1. The Kopili River, that was recently seen in news, is a tributary of which river?
Notes: In a historic move, National Waterway-57 (River Kopili) was recently made operational to boost Assam’s river trade and sustainable logistics. River Kopili is a major south bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It originates from Saipong Reserve Forest in North Cachar Hills, Meghalaya, at 1525 meters altitude in the Borail Range. It is an interstate river flowing through Meghalaya and Assam. It passes through North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, and Morigaon districts of Assam.
2. Which state has the highest population of Mithun (Bos frontalis), a semi-domesticated bovine species?
Notes: Scientists and tribal farmers from Northeast India urged the Central Government to include Mithun (Bos frontalis) under the National Livestock Mission (NLM). Mithun is a semi-domesticated bovine species native to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and parts of Assam. India hosts 95% of the global mithun population, with 91% found in Arunachal Pradesh alone, as per the 2019 livestock census. Mithun is the state animal of both Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and holds ecological, economic, and cultural importance.
3. Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS) is located in which state?
Notes: Rajasthan Forest Department recently altered the boundaries of Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary (NWS), reportedly benefiting luxury hotels and commercial establishments within the sanctuary and its Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ). The move was submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) without approval from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), violating Section 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Rajasthan. It is named after Nahargarh Fort, built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur.
4. The Piprahwa Buddha relics were originally discovered in which Indian state?
Notes: Recently, sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha were returned to India on July 30, 2025, after 127 years. These relics were about to be auctioned by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on May 7, 2025. Government of India intervened and halted the auction by issuing a legal notice on May 5, 2025. The relics were originally discovered in 1898 by British engineer William Claxton Peppé in Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh. They include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, sandstone coffer, gold ornaments, and gemstones. An inscription in Brahmi script confirmed these as relics of Bhagwan Buddha deposited by the Sakya clan.
5. Which state has become the first in India to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) for road safety?
Notes: Recently, Uttar Pradesh became the first Indian state to launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics-based Road Safety Pilot Project. The project is approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Uttar Pradesh has allocated ₹10 crore in the 2025–26 Budget to develop a data-driven model for the Transport Department. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will have no financial liability in the project. The AI system will analyse accident reports, weather, vehicles, drivers, and road data to identify accident causes and black spots
6. Human Outer Planetary Exploration (HOPE) is a moon and Mars simulation research station located in which state/UT?
Notes: Recently, Bengaluru-based space company Protoplanet launched the Human Outer Planetary Exploration (HOPE) station in Ladakh’s Tso Kar region. HOPE is a moon and Mars simulation research station mimicking off-Earth terrain and environment. It is located in the high-altitude cold desert of Tso Kar basin, Ladakh. The project is developed by Protoplanet with technical and financial support from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It aims to study human psychological, physiological, and epigenetic responses in extreme isolation. It supports India’s long-term space goals including a crewed lunar mission by 2040 and a space station by 2035.
