ENVIRONMENT & SCIENCE
Research Initiatives
India Unveils First Indigenous Vaccine 'MA-104' Against African Swine Fever
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dedicated 'MA-104', India's first cell line-based live attenuated African Swine Fever vaccine, to the country.
Developed by ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, the vaccine uses an Indian field isolate of ASFV Genotype II.
The release took place on the occasion of the 98th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Perspective: Developing indigenous livestock vaccines safeguards agrarian incomes and prevents economic losses caused by contagious viral epizootics.
Developed by ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal, the vaccine uses an Indian field isolate of ASFV Genotype II.
The release took place on the occasion of the 98th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
Perspective: Developing indigenous livestock vaccines safeguards agrarian incomes and prevents economic losses caused by contagious viral epizootics.
Key Facts / Static GK
ICAR Headquarters: New Delhi
ICAR-NIHSAD Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
ICAR-NIHSAD Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Practice Quiz — 5 August 2026
Q1. Which of the following statements regarding the RBI's updated Bulk Deposit Interest Rate Directions 2026 is/are correct?
Answer: (B) Both statements I and II are correct — Statement I: The framework allows differential rates on bulk deposits based on LCR run-off rates from October 1, 2026. Statement II: Commercial banks and SFBs share a bulk deposit threshold of ₹3 crore, while RRBs have a threshold of ₹1 crore.
Q2. Under the revised CGSMFI 2.0 guidelines, what is the mandatory minimum combined allocation percentage of guarantee cover reserved for small and medium MFIs?
Answer: (C) 15% — Banks must now allocate at least 15% of the total guarantee cover under CGSMFI 2.0 to small and medium-sized MFIs, replacing the previous segregated structure of 5% and 10%.
Q3. Which agency constructed the new Income Tax Department office complex 'Aayakar Sindhu' inaugurated in Mumbai?
Answer: (B) Central Public Works Department (CPWD) — The 'Aayakar Sindhu' office complex in Nariman Point, Mumbai, was constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
Q4. Which Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) has partnered with Flipkart as the principal lending partner for 'Flipkart Pay Later'?
Answer: (B) PayU Finance — PayU Finance, the NBFC arm of PayU, serves as the primary licensed lender for the Flipkart Pay Later digital credit solution.
Q5. Which founding document led to the formal establishment of the Arctic Council in 1996?
Answer: (B) Ottawa Declaration — The Arctic Council was officially established in 1996 through the adoption of the Ottawa Declaration.
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