Q.1) The First Battle of Panipat (1526), recently commemorated for its 500th anniversary, led to the establishment of which empire in India?
[a] Delhi Sultanate
[b] Maurya Empire
[c] Mughal Empire
[d] Gupta Empire
View Answer
Answer: [c] Mughal Empire
Explanation:
The First Battle of Panipat came into news due to its 500th anniversary (21 April 2026). In this battle, Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ending the Delhi Sultanate and establishing the Mughal Empire in India, marking a major turning point in Indian history.
Q.2) National Panchayati Raj Day observed in India, commemorates the implementation of which constitutional amendment?
[a] 42nd Amendment
[b] 44th Amendment
[c] 73rd Amendment
[d] 86th Amendment
View Answer
Answer: [c] 73rd Amendment
Explanation:
National Panchayati Raj Day came into news as it was observed on 24 April 2026, marking 33 years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992. The amendment granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, strengthening decentralised governance. It came into force on 24 April 1993 and is celebrated to promote grassroots democracy and participatory governance across India.
Q.3) Adi Shankaracharya, whose 1238th birth anniversary was observed on 21 April 2026, is associated with which philosophical doctrine?
[a] Dvaita Vedanta
[b] Vishishtadvaita
[c] Advaita Vedanta
[d] Buddhism
View Answer
Answer: [c] Advaita Vedanta
Explanation:
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti came into news as it was observed on 21 April 2026. Adi Shankaracharya propounded Advaita Vedanta (non-dualism), emphasising the unity of Atman and Brahman. He revitalised Hindu philosophy through extensive travels, commentaries on scriptures, and works like Bhaja Govindam and Vivekachudamani.
Q.4) Offline Verification Seeking Entities (OVSEs), recently in news, are associated with which organisation?
[a] Reserve Bank of India
[b] Unique Identification Authority of India
[c] National Payments Corporation of India
[d] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
View Answer
Answer: [b] Unique Identification Authority of India
Explanation:
OVSEs came into news as the Unique Identification Authority of India onboarded 100+ entities for Aadhaar offline verification. These entities verify identity using QR codes and digitally signed documents without accessing the central database, ensuring privacy, consent-based authentication, and promoting secure, paperless digital verification.
Q.5) The revision of raw jute stock limits, recently in news, was primarily aimed at achieving which of the following objectives?
[a] Increasing jute exports
[b] Preventing hoarding and stabilising prices
[c] Promoting synthetic substitutes
[d] Reducing MSP for jute
View Answer
Answer: [b] Preventing hoarding and stabilising prices
Explanation:
The revision came into news after raw jute prices rose above MSP for 2025–26, prompting the Jute Commissioner to tighten stock limits. The move aims to curb hoarding, ensure fair supply, and maintain market discipline. Measures like mandatory stock disclosure on the Jute SMART portal and enforcement powers help stabilise prices and safeguard the jute industry.
Q.6) The AICTE-VAANI Scheme, which launched in its 3rd edition, is primarily aimed at promoting which of the following?
[a] Digital payments infrastructure
[b] Indian languages in technical education and research
[c] Foreign language learning in India
[d] Online gaming industry
View Answer
Answer: [b] Indian languages in technical education and research
Explanation:
The scheme came into news with the launch of its 3rd edition by the All India Council for Technical Education. AICTE-VAANI aims to promote Indian languages in technical education, support research publications, and enhance accessibility. It provides financial assistance for conferences and institutional support, covering 22 Indian languages to build an inclusive knowledge ecosystem.
Q.7) The ‘Yellow Line’ security strategy, recently expanded by Israel, refers to which of the following?
[a] Maritime boundary in the Mediterranean Sea
[b] Economic trade corridor in West Asia
[c] Militarised buffer zone within hostile territory
[d] Diplomatic ceasefire agreement line
View Answer
Answer: [c] Militarised buffer zone within hostile territory
Explanation:
The ‘Yellow Line’ came into news after Israel expanded it from Gaza to southern Lebanon up to the Litani River during a ceasefire in April 2026. It is a military demarcation created by the Israel Defense Forces as a free-fire buffer zone to prevent militant regrouping, restrict civilian movement, and enable forward defence operations.
Q.8) The use of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes, aims to control malaria primarily by targeting which of the following?
[a] Bacterial infections in humans
[b] Plasmodium parasites inside mosquitoes
[c] Water-borne pathogens
[d] Viral infections in animals
View Answer
Answer: [b] Plasmodium parasites inside mosquitoes
Explanation:
GM mosquitoes came into news after a Tanzania field study showed their ability to block malaria transmission. Using tools like CRISPR-Cas9, they target Plasmodium parasites or reduce mosquito populations. Gene drive ensures >90% inheritance of modified traits, enabling long-term control through anti-parasite mechanisms or population suppression strategies.
Q.9) The ‘NARIT-AI’ tool, launched by Gujarat Police, is primarily designed to assist in investigations under which law?
[a] Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)
[b] Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
[c] Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
[d] Information Technology Act
View Answer
Answer: [c] Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
Explanation:
NARIT-AI came into news after its launch by Gujarat Police to improve investigation quality amid low conviction rates in NDPS cases. Built on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), it integrates legal databases to provide real-time, court-ready guidance, step-by-step investigation plans, and evidence checklists, ensuring procedural compliance in narcotics-related offences.
Q.10) Civil Services Day in India is observed annually to commemorate which of the following events?
[a] Adoption of the Constitution of India
[b] First meeting of the Constituent Assembly
[c] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s address to civil servants in 1947
[d] Establishment of UPSC
View Answer
Answer: [c] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s address to civil servants in 1947
Explanation:
Civil Services Day came into news as the 18th edition was observed on 21 April 2026. It commemorates the address by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947, where he described civil services as the “Steel Frame of India,” highlighting their role in governance and nation-building.