Q.1) The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI), to be launched in 2026, is a joint initiative of which two institutions?
[a] Ministry of External Affairs and NITI Aayog
[b] Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and Observer Research Foundation
[c] Department of Science & Technology and ISRO
[d] Ministry of Education and IIT Delhi
View Answer
Answer: [b] Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and Observer Research Foundation
Explanation:
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) have jointly unveiled the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI), scheduled for 2026. The initiative will function as a dedicated platform within the Raisina Dialogue, focusing on the intersection of science, technology, and diplomacy, and institutionalising science diplomacy within India’s flagship geopolitical engagement framework.
Q.2) The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2026 report has been produced by which United Nations department?
[a] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[b] United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
[c] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
[d] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
View Answer
Answer: [c] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
Explanation:
The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) 2026 report has been produced by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) (Lead coordinating body) in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the five United Nations Regional Commissions. The UN World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) also contributed to the report. WESP is annual flagship UN report on global economic trends and outlook.
Q.3) PARAM SHAKTI, the newly launched supercomputing facility hosting the indigenous PARAM RUDRA system, has been set up at which institution?
[a] IIT Bombay
[b] IISc Bengaluru
[c] IIT Madras
[d] IIT Kanpur
View Answer
Answer: [c] IIT Madras
Explanation:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched PARAM SHAKTI, a supercomputing facility hosting the indigenous PARAM RUDRA system, at Indian Institute of Technology Madras. The system has been developed and implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), which is jointly led by MeitY and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The launch significantly boosts India’s high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities.
Q.4) Which Indian space mission provided new insights into the impact of a powerful solar storm on Earth’s magnetic shield?
[a] Chandrayaan-3
[b] AstroSat
[c] Aditya-L1
[d] XPoSat
View Answer
Answer: [c] Aditya-L1
Explanation:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Aditya-L1 mission has decoded how a powerful solar storm affects Earth’s magnetic shield. The most intense disturbances were observed during the impact of the turbulent region of the solar storm. These findings were part of a breakthrough study published in December 2025 in The Astrophysical Journal, analysing a major space weather event that struck Earth in October 2024.
Q.5) The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation–2026 (AITE-26) commenced at which wildlife sanctuary?
[a] Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
[b] Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
[c] Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
[d] Anamalai Tiger Reserve
View Answer
Answer: [c] Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Explanation:
The first phase of the All-India Tiger Estimation–2026 (AITE-26) began at the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary under the Erode Forest Division. Prior to the survey, forest department staff were trained in wildlife enumeration techniques. The census operations commenced across Anthiyur, Bargur, Chennampatti, and Thattakarai forest ranges, all within the division.This World’s largest wildlife monitoring exercise is conducted by: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Q.6) The MSTrIPES app, to be used during the upcoming wildlife census at Anamalai Tiger Reserve, is primarily meant for:
[a] Satellite-based forest fire detection
[b] Monitoring tiger movement through GPS collars
[c] Digital data collection during tiger and wildlife enumeration
[d] Online issuance of forest permits
View Answer
Answer: [c] Digital data collection during tiger and wildlife enumeration
Explanation:
Forest staff involved in wildlife enumeration will use the Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (MSTrIPES) app during the tiger and wildlife census at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The adoption of the MSTrIPES app is expected to enhance accuracy, speed, and real-time data integration under the All India Tiger Estimation Survey 2026. MSTrIPES App is developed for Tiger monitoring, Habitat assessment, Anti-poaching and protection activities.
Q.7) Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is observed every year on 9 January to commemorate which historic event?
[a] Formation of the Indian National Congress
[b] Arrival of Indians in Fiji
[c] Return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India
[d] Launch of the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) policy
View Answer
Answer: [c] Return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India
Explanation:
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2026 is observed annually on 9 January to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915, symbolising the enduring connection between overseas Indians and their motherland. PBD is the flagship diaspora outreach programme of the Ministry of External Affairs, aimed at recognising the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India’s development and global standing. PBD celebrates achievements and contributions of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). The day showcases India’s cultural diversity, economic progress, and development initiatives.
Q.8) National Youth Day (Rashtriya Yuva Diwas) is observed every year on 12 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of:
[a] Mahatma Gandhi
[b] Swami Vivekananda
[c] Subhas Chandra Bose
[d] Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
View Answer
Answer: [b] Swami Vivekananda
Explanation:
National Youth Day, also known as Rashtriya Yuva Diwas, is celebrated annually on 12 January to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India’s greatest philosophers, spiritual leaders, and youth icons. The day was officially declared in 1984 by the Government of India on the recommendation of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, to honour Vivekananda’s enduring influence on youth empowerment, character-building, and nation-building. Swami Vivekananda advocated character, courage, self-belief, and service to the natio. He inspired India’s youth through his vision of strong, ethical, and confident citizens. His teachings continue to guide India’s youth policy and leadership discourse
Q.9) The DIME platform, recently launched to modernise logistics management, has been introduced by which organisation?
[a] Indian Air Force
[b] Indian Navy
[c] Indian Army
[d] Defence Research and Development Organisation
View Answer
Answer: [c] Indian Army
Explanation:
Indian Army has launched a pan-Army digital logistics platform called Depot Integration Management Edition (DIME). The platform is designed to modernise and streamline the Army’s logistics and supply-chain architecture by shortening logistics cycles, drastically reducing paperwork, and providing near real-time visibility of assets across formations, thereby enhancing operational readiness and efficiency.