Scientists Unearth 200-Kilometer Long Ancient Buried River Channel in Uttar Pradesh

Scientists from the CSIR–National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad, have mapped an ancient underground river channel (palaeo-channel) running beneath the Prayagraj–Kanpur stretch.
The buried river channel, located roughly 10 to 15 meters beneath the surface, is estimated to stretch over 200 kilometers and forms part of a major subsurface aquifer system.
Using advanced airborne electromagnetic surveys from helicopters followed by confirmatory drilling, scientists confirmed the presence of highly permeable sandy deposits carrying pristine groundwater reserves.
The identified channel has an estimated water storage capacity of 3,500 to 4,000 million cubic meters, posing a massive opportunity for sustainable agricultural and drinking water management in the region.

Key Facts / Static GK

CSIR Director General: Nallathamby Kalaiselvi
NGRI Headquarters: Hyderabad, Telangana

Q Practice Quiz — 22 May 2026

1. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the newly approved Maritime Investment Fund (MIF)?

A It will be managed by the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).

B The Central Government will contribute 100% of the corpus through budgetary support.

C It is a sub-segment of the broader ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) managed by SBI Ventures.

D The fund will be structured as an open-ended Mutual Fund under SEBI guidelines.

E The initial corpus target is ₹50,000 crore to be achieved within six months.

Explanation: The Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) is a ₹20,000 crore fund which is a key component of the broader ₹25,000-crore Maritime Development Fund (MDF) and will be managed by SBI Ventures as a closed-end Category I/II AIF.

2. What is the minimum bid size required for banks participating in the RBI's USD-INR buy/sell swap auction?

A USD 1 million

B USD 5 million

C USD 10 million

D USD 25 million

E USD 50 million

Explanation: According to the bidding conditions announced by the RBI for the USD-INR swap auction, the minimum bid size must be USD 10 million, with additional bids in multiples of USD 1 million.

3. Which crop received the highest absolute Minimum Support Price (MSP) increase for the 2026–27 marketing season?

A Sesamum

B Cotton

C Common Paddy

D Sunflower Seed

E Grade A Paddy

Explanation: Sunflower seed registered the highest absolute increase of ₹622 per quintal, followed by cotton at ₹557 per quintal and sesamum at ₹500 per quintal.

4. Who has been assigned the charge of the newly created, first-of-its-kind Cabinet-Level AI portfolio in Kerala?

A P. K. Kunhalikutty

B V. D. Satheesan

C Pinarayi Vijayan

D K. Rajan

E P. Rajeev

Explanation: The newly created Artificial Intelligence portfolio in Kerala has been assigned to senior leader P. K. Kunhalikutty as part of the cabinet restructuring under the state government.

5. Where is India's first SME-led semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility located?

A Bhiwadi, Rajasthan

B Gandhinagar, Gujarat

C Pune, Maharashtra

D Bengaluru, Karnataka

E Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: India's first SME-led semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility has been established in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, by Sahasra Semiconductors Pvt. Ltd.

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