Q.1) The RELIEF Scheme which was expanded to include Egypt and Jordan, is implemented by which nodal agency?
[a] Export Import Bank of India
[b] Export Credit Guarantee Corporation
[c] Director General of Foreign Trade
[d] NITI Aayog
View Answer
Answer: [b] Export Credit Guarantee Corporation
Explanation:
The RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) Scheme is implemented by ECGC. It is in news due to its expansion to Egypt and Jordan to support exporters facing high freight, insurance costs and war-related risks in the West Asia–North Africa corridor, providing insurance facilitation and reimbursement support, especially for MSMEs.
Q.2) The Norms Committees (NCs), recently reformed by the government, function under which organisation?
[a] Reserve Bank of India
[b] Directorate General of Foreign Trade
[c] Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
[d] NITI Aayog
View Answer
Answer: [b] Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
Explanation:
Norms Committees operate under DGFT, which administers schemes like Advance Authorisation and Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA). They assess input-output norms when Standard Input Output Norms (SION) is unavailable. The reform is in news due to measures like increasing technical members, fixing fortnightly meetings, and launching a special disposal drive to reduce pendency and improve efficiency in export facilitation.
Q.3) The ‘Startup India’ initiative, which recorded highest startup recognition in FY 2025–26, was launched in which year?
[a] 2014
[b] 2015
[c] 2016
[d] 2017
View Answer
Answer: [c] 2016
Explanation:
Startup India was launched on 16 January 2016 by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. It was in news due to record recognition of over 55,200 startups in FY 2025–26 (51.6% growth), with cumulative over 23 lakh startups and more than 36 lakh jobs, supported by schemes like Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) and Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS).
Q.4) The Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) launched during the India–Austria Business Forum, is primarily aimed at which of the following?
[a] Promoting cultural exchange
[b] Facilitating investment and resolving business issues
[c] Enhancing defence cooperation
[d] Expanding tourism
View Answer
Answer: [b] Facilitating investment and resolving business issues
Explanation:
The Fast-Track Mechanism was operationalised during the India–Austria Business Forum held during the visit of Christian Stocker. It is in news as it provides a platform for investment facilitation, issue resolution, and improving ease of doing business, thereby strengthening India–Austria economic ties within the broader India–EU framework.
Q.5) Consider the following statements regarding the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA):
- It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- It is responsible for implementing provisions of the Biological Diversity Act.
- It operates under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[a] 1 and 2 only
[b] 2 and 3 only
[c] 1 and 3 only
[d] 1, 2 and 3
View Answer
Answer: [a] 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
The National Biodiversity Authority functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and implements the Biological Diversity Act. It is in news due to its 77th meeting which was held in Chennai, which strengthened the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework and repository guidelines for biodiversity conservation and equitable benefit sharing.
Q.6) Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), recently seen in news in the context of Maharashtra’s logistics digitisation, is primarily designed to do what?
[a] Provide financial assistance to MSMEs
[b] Enable seamless access to logistics data through API integration
[c] Regulate transport tariffs across states
[d] Manage port operations exclusively
View Answer
Answer: [b] Enable seamless access to logistics data through API integration
Explanation:
NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited signed an MoU with Government of Maharashtra to digitise logistics operations. ULIP integrates multiple systems across ministries through APIs, enabling real-time data sharing, improved coordination and efficiency. It supports MSMEs and exporters by enhancing supply-chain visibility and aligns with India’s push for technology-driven logistics transformation. It acts as a unified digital gateway integrating multiple government systems via APIs (45 systems, 137 APIs).
Q.7) Tehri Lake, which had successful seaplane trials, is located in which state?
[a] Himachal Pradesh
[b] Uttarakhand
[c] Jammu & Kashmir
[d] Sikkim
View Answer
Answer: [b] Uttarakhand
Explanation:
Tehri Lake came into news after a successful trial landing of a 19-seater seaplane by Sky Hop Pvt Ltd, boosting tourism and connectivity. The lake is a large man-made reservoir formed by the Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, offering stable deep-water conditions ideal for seaplane operations.
Q.8) The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 provides for reservation of seats for women in Legislative Assemblies of UTs at what percentage?
[a] 25%
[b] 30%
[c] 33%
[d] 50%
View Answer
Answer: [c] 33%
Explanation:
The Bill came into news as it extends provisions of women’s reservation under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to UTs like Delhi, Puducherry and J&K. It enables one-third (33%) reservation in assemblies, allows delimitation based on the 2011 Census, and introduces rotational reservation without waiting for the 2027 Census.
Q.9) The National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), functions under which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Rural Development
[b] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[c] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[d] Ministry of Finance
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Explanation:
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation recently achieved its highest-ever disbursement of ₹613 crore in FY 2025–26 with ~99% fund utilisation. It operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, promoting economic development, skill training, and self-employment for backward classes.
Q.10) The Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Norms in India are primarily aimed at which of the following objectives?
[a] Increasing vehicle production
[b] Reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions
[c] Promoting road infrastructure
[d] Regulating automobile prices
View Answer
Answer: [b] Reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions
Explanation:
Government proposed draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency-3 (CAFE-3) framework for carbon credit trading and flexible compliance from 2027. These norms mandate fleet-wide fuel efficiency and CO₂ limits for automakers, encouraging adoption of EVs, hybrids and biofuels. Introduced in 2017 (CAFE-1) and strengthened in 2022 (CAFE-2), they aim to cut emissions and reduce crude oil dependence.
Q.11) Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) contribute to intensification of tropical cyclones primarily due to which of the following reasons?
[a] Cooling of ocean surface temperatures
[b] Increase in ocean salinity
[c] Warmer sea surface temperatures providing more energy to storms
[d] Reduction in atmospheric pressure gradients
View Answer
Answer: [c] Warmer sea surface temperatures providing more energy to storms
Explanation:
Marine Heatwaves came into news as studies show they significantly intensify tropical cyclones by supplying excess heat energy from warmer oceans. These prolonged high sea surface temperatures (1–3°C above normal) enhance storm strength and rapid intensification, leading to higher damage potential and increased frequency of extreme weather disasters.
Q.12) The revamped Integrated Performance Monitoring Dashboard, launched by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, is based on which framework?
[a] PRAGATI Framework
[b] PAIMANA Framework
[c] GATI Framework
[d] SAMARTH Framework
View Answer
Answer: [b] PAIMANA Framework
Explanation:
The dashboard came into news as MoSPI unveiled a new digital platform replacing OCMS-2006 to track infrastructure performance across 11 sectors. Built on the PAIMANA framework (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building), it uses 116 indicators and monitors dimensions like access, quality and utilisation, enabling real-time, data-driven governance and improved accountability.