Q.1) Which country has been unanimously elected as the President of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) for the Triennium 2025-27?
[a] Malaysia
[b] Ghana
[c] India
[d] Indonesia
View Answer
Answer: [c] India
Explanation:
India has been unanimously elected as the President of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) for 2025-27 at the 21st General Session of the General Conference held in New Delhi from 21st-24th February 2025. AARDO, established in 1962, is an inter-governmental organization aimed at fostering rural development cooperation among 35 member countries across Africa and Asia. India’s presidency enhances its leadership in global rural development and strengthens its collaboration with Asian and African nations.
Q.2) Where did the Prime Minister recently release the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme?
[a] Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
b] Bhagalpur, Bihar
[c] Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
[d] Patna, Bihar
View Answer
Answer: [b] Bhagalpur, Bihar
Explanation:
The Prime Minister recently released the 19th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme in Bhagalpur, Bihar. This installment benefits over 9.8 crore farmers, including 2.41 crore female farmers, with direct financial assistance exceeding ₹22,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). PM-KISAN, launched in 2019, is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, providing eligible farmers ₹6,000 per annum in three equal installments.
Q.3) Government e Marketplace (GeM) recently commemorated six years of SWAYATT. It was launched in 2019 on GeM with an objective to invigorate participation of women-led enterprises and youth in public procurement. What does SWAYATT stand for?
[a] Strengthening Women and Youth in Trade & Technology
[b] Smart Workforce and Young Entrepreneurs for Advanced Trade
[c] Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through eTransactions
[d] Sustainable Women and Youth Advancement Through eCommerce
View Answer
Answer: [c] Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through eTransactions
Explanation:
The SWAYATT initiative (Startups, Women & Youth Advantage through eTransactions) on Government e Marketplace (GeM) recently marked six years since its launch in 2019. It aims to enhance the participation of startups, women entrepreneurs, and youth in public procurement. Notably, women entrepreneurs make up 8% of the total seller base on GeM, with 1,77,786 Udyam-verified women MSEs registered, collectively fulfilling orders worth ₹46,615 crore.
Q.4) From which platform was the first-of-its-kind naval anti-ship missile Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR) successfully test-fired by the Indian Navy?
[a] Indian Naval Seaking Helicopter
[b] Indian Navy’s Destroyer Ship
[c] Indian Air Force Fighter Jet
[d] Submarine-launched Platform
View Answer
Answer: [a] Indian Naval Seaking Helicopter
Explanation:
The Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR), developed by DRDO, was successfully test-fired from an Indian Naval Seaking Helicopter at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. This marks a significant achievement in India’s defence indigenization efforts. The missile features sea-skimming mode, an Indigenous Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) seeker, and a two-way data link, ensuring high-precision targeting and real-time retargeting capabilities. The successful trial enhances India’s naval combat capabilities and strengthens self-reliance in defence technology.
Q.5) Where was the first India-EU Workshop on Electric Vehicles Charging Technology held under the framework of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies
[a] New Delhi
[b] Brussels
[c] Pune
[d] Paris
View Answer
Answer: [c] Pune
Explanation:
The first India-EU Workshop on Electric Vehicles Charging Technology was held in Pune under the framework of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. It was organized by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) with the support of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. The workshop aimed to foster harmonized solutions for sustainable transport and strengthen India-EU cooperation in clean energy technologies.
Q.6) Which awardee of the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 is the founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference and Vishwa Ayurveda Prabodhini?
[a] Vaidya Tara Chand Sharma
[b] Vaidya Maya Ram Uniyal
[c] Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni
[d] None of the above
View Answer
Answer: [c] Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni
Explanation:
The Ministry of Ayush conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2025 on three distinguished practitioners. Each awardee received a citation, a trophy featuring Lord Dhanwantari, and a cash prize of ₹5 lakh. Among the recipients, Vaidya Sameer Govind Jamadagni is recognized for his transformative contributions in Ayurveda as the founder of the Vishwa Vyakhyanmala national conference and Vishwa Ayurveda Prabodhini, which have greatly advanced Ayurveda education and knowledge-sharing.
Q.7) What is the primary purpose of the Cali Fund launched at CBD COP16?
[a] To finance space exploration initiatives
[b] To boost biodiversity finance by collecting contributions from private companies using genetic data
[c] To support fossil fuel research and development
[d] To fund digital infrastructure projects
View Answer
Answer: [b] To boost biodiversity finance by collecting contributions from private companies using genetic data
Explanation:
The Cali Fund was launched at the resumed 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome, Italy. It was established following a historic agreement at COP16 in Colombia in 2024, aligning with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goal of stopping and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. The fund will collect money from private companies that use Digital Sequence Information (DSI)—genetic data from plants, animals, and microorganisms—in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and biotechnology. Managed by the UNDP and UNEP and administered by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO), the funds will support biodiversity conservation projects, assist developing countries in implementing biodiversity action plans, and fund scientific research, with at least 50% of the resources dedicated to indigenous peoples and local communities.
Q.8) Why is the recent mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles in the Rushikulya rookery significant?
[a] It was the first recorded nesting of this species in India
[b] Nearly 700,000 turtles nested, marking a record event after their absence last year
[c] The turtles have permanently migrated to the Indian coast
[d] It was the largest nesting event ever recorded worldwide
View Answer
Answer: [b] Nearly 700,000 turtles nested, marking a record event after their absence last year
Explanation:
Nearly 700,000 Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs in Rushikulya rookery, Odisha, during an eight-day mass nesting event—a record-breaking event, especially since these endangered turtles did not nest there last year. The mass nesting, known as Arribada (Spanish for “arrival”), is a rare phenomenon where thousands of females lay eggs on the same beach.
About Olive Ridley Turtles:
- Named after their olive-green heart-shaped shell
- Among the smallest sea turtles, found in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans
- Carnivorous diet includes jellyfish, shrimp, snails, crabs, and fish eggs
- Migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and nesting sites
Mass Nesting in India:
- Odisha’s Rushikulya, Gahirmatha, and Devi River mouth are the major nesting sites in the Indian Ocean
- Each female lays over 100 eggs, which hatch in 45-65 days
- Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survives to adulthood
Legal Protection:
- IUCN Status – Vulnerable
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I (highest protection in India)
- CITES – Appendix I (strict trade restrictions)
Odisha remains one of the world’s largest nesting grounds for Olive Ridleys, followed by Mexico and Costa Rica.
Q.9) Why is Banu Mushtaq’s ‘Heart Lamp’ significant in the International Booker Prize 2025 longlist
[a] It is the first Kannada novel to win the International Booker Prize
[b] It is the first-ever Kannada book to be longlisted for the International Booker Prize
[c] It is the first Indian book to feature in the International Booker Prize
[d] It is the first women-centric book to be nominated
View Answer
Answer: [b] It is the first-ever Kannada book to be longlisted for the International Booker Prize
Explanation:
Banu Mushtaq’s ‘Heart Lamp’ has become the first-ever Kannada book to feature in the International Booker Prize longlist 2025. Translated by Deepa Bhasthi, this collection of stories portrays the lives of Muslim women in South India, exploring their struggles within familial and communal settings.
Key Highlights:
First-time representation of Kannada and Romanian in the International Booker Prize longlist
Heart Lamp – A collection of short stories originally published between 1990 and 2023
The 2025 judging panel is chaired by Max Porter, a bestselling Booker Prize-longlisted author
Previous Indian mentions:
- 2022 – Geetanjali Shree’s ‘Tomb of Sand’ (first Hindi novel to win)
- 2023 – Perumal Murugan’s Tamil novel ‘Pyre’ made it to the longlist
About the International Booker Prize:
Shortlisted books receive £5,000 each (split between author and translator)
Most prestigious award for translated fiction
Recognizes novels and short story collections translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland
Prize money: £50,000 (split equally between author and translator)
Q.10) What is the name of the record-breaking event in Assam that featured over 8,000 artists from the tea tribe community and commemorated 200 years of the state’s tea industry?
[a] Assam Tea Fiesta
[b] Jhumoir Nandini
[c] Tea Tribe Rhythms
[d] Assam Cultural Gala
View Answer
Answer: [b] Jhumoir Nandini
Explanation:
Assam set a record with Jhumoir Nandini, a grand dance performance held at Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati. Key highlights include:
Participation: Over 8,000 artists took part—5,399 female dancers, 2,175 male dancers, and 2,074 musicians from the tea tribe community.
Purpose: The event commemorated 200 years of Assam’s tea industry, a sector that produces nearly 700 million kg of tea annually and contributes significantly to both India’s and the world’s tea supply.
Cultural Significance:
- Jhumoir Dance: A traditional folk dance of Assam’s tea garden workers and Adivasi community, symbolizing joy, unity, and the rich heritage of the tea community.
- Performance Elements: Characterized by circular formations, coordinated footwork, and traditional music played on instruments like the dhol, madal, dhamsa, and bamboo flute.
This record-setting performance not only celebrated a historic milestone in Assam’s tea industry but also showcased the vibrant cultural identity of its tea community.
Q.11) Which of the following is NOT a feature of SpaceX’s IM-2 mission carrying the Athena Lander?
[a] It is the third Moon landing mission of 2025, launched from Cape Canaveral on a Falcon 9 rocket.
[b] It targets the Moon’s South Pole region, specifically Mons Mouton, for gathering scientific data.
[c] It will deploy the first mobile network on the Moon using Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS).
[d] It plans to land at the Moon’s North Pole.
View Answer
Answer: [d] It plans to land at the Moon’s North Pole.
Explanation:
The IM-2 mission, launched by SpaceX on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, is the third Moon landing mission of 2025. It is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative under the Artemis program, aiming to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon by 2028. The Athena Nova-C class lunar lander is headed to the Moon’s South Pole—specifically Mons Mouton—to gather scientific data and analyze lunar soil composition with instruments like PRIME-1 and LRA. Additionally, the mission will deploy the first mobile network on the Moon through Nokia’s LSCS, with support from two lunar mobility vehicles (the Intuitive Machines Micro-Nova Hopper and Lunar Outpost’s MAPP rover). Landing at the Moon’s North Pole is not part of the mission.
Q.12) As per the Union Finance Ministry, what is the total amount under operative Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts as of December 2024?
[a] ₹4.26 lakh crore
[b] ₹7.50 lakh crore
[c] ₹10.05 lakh crore
[d] ₹12.00 lakh crore
View Answer
Answer: [c] ₹10.05 lakh crore
Explanation:
The total amount under operative Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts has more than doubled from ₹4.26 lakh crore in March 2014 to ₹10.05 lakh crore in December 2024, benefiting 7.72 crore farmers. This increase highlights a significant boost in affordable working capital loans for agriculture and allied activities, reflecting credit deepening in the sector and reduced reliance on non-institutional credit. The KCC scheme provides timely credit for inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, and since 2019, also covers allied activities such as animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries. Under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), banks receive a 1.5% interest subvention for agri loans up to ₹3 lakh at 7% per annum, with a Prompt Repayment Incentive further reducing the rate to an effective 4% for farmers, while loans up to ₹2 lakh are offered on a collateral-free basis.
Q.13) Which tribal community, praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 119th edition of Mann Ki Baat, is credited with contributing significantly to tiger conservation at the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT)?
[a] Gonds
[b] Santals
[c] Soliga
[d] Bhils
View Answer
Answer: [c] ₹10.05 lakh crore
Explanation:
The total amount under operative Kisan Credit Card (KCC) accounts has more than doubled from ₹4.26 lakh crore in March 2014 to ₹10.05 lakh crore in December 2024, benefiting 7.72 crore farmers. This increase highlights a significant boost in affordable working capital loans for agriculture and allied activities, reflecting credit deepening in the sector and reduced reliance on non-institutional credit. The KCC scheme provides timely credit for inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, and since 2019, also covers allied activities such as animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries. Under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), banks receive a 1.5% interest subvention for agri loans up to ₹3 lakh at 7% per annum, with a Prompt Repayment Incentive further reducing the rate to an effective 4% for farmers, while loans up to ₹2 lakh are offered on a collateral-free basis.
Q.14) What is the planned transformation for the decommissioned warship INS Guldar?
[a] It will be recommissioned for active naval service.
[b] It will be converted into an underwater museum and artificial reef.
[c] It will be scrapped for metal recycling.
[d] It will be sold to a private maritime company.
View Answer
Answer: [b] It will be converted into an underwater museum and artificial reef.
Explanation:
The decommissioned INS Guldar, a Polnocny Class Landing Ship built at Gdynia Shipyard, Poland, and commissioned in 1985, will be transformed into an underwater museum and artificial reef. Key details include:
Transfer & Management: Previously under the Andaman and Nicobar Command, INS Guldar has been handed over to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC) through an agreement with the Indian Navy at the Karwar naval base.
Project Highlights: The underwater museum is the first-of-its-kind project and will be located near Vengurla in Malvan, Sindhudurg district in Konkan. The museum is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan to launch 40 tourism projects across 23 states. It is situated near the iconic Vijaydurg fort, chosen for its historical and strategic significance.
INS Guldar’s Legacy: The ship served for 39 years, participating in over 490 beaching operations and notable operations such as Op Aman, Op Azad, Op Pawan, and Op Tasha. It sailed for over 3,900 days during its tenure, reflecting its significant role in the Indian Navy.
Q.15) What key findings were revealed by the first detailed geological map of the Moon’s South Pole created using data from the Pragyan rover on Chandrayaan-3?
[a] The region consists exclusively of flat plains with no significant geological features.
[b] The map reveals an undulating landscape of highlands and low, flat plains, confirms the presence of an ancient subsurface magma ocean, and dates the area at about 3.7 billion years old.
[c] The map indicates that the Moon’s South Pole has no geochemical similarities with Earth.
[d] The map shows that the entire lunar surface is uniform and lacks diversity.
View Answer
Answer: [b] The map reveals an undulating landscape of highlands and low, flat plains, confirms the presence of an ancient subsurface magma ocean, and dates the area at about 3.7 billion years old.
Explanation:
Researchers, including ISRO scientists, used data from the Pragyan rover on the Vikram lander (part of India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission) to create the first detailed geological map of the Moon’s South Pole. Key details include:
Geographical Context: The Vikram lander had touched down near the South Pole-Aitken Basin, one of the oldest and largest impact craters in the Solar System.
Terrain Diversity: The map shows an undulating landscape featuring both highlands and low, flat plains.
Subsurface Magma Ocean: It confirms the existence of an ancient subsurface magma ocean that once extended across the entire Moon.
Age Determination: The lunar South Pole region is estimated to be around 3.7 billion years old, a period roughly coinciding with the emergence of microbial life on Earth.
Common Origin with Earth: The geochemical similarities between the Moon and Earth support the theory that both originated from the same molten material, possibly following a massive collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body about 4.5 billion years ago.