of striking a different target, significantly enhancing its deterrence capability.

The Agni series of missiles, including Agni-V, are developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India's premier agency for military research and development.

Agni-V is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) developed by India, capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Its operational range is stated to be over 5,000 kilometers, making it capable of reaching targets across Asia, parts of Africa, and Europe.

The primary scientific goal of LIGO-India, along with the US LIGO observatories, is to detect gravitational waves. These ripples in spacetime are generated by cataclysmic cosmic events like the merger of black holes and neutron stars, providing a new way to observe the universe.

The LIGO-India observatory is being established in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra. This location was chosen for its seismic stability and low population density.

LIGO-India is a major project in collaboration with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States. It aims to establish a third LIGO detector in India, complementing the two existing detectors in the US.

Semi-cryogenic engines, particularly those using Kerosene and LOX, offer a good balance between performance and cost. They generally provide higher efficiency and are less expensive to operate and manufacture compared to pure cryogenic engines (like LH2/LOX) and offer better performance than hypergolic engines.

The semi-cryogenic engine technology is being developed specifically for ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV). This new generation of launch vehicles aims to enhance India's capabilities in launching heavier payloads and potentially reduce launch costs.

ISRO's semi-cryogenic engine test for the NGLV utilizes a combination of Kerosene (specifically, a refined grade often referred to as 'Refined Petrol' or RP-1) as the fuel and Liquid Oxygen (LOX) as the oxidizer. This is a significant step towards developing more efficient and cost-effective launch vehicles.