Q.1) The ‘Skills Outcomes Fund’, recently launched in India, is associated with which of the following concepts?
[a] Direct cash transfer to students
[b] Outcome-based financing in skill development
[c] Tax incentives for industries
[d] Subsidy for startups
View Answer
Answer: [b] Outcome-based financing in skill development
Explanation:
The Skills Outcomes Fund, launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, promotes pay-for-success models where funding is linked to outcomes like job placement and income improvement. It mobilises public, private and philanthropic capital to enhance accountability and bridge the gap between skilling and employment.
Q.2) Poshan Pakhwada 2026, recently observed in India, is associated with which mission?
[a] National Health Mission
[b] Mission Poshan 2.0
[c] Mission Shakti
[d] National Nutrition Strategy
View Answer
Answer: [b] Mission Poshan 2.0
Explanation:
Poshan Pakhwada 2026 (9–23 April) is observed under Mission Poshan 2.0 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The theme focuses on brain development in the first six years, emphasising nutrition, early stimulation and Anganwadi strengthening through community participation.
Q.3) The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND), recently in news, functions under which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Home Affairs
[b] Ministry of Finance
[c] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[d] Ministry of Defence
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Finance
Explanation:
Financial Intelligence Unit-India operates under the Ministry of Finance and is responsible for analysing suspicious financial transactions and combating money laundering and terror financing. Recently, it signed an MoU with Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to strengthen coordination against cyber fraud and financial crimes.
Q.4) The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), recently in news, functions under which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[b] Ministry of Rural Development
[c] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[d] Ministry of Finance
View Answer
Answer: [c] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Explanation:
National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation is a PSU under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, established in 2001. It provides concessional finance, skill development and livelihood support to Scheduled Tribes through State Channelizing Agencies, promoting economic empowerment and socio-economic development of tribal communities.
Q.5) Under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), which recently completed 11 years, loans are categorised into how many stages?
[a] Two
[b] Three
[c] Four
[d] Five
View Answer
Answer: [c] Four
Explanation:
Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana was launched on 8 April 2015 with the aim of “Funding the Unfunded. Under MUDRA Yojana, loans are classified into four stages- Shishu, Kishor, Tarun and Tarun Plus based on the growth stage and financial needs of enterprises, supporting micro and small businesses at different levels of development.
Q.6) The sub-committee to review the functioning of private health insurers has been constituted under which body?
[a] Securities and Exchange Board of India
[b] Insurance Advisory Committee
[c] National Health Authority
[d] Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
View Answer
Answer: [b] Insurance Advisory Committee
Explanation:
The sub-committee has been constituted by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India under its Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC). It will review claims processing, pricing, grievance redressal and hospital tariffs to improve transparency, affordability and consumer protection in India’s health insurance sector.
Q.7) The report titled “Land Inequality in India: Nature, History, and Markets” has been released by which organisation?
[a] World Bank
[b] NITI Aayog
[c] World Inequality Lab
[d] International Monetary Fund
View Answer
Answer: [c] World Inequality Lab
Explanation:
The report was released by the World Inequality Lab. It highlights severe land inequality in rural India, with an average village Gini coefficient of about 71 and 46% households landless, driven by historical land systems, caste factors and regional disparities.
Q.8) India’s decision to stop approving new Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production projects after 2027 is in line with which international agreement?
[a] Paris Agreement
[b] Kyoto Protocol
[c] Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
[d] Convention on Biological Diversity
View Answer
Answer: [c] Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
Explanation:
The directive by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change aligns with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which aims to phase down HFCs due to their high global warming potential. India’s schedule includes a freeze in 2028 and gradual reductions, reaching 85% reduction by 2047.
Q.9) Under the National Quantum Mission, India recently demonstrated a quantum communication network of what distance?
[a] 500 km
[b] 750 km
[c] 1,000 km
[d] 2,000 km
View Answer
Answer: [c] 1,000 km
Explanation:
India demonstrated a 1,000-km quantum communication network using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), developed by QNu Labs. This is one of the world’s longest such networks and marks significant progress toward the mission’s target of a 2,000-km secure quantum communication network.
Q.10) The HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Project, recently in news, is located at which place?
[a] Barmer
[b] Pachpadra
[c] Jodhpur
[d] Bikaner
View Answer
Answer: [b] Pachpadra
Explanation:
The refinery is being set up at Pachpadra in Balotra district, Rajasthan. It is a 9 MMTPA greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex implemented by HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited, a joint venture of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Government of Rajasthan, with significant petrochemical output capacity.
Q.11) The ICP App, recently launched by Costa Rica, is primarily designed for which purpose?
[a] Weather forecasting
[b] Wildlife photography
[c] Identification of venomous snakes
[d] Forest fire monitoring
Answer: [c] Identification of venomous snakes
Explanation:
The ICP App, developed by Universidad de Costa Rica through the Clodomiro Picado Institute, helps identify venomous snake species and distinguish them from non-venomous ones. It provides science-based guidance and safety information, improving public awareness and response during snake encounters.
Q.12) Who has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 in India?
[a] Sonu Sood
[b] Sudarsan Pattnaik
[c] Amitabh Bachchan
[d] Raghuram Rajan
View Answer
Answer: [b] Sudarsan Pattnaik
Explanation:
Sudarsan Pattnaik, a renowned sand artist from Odisha and Padma Shri awardee (2014), has been appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027 by the Ministry of Home Affairs. He will use sand art to promote awareness and participation in India’s first digital census.