Q.1) Project HANUMAN, launched to address human–wildlife conflict, has been introduced by which Indian state government?
[a] Telangana
[b] Andhra Pradesh
[c] Karnataka
[d] Tamil Nadu
View Answer
Answer: [b] Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:
The Andhra Pradesh Government launched Project HANUMAN on World Wildlife Day (3 March 2026) to address the increasing human–wildlife conflict in the state.HANUMAN stands for: Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nursing of Wildlife. The initiative focuses on protecting both wildlife and local communities living near forest areas by improving rescue operations, rehabilitation systems, and scientific monitoring of animal movement. It is a state-level wildlife protection and conflict mitigation initiative designed to: rescue injured or distressed wildlife, provide treatment and rehabilitation facilities and strengthen monitoring of wildlife movement.
Q.2) The Indian Army’s Fire and Fury Corps (14 Corps) recently signed an MoU with the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department of Ladakh primarily to protect which iconic Himalayan species?
[a] Red Panda
[b] Snow Leopard
[c] Himalayan Monal
[d] Musk Deer
View Answer
Answer: [b] Snow Leopard
Explanation:
The Indian Army and the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department of the Ladakh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen wildlife conservation and protect the fragile high-altitude ecosystem of the region. The agreement was signed by the Fire and Fury Corps, also known as the 14 Corps of the Indian Army, which is headquartered in Leh and is responsible for operations in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The collaboration aims to: protect Himalayan wildlife and fragile ecosystems, strengthen wildlife conservation and habitat protection and promote sustainable environmental management in high-altitude regions.
Q.3) The Indian Women’s Cricket Team has been shortlisted for which prestigious international award in 2026, following their maiden ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory in 2025?
[a] ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
[b] Laureus World Team of the Year Award
[c] Wisden Team of the Year Award
[d] ESPN Global Sports Award
View Answer
Answer: [b] Laureus World Team of the Year Award
Explanation:
The India women’s national cricket team has been shortlisted for the prestigious Laureus World Team of the Year Award for 2026. The nomination was confirmed by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which recognises outstanding achievements in international sports. This marks a historic first, as it is the first time a women’s cricket team has been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award. The nomination follows a landmark year for Indian women’s cricket, highlighted by their maiden triumph in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025.
Q.4) The 16th-century bronze idol of Saint Thirumangai Alvar, recently returned to India by Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum, originally belongs to which temple in Tamil Nadu?
[a] Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
[b] Shri Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Thadikombu
[c] Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
[d] Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram
View Answer
Answer: [b] Shri Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Thadikombu
Explanation:
The Ashmolean Museum, part of the University of Oxford, has returned a 16th-century bronze idol of Thirumangai Alvar to India. The idol is being repatriated to its original location, the Shri Soundararaja Perumal Temple in Tamil Nadu. The bronze idol had been acquired by the museum in 1967 through a Sotheby’s auction, but later investigations established that the idol had originally been removed from the temple. The identification of the idol was made by the India Pride Project, a cultural advocacy group dedicated to recovering stolen Indian artifacts. Thirumangai Alvar was the 12th and last of the Alvar saints. The Alvars were Tamil poet-saints devoted to Lord Vishnu.
Q.5) Which country in the United Kingdom has become the first to legalise water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) as an alternative to burial and traditional cremation?
[a] England
[b] Wales
[c] Scotland
[d] Northern Ireland
View Answer
Answer: [c] Scotland
Explanation:
Scotland has become the first country in the UK to legalise water cremation, formally known as Alkaline Hydrolysis. This new method provides families with a third option for handling human remains, alongside traditional burial and flame cremation. The move represents the largest reform in cremation practices since cremation laws were introduced in 1902 in the UK. Water cremation is an environmentally friendly process that accelerates natural decomposition using water, heat, and alkaline chemicals. Before legalising the process, the Scottish Government conducted a public consultation in 2023 to assess public opinion.
Q.6) The Indian Bison Fest, recently organised to promote conservation of the gaur (Indian bison), was hosted at which wildlife sanctuary?
[a] Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary
[b] Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
[c] Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary
[d] Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
View Answer
Answer: [b] Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Explanation:
The second edition of the Indian Bison Fest was organised at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Odisha. The festival focused on promoting awareness and conservation of the Indian Bison (Gaur), which is locally known as “Gayala.” The event was organised by the Hirakud Wildlife Division to celebrate the increasing population of gaur in the Debrigarh–Hirakud landscape. Objectives of the Indian Bison Fest: promote conservation awareness about the Indian bison (gaur) and highlight the growing gaur population in the Debrigarh–Hirakud region. Indian Bison (Gaur), Scientific Name: Bos gaurus is the largest wild bovine species in the world.
Q.7) Who became the first Kashmiri woman to be appointed as Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar?
[a] Shazia Khan
[b] Saba Shawl
[c] Rukhsana Begum
[d] Nighat Jan
View Answer
Answer: [b] Saba Shawl
Explanation:
Saba Shawl has been appointed as the Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, becoming the first Kashmiri woman to head the high-security correctional facility. Her appointment marks a historic milestone for women’s representation in uniformed services in the Jammu and Kashmir. The appointment was made through an official order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department. She assumed responsibility immediately after the order was issued.
Q.8) Bharti Airtel partnered with which technology company to launch AI-powered secure RCS messaging with enhanced spam protection in India?
[a] Microsoft
[b] Apple
[c] Google
[d] Amazon
View Answer
Answer: [c] Google
Explanation:
Bharti Airtel has partnered with Google to introduce AI-powered spam filtering and enhanced security features on Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging in India. The collaboration integrates Airtel’s telecom-grade spam detection intelligence with Google’s RCS messaging platform, significantly improving the security of modern messaging services. The Airtel–Google RCS platform introduces several security and verification features: Real-time security checks to detect spam and malicious messages; Sender identity verification through telecom-based business verification systems; Compliance with Do Not Disturb (DND) preferences, ensuring users do not receive unwanted promotional messages.
Q.9) The Hatti Risala Festival, which recently marked 138 years of tradition, is celebrated in which city of Maharashtra?
[a] Nashik
[b] Jalna
[c] Aurangabad
[d] Kolhapur
View Answer
Answer: [b] Jalna
Explanation:
The historic Hatti Risala Festival was celebrated in Jalna, Maharashtra, marking 138 years of cultural tradition. The festival is organised every year on Dhulivandan, which is the day following the festival of Holi. The Hatti Risala procession is one of the oldest cultural traditions in Jalna. The procession moves through the main roads of the city, attracting large public participation. A decorated elephant carries: A symbolic king and his prime minister.
Q.10) The Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), recently in news for threatening food security, affects which important staple crop in Africa?
[a] Maize
[b] Cassava
[c] Sorghum
[d] Millet
View Answer
Answer: [b] Cassava
Explanation:
A viral plant disease known as Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) is posing a serious threat to Cassava, one of the most important staple crops in Africa. The disease causes necrosis (rotting) in the roots of cassava plants, often leading to severe yield losses or complete crop failure, which directly affects food security and livelihoods in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Cassava plays a critical role in food systems across Africa. It is a major staple food for millions of people and highly valued because it can grow in drought-prone and poor soil conditions.
Q.11) The offline photo upload facility for e-crop sowing registration, recently introduced to help farmers facing network issues, has been launched by which state government?
[a] Karnataka
[b] Maharashtra
[c] Telangana
[d] Gujarat
View Answer
Answer: [b] Maharashtra
Explanation:
The Maharashtra Government has introduced an offline photo upload facility for the e‑Crop Sowing Registration System to help farmers complete crop registration even in areas with poor internet connectivity. The new feature allows farmers to capture crop photographs without an internet connection. Once connectivity becomes available, the photos are automatically uploaded to the system, ensuring smooth registration. Although the e-crop sowing registration system has been operational on a large scale since 2021, and is being strictly implemented from the 2025–26 agricultural season. To address these issues, the government activated the Digital Crop Survey System (DCS) for improved e-crop registration.
Q.12) The Framework for Action (FFA) to advance solar skills and renewable energy cooperation was signed between the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and which Indian institution?
[a] IIT Bombay
[b] IIT Delhi
[c] IISc Bengaluru
[d] IIT Madras
View Answer
Answer: [b] IIT Delhi
Explanation:
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi have formalised a Framework for Action (FFA) to enhance cooperation in renewable energy development, particularly in the field of solar energy. The partnership aims to strengthen capacity building, academic collaboration, and human resource development across ISA Member Countries, supporting the global transition to clean energy. Training programmes for: Renewable energy engineers, Trainers of Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) and Research professionals in solar technologies.
Q.13) The Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors, recently inaugurated to boost drug discovery and biotechnology research, has been established at which institution?
[a] IISc Bengaluru
[b] BRIC–Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology
[c] IIT Delhi
[d] National Institute of Immunology
View Answer
Answer: [b] BRIC–Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology
Explanation:
The Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors was inaugurated at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The facility has been developed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) at an estimated cost of about ₹60 crore to strengthen India’s biotechnology research ecosystem. Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors is a state-of-the-art biotechnology research infrastructure designed to accelerate advanced biomedical and genomics research.
Q.14) The Ministry of Defence recently signed a contract with Shoft Shipyard Private Limited for constructing four 500-tonne Self-Propelled Fuel Barges for which organisation?
[a] Indian Coast Guard
[b] Indian Navy
[c] Shipping Corporation of India
[d] Inland Waterways Authority of India
View Answer
Answer: [b] Indian Navy
Explanation:
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, an MSME shipyard located in Thane, for the construction of four 500-tonne Self-Propelled Fuel Barges for the Indian Navy. The barges will be constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The 500-tonne Self-Propelled Fuel Barges are logistics support vessels designed to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy by ensuring reliable fuel supply.
Q.15) The herSTART 5.0 programme, launched to promote women-led startups and entrepreneurship, has been introduced by which state government?
[a] Maharashtra
[b] Gujarat
[c] Karnataka
[d] Tamil Nadu
View Answer
Answer: [b] Gujarat
Explanation:
The Gujarat Government launched the fifth edition of the herSTART Programme, known as herSTART 5.0, to strengthen opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women-led startups. The programme was inaugurated by Bhupendra Patel at Gujarat University located in Ahmedabad. The initiative aims to empower women founders by supporting them throughout the startup development journey. The programme is implemented by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council, which supports women-led startups through incubation, mentorship, and networking with industry stakeholders.