Q.1) Which organisation signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with NITI Aayog to improve nutrition and health outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks in India?
[a] WHO
[b] UNICEF India
[c] FAO
[d] World Bank
Read More
Answer: [b] UNICEF India
Explanation:
The NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to collaborate on improving nutrition and health outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks across India.The partnership aims to strengthen strategic interventions in underserved regions, focusing particularly on maternal and child nutrition. By combining the policy coordination capacity of NITI Aayog with the technical expertise of UNICEF, the initiative seeks to enhance the implementation of nutrition and health programmes at the district and block levels. Under the collaboration, UNICEF India will leverage its IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N) platform to mobilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments for nutrition initiatives.
Q.2) The “Jal Mahotsav 2026” nationwide campaign, organised to strengthen community participation in rural drinking water management under the Jal Jeevan Mission, was conducted between which dates?
[a] 1 March – 15 March 2026
[b] 5 March – 20 March 2026
[c] 8 March – 22 March 2026
[d] 10 March – 25 March 2026
View Answer
Answer: [c] 8 March – 22 March 2026
Explanation:
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the Jal Mahotsav 2026, a nationwide campaign held from 8 March to 22 March 2026. The campaign was launched to strengthen Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) and promote community ownership in rural drinking water service delivery under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). It aims to ensure that rural communities actively participate in managing and sustaining drinking water systems. A key goal of the initiative is to recognise and encourage grassroots champions and local institutions that have demonstrated excellence in community-led water governance and sustainable water management.
Q.3) The India–UK Conference on Green Hydrogen Standards and Safety Protocols, aimed at supporting India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, was organised by which institution under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?
[a] National Institute of Solar Energy
[b] National Centre for Hydrogen Safety
[c] Solar Energy Corporation of India
[d] National Power Training Institute
View Answer
Answer: [b] National Centre for Hydrogen Safety
Explanation:
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at making the country a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilisation, and export. To strengthen international collaboration and ensure safe deployment of hydrogen technologies, the India–UK Conference on Green Hydrogen Standards and Safety Protocols was recently held in New Delhi. The conference was organised by the National Centre for Hydrogen Safety (NCHS), which operates under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It was conducted in collaboration with the British High Commission in India and World Resources Institute India (WRI India). The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and international experts to discuss regulatory frameworks, safety protocols, and global standards for green hydrogen technologies.
Q.4) The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the Export Obligation (EO) period for which of the following export promotion schemes?
- Advance Authorisation Scheme
- Special Advance Authorisation
- Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement
- Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme
Select the correct answer using the code below:
[a] 1 and 2 only
[b] 1, 2 and 3 only
[c] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[d] 2 and 4 only
View Answer
Answer: [c] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Explanation:
Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has announced an extension of the Export Obligation (EO) period for certain export promotion schemes. The decision was taken to support Indian exporters affected by global geopolitical disruptions, which have impacted international shipping routes, logistics corridors, and global supply chains. The extension applies to the following schemes: Advance Authorisation Scheme, Advance Authorisation for Annual Requirement , Special Advance Authorisation and Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) Scheme. These schemes allow exporters to import inputs or capital goods duty-free, provided they fulfil specified export obligations within a defined period.
Q.5) The National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), developed under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, is primarily designed to perform which function?
[a] Provide telemedicine services to rural areas
[b] Standardize and streamline health insurance claims exchange among hospitals and insurers
[c] Digitize medical education records
[d] Provide free medicines to hospitals
View Answer
Answer: [b] Standardize and streamline health insurance claims exchange among hospitals and insurers
Explanation:
The National Health Authority (NHA) successfully organised the NHCX Hackathon to promote innovation around the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The hackathon aimed to encourage technology-driven solutions for improving digital health insurance claim processing in India. It was organised in collaboration with several partners from the healthcare, insurance, technology, and digital innovation ecosystem. The National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) is a unified digital infrastructure designed to: Standardize health insurance claims processing and enable seamless exchange of claim data among: Insurance companies, Hospitals and Patients. The platform aims to reduce delays, paperwork, and inefficiencies in health insurance claim settlements.
Q.6) The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which held its 70th session (CSW-70) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, functions under which UN body?
[a] UN General Assembly
[b] UN Security Council
[c] UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
[d] UN Human Rights Council
View Answer
Answer: [c] UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
Explanation:
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated exclusively to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. India was represented by Savitri Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Women and Child Development. The session brought together government representatives, international organisations, and civil society to discuss policies and global actions for advancing gender equality and women’s rights. The main theme of the session was: “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.”
Q.7) The National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge, launched to strengthen climate resilience in rural India, has been initiated by NABARD in collaboration with which organisations?
[a] World Bank and FAO
[b] Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors
[c] UNDP and IMF
[d] Asian Development Bank and IFAD
View Answer
Answer: [b] Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors
Explanation
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, has launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge. This initiative aims to strengthen climate resilience in rural India by addressing a major structural gap in the climate ecosystem — the lack of an integrated and interoperable climate data architecture capable of generating reliable hazard projections for rural regions. The challenge encourages innovators, researchers, and technology experts to develop solutions for building a National Climate Stack, which will integrate various climate data sources to support informed decision-making. National Climate Stack is an initiative proposes the creation of a National Climate Stack for rural India, a comprehensive digital framework designed to integrate multiple climate-related datasets.
Q.8) The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI), launched to promote discussions on the role of science and technology in global diplomacy, was jointly launched by which institutions?
[a] NITI Aayog and Ministry of External Affairs
[b] Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and Observer Research Foundation
[c] ISRO and DRDO
[d] Ministry of Science & Technology and World Bank
View Answer
Answer: [b] Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and Observer Research Foundation
Explanation
The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was inaugurated on 5 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The initiative was organised as part of the Raisina Dialogue, which is India’s premier global conference focused on geopolitics, strategic affairs, and international cooperation. The Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative was jointly launched by: The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and The Observer Research Foundation (ORF). The SDI aims to create a global platform for dialogue at the intersection of science, technology, and diplomacy.
Q.9) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently announced Open Market Operations (OMO) worth ₹1 lakh crore mainly to achieve which objective?
[a] Increase foreign exchange reserves
[b] Inject durable liquidity into the banking system
[c] Reduce government borrowing
[d] Increase direct tax collection
Answer: [b] Inject durable liquidity into the banking system
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced Open Market Operations (OMO) to purchase government securities worth ₹1 lakh crore in order to inject durable liquidity into the banking system. The purchases will be conducted in two tranches of ₹50,000 crore each on: 9 March 2026 and 13 March 2026. This step has been taken to address anticipated liquidity tightening in the banking system, which typically occurs toward the end of the financial year due to advance tax payments and GST outflows. Under this operation, the RBI will purchase government securities (G-Secs) with maturities ranging from 2030 to 2053.
Q.10) India’s first river lighthouses are being developed along which National Waterway on the Brahmaputra River?
[a] National Waterway-1
[b] National Waterway-2
[c] National Waterway-3
[d] National Waterway-4
View Answer
Answer: [b] National Waterway-2
Explanation:
The Government of India has laid the foundation stones for four river lighthouses along the Brahmaputra River, marking the first time lighthouse infrastructure will be developed on an inland waterway in India. These lighthouses will be built along National Waterway‑2 (NW-2), which is a major inland water transport corridor for cargo and passenger movement in Northeast India. The infrastructure aims to enable 24×7 safe navigation along the river, improving night-time navigation, shipping efficiency, and inland water transport safety. Four river lighthouses will be constructed at strategic points along the Brahmaputra:Bogibeel – Dibrugarh district, Pandu – Kamrup (Metro) district, Silghat – Nagaon district and Biswanath Ghat – Biswanath district.
Q.11) The “VB-G RAM G Youth Digital Campaign”, launched to create awareness about the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025, was initiated by which ministry in collaboration with MY Bharat?
[a] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[b] Ministry of Rural Development
[c] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[d] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Rural Development
Explanation:
The Ministry of Rural Development, in collaboration with MY Bharat, launched the nationwide VB-G RAM G Youth Digital Campaign. The campaign aims to create widespread awareness about the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rural Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Act, 2025, commonly referred to as the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025. The initiative focuses on mobilising youth participation in rural governance, Panchayat development, and livelihood generation, aligning with the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). Theme of the Campaign: “Viksit Bharat-G Ram G – Youth Power, Progress of Panchayats.”
Q.12) The recently discovered “dark oxygen” in the deep Pacific Ocean is produced by which of the following processes associated with polymetallic nodules?
[a] Photosynthesis by deep-sea algae
[b] Chemical oxidation of seawater
[c] Seawater electrolysis triggered by electric potential from polymetallic nodules
[d] Volcanic reactions in hydrothermal vents
View Answer
Answer: [c] Seawater electrolysis triggered by electric potential from polymetallic nodules
Explanation:
Scientists have discovered a phenomenon known as “dark oxygen” on the deep seafloor of the Pacific Ocean at a depth of about 4,000 metres. This discovery challenges the long-standing assumption that oxygen is produced only through photosynthesis by plants and algae in the presence of sunlight. The discovery was made in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ), a vast deep-sea region located between Hawaii and Mexico. The findings were published in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience. Researchers found that polymetallic nodules, which are metal-rich rocks found on the ocean floor, can produce oxygen even in complete darkness. These nodules contain valuable metals such as: Cobalt; Manganese and Nickel.
Q.13) The Directorate General of Training (DGT) recently signed a Flexi-MoU with which company to promote industry-integrated skill development in the automotive manufacturing sector?
[a] Tata Motors
[b] Mahindra & Mahindra
[c] Bajaj Auto Limited
[d] Ashok Leyland
View Answer
Answer: [c] Bajaj Auto Limited
Explanation:
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), functioning under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) with Bajaj Auto Limited. The agreement was signed under the revised Flexi-MoU Scheme (June 2024) to strengthen industry-linked skill development and vocational training in the automotive manufacturing sector. Under this collaboration Bajaj Auto Ltd. will act as an Industrial Training Partner (ITP). Training programmes will be aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). Training will be conducted at Bajaj Auto manufacturing facilities located in: Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
Q.14) The initiative SWAYATT (Startups, Women and Youth Advantage through e-Transactions), aimed at making public procurement more inclusive, is a flagship programme of which platform?
[a] Startup India Portal
[b] Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
[c] Digital India Platform
[d] MSME Samadhaan Portal
View Answer
Answer: [b] Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
Explanation:
The SWAYATT – Startups Women and Youth Advantage through e Transactions (SWAYATT) initiative was launched to promote inclusive participation in government procurement. The programme is a flagship initiative of the Government e Marketplace (GeM), the national online procurement portal of the Government of India. Recently, GeM celebrated the seven-year journey of the SWAYATT initiative, highlighting its role in empowering startups, women entrepreneurs, youth, and small businesses by enabling them to participate in government procurement processes.
Q.15) The Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards, introduced to promote the production of green hydrogen derivatives in India, were notified by which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Power
[b] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
[c] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[d] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
View Answer
Answer: [c] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Explanation:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has notified Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards to accelerate the development and adoption of green hydrogen derivatives in India. These standards are part of the broader National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position India as a global leader in the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The newly notified standards aim to: Define emission thresholds and eligibility conditions for ammonia and methanol to be classified as “green”.