Q.1) The TEXMiN Foundation recently signed an MoU with Russia’s GIREDMET JSC primarily to collaborate in which sector?
[a] Oil and Natural Gas Exploration
[b] Rare Earth and Critical Mineral Technologies
[c] Nuclear Power Generation
[d] Space Launch Systems
View Answer
Answer: [b] Rare Earth and Critical Mineral Technologies
Explanation:
The TEXMiN Foundation (Technology Translation Research Park) has signed a strategic MoU with GIREDMET JSC, Russia’s State Research and Design Institute of Rare Metal Industry. The agreement focuses on collaboration in rare earth processing, critical minerals, advanced materials, and translational research across the mining value chain. This partnership is significant as critical minerals and rare earth technologies are essential for India’s energy transition, electronics manufacturing, defence, and other strategic sectors.
Q.2) Which company became the first traditional retailer in the world to achieve a $1 trillion market valuation?
[a] Amazon
[b] Costco
[c] Walmart
[d] Target
View Answer
Answer: [c] Walmart
Explanation:
Walmart has become the first traditional (brick-and-mortar–origin) retailer to cross a $1 trillion market capitalisation, joining an elite group largely dominated by technology companies. This milestone reflects Walmart’s rapidly expanding e-commerce business, its ability to attract price-conscious consumers amid global inflationary pressures, and strong investor confidence in its investments in artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise logistics, supply chains, and customer experience.
Q.3) Dr. Bhargav Mallappa was recently conferred the prestigious royal title of “Dato’” by which traditional royal institution?
[a] Sultanate of Brunei
[b] Kerajaan Kutai Mulawarman, Indonesia
[c] Thai Royal Court
[d] Kingdom of Malaysiad
View Answer
Answer: [b] Kerajaan Kutai Mulawarman, Indonesia
Explanation:
Dr. Bhargav Mallappa, Founder and Chairman of MBRA Groups and a senior functionary of the Indian National Congress, has been conferred the prestigious royal title of “Dato’” by Kerajaan Kutai Mulawarman, one of Indonesia’s oldest traditional royal institutions. With this honour, he becomes the third Indian national to receive this distinguished recognition under the Kutai Mulawarman royal tradition, marking a significant instance of international acknowledgment for contributions beyond national boundaries.
Q.4) The Kerala government recently signed MoUs with three CPSUs for a ₹2,000 crore logistics master plan at which port?
[a] Cochin Port
[b] Ennore Port
[c] Vizhinjam International Seaport
[d] Mormugao Port
View Answer
Answer: [c] Vizhinjam International Seaport
Explanation:
The Kerala government signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) to implement a ₹2,000 crore logistics master plan at the Vizhinjam International Seaport. The initiative aims to transform the port into a comprehensive economic and logistics hub, marking a strategic effort to strengthen Kerala’s maritime infrastructure. While the port operates under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the agreement ensures that critical infrastructure development remains under public sector oversight.
Q.5) The primary objective of Delhi’s adoption of the ‘Rah-Veer’ Road Accident Assistance Scheme is to:
[a] Provide free insurance to road accident victims
[b] Encourage citizens to assist accident victims during the golden hour
[c] Impose penalties on bystanders who fail to help victims
[d] Establish new trauma centres across the city
View Answer
Answer: [b] Encourage citizens to assist accident victims during the golden hour
Explanation:
Government of Delhi has adopted the Centre’s ‘Rah-Veer’ Road Accident Assistance Scheme, aimed at promoting Good Samaritan behaviour. Under the scheme, individuals who transport a seriously injured road accident victim to a hospital or trauma centre within the golden hour (first 60 minutes after the accident) are eligible for a cash reward of ₹25,000. The initiative seeks to reduce hesitation among bystanders and improve survival rates through timely medical intervention.
Q.6) India’s cheetah population recently rose to 38 after the birth of three cubs at which national park?
[a] Ranthambore National Park
[b] Kuno National Park
[c] Bandipur National Park
[d] Satpura National Park
View Answer
Answer: [b] Kuno National Park
Explanation:
India’s cheetah population increased to 38 after three cubs were born to the South African female cheetah Gamini at Kuno National Park, located in Madhya Pradesh. This marks the ninth successful cheetah litter at Kuno since the launch of Project Cheetah in September 2022, aimed at reintroducing cheetahs into India after their extinction in 1952. Cheetah is the world’s fastest land animal. Cheetah in India was last recorded in Chhattisgarh (Koriya district region.
Q.7) India’s first Comprehensive Carbon-Trading Programme, scheduled for FY 2025–26, will initially target emissions from how many industrial units?
[a] 250 units
[b] 490 units
[c] 800 units
[d] 1,000 units
View Answer
Answer: [b] 490 units
Explanation:
India is set to launch its first comprehensive carbon-trading programme in FY 2025–26 (April 2025–March 2026) to regulate industrial emissions through market-based mechanisms. Initially, 490 industrial units across seven sectors have been assigned emission targets, as notified in October 2025 and January 2026. While the scheme ultimately covers nearly 800 high-emission units, the steel and fertiliser sectors are proposed for inclusion but not part of the first phase. Notably, the power sector, despite being the largest emitter, is excluded from the scheme’s initial rollout.
Q.8) According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), India ranked at which position among buyers of Russian fossil fuels in January 2026?
[a] First
[b] Second
[c] Third
[d] Fourth
View Answer
Answer: [b] Second
Explanation:
According to data released by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), India remained the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in January 2026, purchasing energy products worth €2.2 billion ($2.59 billion). This marked a slight decline from €2.3 billion in December 2025. The imports included crude oil, petroleum products, coal, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), reflecting India’s continued reliance on discounted Russian energy supplies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and Western sanctions on Moscow. During the same period, China remained the largest buyer, while Turkey and several European nations imported limited volumes of LNG and pipeline gas under existing arrangements.
Q.9) Jharkhand’s ‘Abua Dishom’ Budget 2026–27, recently presented in the State Assembly, has a total outlay of:
[a] ₹1.25 lakh crore
[b] ₹1.40 lakh crore
[c] ₹1.58 lakh crore
[d] ₹1.75 lakh crore
View Answer
Answer: [c] ₹1.58 lakh crore
Explanation:
The Jharkhand government presented its FY 2026–27 budget, titled ‘Abua Dishom’, with a total outlay of ₹1.58 lakh crore in the State Assembly. The budget was presented by Radhakrishna Kishore, Finance Minister of Jharkhand. The term ‘Abua Dishom’ (meaning “Our Land”) pays homage to Shibu Soren, popularly known as “Disom Guru”, a key figure in the statehood movement. The budget focuses on inclusive growth, social justice, rural economy strengthening, agriculture, social security, and infrastructure development, with a significant allocation towards women and child welfare.
Q.10) The ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ initiative, recently launched to train local women as conservation facilitators, has been introduced in which Tiger Reserve?
[a] Simlipal Tiger Reserve
[b] Palamu Tiger Reserve
[c] Kanha Tiger Reserve
[d] Pench Tiger Reserve
View Answer
Answer: [b] Palamu Tiger Reserve
Explanation:
The South Division of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has launched the ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ initiative as a community-driven conservation effort. The programme aims to train local women (“Didis”) as environment educators and conservation facilitators across 17 identified villages located in and around the reserve. The project was formally launched on February 17 in the Garu Range. Villages such as Henar, Surkumi, Hasua, Armu, Kotam, and Pandra, though located in remote hinterland areas of PTR, have educated women with postgraduate, degree, and diploma qualifications who will now contribute actively to conservation awareness and ecological protection.