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 Aparchit February 2nd Week English Best 350+ MCQs with Amazing Facts
By :- Aparchit Exam Warriors/Kumar Kaushal Sir

Q. What is Zomato's new name after its recent rebranding?

A) Eternal B) Infinite

C) Zenith D) Continuum

Answer : A .

✓ Zomato has rebranded itself as "Eternal" to reflect its broader business scope beyond food delivery.
✓ The company now integrates four key verticals: Zomato (food delivery), Blinkit (quick commerce), District
(live events), and Hyperpure (kitchen supplies).
✓ Founder Deepinder Goyal emphasized Blinkit's rapid growth as a major factor behind the rebranding.

REBRANDED IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Zomato has rebranded itself as "Eternal" to reflect its broader business scope beyond food delivery.
➢ Fintech firm Slice is set to rebrand its name to Slice Small Finance Bank Ltd after its merger in North
East Small Finance Bank.
➢ Shriram Housing Finance has rebranded itself as Truhome Finance.
➢ Max Life Insurance has rebranded as Axis Max Life Insurance.
➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the rebranding of the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) to
Bharat Connect.
➢ Emami rebrands ‘Fair and Handsome’ grooming product as ‘Smart and Handsome’.
➢ Bank of Baroda 's wholly -owned subsidiary for cards, 'Bob financial solutions Ltd, has been rebranded
as 'BOBCARD ltd' with tagline 'Credit Reimagined

Q. Which Indian quick commerce startup became the world's second most downloaded food and drink
app in 2024?

A) Swiggy B) Blinkit

C) Zepto D) Zomato
Answer : C .

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 ✓ Zepto, India's quick commerce startup, secured the second position globally in the food and drink app
category, surpassing major brands like KFC and Domino’s, according to Sensor Tower.
✓ McDonald’s ranked first, while Zepto’s competitors, Blinkit, Zomato, and Swiggy, also made it into the top
10.
✓ Zepto experienced a 300% growth in downloads in the latter half of 2024, driven by strategic innovations
such as the "Buy Now, Pay Later" feature.
✓ This milestone highlights the rapid expansion of India’s quick commerce sector, with increasing consumer
adoption of fast delivery services.
✓ Zepto is an Indian quick-commerce company headquartered in Bengaluru.
✓ It was founded in July 2021 by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra.
✓ As of August 2024, the company is valued at over $5 billion on paper and operates over 250 dark-stores
across ten metropolitan areas in India

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 Q. The central government has extended the term of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis by
how many years in February 2025?
A) 2 years B) 3 years
C) 4 years D) 5 years
Answer : B .

✓ National Commission for Safai Karamcharis tenure extended by 3 years.

✓ The Union Cabinet in a meeting held in New Delhi and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
extended the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for a period of three years till 31
March 2028.
✓ The tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was to lapse on 31st March 2025.
✓ About the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
✓ The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was set up as a statutory body in 1994 by the government
of India under the provision of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act, 1993.
✓ As per the provision of the act, the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis was three
years.
✓ The central government periodically amended the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act in 1997
and 2001 and extended its term by three -three years.
✓ The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act was allowed to lapse on 29 February 2004 by the
government and was converted into a non-statutory body.
✓ The government has periodically extended the term of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis.
✓ The non-statutory body National Commission for Safai Karamcharis comes under the Union Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment.
✓ The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis consists of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and five
members.
✓ The Chairperson has a status equivalent to the Union Minister of State.
✓ The other members and Vice-Chairperson have the status equivalent to the Secretary to the Government of
India.
✓ Headquarters of the Commission: New Delhi

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 EXTENDED TIMELINE IN NEWS 2024
➢ Union Cabinet in a meeting held in New Delhi and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
extended the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis for a period of three years till
31 March 2028.
➢ The government of India has extended the NITI Aayog’s flagship Atal Innovation Mission till 31st
March 2028.
➢ The government of India has extended the centrally sponsored Smart Cities Mission until 31 March
2025.
➢ The government approves the continuation of the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies
(RoSCTL) export incentive scheme for apparel and made-ups until March 31, 2026.
➢ Government approves extension of subsidy scheme on sugar supplied to AAY families by 2 years till
March 2026.
➢ Union Cabinet has extended the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) till
2025-26.
➢ LIC Granted Extension till 2032 to Achieve 25% Public Shareholding.
➢ Ministry of Finance has granted a one-time exemption to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)
regarding the 25% Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) rule. The decision allows LIC to achieve the
mandated 25% MPS within 10 years of its listing, extending the deadline to May 2032.
➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a two-year extension of the Payments Infrastructure
Development Fund (PIDF) scheme until December 31, 2025.
➢ The Centre has extended the import duty exemption on masur dal (lentils) by another year till March
31, 2025.
➢ The Union Cabinet approved to keep the Fast Track Special Courts going from April 1, 2023, to March
31, 2026.
➢ SEBI Extends Nomination Filing Deadline for Mutual Funds and Demat Accounts Until June 2024.
Earlier, the deadline for the same was December 31, 2023.
➢ SEBI, the market regulator, has extended the deadline for linking the SEBI Complaint Redressal
(SCORES) platform with the online dispute resolution platform. Initially set for December 4, the new
deadline is now April 1, 2024.
➢ Prime Minister Modi Extends Free Ration Scheme for 5 More Years.

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 ➢ The government will extend the free-foodgrain program for 80 crore people by an additional five years
from January 2024.
➢ The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), initially scheduled to conclude on
December 31, 2023, will now run until December 2028.
➢ The government has decided to prolong the duration of the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana, the
unemployment scheme under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, for an additional two
years until June 30, 2024.
➢ The government has extended PM-KUSUM scheme till March 2026

Q. What was the installed solar power capacity in the country as of 31st January 2025?
A) 100.3 GW B) 180.1 GW

C) 201.5 GW D) 150.9 GW
Answer : A .

✓ Installed Solar Power Capacity Crosses 100 GW In India.

✓ The installed solar power capacity in the country has surpassed the 100 GW milestone and at the end of 31st
January 2025, the total installed solar power capacity was 100.3 GW.
✓ This information was given by the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi in a social
media post on 7th February 2025.
✓ The government of India has set a target to achieve 500 GW of installed power capacity from non-fossil fuel
(renewable energy + nuclear) sources by 2030.
✓ The renewable energy sources mainly include solar, wind, hydel, and wind power.
✓ The contribution of solar energy to the total installed renewable energy capacity was 47%.
✓ Highlights of the Solar Power Capacity in India.
✓ In 2014 the total installed solar power capacity in the country was 2.8 GW which increased to 100.3 GW as
of 31st January 2025.
✓ In 2024, 24.5 GW of solar capacity was added in the country.
✓ At present 84.10 GW solar power projects are under implementation.
✓ Utility Scale Solar Installation.

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 ✓ The utility-scale solar installation refers to the large solar projects in which the electricity produced is fed to
the electricity grid. The electricity distribution companies (called utility providers) sell the electricity to the
consumers.
✓ In 2024, 18.5 GW of utility-scale solar capacity was added in the country.
✓ Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh were the top-performing states in
utility-scale solar power installations
✓ Roof Top Installation
✓ In 2024, 4.59 GW of rooftop solar power was installed, a growth of 53% as compared to 2023.
✓ The credit is given to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana which was launched on 13 February 2024.
✓ PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a rooftop solar project that encourages households to install solar
panels.
✓ These households receive 330 units of free electricity per month and the surplus electricity is sold to the
utility provider.
✓ Hybrid Solar Project
✓ Hybrid solar project refers to renewable energy projects that use both solar panels and wind turbines to
produce electricity.
✓ a 64.67 GW project is under implementation in the country.
✓ Solar Module Production
✓ In 2014, the total solar module production capacity in the country was around 2 GW.
✓ In 2024, the total solar module production capacity in the country was 60 GW.
✓ Target- 100 GW capacity by 2030

Q. The government of India has set a target to achieve 100 GW solar module production capacity by
which year?

A) 2028 B) 2026
C) 2030 D) 2035

Answer : C .

✓ The total solar module production capacity in the country was 60 GW.
✓ Target- 100 GW capacity by 2030.

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 Q. The government of India has extended the “ Skill India Programme” till ?

A) 2025-26 B) 2027-28

C) 2028-29 D) 2029-30

Answer : A .

✓ Union Cabinet in a meeting held in New Delhi on 7th February 2025 and chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has restructured and extended the central sector scheme “ Skill India Programme” till 2025-
26.
✓ The Skill India Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to create a trained
workforce in India to meet the needs of the industry and help in the economic development of the country.
✓ The government of India later launched various schemes to realize the objectives of the Skill India Mission.
✓ Three key skilling schemes of the central government -Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, Pradhan
Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme
have been consolidated into a comprehensive “Skill India Programme”.
✓ The Outlay for the Skill India Programme from the period 2022-23 to 2025-26 is Rs 8,800 crore.
✓ The Skill India programme is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship.
✓ The Ministry came into existence on 9 November 2014.

Q. What is the total outlay for the central government scheme Skill India Programme?
A) Rs 6,370 crore B) Rs 8,800 crore

C) Rs 5,250 crore D) Rs 3,210 crore

Answer : B .

✓ The Outlay for the Skill India Programme from the period 2022-23 to 2025-26 is Rs 8,800 crore.

Q. Which scheme are NOT a components of the government of India's Skill India Programme?

A) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0

B) Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme

C) Jan Shikshan Sansthan

D) Prime Minister Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors

Answer : D .

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 ✓ Components of the ‘Skill India Programme”.
✓ The components of the Skill India Programme are -Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, Pradhan
Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan.
✓ Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0:
✓ The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) was launched by the government of India in 2015.
✓ The PMKVY scheme has been rebooted by the government depending upon the needs of industry and the
economy.
✓ The PMKVY 4.0 was announced in the Union Budget of 2023-24 and it is being implemented from 1 April
2022 till 31st March 2026.
✓ The scheme emphasizes job training, industry partnership, and alignment of courses with the needs of the
industry.
✓ The PMKVY 4.0 focuses on new-age courses for Industry 4.0 like coding, AI, robotics, mechatronics, IOT,
3D printing, drones, and soft skills.
✓ PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)
✓ The government of India launched the Prime Minister National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
in August 2016. Presently the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)-2 is under
implementation.
✓ The scheme is for individuals aged 14 to 35 years.
✓ Objectives
✓ To promote apprenticeship training in the country, by providing partial stipend support to the apprentices
engaged under the Apprentice Act, of 1961 by an industry or establishment.
✓ The apprentice during on-job training gains valuable knowledge and the country gets a skilled workforce.
✓ The government of India provides 25% of the stipend, up to Rs.1,500 per apprentice to the Industry or the
established through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
✓ Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme:
✓ The Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan was launched as Shramik Vidyapeeth in 1967.
✓ It was renamed as the Jan Shikshan Sansthan in 2000 and it was transformed from the Union Ministry of
Education to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in 2018.
✓ The Jan Shikshan Sansthan is implemented through a network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

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 ✓ The scheme is a community-centric skilling initiative, to make vocational training accessible, for women,
rural youth, and economically disadvantaged groups and caters to the age group of 15 -45 years of age.
✓ Objectives
✓ improve the occupational skills and technical knowledge of the non/neo literates and persons having a
rudimentary level of education up to 8th standard and other school dropouts beyond 8th standard i.e. up to
class 12th.
✓ To raise their efficiency, increase their productive ability, and enhance their livelihood opportunities.
✓ To identify and promote traditional skills in the districts through skilling/upskilling
✓ To create a pool of master trainers working across the department/agencies of skill development through a
training/orientation programme.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC):

1.It is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO).

2. It provides service to users in India as well as the region extending about 5000 km beyond the
Indian landmass.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : A .

✓ ISRO recently faced a setback in its mission to position the NVS-02 satellite in the desired orbit due to
thruster failure, but is working on alternative strategies to utilise the satellite in its current elliptical orbit for
the NavIC navigation system.
✓ About Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC):
✓ NavIC is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide accurate Position,
Velocity, and Timing (PVT) service to users in India as well as the region extending about 1500 km beyond
the Indian landmass, which is its primary service area.
✓ It is a satellite-based navigation system developed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
✓ The first NavIC satellite was launched in July of 2013.

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 ✓ As of 2022, the NavIC system consists of eight satellites, three of them in geostationary orbits and five in
inclined geosynchronous orbits, with plans to expand to 12 satellites. Currently, 7 satellites are active.
✓ NavIC offers two services:
✓ Standard Position Service (SPS) for civilian users.
✓ Restricted Service (RS) for strategic users.
✓ The system provides positioning accuracy of better than 10 metres (10.9 yards) throughout India and better
than 20 m (21.9 yards) for the area surrounding India by 1,500 km (932 miles).
✓ NavIC SPS signals are interoperable with the other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals
namely GPS, Glonass, Galileo and BeiDou.

ISRO IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ ISRO recently faced a setback in its mission to position the NVS-02 satellite in the desired orbit due
to thruster failure, but is working on alternative strategies to utilise the satellite in its current elliptical
orbit for the NavIC navigation system.
➢ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to mark milestone with its 100th launch.
Scheduled for January 29, 2025, the GSLV-F15 mission will deploy the NVS-02 satellite from the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
➢ Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space
Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
➢ The government of India has appointed V. Narayanan as the 11th chairman of ISRO and secretary
of the Department of Space (DOS).
➢ He will succeed the current chairman S.Somanth
➢ ISRO's upcoming 100th mission, the NVS-02 satellite, is set for January 2025.
➢ This achievement will be highlighted by a Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) mission,
following Monday’s successful PSLV-C60 mission, which marked the 99th launch from the
Sriharikota spaceport.
➢ ISRO has successfully launched its critical space docking mission (SpaDex Mission). The PSLVC-60
rockets carrying two satellites on board were launched from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Center
SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

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 ➢ SpaDex mission is a technology demonstrator project of ISRO. It carries two small spacecraft SDX01(
the Chaser) and SDX02(theTarget), each weighing 220 kg.
➢ The two spacecraft will be deployed into a 470 km Low Earth Circular Orbit (LEO at 55° inclination.
➢ ISRO successfully launched the European Space Agency (ESA) Probe 3 Spacecraft from the First
Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota Andhra Pradesh, on 5
December 2024.
➢ The ESA Probe 3 was launched onboard ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-59.
➢ Elon Musk's company, Space X, successfully launched the New Space India Limited (NSIL) GSAT-
20, also known as the GSAT-N2 satellite, on 19 November 2024.
➢ ISRO and NASA are planning to launch a new satellite called NISAR in early 2025 that will help
keep track of Earth's surface on land and ice covered areas.
➢ It is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
➢ ISRO has launched India's first analog space mission in Leh, Ladakh.
➢ ISRO's Earth Observation Satellite-8 (EOS-8) is expected to be launched by the Small Satellite Launch
Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 on August 15 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
➢ Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla & Prasanth Nair selected by ISRO for the upcoming International
Space Station (ISS). This mission, known as Axiom Mission-4.
➢ Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
signed an agreement on Saturday to grant assistance for launching the Nepal-built Munal satellite
➢ Education Ministry sets up a 7 member high level committee to reform the exam system , committee
chaired by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.
➢ ISRO successfully tested a new liquid rocket engine at its Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil
Nadu.
➢ The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, successfully deployed payload XPoSat into Low Earth
Orbit.
➢ NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO), signed an $18 million agreement with the Australian government to launch Australia's largest
satellite.
➢ The satellite, named Optimus, is the largest Australian-designed and built spacecraft to date. It weighs
450 kg and will be launched in 2026 on ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).

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 ➢ GSAT 20 is a hi-tech heavy-weight satellite weighing 4,700 kg. New Delhi: In a first, Indian space
agency ISRO will launch its latest large satellite on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket.
➢ ISRO successfully carried out the third Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX)
on June 23 at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
➢ Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath announced on 16 April 2024 that
India aims to achieve debris-free space by 2030.
➢ Proba-3 Mission of Proba-3 Mission of ESA to Study Sun will be Launched by ISRO
➢ to Study Sun will be Launched by ISRO
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ISRO Chairman have already said that by 2040 we should have
an Indian astronaut on the moon and also to have our space station by 2035.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made an important announcement regarding their work
on reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology, called Pushpak.
➢ Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
➢ Founded : 15 August 1969
➢ HQ : Bengalore, Karnataka
➢ Founder / 1st Chairman : Vikram Sarabhai
➢ 11th Chairman : V. Narayanan
➢ Aryabhata India's first satellites Launched on 19 April 1975.
➢ GSAT-1 India's first commercial satellite.
➢ SLV-3 was India's first experimental satellite launch vehicle.
➢ Ariane Passenger PayLoad Experiment, (APPLE) first communication satellite in India 19 June 1981.
➢ Udupi Ramachandra Rao : satellite Man of India

Q. Where was the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias held?

A) New Delhi B) Geneva

C) Paris D) Madrid

Answer : A .

✓ New Delhi host the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias.

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 ✓ The Indian capital city of New Delhi hosted the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias from
5-7 February 2025.
✓ The International meeting provided a platform for the global pharmacopoeial leaders, regulatory authorities,
and industry stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in Pharmacopoeias and to improve public health
outcomes.
✓ They discussed measures to improve pharmaceutical standards, harmonization of pharmaceuticals, and
regulatory convergence.
✓ The first International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 29th
February to 2nd March 2012.
✓ The 10th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias was held in Strasbourg, France, on 18th and 19th
February 2020.
✓ What is Pharmacopeia?
✓ According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘pharmacopeia is a legally binding collection of
standards and quality specifications for medicines used in a country. Here quality specification means a set
of appropriate tests that will confirm the identity and purity of the product, and ascertain the strength (or
amount) of the active substance.
✓ The 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias was organised by the WHO and was hosted by
the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC). under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Government of India.
✓ The 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State
for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel on 5th February 2025.
✓ About World Health Organisation (WHO)
✓ World Health Organisation or WHO is a United Nations agency that was established on 7 April 1945.
✓ It works to promote health, expand universal health coverage, and respond to health emergencies in the
world.
✓ Members Countries - 194
✓ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
✓ Director General : Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Ethiopia)
✓ World Health Day- 7 April every year to mark the foundation of the WHO.

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 ✓ The World Health Organization (WHO) has 194 member states, even after the United States announced its
intent to withdraw.

Q. Where was the 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair inaugurated?

A) Bhopal B) Bhubaneswar

C) Faridabad D) Jaipur

Answer : C .

✓ The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair was inaugurated in Faridabad by Union Minister Gajendra
Singh Shekhawat and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
✓ This annual event, known for promoting handicrafts and handlooms, features nearly 600 participants from
42 countries.
✓ The fair highlights India’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, with Madhya Pradesh and Odisha as
the partner states for this edition

Q. Which country recently added its first drone and helicopter-launching ship, Shahid Beheshti, to its
Revolutionary Guards' fleet?
A) Iran B) China

C) Russia D) Turkey
Answer : A .

✓ Iran has introduced Shahid Beheshti, its first drone and helicopter-launching ship, into the Revolutionary
Guards' fleet.
✓ The vessel, originally a commercial ship, has been modified to feature a 180-meter runway and can operate
for up to a year without refuelling.
✓ This addition strengthens Iran’s naval capabilities, particularly for long-range operations, and supports the
launch of larger drones such as the Qaher and Mohajer-6.

Q. Klub-S Missile System, recently seen in the news, is developed by which country?

A) United States B) North Korea

C) Iran D) Russia
Answer : D .

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 ✓ India recently reached an agreement with Russia to acquire the Klub-S missile system, aimed at enhancing
the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy's submarine fleet.
✓ About Klub-S Missile System:
✓ Developed by Russian defense company NPO Novator, the Klub, also known as Kalibr, is a cruise missile
inducted into Moscow's defense forces in 1994.
✓ The Klub-S missiles have a warhead payload of 400 kilograms and are capable of targeting surface ships,
submarines, and ground targets up to 300 kilometers away.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Restructured National Bamboo Mission:
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme which provides assistance to only government sector for the
propagation and cultivation of bamboo.
2. Under this mission Bamboo Technology Support Groups (BTSGs) and National Level Agencies
gets 100% funding from the central government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)1 only B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : B .

✓ Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare informed the Lok Sabha about the restructured
National Bamboo Mission.
✓ It has been launched as a centrally sponsored Scheme in 2018-19.
✓ It provides assistance to both the Government & private sectors for the propagation and cultivation of
bamboo in non-forest land, bamboo treatment, establishment of markets, incubation centers, value added
product development & processing and development of tools & equipments.
✓ Funding Pattern: The funding pattern is 60:40 between Centre and State Government for all States except
NE & Hilly States, where it is 90:10 and 100% in case of Union Territories/Bamboo Technology Support
Groups (BTSGs) and National Level Agencies.
✓ To increase the availability of quality planting materials, area expansion of bamboo cultivation.
✓ To improve post-harvest management, primary treatment and seasoning, preservation technologies, market
infrastructure, product development, promote skill development and re-align efforts to reduce dependency
on import of bamboo and bamboo products.

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 ✓ Implementation: It is being implemented through the state nodal department which is nominated by the
State/UT governments concerned.

Q. What was the name of the joint airborne exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the Indian
Air Force in February 2025?
A) Exercise Winged Raiders B) Exercise Autumn Forge

C) Exercise Able Archer D) Exercise Tarang Shakti

Answer : A .

✓ Indian Army and IAF conducts joint military exercise ‘Winged Raider.
✓ Indian Army and the Indian Air Force jointly conducted a comprehensive training exercise named EX
Winged Raiders in the Eastern Theater. The exercise which was focused on special airborne operations was
aimed to enhance inter-service synergy. The joint military exercise is part of the government of India's effort
to push for interoperability leading to the setting up of an integrated theatre command in the country.
✓ Interoperability in the military means the ability of the different wings of the armed forces to work together
and use other weapon systems.
✓ This means that Indian Army personnel will gain expertise in operating the Indian Air Force weapons
systems and vice versa.
✓ The ‘Winged Raiders’ was conducted to test the interoperability of the Indian Army and the Indian Air
Force.
✓ The exercise focused on special airborne operations and was conducted in the Eastern Theater of the Indian
Army.
✓ The Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Amar Preet
Singh flew together in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on the eve of Aero India 2025 in
Bengaluru on 9 February 2025.
✓ This was the first time that the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force Chief flew together in an LCA.
✓ The 15th edition of the Aero India show is being held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru,
Karnataka from 10-14 February 2025.

EXERCISE IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ The Indian Army and Indian Air Force conducted EX Winged Raiders in the Eastern Theater.

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 ➢ The 13th edition of the joint India-Maldives military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ is being hosted by Maldives
from 2-15 February 2025.
➢ The indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai is participating in the
Exercise LA PEROUSE.
➢ It is the fourth edition of the multinational naval exercise.
➢ Exercise SLINEX 2024 (Sri Lanka–India Exercise) will be conducted from 17 to 20 Dec 24 at
Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command.
➢ India and Malaysia commenced the bilateral Joint Military Exercise “Harimau Shakti” on 2
December 2024 at Bentong camp, Pahang district, Malaysia.
➢ The third edition of the joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND commenced today at the Foreign
Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra.
➢ India Launches First Space Defense Exercise Antariksha Abhyas – 2024.
➢ The Defence Space Agency, under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, is conducting
Antariksha Abhyas – 2024
➢ The Indian Navy will conduct the fourth edition of its nationwide coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil-
24, on November 20 and 21
➢ Indian Army contingent departs for 9th India-Indonesia joint exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 in
Jakarta.
➢ The Indian Army contingent departed today for the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces
Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR.
➢ The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 2nd to 22nd November 2024 at Orchard Combat
Training Centre in Idaho, USA
➢ The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is scheduled from 23
to 29 Oct 2024, in the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
➢ India -Kazakhstan joint military exercise 8th edition of KAZIND-2024 commenced at the
mountainous Surya Foreign Training node in Auli, Uttarakhand, on 30 September 2024.
➢ Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman conduct a bilateral maritime exercise called Naseem Al
Bahr, or Sea Breeze Exercise.
➢ The 13th edition of the Naseem Al Bahr exercise was held off the coast of Oman from November 19
to 24, 2024

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 ➢ The seventh edition of the bilateral military exercise Exercise Eastern Bridge between the Indian Air
Force and the Royal Oman Air Force commenced at the Air Force Base Masirah, Oman, on 11th
September 2024.
➢ The 5th edition of the bilateral military exercise Al NAJAH between the Indian Army and the Royal
Army of Oman will be held from September 13th to 26th at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah,
Oman
➢ The 20th edition of the annual India-US Joint military exercise code-named Yudh Abhyas 2024
commenced at the Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan
➢ India will host the international air exercise ‘Tarang Shakti’ in two phases, taking place in Tamil Nadu
and Rajasthan
➢ India Army off to Mongolia to take part in 21st EX- KHAAN QUEST 2024 will be held in the
Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Q. Where was the first BIMSTEC Youth Summit held?

A) Hyderabad, Telangana B) Gandhinagar, Gujarat

C) Bengaluru, Karnataka D) Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Answer : B .

✓ 1st BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

✓ The first BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)
Youth Summit was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7-11 February 2025.
✓ Earlier, a two-day BIMSTEC Digital Conclave was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 7th and 8th February
2025.
✓ India hosted the second meeting of the BIMSTEC Expert Group on Cyber Security Cooperation in New
Delhi on 21 January 2025.
✓ The 1st BIMSTEC Youth Summit was organised jointly by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Union
Ministry of Youth Affairs.
✓ The Young Indians of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was the knowledge partner of the Youth
Summit.
✓ The theme of the 1st BIMSTEC Youth Summit was ‘Youth as a bridge for intra-BIMSTEC exchange’.

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 ✓ The two-day BIMSTEC Digital Conclave 2025 was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on the 7th &8th February
2025.
✓ The theme of the BIMSTEC Digital Conclave was "Building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Shared
Prosperity."
✓ About BIMSTEC
✓ The BIMSTEC(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is an
inter-governmental organisation of seven South Asian and Southeast Asian countries - India, Sri Lanka,
Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand, and Myanmar.
✓ It was established in 1997 to promote trade and cooperation between the countries lying along the Bay of
Bengal.
✓ Secretariat: Dhaka Bangladesh

Q. What was the theme of the first BIMSTEC Youth Summit?

A) Youth as a bridge for intra-BIMSTEC exchange.
B) Strengthening Economic Cooperation for a Resilient Future
C) Towards a Resilient Region
D) Prosperous Economies, and Healthy People
Answer : A .

SUMMIT & CONFERENCE IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the ‘AI Action Summit’ meeting in Paris, France.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 3rd India Energy Week being held in New
Delhi on 11 February 2025.
➢ The first BIMSTEC Youth Summit was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7-11 February 2025.
➢ The Indian capital city of New Delhi hosted the 15th International Meeting of World Pharmacopoeias
from 5-7 February 2025.
➢ The first Raisina Middle East Conference was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city,
Abu Dhabi, on 28 and 29 January 2025.
➢ The first edition of the Technology Dialogue was inaugurated at the Indian institute of Science (IISc),
Bengaluru, Karnataka .

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 ➢ Bhubaneshwar the capital city of Odisha will host the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention from
8-10 January 2025.
➢ The theme of the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention is "Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit
Bharat”.
➢ The Chief Guest of the 18th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention will be Christine Carla Kangaloo,
President of Trinidad & Tobago.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav being organised in New
Delhi on 4 January 2025.
➢ The theme of the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav is “Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat
2024”.
➢ Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 31st National Children’s Science
Congress at the Ravindra Bhawan in Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh .
➢ The main theme of the 31st National Children’s Science Congress is “Understanding Ecosystems for
Health and Well-being”.
➢ The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, chaired the 72nd plenary session
of the North Eastern Council (NEC) at Agartala, Tripura.
➢ The 11th summit meeting of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organization for Economic Cooperation was
held in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt.
➢ The 23rd meeting of the Special Representative of India and China was held in Beijing, China, on 18
December 2024.
➢ The 4th annual National Conference of Chief Secretaries commenced in New Delhi on 13 December
2024.
➢ Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 10th World Ayurveda Congress
and Arogya Expo 2024 at Dehradun on 12 December 2024. The first Ayurveda Conference was
orgainsed in Kochi, Kerala, in 2002.
➢ The 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2024 theme is Digital Health- an Ayurveda
Perspective.
➢ The two-day first India Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024 concluded in New Delhi on 12 December
2024.

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 ➢ The second India and the United Kingdom 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue was held in New Delhi
on 3 December 2024.
➢ The 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia .
➢ The theme of the 16th COP of the UNCCD is Our Land. Our Future

Q. Who has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Lebanon?

A) Abbas Hajj Hassan B) Youssef Khalil

C) Ziad Baroud D) Nawaf Salam

Answer : D .

✓ After two years of political stalemate in Lebanon, a new government has been formed under the leadership
of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
✓ The newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a Presidential decree on 8 February 2025 forming
the new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam
✓ About Lebanon
✓ Capital: Beirut
✓ Currency: Lebanese Pound
✓ President: Joseph Aoun

NEWLY PRIME MINISTER IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Nawaf Salam : Lebanon
➢ Micheal Martin : Ireland
➢ Shigeru Ishiba : 103rd Prime Minister of Japan.
➢ Dr. Naveen Ramgoolam : Mauritius
➢ Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli : Nepal
➢ Keir Stammer : 58th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
➢ Dick Schoof : Netherlands
➢ Allamaye Halina : Chad
➢ Lawrence Wong : Singapore

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 ➢ Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah : Kuwait
➢ Simon Harris : Ireland
➢ Bjarni Benediktsson : Iceland
➢ Luis Montenegro : Portugal
➢ Mohammad Mustafa : Palestine
➢ Olzhas Bektenov : Kazakhstan
➢ Gabriel Attal : France
➢ Donald Tusk : Poland
➢ Luke Frieden : Luxembourg
➢ Robert Fico : Slovakia
➢ Christopher Luxon : 42nd PM of New Zealand

Q. Who won the 2025 WTA Mumbai Open tennis singles title?

A) Jil Teichmann
B) Mananchaya Sawangkaew

C) Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi

D) Elena Pridankina

Answer : A .

✓ Jil Teichmann of Switzerland defeated Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand to win the singles title of the
2025 Mumbai Open tennis tournament.
✓ The final of the 2025 Mumbai Open tennis tournament was played on 9 February 2025 in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
✓ 2nd WTA title for Jil Teichmann.
✓ The 2025 Mumbai Open singles title was the 2nd WTA 125 title for Jil Teichmann. In 2024 she won her
first WTA 125 tournament in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
✓ In the Mumbai Open, World No.117 Teichmann defeated World No. 122 Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-3,
6-4 in the final.
✓ In the doubles, the Russian pair of Elena Pridankina and Amina Anshba defeated India’s Prarthana
Thombare and her Dutch partner Arianne Hartono 6(4)-7(7), 6-2, 10-7 in the final.

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 Q. Who recently resigned as the Chief Minister of Manipur?

A) N. Biren Singh B) Hemant Soren

C) K. Balasubramanian D) Bhajanlal Sharma

Answer : A .

✓ Recently, N. Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister of Manipur.

✓ His resignation came just hours after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
✓ However, the Governor has asked him to continue in office until an alternative arrangement is made.

Q. Who is the author of the book titled "Tested : The remarkable power of resolve "
A) Pat Cummins B) Steve Smith
C) Scott Boland D) Aaron Finch

Answer : A .

Q. Who is the author of the book titled "Source Code: My beginnings"?

A) Bill Gates B) Paul Allen

C) Steve Jobs D) Steve Wozniak

Answer : A .

✓ Source Code: My beginnings

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 ✓ By Bill Gates

Q. Which one among the following is not a Baltic nation?

A) Latvia B) Slovakia
C) Lithuania D) Estonia

Answer : B .

✓ Baltic states switch to European power grid, ending Russia ties.

✓ The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania completed a switch
(https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuania-cuts-russian-power-grid-ties-baltics-prepare-link-with-
eu-2025-02-08/) from Russia's electricity grid to the EU's system, severing Soviet-era ties amid heightened
security after the suspected sabotage of several subsea cables and pipelines.
✓ Baltic countries are the 3 states i.e. Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia that are located in the northeastern region
of Europe.
✓ They are called the Baltic Nations because they border the Baltic Sea.
✓ All three countries are members of the European Union, NATO and the Eurozone.

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 Q. Until which year has the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) been extended?

A) 2025

B) 2026

C) 2027
D) 2028

Answer : D .

✓ The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched in 2019 to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024.
✓ Initially, only 17% of rural households had tap water connections, but as of 2024, the coverage increased to
80%.
✓ To ensure complete access and sustainable infrastructure, the mission has been extended until 2028.
✓ This extension focuses on improving service delivery, public participation, and maintenance of rural water
supply systems.
✓ JJM is expected to bring significant health benefits, save time for rural households, and contribute to a
reduction in child mortality through access to safe drinking water.
✓ About JJM
✓ Background: National Rural Drinking Water Programme was restructured and subsumed in JJM.
✓ Nodal Ministry: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.
✓ Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
✓ Funding pattern between Centre and State:
✓ 90:10 for Himalayan (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh) and North-Eastern States.
✓ 100% for UTs.
✓ 50:50 for rest of the States.
✓ Key Achievements under JJM
✓ Over 12 crore families have gained access of piped drinking water since 2019, up from 3.23 Crore (Economic
Survey 2024-25).
✓ States achieved 100% coverage: Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab,
Telangana and Mizoram.
✓ UTs achieved 100% coverage: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman Diu and
Puducherry

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 Q. Which country is set to launch the EFTA Desk to strengthen trade relations?

A) Switzerland B) Norway

C) Iceland D) India

Answer : D .

✓ India is set to launch the EFTA Desk in New Delhi to enhance economic relations with the European Free
Trade Association (EFTA).
✓ This initiative aligns with the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement and aims to boost
trade, investment, and business collaboration between India and EFTA member nations.
✓ The EFTA consists of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Q. What is India's rank in the Global LEED Green Buildings 2024 rankings?
A) 1st B) 2nd

C) 4th D) 3rd
Answer : D .

✓ India secured the 3rd position in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Global LEED Green
Buildings 2024 rankings, with 370 projects covering 8.50 million gross square meters (GSM) of green-
certified space.
✓ China ranked first with over 25 million GSM, followed by Canada with 10 million GSM.
✓ LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is a globally recognized standard for
sustainability, energy efficiency, and reduced carbon footprint in buildings.
✓ India's consistent ranking highlights its growing commitment to eco-friendly infrastructure and sustainable
construction, reinforcing its leadership in green building development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Q. Which country signed an MoU with India for implementing Quick Impact Projects (QIPs)?
A) Nicaragua B) Panama

C) Guatemala D) Honduras

Answer : A .

✓ India and Nicaragua have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement Quick Impact
Projects (QIPs) aimed at enhancing physical and social infrastructure.

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 ✓ India will provide grant assistance for projects focusing on roads, community centres, education, and
sanitation, ensuring direct benefits to Nicaraguan communities.

Q. What is India's rank in terms of economy-wide digitalisation globally?

A) 2nd B) 3rd

C) 5th D) 7th

Answer : B .

✓ India ranks as the 3rd largest digitalized economy globally, behind the United States and China, according
to the State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) Report 2024.
✓ Despite this strong position in overall digitalisation, India ranks 12th among G20 nations in terms of
individual user digitalisation.
✓ The digital economy contributed 11.74% to India’s GDP in 2022-23, with projections to reach 13.42% by
2024-25.
✓ By 2029-30, it is expected to contribute 20% of GDP, surpassing both agriculture and manufacturing

Q. Which ministry issued a circular advising government officials to avoid using AI tools on official
devices?
A) Ministry of Home Affairs B) Ministry of Finance
C) Ministry of Information Technology D) Ministry of External Affairs

Answer : B .

✓ Ministry of Finance, through its Department of Expenditure (DoE), issued a circular on January 29
cautioning government officials against using AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek on official devices.
✓ The advisory was driven by concerns over data confidentiality and the risk of sensitive government
information being accessed or exposed.
✓ The government is adopting a cautious stance on AI tools, aiming to balance their potential benefits with
the need for data security and privacy in handling official documents and communications.

Q. Where was Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he virtually inaugurated the 3rd edition of the India
Energy Week in February 2025?

A) France B) United States

C) Australia D) Japan

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 Answer : A .

✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 3rd India Energy Week being held in New Delhi
on 11 February 2025.
✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to France from 10-12th February 2025.
✓ He is in France to co-chair the AI Action Summit along with the French President Emmanuel Macron.
✓ India Energy Week showcases India as an important energy market in the world.
✓ The first Indian Energy Week was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka from 6-8 February 2023.
✓ The second edition of the India Energy Week was held from 6-9 February 2024 in Goa.
✓ The third edition of the India Energy Week is being held in New Delhi from 11-14 February 2025.
✓ The India Energy Week is jointly organised by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) and
the DMG Events, under the overall patronage of the Union Ministry for Petroleum and Natural Gas.
✓ Main Highlights of 3rd India Energy Week
✓ It is the first major global event on the energy calendar and also the most comprehensive and inclusive
energy gathering of the year.
✓ It is the second-largest energy event globally in terms of exhibition space, ministerial and CEO participation,
and the number of sessions.
✓ Ten countries including Canada, Germany, Japan, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom
will set up their pavilions during the event.

Q. When is World Pulses Day celebrated?

A) February 10 B) February 8

C) February 9 D) February 11
Answer : A .

✓ World Pulses Day’ is celebrated every year on 10 February to spread awareness about the nutritional and
environmental benefits of pulses as part of sustainable food production.
✓ The theme of ‘World Pulses Day’ for this year 2025 “Pulses Bringing Diversity to Agrifood Systems”
✓ History of World Pulses Day:
✓ The UNGA adopted a resolution related to pulses on 20 December 2013, declaring 2016 as the International
Year of Pulses (IYP).
✓ In recognition of the potential of pulses in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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 ✓ India is the largest producer of pulses. Which produces about 25 percent of the total pulses produced in the
world.
✓ Rajasthan ranks first in India in the production of pulses.
✓ Indian Institute of Pulses Research - Kanpur

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the R-37M Missile, recently seen in the news:

1. It is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

2. It was developed by Russia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : B .

✓ Russia has reportedly offered the R-37M missile, one of the world’s best air-to-air missiles, to India.
✓ About R-37M Missile:
✓ The R-37M missile, known by its NATO reporting name AA-13 Axehead, is a long-range air-to-air missile
developed by Russia.
✓ It is designed to eliminate enemy fighter jets and drones beyond visual range (BVR).
✓ It has a weight of approximately 510 kilograms and a length of over 4 meters, with a warhead weighing 60
kilograms.
✓ The guidance system of the R-37M is a combination of inertial navigation with mid-course updates, an
active radar homing head, and semi-active radar guidance for the terminal phase.
✓ It features a jettisonable rocket booster that allows it to achieve a range of 300 to 400 kilometers, making it
one of the longest-reaching air-to-air missiles in service globally.
✓ Its speed can reach hypersonic levels, up to Mach 6, which is crucial for intercepting fast-moving targets.

MISSILE IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Russia has reportedly offered the R-37M missile, one of the world’s best air-to-air missiles, to India.
➢ Iran recently unveiled two missiles, named Etemad and Ghadr-380.
➢ India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system designed to counter swarm
drones.

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 ➢ About Bhargavastra:
➢ It is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to take on the threat of swarm drones.
➢ It was developed by the Economic Explosives Ltd.
➢ It can quickly deploy on a mobile platform and hit targets over 2.5 km.
➢ Turkey has successfully tested the firing of the supersonic missile UAV-122 from the Bayraktar Akinci
drone.
➢ DRDO successfully test-fired a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off
the coast of Odisha, on November 16, 2024. The missile was designed to carry payloads over 1,500
kilometers.
➢ Tu-22M3 missile carriers of the Russian Aerospace Forces recently struck Snake Island in the Black
Sea with Kh-22 cruise missiles.
➢ Indian Air Force has given its green signal for the production of 200 Astra mark-1 (Mk-1) missiles for
its Su-30 MKI and the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
➢ The DRDO developed the Astra Mk-1, which is being manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
➢ The Astra is an air-to-air beyond visual range (BVR) missile. Astra Mk-1 has a range of 80-110 km
with a maximum speed of 4.5 Mach.
➢ Indian “Iron-Dome” Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) is competing against Chinese-made Sky
Dragon-50 air defense systems to secure an order from Brazil.
➢ India has successfully test-fired its first indigenous anti-radiation missile, the Rudram-1 (air–to–surface
missile), developed by the DRDO for the Indian Air Force (IAF)
➢ India's Strategic Forces Command has successfully tested a new model of its Medium-Range Ballistic
Missile, Crystal Maze 2.
➢ Russia will supply the remaining two units of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system in the
next year.
➢ India has started supplying BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines
➢ DRDO successfully test-fired the long-range ‘Nirbhay cruise missile’ at the Integrated Test Range
Chandipur in Odisha.
➢ DRDO and India's Strategic Forces Command (SFC) have successfully conducted a flight test of the
new generation ballistic missile called 'Agni-Prime'. Agni-Prime has a strike range of 1,000 to 2,000
km

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 ➢ North Korea announced testing of an anti-aircraft Pyoljji-1-2 missile and a super large strategic cruise
missile Hwasal-1 Ra-3 warhead in the West Sea of Korea
➢ India has conducted the first successful flight test of nuclear ballistic missile Agni-5. Agni-5 missile
developed under Make in India project by DRDO.
➢ Agni 5 missile is the longest range missile of the Agni series with a range of over 5000 km.

Q. Which among the following best describes ‘Yashas’, recently seen in the news?

A) A transport aircraft used by the Indian Air Force.

B) An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

C) A reconnaissance satellite launched by ISRO.

D) A jet training aircraft

Answer : D .

✓ Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently renamed its flagship HJT-36 jet training aircraft as ‘Yashas’,
following significant upgrades.
✓ About Yashas:
✓ It is the flagship jet training aircraft of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
✓ The aircraft, previously known as Hindustan Jet Trainer (HJT)-36, has undergone extensive modifications
aimed at improving its departure characteristics and spin resistance across the aircraft envelope, leading to
its rechristening as ‘Yashas.’
✓ Its capabilities extend to aerobatics and armament carriage, supporting up to 1,000 kg of payload.
✓ It is powered by a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)-controlled AL55I Jet engine, providing
best-in-class thrust-to-weight ratio, optimised thrust management, and reliability.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana
(PM- AJAY) Scheme:
1. It is aimed at reducing poverty among the Scheduled Castes communities through various
initiatives.
2. It is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 A) 1 only B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : C .

✓ Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar chaired a meeting of the central
advisory committee for PM-AJAY scheme.
✓ The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM- AJAY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored
Scheme.
✓ It is aimed at reducing poverty among the SC communities through various initiatives like the generation of
additional employment and improving socio-economic indicators in SC dominated villages.
✓ It is a merged scheme of three Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram
Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu
Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
✓ Objectives
✓ To increase the income of the target population by way of various income generating schemes, skill
development and infrastructure development.
✓ To reduce the poverty among the target population and bring them above the poverty lines.
✓ Eligibility Criteria
✓ The Scheduled Castes persons living below the poverty lines are eligible for getting benefits under this
scheme.
✓ In case of Infrastructure Development, the villages having 50% or more SC population are eligible for grants
under the Scheme.
✓ It is being implemented since 2021-22 as three components, which are as under:-
✓ Development of SC dominated villages into an ‘Adarsh Gram’ component
✓ Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs’ component
✓ Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions’ component

Q. India has set a target to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by which year?

A) 2027 B) 2028

C) 2030 D) 2029

Answer : A .

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 ✓ India targets to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027.
✓ Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually launched the annual Mass
Drug Administration (MDA) campaign for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in identified 13 endemic
states on 10 February 2025.
✓ The Union Minister said that the central government aims to eliminate the incidence of Lymphatic Filariasis
disease in the country by 2027.
✓ The MDA campaign aims to administer anti-filarial medicine to persons in the identified endemic area to
prevent the further transmission of the disease.
✓ The MDA has been launched in the identified 111 districts of 13 states where the Lymphatic Filariasis
disease is endemic. These states are Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
✓ The Government of India is a signatory to the 1997 World Health Assembly Resolution for Global
Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis.
✓ The government of India has adopted a two-pronged strategy for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in
the country by 2027.
✓ About Lymphatic Filariasis
✓ Lymphatic Filariasis commonly known as elephantiasis or Hathi Paon is a physically disfiguring and
disabling disease
✓ Cause of diseases
✓ The disease is caused by round, coiled, and thread-like parasitic nematodes (roundworms) belonging to the
family Filarioidea.
✓ The nematodes are transmitted through the bites of the infected mosquitoes.

TARGET YEAR IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ India targets to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027.
➢ India will become a USD 30 trillion-economy by 2047.
➢ World Health Organization (WHO) is accelerating work to eliminate kala-azar by 2030.
➢ India has set a target to achieve a $150 billion bioeconomy by 2025.
➢ Technical textiles exports will cross $10 billion by 2030.
➢ Government of India has set a target of 20 per cent ethanol blending with petrol by 2025.

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 ➢ India is set to become the third largest consumer market in 2026, surpassing Germany and Japan,
according to a UBS report.
➢ India has made a declaration to achieve debris-free space missions by 2030.
➢ India plans to build its first privately managed strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) by 2029-30.
➢ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared India’s plan to establish its own space station by 2035.
➢ National Strategic Plan & Roadmap for Leprosy (2023-27) to achieve zero transmission of leprosy by
2027.
➢ India self-reliant in pulses by December 2027
➢ Indian Consumer Tech To Touch $300 Bn By 2027.
➢ India is expected to overtake Japan and Germany to emerge as the third largest economy in the world
by 2027.
➢ Members of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) collectively have set an “aspirational
target” of 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage by 2030.
➢ India to push developed nations to become carbon-negative before 2050.
➢ This ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’ event will help the country to achieve its commitment of becoming
a global drone hub by 2030.
➢ Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) expects to commercially launch its
dengue fever vaccine by early 2026.
➢ Group Chief Economic Advisor at the State Bank of India (SBI), Soumya Kanti Ghoshon has
reiterated that India is likely to become the third-largest economy by 2027.
➢ The Ministry of Coal has set a target to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by FY 2030.
➢ According to the report of Goldman Sachs Research, by the year 2075, India will become the second
largest economy in the world after China leaving behind not only Japan and Germany but also
America.
➢ UNEP suggests measures to reduce 80% of world's plastic pollution by 2040.
➢ India aims to become one trillion dollar tourism economy by 2047.
➢ The government announced a plan to add 250 GW of renewable energy capacity in the next five years
to achieve its target of 500 GW of clean energy by 2030.
➢ India has set targets for half of its installed electricity capacity to be from non-fossil fuel sources by
2030 and for the country to attain net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

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 ➢ 2023 foreign trade policy has the vision to take India’s goods and services exports to $2 trillion by
2030.
➢ India to get 9% of Electricity from Nuclear Sources by 2047.
➢ India sets target to become ‘Global Hub for Green Ship’ building by 2030
➢ Indian Railways to become Net Zero Carbon Emitter by 2030.
➢ India to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
➢ Indian Government has set a target to eliminate TB in India by 2025.

Q. Which country hosted the third international conference on artificial intelligence “AI Action
Summit” in February 2025?

A) Australia B) Germany
C) France D) Italy

Answer : C .

✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the ‘AI Action Summit’ meeting in Paris, France on 11th
February 2025,along with the French President Emmanual Macron.
✓ France is hosting the third International summit focussed on artificial intelligence (AI) in Paris on 10th and
11th February 2025.
✓ The Summit was attended by the world leaders including American Vice -President JD Vance, Chinese
Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing,Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau and chief executive officers (CEO)
of tech giants like Google, Microsoft etc.
✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two nation tour of France and the United States of America
✓ Background to the AI Action Summit in Paris .
✓ The first international summit on artificial intelligence titled “Global AI Safety Summit” was organised by
the United Kingdom government at Bletchley Park,in Buckinghamshire in November 2023.
✓ The Bletchley Park is the birthplace of the digital, programmable computer in the world.
✓ The main aim of the summit was to discuss the safety and regulation of artificial intelligence, particularly
advanced AI systems.
✓ The second Global AI Safety Summit titled’ Seoul AI Summit” was co-hosted by the South Korean and the
United Kingdom government virtually on 21–22 May 2024.
✓ France is hosting the third meeting titled” AI Action Summit” that is also being co-chaired by India.

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 ✓ Aim of the AI Action Summit in Paris
✓ The Paris Summit focus was on establishing scientific foundations, solutions and standards for more
sustainable AI that will further collective progress and which is in the public interest.
✓ The Summit along with the AI Action Week, showcased the ecosystems that fosters the development and
deployment of AI.
✓ The three major objectives of the Paris Summit were :
✓ Provide access to a wide range of users for independent, safe and reliable AI,
✓ Develop environment friendly AI,
✓ Ensure an effective and inclusive global governance of artificial intelligence.
✓ What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
✓ Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science.
✓ It aims to build machines that are capable of performing tasks that are done by a human beings.

Q. In which country was "Operation Devil Hunt" launched to crack down on violence?
A) Myanmar B) Bangladesh

C) Sri Lanka D) Nepal

Answer : B .

✓ Bangladesh launched "Operation Devil Hunt" to address political violence and unrest, resulting in the arrest
of over 1,300 individuals.
✓ The operation was initiated following violent attacks on properties linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina’s family and her political party.
✓ The crackdown aims to control mobs and political factions responsible for escalating tensions, ensuring
stability and security in Bangladesh amidst rising political turmoil.

IMPORTANT OPERATION & CODE NAME IN NEWS 2023-24

➢ OPERATION DEVIL HUNT
➢ Bangladesh launched "Operation Devil Hunt" to address political violence and unrest, resulting in the
arrest of over 1,300 individuals
➢ OPERATION SADBHAVANA

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 ➢ India has launched Operation Sadbhavana to help countries affected by Typhoon Yagi in Southeast
Asia.
➢ OPERATION SADBHAVANA
➢ Indian Army's Trishakti Corps demonstrate unwavering support for North Sikkim's remote
communities in Naga, Rangrang villages.
➢ OPERATION INDRAVATI
➢ India has started Operation Indravati to evacuate its nationals from Haiti to the Dominican Republic.
➢ OPERATION SANKALP
➢ Indian Navy has launched 'Operation Sankalp' in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the aim of
ensuring the security of Indian ships.
➢ OPERATION RISING SUN
➢ Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a big syndicate involved in smuggling of foreign-
origin gold worth around Rs. 40 crorein its operation code named 'Rising Sun' on 12th nd 13th March,
2024
➢ OPERATION KAMDHENU
➢ Jammu and Kashmir police launched Operation Kamdhenu to curb cattle smuggling.
➢ OPERATION PROSPERITY GUARDIAN
➢ Operation Prosperity Guardian is a United States-led military operation by a multinational coalition
formed in December 2023 to respond to Houthi-led attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
➢ OPERATION AJAY.
➢ India has launched 'Operation Ajay' to facilitate the return from Israel of those Indians who wish to
come back home.
➢ OPERATION IRON SWORD
➢ Israel has named the ongoing fight against Hamas as Operation Iron Sword. Hamas is a Palestinian
militant group that controls some areas of the Gaza Strip.
➢ OPERATION SAJAG
➢ Indian Coast Guard conducted ‘Operation Sajag,’ a comprehensive drill along the west coast, aimed
at enhancing coastal security.
➢ OPERATION BROADER SWORD.

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 ➢ India and the USA, jointly conducted an ‘Operation Broader Sword’ to stop the illegal shipment of
drugs through the International Mail System.
➢ OPERATION KARUNA
➢ India launched "Operation Karuna" to provide humanitarian assistance for people in Myanmar, which
is affected by Cyclone Mocha.
➢ OPERATION KAVERI
➢ India launches Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indian citizens stranded in Sudan
➢ OPERATION DOST
➢ Due to the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria, India has launched a campaign named 'Operation
Dost' to help the affected people

Q. Which state is set to host the world's largest Jhumur festival in 2025?

A) West Bengal B) Assam

C) Odisha D) Jharkhand
Answer : B .

✓ Assam is set to host the world's largest Jhumur dance festival on February 24, 2025, as a prelude to the
Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment Summit.
✓ The event aims to achieve a Guinness World Record with over 7,500 dancers performing Jhumur, a
traditional folk dance

Q. The Indian Army conducts a joint military Exercise Cyclone with which country's Armed Forces?
A) Egypt B) Indonesia

C) Malaysia D) Australia

Answer : A .

✓ The 3rd edition of the India, Egypt military ‘Exercise Cyclone’ 2025 commenced at the Mahajan Field
Firing Range, Rajasthan on the 10th of February 2025.
✓ About Exercise Cyclone 2025:
✓ It is a joint military exercise held between India and Egypt army.
✓ This is the third edition of Cyclone exercise.

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 ✓ The first edition of the exercise was conducted in 2023 (In India) and second edition (In Egypt) was in 2024.
✓ Goal: The goal is to improve coordination between the two armies. Training will include real-world
scenarios and tactical drills.
✓ Motto of Exercise Cyclone 2025: “Together we train, together we excel”

Q. Who launched India’s first indigenous automated biomedical waste treatment plant "Srijanam"?

A) Narendra Modi B) Dr. Jitendra Singh

C) Mansukh Mandaviya D) Amit Shah

Answer : B .

✓ Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology, launched India’s first indigenous automated
biomedical waste treatment plant, "Srijanam," at AIIMS, New Delhi.
✓ It was developed by CSIR-NIIST.

Q. Where will the Olympic Esports Games 2027 be held?

A) Tokyo B) Ottawa

C) Riyadh D) Berlin

Answer : C .

✓ The first Olympic Esports Games will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027.
✓ The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this on 11 February 2025, as part of a 12-year
agreement with Saudi Arabia.
✓ The IOC is partnering with the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) for this event.

Q. Which organization has recently released the report titled “Leveraging Space Technology for
Agricultural Development and Food Security”?

A) Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)

B) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

C) World Bank

D) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Answer : A .

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 ✓ The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) released the report titled “Leveraging Space Technology
for Agricultural Development and Food Security.”
✓ It highlights how space technologies can improve agriculture and food security amid global challenges.
✓ The report aligns with discussions in the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
✓ It promotes agriculture-space partnerships for sustainable development under the 2030 Agenda.
✓ The publication serves as a key resource for stakeholders aiming to use space technology for food security.

Q. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed an agreement with
which organization for logistics and infrastructure development?
A) World Bank B) IMF

C) Korea Transport Institute D) IIT Delhi

Answer : C .

✓ The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Korea Transport Institute
(KOTI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in logistics and
infrastructure development.
✓ The partnership aims to leverage KOTI's expertise to support India's infrastructure goals.

DPIIT IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ DPIIT and Korea Transport Institute Sign MoU to Boost Collaboration in Logistics and Infrastructure
Development.
➢ DPIIT and JKEDI sign MoU to strengthen startup ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir.
➢ DPIIT has signed an MoU with Apna to support DPIIT-registered startups by offering skilled
manpower.
➢ DPIIT signs agreement with ITC to help startups in manufacturing sector.
➢ DPIIT partners with Stride Ventures to help startups in funding, mentorship.
➢ DPIIT constituted a 5 member committee led by Unnat P Pandit, deregisters patent agent over alleged
misconduct.
➢ DPIIT signs MoU with Startup Policy Forum to Boost India’s Start-up Eco-system Globally.
➢ DPIIT inks Pact with boAt to help Startups in mfg sector.
➢ DPIIT signs MoU with HDFC Bank to strengthen startup ecosystem and foster innovation.
➢ DPIIT inks MoU with Flipkart to invest in and mentor Indian startups

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 ➢ DPIIT partners with HCLSoftware to support manufacturing startups
➢ Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and
Industry is set to launch the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR), a platform
under the Startup India program, aimed.
➢ Amardeep Singh Bhatia takes charge as new DPIIT secretary
➢ DPIIT signs MoU with NCAER for Development of Framework & Assessment of Logistics Cost in
India.

Q. Who won the 2025 Chennai Open Tennis men’s single title?

A) Kyrian Jacquet B) Elias Ymer

C) Dalibor Svrcina D) Billy Harris

Answer : A .

✓ Kyrian Jacquet of France won the 2025 Chennai Open Tennis men’s singles title.
✓ He defeated Elias Ymer of Sweden in the final on 9 February 2025 at SDAT Tennis Stadium,
Nungambakkam, Tamil Nadu.
✓ The 2025 Chennai Open was an ATP 100 Challenger event held from 3-9 February 2025.
✓ This is Kyrian Jacquet’s first Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) title.

Q. Cook Islands, that was recently seen in news, is located in which ocean?

A) South Pacific Ocean B) Atlantic Ocean

C) Indian Ocean D) Arctic Ocean

Answer : A .

✓ New Zealand’s Foreign Minister expressed “significant concern” over the Cook Islands signing a
cooperation deal with China.
✓ The Cook Islands is located in
✓ the South Pacific Ocean, between Tonga and French Polynesia.
✓ It is a self-governing nation with a “free association” pact with New Zealand.
✓ The Cook Islands consist of 15 islands, divided into northern (coral atolls) and southern (volcanic, densely
populated) groups.

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 Q. Which wildlife sanctuary has been selected as India’s second cheetah habitat?

A) Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary B) Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

C) Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary D) Chandoli Wildlife Sanctuary

Answer : B .

✓ Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh will become India’s second cheetah habitat.
✓ Six to eight cheetahs from South Africa are expected to arrive before summer 2025.
✓ Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh.
✓ It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion along the Chambal River. Declared a sanctuary
in 1974, it covers 368 sq. km and is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
✓ The sanctuary features diverse topography, including hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi
Sagar Dam, enhancing its ecological richness.

Q. Which institution has launched a policy report titled Expanding Quality Higher Education through
States and State Public Universities?
A) Ministry of Education B) Reserve Bank of India
C) NITI Aayog D) IIT Kanpur

Answer : C .

✓ NITI Aayog released a policy report titled ‘Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State
Public Universities’.
✓ It provides quantitative analysis of quality, funding, governance, and employability over the past decade.
✓ 80% of India’s higher education happens in SPUs, making reforms crucial for Viksit Bharat 2047.
✓ National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to double higher education enrolment to 9 crore students by
2035.
✓ The report includes 80 policy recommendations and 125 performance indicators for reforms in research,
curriculum, funding, and governance.

Q. Where has India’s largest solar cell and module manufacturing unit been inaugurated?

A) Gujarat B) Tamil Nadu

C) Karnataka D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer : B .

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 ✓ India’s largest solar cell and module manufacturing unit was inaugurated at Gangaikondan SIPCOT
Industrial Growth Centre, Tamil Nadu.
✓ The facility is set up by TATA Power’s TP Solar Limited with an investment of ₹3,800 crore.
✓ It will produce 30-GW photovoltaic cells and modules annually for solar power generation.
✓ Equipped with advanced robotic automation, it features TOPCon and Mono Perc technology for high
efficiency

Q. What was the rank of India in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index?

A) 75th B) 96th

C) 86th D) 46th

Answer : B .

✓ Corruption Perception Index 2024: India ranks 96 out of 180 countries.

✓ India has been ranked 96th amongst 180 countries/territories in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index,
released on 11th February 2025. Last year India was ranked 93rd.
✓ The Corruption Perception Index ranks the 180 countries/ territories on the basis of perceived public sector
corruption level.
✓ Denmark topped the Index for the seventh consecutive time and was perceived as the least corrupt country
followed by Finland and Singapore.
✓ India’s Position and Score in 2024 Index.
✓ In 2024, India's overall score was 38, and was ranked 96th.
✓ In 2023, India’s overall score was 40 and it was ranked 93rd.
✓ Thus there has been a decline in both the score and the rank of India.
✓ It means the perception of corruption in India has increased among experts and business people.
✓ In 2024 Pakistan was ranked at 135th position, Sri Lanka at 121, and Bangladesh at 149. China was ranked
in the 76th position
✓ About the Corruption Perception Index
✓ The Corruption Perception Index is released by Berlin, Germany-based non-governmental
organisation, Transparency International.
✓ The first report was released in 1995 and since then every year the report has been released by Transparency
International.

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 ✓ The Index uses a scale of Zero to 100. Zero denotes the highly corrupt while 100 score is least corrupt. No
country has ever got a 100 score.

Q. Which country was ranked the most corrupt in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index?

A) South Sudan B) Somalia

C) Venezuela D) Kuwait

Answer : A .

✓ For the seventh year in a row, Denmark topped the index with a score of 90.
✓ South Sudan with a score of 8 was at the bottom and was the most corrupt country.
✓ Somalia was at the 179th position with a score of 9, and Venezuela at the 178th position with a score of 10.

Q. Which country is not among the top five in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 released by
Transparency International?
A) Denmark B) Finland
C) Singapore D) Norway
Answer : D .

✓ Top Ten Countries in the world on the 2024 Corruption Perception Index.
✓ 1-Denmark
✓ 2-Finland
✓ 3-Singapore
✓ 4-New Zealand
✓ 5-Luxembourg
✓ 6- New Zealand
✓ 7- Switzerland
✓ 8-Sweden
✓ 9-Netherlands
✓ 10-Australia and Ireland

Q. Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is released annually by:

A) World Economic Forum B) Transparency International

C) Reporters without Borders D) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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 Answer : B .

✓ INDIA'S RANK IN VARIOUS INDEXES 2024-25

✓ Corruption Perception Index 2024
✓ TOP : Denmark
✓ 2nd : Finland
✓ 3rd : Singapore
✓ 4th : New Zealand
✓ 5th : Luxembourg
✓ INDIA : 96th
✓ Released By : Transparency International
✓ Global Firepower Index 2025.
✓ TOP : USA
✓ 2nd : Russia
✓ 3rd : China
✓ INDIA : 4th
✓ 5th : South Korea
✓ Henley Passport Index 2025
✓ TOP : Singapore
✓ 2nd : Japan
✓ 3rd : France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, South Korea
✓ INDIA : 85
✓ Indian passport holders can travel to 57 countries without the requirement of a visa.
✓ Afghanistan’s passport is ranked at the bottom at 106th position.
✓ Network Readiness Index 2024
✓ Published By : Portulans Institute and the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford.
✓ TOP : United States
✓ 2nd : Singapore
✓ 3rd : Finland
✓ 4th : Sweden
✓ 5th : South Korea

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 ✓ INDIA : 49
✓ Global Innovation Index 2024
✓ Published By : World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
✓ TOP : Switzerland
✓ 2nd : Sweden
✓ 3rd : United States
✓ 4th : United Kingdom
✓ 5th : Singapore
✓ INDIA : 39
✓ Global Liveability Index 2024
✓ Released By : Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
✓ TOP : Vienna, Austria
✓ 2nd : Copenhagen, Denmark
✓ 3rd : Zurich, Switzerland
✓ 4th : Melbourne, Australia
✓ 5th : Calgary, Canada
✓ 6th : Geneva, Switzerland
✓ 7th : Sydney, Australia
✓ 8th : Vancouver, Canada
✓ 9th : Osaka, Japan (Only Asian City)
✓ 10th : Auckland, New Zealand
✓ Global Energy Transition Index 2024
✓ Released By : World Economic Forum(WEF)
✓ TOP : Sweden
✓ 2nd : Denmark
✓ 3rd : Finland
✓ 4th : Switzerland
✓ 5th : France
✓ INDIA : 63
✓ Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024

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 ✓ TOP : Estonia
✓ 2nd : Luxembourg
✓ 3rd : Germany
✓ 4th : Finland
✓ 5th : United Kingdom
✓ INDIA : 176
✓ Global Gender Gap Report 2023
✓ Released By : World Economic Forum (WEF)
✓ TOP : Iceland
✓ 2nd : Finland
✓ 3rd : Norway
✓ 4th : New Zealand
✓ 5th : Sweden
✓ INDIA : 129
✓ Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024
✓ Released By : World Economic Forum(WEF)
✓ TOP : United States of America
✓ 2nd : Spain
✓ 3rd : Japan
✓ 4th : France
✓ 5th : Australia
✓ INDIA : 39
✓ World Press Freedom Index 2024
✓ Released By : Reporters without Borders
✓ TOP : Norway
✓ 2nd : Denmark
✓ 3rd : Sweden
✓ 4th : Netherlands
✓ 5th : Finland
✓ INDIA : 159

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 ✓ Human Development Report 2023-2024
✓ Released By : United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
✓ TOP : Denmark
✓ 2nd : Norway
✓ 3rd : Switzerland
✓ 4th : Sweden
✓ 5th : Netherlands
✓ INDIA : 108 with a score of 0.437

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Market Intervention Scheme:

1. It is a component of the integrated scheme of PM-AASHA.

2. It is implemented to all farm produces whose price reduces to 10% in the prevailing market price
as compared to the previous normal year.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : A .

✓ The central government has revised the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) guidelines.
✓ About Market Intervention Scheme:
✓ It is implemented on the request of State/UT Government for procurement of various perishable
agricultural/horticultural commodities such as tomato, onion and potato etc. for which Minimum Support
Price (MSP) is not applicable.
✓ It will be implemented only when there is a minimum reduction of 10% in the prevailing market price as
compared to the previous normal year.
✓ Revised Market Intervention Scheme Guidelines
✓ It made MIS a component of the integrated scheme of PM-AASHA.
✓ The procurement/coverage limit of production quantity of crops has been increased from the existing 20
percent to 25 percent.
✓ The State has also been given the option to pay the difference between the Market Intervention Price (MIP)
and the selling price directly into the bank account of the farmers in place of physical procurement.

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 ✓ Reimbursement: The operational cost incurred in storage and transportation of crops from the producing
State to other consuming States will be reimbursed by Central Nodal Agencies (CNA) like NAFED and
NCCF, in the interest of farmers.

Q. What type of rice has India introduced new HS codes for to facilitate exports?

A) GI-Tagged Rice B) Basmati Rice

C) Hybrid Rice D) Non-Basmati Rice

Answer : A .

✓ India introduces new HS code to allow exports of GI-recognised rice varieties

✓ India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has come up with an amendment to the Customs Tariff Act
to provide for an HS (Harmonised System) code, for the export of geographical indication (GI) recognised
rice.
✓ It is the first time in the world that an HS code has been introduced for GI-recognised rice
✓ The amendment was introduced in the Budget proposals for the2025-26 financial year on February 1, under
HS Code 1006-30-11 (parboiled) and 1006-30-91 (white).
✓ HS is a global product classification system developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). HS
assigns specific six-digit codes for varying classifications and commodities.

GI TAG IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ The Government of India has set a target of 10,000 Geographical Indication (GI) tags for the Indian
products by 2030.
➢ According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) 605 Indian
products have been issued GI tags till date.
➢ Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Nicobar district in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was recently
awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Marble mined in Gujarat's Ambaji has recently been awarded the Geographical Indication, or GI tag,
by the Central Government.
➢ The famous silver filigree (Rupa Tarakasi) of the millennium Cuttack city in Odisha recently received
the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Tripura’s traditional tribal attire ‘risa’ gets received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag recently.

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 ➢ Kachchhi Kharek, the indigenous variety of dates of Kutch, has become the second fruit of Gujarat to
get a geographical indication (GI) tag.
➢ On December 4, 2023, Uttarakhand became the 1st state in the country to get GI certificates for a
maximum of 18 products in a single day.
➢ Till now, a total of 27 products of Uttarakhand have received GI tag.
➢ West Bengal achieves Geographical Indication tags for distinctive products, including 'Mouban' honey
from Sunderbans, 'Prince of Rice' Black Nunia rice, and traditional Tangail, Gorod, etc.
➢ 1. Recognition of Sunderbans Honey – ‘Mouban’
➢ 2. Black Nunia Rice – ‘Prince of Rice’
➢ 3. Distinctive Sarees – Tangail, Gorod, and Kadiyal.
➢ As a part of the National GI Drive Mission, 'Kadiyal Sarees' of West Bengal have been granted the
Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Ladakh secures 4th GI tag for Sea Buckthorn.
➢ The famous Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh has now got a
Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Goan cashew (Fruit and Nut) was recently granted the geographical indication (GI) tag.
➢ Basohli Pashmina, a more than 100-year-old traditional craft from Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua
district, has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Tamil Nadu's Salem Sago gets GI tag.
➢ Bhaderwah Rajmash and Sulai honey of Doda and Ramban districts of Jammu and Kashmir, have
been granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags.
➢ Chokuwa rice of Assam recently earned a GI (Geographical Indication) tag for its exquisiteness.
➢ The Matti banana variety, native to Kanniyakumari district was recently granted the Geographical
Indication (GI) tag.
➢ Mushkbudji rice, which was granted the GI tag along with eight other products from Jammu and
Kashmir.
➢ GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI) :-
➢ GI tags are issued as per the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection)
Act,1999. This tag is issued by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry
Promotion and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

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 ➢ Darjeeling Tea was the first Indian product to get the geographical indication tag in 2004.
➢ The second GI tag in India was given to Aranmula Kannadi (Handicraft) which is a mirror and made
in Kerala.
➢ A GI is registered for an initial period of ten years, which must be renewed after 10 years.

Q. Which Indian company has acquired a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles, a franchise in the England and
Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) The Hundred?

A) Wipro Group B) Tata Group

C) Reliance Industries D) Adani Group

Answer : C .

✓ RIL to acquire 49% stake in London-based Oval Invincibles cricket team.

✓ Reliance Industries (RIL)-owned Mumbai Indians (MI), through its subsidiary RISE Worldwide, has
announced the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in London-based Oval Invincibles, a franchise in the
England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) The Hundred, for an undisclosed amount.

RIL IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Reliance Industries, through its subsidiary RSBVL, acquired Karkinos Healthcare for ₹375 crore.
➢ Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) maintained its status as the top-ranked Indian
company in the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list.
➢ Nine Indian companies were included in the 2024 list, with RIL improving its rank from 86 to 88.
➢ Three Indian companies -Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Tata Group and the Serum Institute of
India have been included in the annual Times Magazine Global 100 Most Influential Companies of
2024.
➢ Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has become the first Indian company to surpass Rs 10 lakh crore in
annual revenue.
➢ Reliance Industries to begin construction on India’s first multimodal logistics park near Chennai.
➢ Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is set to develop a global economic hub in Navi Mumbai, having
secured sub-leases on approximately 3,750 acres of land for Rs 13,400 crore

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 ➢ Reliance Industries Ltd’s technology partnership with Norway’s NE ASA will help accelerate its new
energy investments, including green hydrogen production.
➢ Reliance Jio become the world’s largest mobile operator in terms of data traffic, ahead of China Mobile
➢ India’s largest private company Reliance Industries has entered in a binding agreement to buy
Paramount Global’s entire 13.01% stake in Viacom 18 Media for Rs 4,286 crore ($517 million).
➢ Reliance Industries Limited and Walt Disney Company have officially signed a binding agreement to
merge their media businesses in India.
➢ Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) achieved a significant milestone on Indian stock exchanges by
surpassing a market capitalization of ₹20-lakh crore.
➢ Reliance Industries Achieves India’s First ISCC-Plus Certification.
➢ Reliance Industries and DBS Bank India have collaborated to introduce a financing initiative aimed
at supporting the establishment of compressed biogas (CBG) plants.
➢ Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation have launched the 'Vantara' (Star of the Forest)
programme to support animal welfare.
➢ The Vantara initiative, led by Anant Ambani, aims to rescue, treat, care for, and rehabilitate injured,
abused, and endangered animals across India and other parts of the world.
➢ Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)
➢ Founded : 8 May 1973
➢ Founder : Dhirubhai Ambani
➢ Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra,
➢ CMD : Mukesh Ambani
➢ Owner : Mukesh Ambani (50.49%)
➢ Director : Nita Dalal Ambani
➢ Subsidiaries
➢ Jio Platforms (67.03%)
➢ Jio Payments Bank (70%).
➢ At Rs 19 lakh crore or $250 billion, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries's
market capitalisation.

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 Q. What is the name of the sports drink recently launched by Reliance Consumer Products?

A) Hydrate Plus B) Spinner

C) SportyFizz D) Fresh Boost

Answer : B .

✓ Reliance Consumer Products has launched the sports drink ‘Spinner’ at an affordable price of ₹10 and the
beverage would lead the movement to create a sports beverage category of up to $1 billion in the next three
years.
✓ The sports drink has been co-created with former Sri Lankan cricketer and current coach of Sri Lanka,
Muttiah Muralitharan.
✓ The sports drink is available in three flavours – Lemon, Orange, and Nitro Blue

Q. Which state will host the 39th edition of the National Games in 2027?

A) Assam B) Meghalaya
C) Manipur D) Sikkim
Answer : B .

✓ Meghalaya will host the 39th edition of the National Games in February/March 2027.
✓ As host state of the next edition, Meghalaya will be handed the IOA flag during the closing ceremony of the
ongoing 38th Games in Uttarakhand

UPCOMING SPORTS VENUE IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Meghalaya will host the 39th edition of the National Games in February/March 2027
➢ India is set to host the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting from March
3-7, 2025, under the theme “Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth.”
➢ For the first time, India will host the World Boxing Cup Final and the World Boxing Congress in 2025
in New Delhi
➢ World Para Athletics has also awarded the World Para Athletics Grand Prix to New Delhi. It will be
held at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium from 11-13 March 2025.
➢ Union Territory of Ladakh and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will jointly host the
Khelo India Winter Games 2025.
➢ Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) in 2025.

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 ➢ Men’s Cricket Asia Cup: India to host 2025 and Bangladesh 2027 edition
➢ International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the French Alps will host the Winter
Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2030.
➢ Saudi Arabia to host first ‘Olympics Esports Games’ in 2025
➢ Uttar Pradesh government agrees to raise ₹80cr for 2025 edition of MotoGP Bharat
➢ India will host the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup in December 2025.
➢ Australia and Uzbekistan confirmed as 2026 and 2029 AFC Women’s Asian Cup hosts.
➢ Brazil was declared the host of the 2027 Women’s World Cup at the FIFA.
➢ India will host the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 at the National Centre of Excellence in
Guwahati.
➢ Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 Asian Games in Riyadh, its capital city.
➢ Saudi Arabia is to host the 2034 Men’s FIFA World Cup.
➢ England will host the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final in June, marking the fourth
consecutive time

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Fishery Survey of India (FSI):

1. It is the nodal fishery institute in India under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and
Dairying.
2. The primary responsibility of FSI is the survey and assessment of fishery resources in the Indian
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and adjoining areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : C .

✓ A deep-sea fishing expedition by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) recently revealed several highly
productive, potentially untouched fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea.
✓ About Fishery Survey of India (FSI):
✓ The FSI, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, is the nodal fishery institute in
India.

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 ✓ Primary Responsibility: Survey and assessment of fishery resources in the Indian exclusive economic zone
(EEZ) and adjoining areas for their optimum utilization and sustainable development.
✓ Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Panchayat Devolution Index:

1. It evaluates framework, capacity building and accountability of the Panchayats.

2. It provides transparency in tracking Panchayat functioning and resource allocation to citizens.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : C .

✓ The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will release the comprehensive Devolution Index Report on 13th February,
2025, at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi.
✓ About Devolution Index:
✓ It is a result of meticulous research and empirical analysis, provides insights into the progress of
decentralization across States and Union Territories.
✓ The Index evaluates six critical dimensions: Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity
Building and Accountability of the Panchayats.
✓ The Index specifically examines how ‘free’ Panchayats are to make and implement independent decisions,
reflecting the true spirit of Article 243G of Constitution of India.
✓ This Article empowers State legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats across 29
subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum:

1. It is a triennial event of the Asian Fisheries Society which has a strong legacy of fostering global
collaboration in the sector.

2. Its headquarter is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

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 Answer : C .

✓ The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) is being organized in New Delhi during
February 12-14, 2025.
✓ About Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum:
✓ It is a triennial event of the Asian Fisheries Society which has a strong legacy of fostering global
collaboration in the sector.
✓ Since its inception, the forum has been successfully hosted in multiple countries across Asia.
✓ This prestigious event is being hosted in India for the 2nd time after the 8AFAF held at Kochi in 2007.
✓ The forum will provide a platform to showcase India’s contributions, strengthen international partnerships,
and promote innovative approaches for sustainable, resilient, and economically viable fish production
systems.
✓ India occupies 2nd position in total fish production and also aquaculture production globally.
✓ Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
✓ Theme of 14th AFAF: “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific”
✓ It is being jointly organized by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Kuala Lumpur; Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi; the Department of Fisheries (DoF), Government of India; and
the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB), Mangalore.

Q. Who has been appointed as the new CEO of Nokia, effective April 1, 2025?

A) Sari Baldauf B) Pekka Lundmark

C) Justin Hotard D) Pat Gelsinger

Answer : C .

✓ Justin Hotard has been named the new CEO of Nokia, effective April 1, 2025, succeeding Pekka Lundmark.

Q. Which country signed an Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPC) with India for archival
cooperation from 2025 to 2028?

A) Oman B) UAE

C) Saudi Arabia D) Qatar

Answer : A .

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 ✓ India and Oman have signed an Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPC) for the years 2025-2028 to
strengthen their collaboration in the field of archives.
✓ This agreement is intended to enhance historical ties and promote future cooperation between the National
Archives of India and the National Records and Archives Authority of Oman.

Q. Where was the 2025 Annual Conference of the International Institute of Administrative Science
(IIAS) held?
A) New Delhi B) Hyderabad

C) Bengaluru D) Chennai

Answer : A .

✓ India is for the first time hosting the annual Conference of the International Institute of Administrative
Science (IIAS).
✓ The conference titled IIAS-DARPG (Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances) India
Conference 2025 is being held in New Delhi from 10-14 February 2025.
✓ The Conference is being organised jointly by the International Institute of Administrative Science (IIAS)
with the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India.
✓ The theme of the IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025 is “Next Generation Administrative Reforms –
Empowering Citizens and Reaching the Last Mile”.
✓ The IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025 was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions on 11th February 2025.
✓ International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS)
✓ The International Institute of Administrative Sciences was founded in 1930.
✓ It is an association of ministries, schools of government, national associations, and academic research
centers.
✓ Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
✓ President: Ra’ed Mohammed BenShams

Q. Where was the 12th edition of the World Government Summit 2025 held?

A) Dubai B) London

C) Paris D) New York

Answer : A .

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 ✓ The 12th edition of the World Government Summit opened in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on
the 10th of February 2025.
✓ The four day event to be held in Dubai from 10th -13th February 2025 brings together the global thought
leaders, experts, and decision-makers, to share and contribute to the development of tools, policies, and
models that are essential in shaping future governments and progress.
✓ India was represented by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender
Yadav.
✓ The theme of the 12th World Government Summit is Shaping Future Governments.
✓ Bhupendra Yadav presented India’s vision for sustainable development, as per its commitment to the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s aim to be a developed country by 2047.
✓ He also recalled the Mission Life (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
which seeks to promote a lifestyle that is more sustainable, environment friendly.

Q. Which Bank has launched India's first salary account with cyber fraud protection for PSU employees?

A) HDFC Bank B) Yes Bank

C) ICICI Bank D) Axis Bank

Answer : A .

✓ HDFC Bank launches India's first salary account with cyber fraud protection for PSU employees
✓ HDFC Bank’s Speciale suite offers 'Anmol Savings Account' with features such as cyber fraud protection,
family zero-balance accounts, comprehensive insurance, exclusive debit card benefits and more.
✓ Under its Speciale suite, senior citizens receive cyber fraud protection of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh, while
professionals get coverage ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000. Another variant, Speciale Gold Women,
includes a cancer cover of up to Rs. 5 lakh.

HDFC BANK IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ HDFC Bank launches India's first salary account with cyber fraud protection for PSU employees .
➢ RBI has given its approval to HDFC Bank group to acquire “aggregate holding” of up to 9.50 per cent
of the share capital or voting rights in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Capital
Small Finance Bank.
➢ HDFC Bank has become the first domestic lender to execute a gold forward deal from GIFT City.

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 ➢ HDFC Bank will sell about ₹10,000-crore worth stake in the proposed initial public offering (IPO) of
its NBFC arm HDB Financial Services (HDBFS).
➢ Morgan Stanley and Citigroup recently purchased 43.75 lakh shares of HDFC Bank for over ₹755
crore through open market transactions.
➢ UBS Group has acquired 30.72 lakh shares of HDFC Bank for over Rs 543 crore through an open
market transaction.
➢ HDFC Bank's Parivartan initiative aims to increase the income of five lakh marginal farmers by 2025
➢ HDFC Bank inaugurates first branch in Singapore.
➢ HDFC Bank has revised its Marginal Cost of Lending Rate (MCLR) effective September 7, 2024. The
updated MCLR rates now range between 9.10% and 9.45% per annum.
➢ HDFC Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JLR India for auto financing.
➢ HDFC Bank has introduced GIGA, a new suite of financial products and services specifically designed
for gig workers and freelancers in India.
➢ In February 2024, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the HDFC Bank group to acquire an
“aggregate holding” of up to 9.5% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in six banks.
➢ These banks are:
➢ Axis Bank
➢ Suryoday Small Finance Bank
➢ ICICI Bank
➢ Bandhan Bank
➢ YES Bank
➢ IndusInd Bank.
➢ International Finance Corporation (IFC) has provided $500 million loan to HDFC Bank for extending
microloans to “underserved women” in rural and semi-urban India.
➢ HDFC Bank launches Pixel Play, India’s First Virtual Credit Card with Cashback.
➢ Atanu Chakraborty’s re-appointment as part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank for three years, effective
from May 5, 2024, to May 4, 2027, has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
➢ HDFC becomes first private bank to open branch in Lakshadweep.
➢ HDFC BANK
➢ Founded : 1994

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 ➢ Founder : Hasmukhbhai Parekh
➢ HQ : Mumbai, Maharashtra
➢ MD & CEO : Sashidhar Jagdishan
➢ Tagline : We understand your world

Q. Which one of the following has expanded the scope of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) by
allowing Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to offer pre-sanctioned credit lines for UPI transactions?

A) NPCI
B) RBI

C) SEBI

D) IRDAI

Answer : B .

✓ RBI extends UPI credit line facility to Small Finance Banks.

✓ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced an expansion in the scope of Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
by enabling transactions from pre-sanctioned credit lines at banks for Small Finance Banks too.
✓ Previously, when the announcement was first made in December 2024 during the MPC meet outcomes,
Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks, and Regional Rural Banks were excluded from this feature.
✓ About SFBs
✓ Origin: Announced in Union Budget 2014-15.
✓ Objective: To further financial inclusion by -
✓ provision of savings vehicles primarily to unserved and underserved sections of the population, and
✓ supply of credit to small business units; small and marginal farmers; micro and small industries; and other
unorganised sector entities, through high technology-low cost operations.
✓ Registration: As a public limited company under Companies Act, 2013.
✓ Licensed under: Section 22 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
✓ Capital requirement: Minimum paid-up voting equity capital of ₹200 crore (except for such SFBs which are
converted from Urban Cooperative Banks).
✓ Priority Sector Lending (PSL) norms: Required to extend 75% of its Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) to
the priority sectors, as classified by RBI.

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 Q. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted supervisory restrictions imposed on which bank?
A) Kotak Mahindra Bank B) Indian Overseas Bank
C) Canara Bank D) Indian Bank
Answer : A .

✓ RBI has lifted supervisory restrictions imposed on Kotak Mahindra Bank.

✓ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted supervisory restrictions imposed on Kotak Mahindra Bank, thereby
allowing the Bank to resume onboarding new customers through its online channels and issuing new credit
cards.
✓ The central bank had, in exercise of its powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949,
imposed certain business restrictions on Kotak Mahindra Bank.
✓ The restrictions were placed on April 24, 2024.

KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ RBI has lifted supervisory restrictions imposed on Kotak Mahindra Bank.
➢ Kotak Mahindra Bank acquires Rs.3,300 crore laon book from Standard charted bank of India .
➢ RBI has given its approval to HDFC Bank group to acquire “aggregate holding” of up to 9.50 per cent
of the share capital or voting rights in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Capital
Small Finance Bank.
➢ Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (Zurich) acquired a 70% stake in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance
Company Limited .
➢ RBI has completed its review of potential buyers for a majority stake in IDBI Bank, approving Fairfax
Financial holding, Emirates NBD , and Kotak Mahindra Bank as bidders.
➢ Currently Govt holds 45.48 % stake and LIC holds 49.24% stake in IDBI.
➢ Kotak Mahindra Bank unveiled a new Distribution structure to integrate its physical branches, digital
platforms, and voice channels.
➢ Zurich busy 70% stake in Kotak for Rs.5,560 crore, Kotak Mahindra Bank now holds a 30% stake in
the general insurance company.
➢ Kotak Mahindra Bank
➢ Founded 1985
➢ Founders : Uday Kotak

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 ➢ Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
➢ MD & CEO : Ashok Vaswani
➢ Tagline : Let's Make Money Simple Ab Kona Kona Kotak.

Q. The latest issued banknotes in the denomination of Rs. 50 by RBI have what motif on their reverse
side?

A) Red Fort B) Sanchi Stupa

C) Mangalyaan D) Stone chariot of Hampi

Answer : D .

✓ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has declared the release of new banknotes with a denomination of ₹50 signed
by Sanjay Malhotra, its recently appointed governor.
✓ Malhotra succeeded Shaktikanta Das as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in December 2024.
✓ He succeeded Shaktikanta Das who completed six years as the RBI governor.
✓ Prior to his RBI stint, Malhotra was India’s Revenue Secretary.
✓ In his first Monetary Policy Committee meeting after being appointed as the RBI governor, Malhotra
delivered a rate cut of 25 basis points from 6.5 per cent to at 6.25 per cent. This is the first instance after 12
policies that the repo rate has been cut by the RBI Monetary Policy Committee.
✓ In order to ensure a continuous flow of India's monetary system, these new banknotes will stick to the
Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series' current design.
✓ However, the RBI confirmed that all previously issued ₹50 notes will still be legal currency and valid
✓ What Changes in the ₹50 Banknotes?
✓ The new ₹50 banknotes will continue with the existing design under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series,
which was introduced to enhance security and prevent counterfeiting. The note will retain Mahatma
Gandhi’s portrait on the front and cultural motifs on the reverse.
✓ The Rs. 50 banknote of the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series has a base color of fluorescent blue.
✓ The reverse of the new 50 rupee banknote in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) series has a motif of the Hampi
with Chariot.
✓ The size of the new note is 66 mm x 135 mm.

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 Q. Consider the following statements regarding the MITRA Platform:
1. It assists investors in tracking and reclaiming inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios.
2. It is an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : A .

✓ Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a new digital platform called MITRA.
✓ Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA) will assist investors in tracking
and reclaiming inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios.
✓ Objective: The objective of the platform is to encourage investors to search for forgotten MF
investments and update KYC as per the current norms.
✓ The platform addresses a growing concern wherein investors, over time, lose track of their mutual fund
investments lack of updated contact information, or unawareness of investments made in their name.
✓ It is developed by the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTAs) to provide investors with a searchable database
of inactive and unclaimed mutual fund folios at an industry-level which will empower the investors.
✓ SEBI has also revised the mandate of the Unit Holder Protection Committee (UHPC) under Mutual Funds
rules.

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 ✓ The UHPC will now be responsible for reviewing inactive folios along with unclaimed dividends and
redemptions, ensuring proactive steps are taken to reduce such cases.

SEBI IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced a new digital platform called MITRA.
➢ Mutual Fund Investment Tracing and Retrieval Assistant (MITRA) will assist investors in tracking
and reclaiming inactive or unclaimed mutual fund folios.
➢ SEBI has launched a digital knowledge repository, “Dharohar - Milestones in the Indian securities
market”.
➢ IndiaBonds.com, a SEBI-registered Stock Broker (Debt Segment) and licensed Online Bond Platform
Provider (OBPP), has introduced Digital Fixed Deposits (FDs) to its platform
➢ Unifi Asset Management Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Unifi Capital, has received final
approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch its mutual fund
operations.
➢ SEBI has directed Big Entertainment to pay Rs 26 crore fine for failing to settle penalties imposed in
a case related to the illegal diversion of funds.
➢ SEBI has proposed raising the threshold for identifying High Value Debt Listed Entities (HVDLEs)
to ₹1,000 crore from ₹500 crore at present to reduce compliance burdens.
➢ SEBI is proposing to make it mandatory for mutual funds to deploy money collected from investors
through new fund offers (NFOs) within 30 days from the date of allotment of units. Currently, there
is no time limit for deployment of funds.
➢ SEBI imposed penalties totalling Rs.16 lakh on Edelweiss Asset mangement Ltd, its CEO Radhika
Gupta and fund manager Trideep Bhattacharya for violating mutual fund rules.
➢ SEBI is raising the minimum contract size for index futures and options to Rs 15 lakh from the current
Rs 5-10 lakh range.
➢ SEBI approved a new asset class, allowing high-net-worth investors to invest in riskier regulated
products.
➢ The new asset class is to have a minimum investment amount of Rs 10 lakh
➢ SEBI launched India’s first dedicated website , called IndiaPassiveFunds.com, for passive funds at the
National Stock Exchange (NSE).

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 ➢ SEBI has introduced SEBI’s Virtual Assistant (SEVA) chatbot to help investors of the securities
market
➢ SEBI has increased the limit for the Basic Service Demat Account (BSDA) to Rs 10 lakhs from the
current Rs 2 lakhs to encourage small investors to participate in the securities market
➢ SEBI has reduced the deliverable period for commodity derivatives from the previous 5 days to 3 days.
This regulatory change is set to take effect from July 1, 2024.
➢ SEBI has launched SCORES 2.0, an upgraded version of its Complaint Redress System (SCORES),
to strengthen mechanisms for addressing investor complaints.
➢ SEBI has decided to decrease the minimum issue size for public issuance of Zero Coupon Zero
Principal Instruments (ZCZP) from Rs 1 crore to Rs 50 lakh.
➢ LIC to meet regulatory requirements, the SEBI has extended LIC’s deadline to achieve a minimum
10% public shareholding.
➢ LIC, a state-owned insurance giant, now has until May 16, 2027, to fulfill this obligation.
➢ Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
➢ It is the regulatory body for securities and commodity markets in India established in 1988.
➢ It is the regulator of the Capital market and Commodities market in India.
➢ The first SEBI chairman was Dr S A Dave (1988-90)
➢ Madhabi Puri Buch is the current and 10th Chairperson of the SEBI.
➢ Headquarters : Mumbai

Q. Which entity has tied up with AFD, under which the French lender will provide a $100 million credit
line?

A) RBI B) SEBI

C) SIDBI D) NPCI
Answer : C .

✓ Sidbi partners with France's lender AFD for $100 million credit line.
✓ The Small Industries Development Bank of India has tied up with AFD, under which the French lender will
provide a $100 million credit line.
✓ The resources will be deployed by Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) to scale up its green
finance solutions for the Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to a statement.

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 Q. Who has been elected as the 73rd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
for the term 2025-26?
A) Prasanna Kumar D B) Charanjot Singh Nanda

C) Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal D) Ramesh Chandra

Answer : B .

✓ ICAI elects Charanjot Singh Nanda as president, Prasanna Kumar D to serve as VP.
✓ Charanjot Singh Nanda has been elected as the 73rd President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India (ICAI), with Prasanna Kumar D appointed as Vice President for the 2025-26 term.
✓ The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is a regulatory body established by the Chartered
Accountants Act, 1949, which is an Act of Parliament.

Q. Ministry of Health has extended the timeline to small and medium manufacturers having turnover of
Rs____ or less for compliance with revised schedule ‘M’ notification up to December 31, 2025.

A) Rs 100 crore B) Rs 200 crore

C) Rs 150 crore D) Rs 250 crore

Answer : D .

✓ Govt extends Schedule M implementation deadline till year-end for small, medium pharma firms.
✓ The implementation of revised Schedule M for good manufacturing practices has been conditionally
extended to December 31, 2025, for small and medium pharmaceutical firms with turnover of Rs 250 crore
or less.
✓ These firms must submit an upgrade plan by February 11, 2025, to qualify for the deadline extension.
✓ The updated regulations aim to enhance product quality and global competitiveness.

Q. Which among the following best describes ‘P-8I Aircraft’, recently seen in the news?
A) A fighter jet. B) A commercial airliner.

C) A stealth bomber. D) A maritime patrol aircraft.

Answer : D .

✓ India is looking to revive the proposal to procure six more P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft from the
U.S.
✓ About P-8I Aircraft:

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 ✓ P-8I Neptune is a long-range, multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft being manufactured by Boeing (a U.S.
aerospace company) for the Indian Navy.
✓ It replaced the ageing fleet of the Indian Navy’s Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft.
✓ The P-8I Neptune flown by the Indian Navy is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon used by the United States
Navy.
✓ It has a maximum range of over 2,222 kilometres with a time on station of four hours

Q. Sṛjanam, recently in news, is a:

A) artificial Intelligence system to curb fake currency notes

B) a cloud computing tool to improve service delivery system in India

C) new water purifying technology to provide safe drinking water to children

D) automated biomedical waste treatment rig

Answer : D .

✓ Union Minister launched India's first indigenous Automated Bio Medical Waste Treatment Plant Sṛjanam
at AIIMS New Delhi.
✓ It is an innovative, automated biomedical waste treatment rig.
✓ This environmentally friendly technology, developed by CSIR-NIIST (National Institute for
Interdisciplinary Science and Technology),
✓ Features of Sṛjanam Rig
✓ It can disinfect pathogenic biomedical waste such as blood, urine, sputum, and laboratory
disposables, without the use of costly and energy-intensive incinerators.
✓ The rig imparts a pleasant fragrance to the otherwise foul-smelling toxic waste.
✓ It has a daily capacity of 400 kg, the equipment is capable of handling 10 kg of degradable medical waste
per day in the initial phase.

Q. With reference to Dokra Artwork, consider the following:

1. It is a form of folk art practiced by the Dhokra Damar tribes.

2. This artwork is mainly found in West Bengal and Odisha region of India.

3. It is done by using lost wax technique.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 A) 1 and 2 only B) 2 only

C) 3 only D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer : D .

✓ Prime Minister of India presented French President Emmanuel Macron with a meticulously crafted Dokra
artwork.
✓ Dokra art which is also known as bell metal craft traces its origins back more than 4,000 years.
✓ It is a form of folk art practiced by the Dhokra Damar tribes, who are traditionally metalsmiths.
✓ These artisans are primarily found in eastern India, including West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, with a
notable presence in Chhattisgarh as well.

Q. Who has won the men’s event at the 91st Billiards and Snooker National Championships 2024?
A) Pankaj Advani B) Brijesh Damani

C) Dhruv Sitwala D) Dhvaj Haria

Answer : A .

✓ Ace cueist Pankaj Advani won his 36 National Billiards and 10th Snooker title at the 91st Billiards and
Snooker National Championships 2024 held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
✓ The 91st Billiards and Snooker National Championships 2024 for Senior, Junior, and Sub Junior was held
in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 7th January to 16th February 2025.
✓ It was organised by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India and hosted by the Madhya Pradesh
Billiards and Snooker Association.
✓ Billiards and Snooker Federation of India
✓ Billiards and Snooker Federation of India is the governing body of cueist sports- Billiards,
Snooker, and Pool- in India.
✓ Headquarters- Bengaluru, Karnataka
✓ President- S. Balasubramaniam
✓ Awards and Honours for Advani
✓ Sports Award
✓ Pankaj Advani was awarded India’s highest sporting award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2006.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by the central
government in 2021.

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 ✓ In 2005, Pankaj Advani was honoured with the Arjuna Awards.
✓ Civilian Award
✓ He was conferred with India's third-highest civil award, the Padma Bhushan 2018.
✓ Pankaj Advani was honoured with India’s fourth-highest Padma Shri in 2009.

Q. Which institute collaborated with ISRO to develop the ‘IRIS’ chip for space applications?

A) IIT Madras B) IIT Bombay

C) IIT Delhi D) IIT Kanpur

Answer : A .

✓ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) partnered with IIT Madras to develop the ‘IRIS’
(Indigenous RISC-V Microprocessor for Space Applications) chip, a semiconductor designed for space
missions.
✓ Derived from the SHAKTI microprocessor project, the chip is based on the open-source RISC-V
architecture.
✓ It enhances self-reliance in space technology and aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
✓ The chip’s design was carried out at IIT Madras, with fabrication at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL)
in Chandigarh and packaging by Tata Advanced Systems.

Q. Which organization selected SpaceX for the Pandora mission launch?

A) NASA
B) ESA

C) ISRO
D) Roscosmos

Answer : A .

✓ NASA has chosen SpaceX to launch the Pandora mission as part of the VADR (Venture-Class Acquisition
of Dedicated and Rideshare) contract.
✓ The mission aims to study over 20 exoplanets and their host stars by analyzing atmospheric observations.
✓ Equipped with a 17-inch telescope, Pandora will complement the work of NASA’s James Webb Space
Telescope, enhancing the understanding of exoplanet atmospheres and their potential habitability.
✓ This mission represents another significant step in exoplanet research and deep space exploration.

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 Q. Which country is the FAO launching a $95 million climate-resilient agriculture project in?

A) Somalia B) Ethiopia

C) Kenya D) Sudan

Answer : A .

✓ The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched a $95 million, seven-year climate-resilient
agriculture project called "Ugbaad" in Somalia.
✓ The initiative aims to strengthen Somalia’s agrifood systems, restore degraded landscapes, and protect the
livelihoods of farmers.
✓ With agriculture supporting 65% of the country’s population, the project plays a crucial role in enhancing
food security and climate adaptation efforts

Q. What percentage tariff has Trump imposed on steel and aluminium imports?

A) 10% B) 15%
C) 20% D) 25%

Answer : D .

✓ U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, effective
March 4, 2025, with no exemptions for key exporters like Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and South Korea.
✓ The decision aims to boost domestic production and counter foreign dumping but has sparked a global
backlash.

Q. Climate Risk Index, recently in news, is prepared by:

A) World Meteorological Organization

B) World Bank

C) UNEP

D) Germanwatch
Answer : D .

✓ According to a new Climate Risk Index report, India ranks sixth among the top 10 countries most affected
by extreme weather events over the last three decades from 1993-2023.
✓ About Climate Risk Index:

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 ✓ It is being published since 2006.
✓ It is one of the longest running annual climate impact-related indices.
✓ The CRI analyses climate-related extreme weather events’ degree of effect on countries. It measures the
consequences of realised risks on countries.
✓ This backward-looking index ranks countries by their economic and human impacts (fatalities as well as
affected, injured, and homeless) with the most affected country ranked highest.
✓ The findings of the report are based on extreme weather event data from the International Disaster Database
(Em-dat) and socio-economic data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
✓ It is published by Germanwatch, an independent development, environmental, and human rights
organisation based in Bonn and Berlin.
✓ Highlights of the Index
✓ India is among the 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events between 1993 and 2022,
accounting for 10% of global fatalities caused by such events, and 4.3% of the damage (in dollar terms).
✓ It is ranked sixth in the Climate Risk Index, 2025, highlighting its vulnerability to the climate crisis
✓ Dominica, China, Honduras, Myanmar, and Italy are ranked ahead of India.
✓ India faced more than 400 extreme events, causing $ 180 billion in losses, and at least 80,000 fatalities.
✓ India was affected by floods, heatwaves, and cyclones during the period. It experienced devastating floods
in 1993, 1998, and 2013, along with severe heatwaves in 2002, 2003, and 2015.

Q. Which Indian cricketer has been appointed as an event ambassador for ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
A) Sachin Tendulkar B) Kapil Dev

C) Yuvraj Singh D) Shikhar Dhawan

Answer : D .

✓ The world cricket governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has appointed former Indian
cricketer Shikhar Dhawan as one of the four ambassadors of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
✓ The 9th ICC Men’s Champions Trophy is being co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) from 19 February -9 March 2025.
✓ The four ambassadors of the 2025 Champions Trophy are Shikhar Dhawan of India, Sarfraz Ahmed of
Pakistan, Shane Watson of Australia, and New Zealand’s legendary fast bowler, Tim Southee.
✓ The 9th edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is being co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE.

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 ✓ The Champions trophy is being played in the 50 overs format of the ODI.
✓ The ICC Champions Trophy was started by the ICC as the Wills International Cup in 1998. In the 2nd
edition, the name was changed to the ICC Knock-Out Trophy in 2000.
✓ In the third edition held in 2002, the name was changed to Champions Trophy.

LATEST BRAND AMBASSADOR IN NEWS 2024

➢ Shikhar Dhawan : ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025
➢ Ayushmann Khurrana : FICCI Frames
➢ Kartik Aryan : Emami Smart and Handsome
➢ Rajkumar Rao : Cashfree Payments
➢ Chess Grandmaster D Gukesh : RBL Bank's brand ambassador
➢ Sachin Tendulkar : Bank of Baroda
➢ Mahendra Singh Dhoni : Brand ambassador for Jharkhand election by the Election Commission,
➢ Rashmika Mandanna : Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
➢ Rahul Dravid : Shriram Finance Limited
➢ Manu Bhaker: Brand Ambassador of Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterway
➢ Salman Khan : GRM Basmati Rice
➢ Shikhar Dhawan : MotoGP in India
➢ Sania Mirza, Mary Kom & Rannvijay Singh : ‘Play Sports’
➢ Aditya Roy Kapur : Bisleri
➢ Shah Rukh Khan : Muthoot Pappachan Group
➢ Shahid Afridi : Men’s T 20 World Cup 2024 Brand Ambassador.
➢ Kareena Kapoor Khan : UNICEF India National Ambassador #ForEveryChild
➢ Yuvraj Singh : ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
➢ Usain Bolt : 2024 ICC T20 World Cup
➢ Sana Mir : ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier
➢ Mahendra Singh Dhoni : Citroen
➢ Sanjana Sanghi : SPACE India
➢ Narendra Kumar Yadav : “Fit India” Movement as Brand Ambassador
➢ Neeraj Chopra : Eveready Battery

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 Q. With reference to J. C. Bose Grant Scheme, consider the following:
1. It is designed to support senior-level researchers who have demonstrated exceptional
achievements.
2. It provides an annual research funding of Rs. 25 lakhs for duration of five years.
3. The grant under this Scheme can be availed until the age of 55 years.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 only 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer : A .

✓ The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced the launch of the new scheme J.
C. Bose Grant (JBG).
✓ About J. C. Bose Grant:
✓ It is a restructured form of the J. C. Bose Fellowship running under erstwhile Science and Engineering
Research Board (SERB).
✓ It recognizes the outstanding performance and contributions of senior Indian scientists and engineers to
enhance their research in cutting-edge scientific and technological areas.
✓ Eligibility: Participants must be active, senior Indian scientists or researchers with a proven track record of
excellence, holding at least a Professor-level position or equivalent at an Indian institution/university.
✓ Grants:
✓ This grant provides an annual research funding of Rs. 25 lakhs for a duration of five years.
✓ Additionally, an annual overhead of Rs. 1.0 lakh will be provided to the implementing institution.
✓ If the Principal Investigator (PI) superannuates, during the term of the grants, it can be continued subject to
the host institutions willingness to host the PI.
✓ The grant can be availed until the age of 68.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding BrahMos NG Missile:

1. It is an advanced supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India-Russia.

2. It will be able to fit on a wider array of platforms like Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas fighter aircrafts.

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 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : C .

✓ The next-generation BrahMos missile, known as BrahMos NG, is approaching its first flight test, slated for
2026, with production set to commence in 2027-28.
✓ About BrahMos NG:
✓ It is an advanced supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India-Russia.
✓ Features:
✓ It is a sleeker missile with the same capabilities as its predecessor.
✓ It is lighter, smaller and compact, due to its reduced size, the next-generation missile system will be able to
fit on a wider array of platforms.
✓ These include the Russian-origin Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft and India’s indigenously developed Light
Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, both of which will now be capable of deploying the BrahMos NG.
✓ It weighs 1.6 tonnes and is 6 metres long while the older version weighed 3 tonnes and was 9 metres long.
✓ Range and Speed: The missile has a range of 290 km and a speed of up to 3.5 Mach.

MISSILE IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Russia has reportedly offered the R-37M missile, one of the world’s best air-to-air missiles, to India.
➢ Iran recently unveiled two missiles, named Etemad and Ghadr-380.
➢ India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system designed to counter swarm
drones.
➢ About Bhargavastra:
➢ It is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to take on the threat of swarm drones.
➢ It was developed by the Economic Explosives Ltd.
➢ It can quickly deploy on a mobile platform and hit targets over 2.5 km.
➢ Turkey has successfully tested the firing of the supersonic missile UAV-122 from the Bayraktar Akinci
drone.

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 ➢ DRDO successfully test-fired a long-range hypersonic missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off
the coast of Odisha, on November 16, 2024. The missile was designed to carry payloads over 1,500
kilometers.
➢ Tu-22M3 missile carriers of the Russian Aerospace Forces recently struck Snake Island in the Black
Sea with Kh-22 cruise missiles.
➢ Indian Air Force has given its green signal for the production of 200 Astra mark-1 (Mk-1) missiles for
its Su-30 MKI and the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
➢ The DRDO developed the Astra Mk-1, which is being manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
➢ The Astra is an air-to-air beyond visual range (BVR) missile. Astra Mk-1 has a range of 80-110 km
with a maximum speed of 4.5 Mach.
➢ Indian “Iron-Dome” Akash Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) is competing against Chinese-made Sky
Dragon-50 air defense systems to secure an order from Brazil.
➢ India has successfully test-fired its first indigenous anti-radiation missile, the Rudram-1 (air–to–surface
missile), developed by the DRDO for the Indian Air Force (IAF)
➢ India's Strategic Forces Command has successfully tested a new model of its Medium-Range Ballistic
Missile, Crystal Maze 2.
➢ Russia will supply the remaining two units of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system in the
next year.
➢ India has started supplying BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Philippines
➢ DRDO successfully test-fired the long-range ‘Nirbhay cruise missile’ at the Integrated Test Range
Chandipur in Odisha.
➢ DRDO and India's Strategic Forces Command (SFC) have successfully conducted a flight test of the
new generation ballistic missile called 'Agni-Prime'. Agni-Prime has a strike range of 1,000 to 2,000
km
➢ North Korea announced testing of an anti-aircraft Pyoljji-1-2 missile and a super large strategic cruise
missile Hwasal-1 Ra-3 warhead in the West Sea of Korea
➢ India has conducted the first successful flight test of nuclear ballistic missile Agni-5. Agni-5 missile
developed under Make in India project by DRDO.
➢ Agni 5 missile is the longest range missile of the Agni series with a range of over 5000 km.

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 Q. Which State/Union Territory has topped the 2024 “Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States –
An Indicative Evidence Based Ranking” ?
A) Kerala B) Karnataka

C) Tamil Nadu D) Maharashtra

Answer : B .

✓ Karnataka tops the Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States report.

✓ Union Minister of State for Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, unveiled the 2024 “Status
of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence Based Ranking” report in a function in New
Delhi on 13 February 2024.
✓ The report assesses the status of devolution of powers and resources by the State/Union Territories
government to the Panchayati Raj Institutions as per the provision of the 73rd Constitutional Amendments
1992.
✓ The 73rd Constitutional Amendment 1992 inserted the 11th schedule in the constitution and mentions the
powers and functions of the Panchayati Raj Institution.
✓ Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2005-06 introduced Panchayats Empowerment and Accountability
Incentive Scheme (PEAIS) to
✓ Provide an incentive to the States/Union Territories to empower the panchayats;
✓ Provide an incentive to the Panchayats to put in place robust accountability systems to make their
functioning transparent and efficient.
✓ The Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence Based Ranking” 2024 report has
been prepared by the Indian institute of Public Administration (IIPA),New Delhi for the Union Ministry of
Panchayati Raj.
✓ The first report was unveiled in 2006-07 and it was prepared by the National Council of Applied Economic
Research (NCAER).
✓ All the states and the Union Territories has been covered in the report except:
✓ Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland where the 73rd amendment is not applicable:
✓ National Capital Territory of Delhi as panchayats were suspended in 1990:
✓ Union Territory of Chandigarh as there are no panchayats.
✓ Dimensions and Indicators of the Devolution Index of Panchayats

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 ✓ The index uses 6 dimensions and 25 sub indicators to rank the State and the Union Territories under the
Devolution Index of Panchayats.
✓ The Dimensions are : Framework;Functions, Finance,Functionaries,;Capacity enhancement and
Accountability.

Q. Which institution prepared the 2024 Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative
Evidence Based Ranking report for the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj?

A) Indian institute of Public Administration

B) TESOL International Association
C) National Science Teaching Association

D) National Association of Secondary School Principals

Answer : A .

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 ✓ The Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence Based Ranking” 2024 report has
been prepared by the Indian institute of Public Administration (IIPA),New Delhi for the Union Ministry of
Panchayati Raj.

Q. Constantine Tassoulas has recently been elected as the new President of which country?

A) Argentina B) Uruguay

C) Finland D) Greece
Answer : D .

✓ Constantine Tassoulas, former Speaker of the Greek Parliament, has been elected as the new President of
Greece.
✓ He succeeds Katerina Sakellaropoulou

NEWLY PRESIDENT IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Constantine Tassoulas : Greece
➢ Alexander Lukashenko : Belarus
➢ Zoran Milanovic : Croatia
➢ Maia Sandu : Moldova
➢ Mikheil Kavelashvili : Georgia
➢ John Mahama : Ghana
➢ Yamandu Orsi : Uruguay
➢ Donald Trump : USA ( 47th President )
➢ Duma Boko : Botswana
➢ Luong Cuong : Vietnam
➢ Kais Saied : Tunisia
➢ Claudia Sheinbaum : Mexico ( First woman president)
➢ Paul Kagame : Rwanda
➢ Nicolas Maduro : Venezuela
➢ Paul Kagame : Rwanda
➢ Gitanas Nausėda : Lithuanian
➢ Masoud Pezeshkian : Iran

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 Q. Who has been appointed as the Chief Economist of Canara Bank?

A) Dr Rajeev Kumar B) Dr Madhavankutty G

C) Dr Ramesh Sharma D) Dr Anita Sharma

Answer : B .

✓ Dr Madhavankutty G has been appointed as the Chief Economist of Canara Bank, effective from January
2025.

CANARA BANK IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Dr Madhavankutty G has been appointed as the Chief Economist of Canara Bank.
➢ Canara Bank has approved initiating the process of diluting a 14.50% stake in its subsidiary, Canara
HSBC Life Insurance Company, through an initial public offering (IPO)
➢ Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE) , IIT Bombay and Canara Bank Forge Partnership
for Startup Financing.
➢ P Santhosh, Chief General Manager at Canara Bank, has been appointed as the Managing Director
of National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL)
➢ CANARA BANK
➢ It is a leading commercial bank of India.
➢ It was established in 1906, by Sri Ammembal Subba Rao Pai.
➢ Syndicate Bank was merged with Canara Bank on 1 April 2020. After this merger, Canara Bank has
become the fourth largest bank in the country.
➢ Headquarters Bangalore, Karnataka
➢ MD & CEO : K. Satyanarayana Raju

Q. Which team topped the medals tally at the 38th National Games 2025?

A) Services Sports Control Board B) Maharashtra

C) Haryana D) Karnataka

Answer : A .

✓ Services Sports Control Board finished the 38th Summer National Games with 121 medals - 68 gold, 26
silvers, and 27 bronze- to top the medal tally and win the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy.

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 ✓ It was the fifth Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy for the Services team.
✓ At the last 37th Summer National Games 2023, held in Goa, Maharashtra, topped the medal tally and was
awarded the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy.
✓ Uttarakhand hosted the 38th Summer National Games across 12 cities of the state from 28 January to 14
February 2025.
✓ The National Games is organised by the Indian Olympic Association and hosted by a State/Union Territory
government.
✓ Opening and Closing ceremony
✓ The opening ceremony of the National Games was held at Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on 28 January 2025.
The Games were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
✓ The closing ceremony of the Game was held at the International Sports Complex, Haldwani, Uttarakhand,
on 14th February 2025. Union Home Minister and Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah was the chief guest
of the closing ceremony.
✓ Meghalaya was officially handed the National Games flag during the closing ceremony of the 38th Summer
National Games.

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 Q. Which state hosted the 38th Summer National Games?

A) Meghalaya B) Tripura

C) Uttarakhand D) Assam
Answer : C .

✓ Uttarakhand hosted the 38th Summer National Games across 12 cities of the state from 28 January to 14
February 2025.
✓ Mascot, Sports, and Medal
✓ The Mascot of the 38th National Games was Mauli. Mauli is a bird, Monal, which is a state bird of
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

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 ✓ Sports- At the 38th National Games, initially, mallakhamb and yogasana were announced as demonstration
sports but were later upgraded to medal sports.
✓ Two sports - Kalarippayattu and Rafting were the demonstration sports in which no medals were given to
the participants.
✓ Thus, at the 38th National Games, there were 35 sports-,33 sports medal sports, and two non-medal sports.
✓ Medals- A total of 1523 - 457 golds, 455 silver, and 611 bronze medals were at stake at the Games in 33
sports.
✓ Participants - Athletes from 28 states, eight Union Territories, and the Services Sports Control Board
competed for the 1523 medals at the 38th National Games.
✓ 5th Raja Bhalendra Singh Singh Trophy for Services
✓ The team that wins the most gold medals in a Summer National Games is given the Raja Bhalendra Singh
Singh Trophy.
✓ Service Sports Control Board, which comprises sportspersons from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and the
Indian Air Force, has won the Raja Bhalendra Singh Trophy five times -2007, 2011, 2015,2022, and 2025.
✓ Last year, the winner, Maharashtra, finished the 38th National Games with 198 medals and 54 gold medals.

Q. Which state will host the 39th Summer National Games in 2027?

A) Manipur
B) Meghalaya

C) Odisha
D) Jharkhand

Answer : B .

✓ Meghalaya to host the 39th Summer Games in 2027

✓ The Indian Olympic Association has chosen Meghalaya to host the next edition of the Summer National
Games in February/March 2027.
✓ It will be the first time that Meghalaya will host the National Games.
✓ Amongst the North-Eastern States, Manipur hosted the 30th National Games in 1999, and Assam hosted
the 33rd edition in 2007.

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 Q. Under the current income tax system in India, what does the term "Assessment Year" refer to?

A) The year in which income is earned.

B) The calendar year in which income is assessed.

C) The year following the financial year in which income is earned.

D) The previous year before the financial year.

Answer : C .

✓ The Income Tax Bill 2025, tabled in Parliament recently, defined a new concept of ‘tax year.
✓ About ‘Tax Year’ Concept:
✓ Currently, income tax laws use the assessment year to refer to the year following the financial year in which
income is earned.
✓ This often leads to confusion when filing taxes or depositing self-assessment and advance tax.
✓ The new bill proposes a unified 'Tax Year', which will simply refer to the same financial year (April 1–March
31), in which income is earned and tax is filed.
✓ Under the new system, the 'Tax Year' will run from April 1 to March 31, replacing the assessment year.
✓ Benefits of Tax Year:
✓ The primary benefit of Tax Year is that this will remove the confusion between Previous Year and
Assessment Year.
✓ This will also help India fall in line with international standards since many countries follow the concept of
a singular tax year.
✓ According to the Income Tax Act 1961, if a person earns in the year April 1, 2024–March 31, 2025, this
time period will be known as the Previous Year and 2025-26 when tax will be assessed for said income; that
time period is known as the Assessment Year.
✓ In the new draft bill, if a person earns in the year April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026, it will simply be known as
Tax Year 2025-26.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the PARAS-2 Spectrograph:

1. It is a fiber-fed spectrograph located at Mt Abu Telescope.

2. It operates in 380-690 nm wave-band and helps in detection of massive planets.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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 A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : C .

✓ Scientists at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) discovered a new dense sub Saturn exoplanet TOI-6038A
b by using PARAS-2 Spectrograph at Mt Abu Telescope.
✓ About PARAS-2 Spectrograph:
✓ The PRL Advanced Radial-velocity All-sky Search-2 (PARAS-2) is a cutting-edge fiber-fed
spectrograph integrated with the PRL 2.5m telescope, constituting a significant advancement over its
predecessor.
✓ It is a state-of-the-art high-resolution spectrograph that operates in 380-690 nm wave-band.
✓ It is aimed to unveil the super-Earth-like worlds.

Q. In which state,President’s rule was imposed in February 2025?

A) Meghalaya B) Nagaland

C) Manipur D) Tripura
Answer : C .

✓ President Rule Imposed in Manipur after CM Biren Singh's resignation.

✓ The central government has imposed President's Rule in Manipur on 13 February 2025 under the provision
of Article 356 of the constitution.
✓ The President's Rule was imposed four days after the resignation of N Biren Singh as the Chief Minister of
Manipur.
✓ A notification regarding the imposition of the President’s rule in the state was issued by the Union Home
Ministry on 13 February 2025 after President Murmu was satisfied that there has been a breakdown of
constitutional machinery in the state following the report of the State Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
✓ The President has placed the Manipur state assembly under suspended animation. The term of the current
of the 12 thManipur Legislative Assembly ends in 2027.
✓ This is the 11th time that President rule has been imposed in Manipur. Amongst states in India, President’s
rule has been imposed a maximum 11 times in Manipur.
✓ Resignation of N Biren Singh

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 ✓ The four time Chief Minister N.Biren Singh who led the BJP government in the state, resigned on 9 February
2025 after meeting with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J P Nadda in New Delhi.
✓ In the 60 member Manipur Legislative Assembly, BJP has 37 members.
✓ The government was supported by the 6 members of the National people’s Party (NPP) and the 2 members
of the Kuki People’s Alliance.
✓ Both the parties later withdrew support to the N Biren Singh government in November 2024 ,protesting
against the continuing ethnic violence in the state.

Q. In which state the President rule has been imposed maximum times under the provision of Article 356
of the constitution?

A) Punjab B) Jammu and Kashmir

C) Uttar Pradesh D) Manipur

Answer : D .

✓ Provision regarding President’s Rules and Article 356

✓ Under Article 356 of the constitution, if the President is satisfied that there has been a breakdown of the
constitutional machinery in a state, the President can dismiss the state government and dissolve or suspend
the state legislative assembly.
✓ The President can take this action on the basis of the report of the State Governor or otherwise.
✓ It is popularly called as President’s rule or Governor’s rule because all the executive power of the state
government is assumed by the President, who in turns delegates this power to the state governor.
✓ Impact of the President Rule
✓ All the executive power of the state is transferred to the President.
✓ In case of dissolution or suspension of the state legislative assembly, the legislative function of the state is
performed by the Parliament.
✓ It means the Parliament will pass the state budget etc of the state during the President's rule.
✓ There is no impact on the power and jurisdiction of the High Court.
✓ There is no effect on the fundamental rights of the citizens residing in the state.
✓ Duration of the President’s Rule
✓ The President rule is valid for a period of 6 months and it can be extended for further 6 months if it is
approved by the Parliament with a simple majority.
✓ The President rule can be imposed for a continuous maximum period of 3 years in a state.

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 ✓ However, after one year , the President rule can be extended by the Parliament only in either of the
conditions:
✓ The Election Commission of India certifies that it cannot hold free and fair election in the state or National
emergency has been declared in the whole of India or part of India by the President under the provisions of
Article 352.
✓ History of President’s Rule in India
✓ Article 356 has been one of the most misused articles of the Indian constitution. It has been liberally used
by the central government to dismiss state governments ruled by opposition parties in the state.
✓ However after the Supreme Court judgement in the S.R.Bommai case in 1994, the misuse of the Article 356
has almost stopped.
✓ President Rule has been imposed 135 times since 26 January 1956 when the constitution was promulgated.
✓ First Time- in Punjab on 20th June 1951.
✓ Maximum times - Manipur (11), Uttar Pradesh (10),Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab (9 times each).
✓ Longest time period - Jammu and Kashmir 4668 days(12 years 9 months), Punjab 3878 days (10 years 7
months), Puducherry -2739 days.
✓ Maximum use of Article 356 by a Prime Minister
✓ Indira Gandhi - 51 times in her almost 16 years of rule
✓ Pandit Nehru -7 times
✓ Chandrashekhar, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chaudhary Charan Singh - 5 times each
✓ Never been used by a Prime Minister -Inder Kumar Gujral is the only Prime Minister during whose tenure
the Article 356 was not used.

Q. The name of Foy Sagar Lake has recently been changed. In which state is this lake located?

A) Assam
B) Rajasthan

C) Tamil Nadu

D) Himachal Pradesh
Answer : B .

✓ The Rajasthan government has renamed Foy Sagar Lake in Ajmer as "Varun Sagar".
✓ The lake, originally named after British engineer Foy, was built in 1892.

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 Q. In which country was India's new consulate recently inaugurated?

A) France B) Germany

C) Argentina D) Brazil

Answer : A .

✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated India's new
consulate in Marseille, France.
✓ This marks a key step in strengthening India-France relations, facilitating economic, cultural, and diplomatic
ties.

Q. Which state launched the ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ campaign to improve soil health?

A) Punjab B) Uttar Pradesh

C) Haryana D) Rajasthan
Answer : C .

✓ Haryana launched the ‘Har Khet-Swasth Khet’ campaign to boost soil health and promote sustainable
farming.
✓ The initiative includes collecting soil samples from every acre of farmland across the state over the next 3 -4
years.
✓ As part of the campaign, farmers are receiving Soil Health Cards to help them make informed decisions
regarding soil fertility, nutrient management, and crop productivity.

Q. Who wrote the memoir 'I Am a Soldier’s Wife: The Life and Love of Toni Lidder'?
A) Upendra Dwivedi B) Geetika Lidder

C) Brigadier LS Lidder D) Toni Lidder

Answer : B .

✓ The memoir 'I Am a Soldier’s Wife: The Life and Love of Toni Lidder' was written by Geetika Lidder, the
wife of Brigadier LS Lidder.
✓ The book is a tribute to her husband's remarkable journey as both a soldier and a devoted family man.
✓ Geetika Lidder’s writing captures the essence of his leadership, bravery, and humanity, offering personal
insights into his life.

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 ✓ The memoir also reflects on Geetika's own resilience after the tragic 2021 helicopter crash, making it a deeply
emotional and inspiring account of love and loss.

Q. When is World Radio Day celebrated?

A) February 12 B) February 10

C) February 13 D) February 14

Answer : C .

✓ World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13th, a date chosen to commemorate the establishment of UN
Radio in 1946.
✓ The event was first proposed by Spain in 2010 and officially recognized by UNESCO in 2011.
✓ The 2025 theme, "Radio and Climate Change," underscores radio’s vital role in raising awareness about
climate issues and encouraging sustainable practices.

Q. Which institution partnered with ERNET India to establish a joint research lab for IoT?

A) IIT Delhi B) IIT Bombay

C) IIITDM Kancheepuram D) NIT Trichy

Answer : C .

✓ The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM) Kancheepuram has
partnered with ERNET India to establish a joint research laboratory focusing on the Internet of Things
(IoT).
✓ This collaboration formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to enhance
research and development in cutting-edge technologies

Q. RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 6.70 lakh on which Small Finance bank for non-compliance with
certain directions?
A) Equitas Small Finance Bank B) Capital Small Finance Bank

C) Fincare Small Finance Bank D) Ujjivan Small Finance Bank

Answer : D .

✓ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalties totalling Rs 68.1 lakh on Nainital Bank and Ujjivan
Small Finance Bank for violations of regulatory norms.

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 ✓ Nainital Bank Ltd faced a penalty of Rs 61.40 lakh for non-compliance with RBI’s guidelines on ‘Interest
Rate on Advances’ and ‘Customer Service in Banks’.
✓ RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 6.70 lakh on Ujjivan Small Finance Bank for non-compliance with certain
directions issued by RBI on ‘Loans and Advances - Statutory and Other Restrictions’.

Q. RBI has imposed a penalty of ₹61.40 lakh on which bank for non-compliance with certain directions
on ‘Interest Rate on Advances’ and ‘Customer Service in Banks?

A) Nainital Bank B) Kotak Mahindra Bank

C) Indian Overseas Bank D) Canara Bank

Answer : A .

✓ A penalty of ₹61.40 lakh was imposed on Nainital Bank Ltd for non-compliance with certain directions on
‘Interest Rate on Advances’ and ‘Customer Service in Banks.

Q. RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on which non-banking entity, for non-compliance with
certain provisions?
A) Bajaj Finance B) L&T Finance
C) Shriram Finance D) LIC Housing Finance
Answer : C .

✓ RBI levied a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on Shriram Finance, a non-banking entity, for non-compliance with
certain provisions, including Know Your Customer (KYC ) guidelines and directions on ‘Data Format for
Furnishing of Credit Information to Credit Information Companies’.

PENALTY IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ Nainital Bank Ltd faced a penalty of Rs 61.40 lakh for non-compliance with RBI’s guidelines on
‘Interest Rate on Advances’ and ‘Customer Service in Banks’.
➢ RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 6.70 lakh on Ujjivan Small Finance Bank for non-compliance with
certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Loans and Advances - Statutory and Other Restrictions’.
➢ RBI levied a penalty of Rs 5.80 lakh on Shriram Finance, a non-banking entity, for non-compliance
with certain provisions.
➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance
amounting to Rs 27.3 lakh and Rs 20 lakh, respectively, for non-compliance with norms

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 ➢ Reserve Bank of India has levied penalties on two banks: Rs 2.68 crore on UCO Bank for violating
rules on current accounts, interest on deposits, and fraud classification, and Rs 2.1 lakh on Cent Bank
Home Finance Ltd for not complying with KYC regulations.
➢ RBI Imposes Penalties on BoM, Hinduja Leyland Finance, and Poonawalla Fincorp Union.
➢ Bank of Maharashtra was fined Rs 1.27 crore for violations concerning KYC, loan credit delivery, and
cyber security frameworks, while Hinduja Leyland Finance faced a penalty of Rs 4.90 lakh for non-
compliance with KYC Directions, 2016.
➢ Poonawalla Fincorp was penalized Rs 10 lakh for not following RBI guidelines for non-deposit-taking
NBFCs
➢ IRDAI has fined HDFC Life Insurance Rs 2 crore for breaching regulatory norms.
➢ RBI Imposes Penalty Of ₹1.9 Lakh On Muthoot Finance For KYC Non-Compliance.
➢ RBI has imposed fines on Central Bank of India and Sonali Bank PLC for breaches related to customer
protection and KYC norms.
➢ Central Bank of India faces a penalty of ₹1.45 crore for irregularities including improper sanctioning
of loans and delays in reversing unauthorized transactions. Meanwhile, Sonali Bank PLC has been
fined ₹96.4 lakh for non-compliance with KYC Directions, 2016.
➢ IRDAI imposes penalty of Rs 2 crore on Bajaj Finance, Aegon Life Insurance.
➢ RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1.31 crore on Punjab National Bank for non-compliance
with certain directions related to KYC and ‘loans and advances’.
➢ RBI imposed a fine of ₹1.45 crore on the Central Bank of India and ₹96.4 lakh on Sonali Bank PLC
for non-compliance issues including loans and advances and Know Your Customer (KYC) norms.
➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fined three payment system operators for non-compliance with
regulations:
➢ Visa Worldwide Pte Limited: The RBI fined Visa Worldwide Rs 240.75 lakh.
➢ Ola Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. The RBI fined Ola Financial Services Rs 87.55 lakh in twow cases.
➢ Manappuram Finance Limited: The RBI fined Manappuram Finance Rs 41.50 lakh.
➢ The RBI imposed the penalties for deficiencies in regulatory compliance, including non-compliance
with Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.

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 ➢ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a fine of Rs 1.45 crore on the Central Bank of Ind ia and a
separate penalty of Rs 96.40 lakh on Sonali Bank PLC for non-compliance with certain regulatory
directions issued by the RBI.
➢ Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has recently imposed a penalty of over Rs 1.66 crore on Axis Bank
for failing to detect and report suspicious transactions linked to a fraudulent account created in the
name of the National Security Guard (NSG), a counter-terrorist force.
➢ SEBI has slapped a fine of Rs 7.75 crore on 11 individuals for allegedly operating a ‘pump and dump’
scheme in scrip of Svarnim Trade Udyog.
➢ ICICI Bank faced a penalty of ₹1 crore for contravening RBI’s directions on ‘loans and advances —
statutory and other restrictions.’

Q. India and the United States have agreed to double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by which year?

A) 2028 B) 2030
C) 2029 C) 2040

Answer : B .

✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day visit to the United States of America (USA) with an
agreement to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 and a new framework for the US-India
major defence partnership for the next 10 years.
✓ Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-nation tour of France and the USA from 10-13 February 2025.
✓ Prime Minister Modi was on a visit to the USA on 12 &13th February 2025.
✓ Fourth world leader to meet Trump at White House .
✓ He was the fourth world leader after -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime
Minister Ishiba Shigeruto, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II - to visit the United States to meet President
Donald Trump after he was sworn in as the 47th President of the USA.
✓ White House is the official residence and office of the President of the United States of America .
✓ Trade and Investment
✓ Mission 500 launched to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
✓ In 2023-24, the bilateral trade between the two countries was USD 119.71 billion.

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 ✓ To achieve this goal, both countries will start negotiations for a multi-sector Bilateral Trade
Agreement between the two.
✓ India will buy more defence systems, oil, and gas from America to reduce the American trade deficit with
India.
✓ Trade in 2023-24.
✓ Total trade in 2023-24 - USD 119.71 billion.
✓ Indian exports to the US were USD 77.51 billion, while imports from the US were USD 42.19 billion.
✓ India enjoys a trade surplus of USD 35.31billion with the United States.
✓ The United States was the largest trading partner of India in 2023-24.
✓ The USA is the 3rd largest investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of US$ 65.19 billion from April
2000 to March 2024.
✓ Energy Ties
✓ Both countries agreed to strengthen the U.S.-India Energy Security Partnership in oil, gas, and civil nuclear
energy.
✓ The US wants to export oil and gas to India to reduce its trade deficit with India.
✓ Currently, the United States is the fifth-largest supplier of crude oil and second-largest supplier of liquefied
natural gas (LNG) after Qatar to India.
✓ Prime Minister Modi's Meeting with US Government Officials
✓ During his visit to the United States, the Prime Minister met several members of the Donald Trump
administration. They are as follows;
✓ Elon Musk- Head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and CEO of Tesla
✓ Michael Waltz- U.S. National Security Advisor.
✓ Tulsi Gabbard-U.S. Director of National Intelligence.

Q. With which country India has launched COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military
Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century”?

A) France B) Germany
C) Japan D) United States

Answer : D .

✓ U.S.-India COMPACT for the 21st Century launched

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 ✓ During his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, both leaders discussed bilateral,
regional, and global issues.
✓ They launched a new initiative titled the "U.S.-India COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military
Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century. It outlines the goals and
programmes between the two countries that will guide the relationship between the two countries in the
future.
✓ Launch of INDUS Innovation
✓ U.S.-India TRUST ("Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology”) initiative launched to
advance U.S.-India industry and academic partnerships and foster investments in space, energy, and other
emerging technologies.
✓ Both countries agreed to observe 2025 as a pioneering year for U.S.-India civil space cooperation.

Q. Which country will sell its Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and "Stryker” Infantry Combat
Vehicles, to India?
A) Russia

B) United States

C) Japan

D) Israel
Answer : B .

✓ Defence Ties
✓ India and the US will sign a new 10-year “ Framework for the U.S.-India Major Defence Partnership in the
21st Century”.
✓ The US will sell its defence system and will co-produce with India.
✓ In 2025, the US will sign an agreement with India for the sale and co-production of its Javelin Anti-Tank
Guided Missiles and "Stryker” Infantry Combat Vehicles..
✓ Both countries will enhance cooperation in defense technology cooperation across space, air defense,
missile, maritime, and undersea technologies.
✓ The U.S. will review its policy on selling its fifth-generation fighter aircraft, F-35, and undersea systems to
India.
✓ India to host the 4th Tiger TRIUMPH or Tri-Services India U.S. Amphibious Exercises this year.

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 Q. Which country has offered to sell its 5th generation fighter aircraft, F-35, to India?

A) Israel

B) Japan

C) France
D) United States

Answer : D .

Q. Which country hosted the 4th Ministerial Conference on No Money for Terror?

A) France B) Italy
C) United States D) Germany

Answer : D .

✓ Nityanad Rai, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, led the Indian delegation at the 4th Ministerial
Conference on ‘No Money for Terror’.
✓ The 4th No Money for Terror conference was hosted by the German government in Munich, Germany on
13th February 2025.
✓ More than 200 high-level officials and experts from the Egmont group of countries and key international
organisations took part in the conference.
✓ The previous 3rd No Money for Terror Ministerial Conference was hosted by the Indian government in
New Delhi on 18-19 November 2022.
✓ The first No Money for Terror Ministerial Conference was hosted by France in Paris in 2018.
✓ The second No Money for Terror Ministerial Conference was hosted by the Australian government
in Melbourne, Australia, in 2019.
✓ What is the Egmont Group?
✓ The Egmont Group was established in 1995.
✓ Its main aim is to strengthen and facilitate secure information sharing amongst its members to
combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other predicate crimes.
✓ Members- 177 countries' Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are members of the Egmont Group.
✓ Headquarters: Canada

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 Q. Which company has signed an agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to supply
1.2 million tonnes per annum of liquified natural gas (LNG) for the next 10 years?
A) Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC)

B) Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

C) Exxon Mobil Corporation

D) Dubai Petroleum

Answer : B .

✓ UAE's ADNOC sign 14 year deal with IOCL to supply LNG.

✓ United Arab Emirates company ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) has signed a contract with
the government of India-owned Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to supply liquefied natural gas
(LNG) for 14 years.
✓ The third edition of the India Energy Week was held in New Delhi from 11-14 February 2025.
✓ India signed a deal to export LNG from India to Nepal. This will be the first-ever export of LNG from India
to a foreign country.
✓ The signing of numerous deals is expected to boost the energy security of India which is a major importer
of oil and gas in the world.
✓ Features of the ADNOC Deal with IOCL
✓ 14-year agreement between the two companies
✓ ADNOC Gas, a subsidiary company of ADNOC, will supply 1.2 million tonnes per year of LNG.
✓ The LNG supply will begin from 2026.
✓ ADNOC will supply LNG from its Das Island liquefaction facility.
✓ IOCL will import the LNG at its Dahej facility in Gujarat or at its Ennore terminal in Tamil Nadu.
✓ The total value of the deal is USD 6-9 billion
✓ ADNOC deal with BPCL
✓ ADNOC Gas to supply 2.4 million tonnes of LNG to BPCL
✓ Tenure - 5 years, starting April 2025.
✓ Agreement can be extended by another 5 years with mutual consent.
✓ TotalEnergies deal with GPSC
✓ French energy giant TotalEnergies will supply 4 lakh tonnes of LNG per year to Gujarat State Petroleum
Corporation Ltd (GPSC).

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 ✓ Tenure -10 years starting from 2026.
✓ The LNG will be delivered by TotalEnergy at the GSPC, LNG import facility at Mundra in Gujarat.
✓ The LNG will be used by the GSPC mainly for its industrial customers.

SIGNS MoU IN NEWS 2024-25

➢ India and Oman have signed a protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
(DTAA).
➢ India and Spain have signed two memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen and deepen the
bilateral relations between the two countries.
➢ Union Cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Union
Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia.
➢ India Moldova signs Migration and Mobility Partnership Pact.
➢ India, Japan sign agreement for UNICORN masts for Indian naval warships.
➢ India and the United Kingdom have signed a framework agreement for co-designing, co-creating and
co-production of Electric Propulsion Systems (engines) for the next generation of Indian Naval ships.
➢ Union Ministry of Mines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International
Energy Agency (IEA) to collaborate in the field of critical minerals.
➢ India and Algeria signed the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) on bilateral defence cooperation.
➢ India & Colombia sign agreement to boost Film Industry Partnership
➢ India and Malaysia have signed MoU to strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism.
➢ Indian Coast Guard and Jindal Steel & Power sign MoU to enhance indigenous shipbuilding
➢ India signs MoU with Bulgaria to enhance collaboration, exchange auditing expertise
➢ India and Mauritius recently amended their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to
combat tax evasion and avoidance.
➢ India and Nepal agree to promote Sanskrit research and education.
➢ India and Bhutan signed MoU in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures.
➢ India, Colombia sign MoU on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions.
➢ India Signs Agreement for Lithium Exploration & Mining Project in Argentina

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 Q. What is the primary purpose of the RBI introducing Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) for
online international digital payments?
A) To promote the use of international payment gateways

B) To enhance the security of cross-border transactions

C) To encourage cashless transactions within India

D) To eliminate transaction fees for international payments

Answer : B .

✓ RBI introduced an additional authentication layer for online international digital payments.
✓ Purpose: The RBI introduced AFA to enhance the security of cross-border transactions. This measure aims
to provide the same level of security for international transactions as is available for domestic payments.
✓ Implementation: The AFA requires an extra layer of verification, such as a One-Time Password (OTP) or
biometric authentication, for online international transactions.
✓ Rationale: The decision was driven by the increasing sophistication of cyber threats and the surge in digital
frauds.

Q. How many non-banking financial companies, including Reliance Commercial Finance and IDFC
Ltd, have returned their certificate of registration (COR) to the Reserve Bank of India?
A) 17 B) 15

C) 10 D) 20

Answer : D .

✓ 20 NBFCs surrender registration certificates to RBI

✓ Reserve Bank of India , 20 non-banking financial companies, including Reliance Commercial Finance and
IDFC Limited, have surrendered their certificate of registration (CoR)
✓ Of these, two non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have surrendered their CoR as they have exited
from the non-banking financial institution business. These NBFCs are Manoway Investments Private
Limited and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited
✓ IDFC Ltd, IDFC Financial Holding Company Ltd and other 16 entities surrendered the CoR as it ceased
to be a legal entity due to amalgamation or merger.
✓ Besides, the RBI cancelled the CoR of 17 NBFCs, the central banks said in another statement.
✓ These NBFCs whose licences were cancelled had their registered office in West Bengal.

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 Q. Consider the following statements regarding the U.S.-India COMPACT Initiative:

1. It will lay the foundation for deepening military partnerships.

2. Under this initiatives India and US aim to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030 under
“Mission 500.”

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer : C .

✓ President of USA and Prime Minister of India launched the U.S.-India COMPACT initiative.
✓ About U.S.-India COMPACT Initiative:
✓ The Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce &
Technology (COMPACT) initiative will drive transformative change across key pillars of cooperation.
✓ It is a framework that will lay the foundation for deepening military partnerships, with a clear focus
on technology, trade, and defence industrial cooperation.
✓ Key features of COMPACT Initiative
✓ New Defence Procurements & Regulatory Reforms: A new ten-year Framework for the US-India Major
Defense Partnership, with the US pledging additional defence sales and co-production initiatives
✓ Economic & Trade Expansion: Under this component both countries aim to double bilateral trade to $500
billion by 2030 under “Mission 500.” They plan to negotiate the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement
by fall 2025, focusing on fair trade, national security, and job creation.
✓ Boosting Space Cooperation & Critical Minerals Partnership: To deepen space collaboration includes the
introduction of INDUS Innovation, inspired by the INDUS-X platform, which will drive academic and
industrial partnerships in space and emerging tech.
✓ Space Collaboration in 2025: NASA and ISRO partner via AXIOM to send the first Indian astronaut to the
ISS and expedite the NISAR dual-radar satellite launch.

Q. What is the primary purpose of Matsya 6000, recently seen in the news?

A) Space exploration B) Deep-sea mining and biodiversity studies

C) Underwater military surveillance D) Oil drilling

Answer : B .

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 ✓ India’s first manned submersible, Matsya 6000, is expected to carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres
in the ocean by 2026, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences.
✓ About Matsya 6000:
✓ Matsya 6000 is India's deep-sea submersible designed for ocean exploration, particularly for deep-sea
mining and biodiversity studies.
✓ Developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under the Samudrayaan Mission, it is
capable of diving to a depth of 6,000 meters in the ocean.
✓ Features:
✓ It is equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including advanced life support systems, navigation
equipment,robotic arms for sample collection, and high-resolution imaging systems.
✓ Matsya 6000 will house a 2.1-metre internal diameter Titanium alloy personnel sphere to safely carry
humans to a 6000 m depth.
✓ The Titanium alloy personnel sphere is being integrated in collaboration with ISRO.
✓ The submersible is designed to enable continuous operations at 6000 m depth for up to 12 hours with an
emergency endurance of up to 96 hours for conducting deep water observation and exploration.

Q. Which company has partnered with UPM to modernize its IT infrastructure in the Nordic region?

A) TCS

B) Wipro

C) Infosys
D) Cognizant
Answer : A .

✓ Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with UPM, a Finland-based company, to modernize its IT
infrastructure. This collaboration focuses on cloud migration, AI-driven workplace transformation, and
enhancing IT management for UPM's 19,000 employees.
✓ TCS will handle key IT functions such as data centre operations, network services, and end-user support.
✓ The partnership aims to improve operational efficiency and streamline business operations, reinforcing
TCS's growing presence in the Nordic region and highlighting its capability to drive digital transformation
for large enterprises.

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 TCS IN NEWS 2024-25
➢ Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) extended their partnership for five
years.
➢ TCS secures 5-year deal with Telenor Denmark for IT infrastructure management.
➢ Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the IIT Kharagpur have partnered to establish an advanced
research center in Kolkata.
➢ TCS ranked the most valuable brand in Kantar's BrandZ report
➢ TCS ,Hdfc, Airtel, Infosys, SBI top 5
➢ TCS has signed a three- year contract extension for SPARSH , India's pension system for defence
personnel.
➢ TCS has bagged a multi-year deal to assist Air France-KLM in transitioning to an advanced, AI-ready,
and cloud-native data landscape
➢ Tata Consultancy Services has signed a 10-year strategic partnership with Brazil-based Insper.
➢ TCS signs $245 million 15-year deal to transform Ireland's pension system.
➢ Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
➢ Founded : 1968
➢ Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
➢ Chairman : Natarajan Chandrasekaran
➢ MD & CEO : Kriti Krithivasan

Q. Which country has approved the construction of a deepwater research facility in the South China Sea?
A) India B) United States

C) Japan D) China

Answer : D .

✓ China has approved the construction of a deepwater research facility in the South China Sea, set to be built
at a depth of 2,000 meters.
✓ This cold seep ecosystem station will be one of the most advanced underwater structures, with a projected
completion date of 2030

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 Q. Which company partnered with Garuda Aerospace to develop advanced UAVs for defence,
agriculture, and smart cities?
A) Reliance Industries B) Infosys

C) Tata Elxsi D) Wipro

Answer : C .

✓ Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Aero India 2025 to
collaborate on the development of advanced UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) aimed at sectors like
defence, agriculture, and smart cities.
✓ The partnership focuses on creating AI-powered solutions that can cut energy use by 20%, reduce costs, and
ensure regulatory compliance.

Q. Which company developed the world’s first DIVA marker vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)?

A) Biovet B) Serum Institute of India

C) Bharat Biotech D) Cadila Healthcare

Answer : A .

✓ Biovet has developed Biolumpivaxin, the world’s first DIVA marker vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD),
and has received CDSCO approval for it.
✓ The vaccine is based on the LSD virus strain developed by ICAR-NRCE and is noted for its high safety and
efficacy.
✓ It also helps differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals, making it an important tool for managing
LSD in livestock

Q. Which country is hosting the first-ever International Conference on Governance in 2025?

A) United States B) India

C) United Kingdom D) Japan

Answer : B .

✓ India is hosting the first-ever International Conference on Governance, the IIAS-DARPG India Conference
2025, from February 10-14, 2025, in New Delhi.
✓ This global event brings together experts from over 55 countries to discuss innovations in public
administration, governance, and policymaking.

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 ✓ The conference is jointly organized by the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and the
Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) of the Government of India.
✓ It offers a platform for addressing key administrative reforms and empowering citizens.

Q. Which company signed an MoU with Saab to manufacture the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning
System-310 (LWS-310) in India?

A) Tata Defence B) Bharat Dynamics Limited

C) Larsen & Toubro D) Hindustan Aeronautice limited

Answer : D .

✓ Saab signed an MoU with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on the production and
maintenance of the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning System-310 (LWS-310) in India.
✓ The agreement allows HAL to manufacture this advanced system domestically and involves the transfer of
critical maintenance technology.
✓ This partnership aligns with India’s "Make in India" initiative, enhancing the country's self-reliance in key
defence technologies.

Q. Which company partnered with ONGC to collaborate on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)?
A) Tata Power B) Adani Green Energy
C) NTPC D) Reliance Power

Answer : A .

✓ ONGC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd to
collaborate on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
✓ The partnership aims to improve grid stability, integrate renewable energy sources, and support India’s clean
energy target of 500 GW by 2030.
✓ Additionally, ONGC has set a goal to achieve 10 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, which aligns with its
broader objective of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2038.
✓ This collaboration strengthens efforts to transition toward sustainable energy solutions

Q. Which city is associated with the siblings who won the Global Best M-Gov Gold Award 2025?
A) Mumbai B) Hyderabad

C) Delhi D) Bangalore

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 Answer : B .

✓ Zain Ahmed Samdani and Faria Zubair, siblings from Hyderabad, won the prestigious Global Best M-Gov
Gold Award 2025 at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
✓ They were recognized for their innovative creation, ExoHeal, an AI-powered robotic glove designed to
enhance neurorehabilitation for stroke and paralysis patients.

Q. Which state in India signed an MoU with the Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce for fostering
international business collaboration?

A) Tamil Nadu B) Maharashtra

C) Gujarat D) Karnataka
Answer : D .

✓ Karnataka government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swiss-Indian Chamber of
Commerce to enhance international business collaboration during the Global Investors 2025 event.
✓ The MoU signing ceremony took place with the Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M B Patil, and
representatives from 19 leading Swiss companies present.

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