Q.1) Who recently became the fastest Indian to complete the 100m sprint, breaking the 10.20-second barrier for the first time in Indian athletics history?
[a] Gurindervir Singh
[b] Samuli Samuelsson
[c] Amlan Borgohain
[d] Animesh Kujur
View Answer
Answer: [d] Animesh Kujur
Explanation:
Animesh Kujur, a 22-year-old Indian sprinter, made history by becoming the first Indian to run the 100m sprint in under 10.20 seconds. He clocked 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint & Relays Meeting held in Vari, setting a new national record. This broke the previous record of 10.20 seconds set by Gurindervir Singh earlier in March at the Indian Grand Prix.
Kujur not only won the Final at the event but also secured third place overall in the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver-label meet, beating international athletes like Greece’s Sotirios Garagganis and Finland’s Samuli Samuelsson. Notably, Animesh Kujur also holds the national record in the 200m sprint, clocking 20.32 seconds at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea in May.
Q.2) What was the name of the elephant believed to be Asia’s oldest, who passed away at the Panna Tiger Reserve in July 2025?
[a] Rukmini
[b] Ganga
[c] Vatsala
[d] Kumari
View Answer
Answer: [c] Vatsala
Explanation:
Vatsala, considered to be Asia’s oldest elephant, passed away on July 8, 2025, at the age of over 100 years in the Panna Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh. Originally brought from Kerala to Narmadapuram, she was later shifted to Panna, where she lived for several decades and became an iconic figure. Over the years, Vatsala served not only as a tourist attraction but also held a symbolic role within the elephant herd. Being the eldest, she often led the group and played a nurturing role—particularly acting as a grandmother figure when other female elephants gave birth to calves.
Q.3) Which Indian state has launched the AI-based Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS) to monitor and control mosquito populations using advanced technology?
[a] Andhra Pradesh
[b] Maharashtra
[c] Gujarat
[d] Tamil Nadu
View Answer
Answer: [c] Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:
The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the Smart Mosquito Surveillance System (SMoSS), an AI-based and IoT-enabled initiative aimed at combating mosquito-borne diseases through intelligent monitoring and targeted control. SMoSS employs AI-powered mosquito sensors, IoT devices, and drones for larvicide spraying. It tracks key metrics such as species type, gender, population density, and environmental parameters like humidity and temperature. This real-time surveillance platform also features automatic alert systems for civic authorities when mosquito counts exceed safety limits. The system replaces outdated blind spraying techniques with data-driven interventions, improving efficiency and public health outcomes in urban areas.
Q.4) Which Union Territory has become the first in India to include tuberculosis (TB) patients under the Family Adoption Programme (FAP), as per the National Medical Commission’s initiative?
[a] Chandigarh
[b] Puducherry
[c] Delhi
[d] Jammu & Kashmir
View Answer
Answer: [b] Puducherry
Explanation:
Puducherry has become the first Union Territory in India to integrate tuberculosis (TB) patients under the Family Adoption Programme (FAP), a community outreach initiative launched by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Under this programme, medical students adopt families, monitor their health over a four-year period, and conduct routine screenings, including for TB. If any family member is found to have TB, the student supports them through diagnosis and treatment. The initiative is part of broader efforts to eliminate TB from the region. As part of the first phase, Puducherry has already declared eight villages TB-free, with a target of 40 villages by the end of the year.
Q.5) Which Indian state has become the first to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication for distributing ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS)?
[a] Uttarakhand
[b] Gujarat
[c] Himachal Pradesh
[d] Karnataka
View Answer
Answer: [c] Himachal Pradesh
Explanation:
Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for the distribution of ration under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This technological advancement aims to improve the accuracy and transparency in delivering welfare services to the public, especially in remote and hilly regions.
The FaceAuth system is introduced by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as an additional mode of Aadhaar authentication, alongside existing methods like OTP-based, fingerprint, and iris-based authentication. Unlike fingerprint or iris scans, face authentication relies on 1:1 matching—where the facial image captured during authentication is directly compared with the image stored in the Aadhaar repository for that individual.
This method is especially useful in cases where biometric mismatches occur due to age, wear-and-tear of fingerprints, or harsh working conditions.
Q.6) What is the name of the third known interstellar object discovered, as reported by NASA’s ATLAS telescope system in 2025?
[a] 1I/ʻOumuamua
[b] 3I/ATLAS
[c] 2I/Borisov
[d] 3I/Caltech
View Answer
Answer: [b] 3I/ATLAS
Explanation:
3I/ATLAS is the third known interstellar object ever observed, following 1I/ʻOumuamua (discovered in 2017) and 2I/Borisov (discovered in 2019). It was detected by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) telescope located in Rio Hurtado, Chile. Its classification as an interstellar object is based on its hyperbolic orbit, which is not gravitationally bound to the Sun—confirming its origin from outside the solar system.
The comet was first seen in June 2025 and is expected to make its closest approach to the Sun around 30 October 2025, near Mars’ orbit, and reappear in early December 2025. Its closest approach to Earth is at a safe distance of 1.8 AU (around 270 million km), posing no threat. As per naming conventions, “3I” refers to the third interstellar object, and “ATLAS” credits the discovering survey.
Source: 3I/ATLAS: NASA Discovers Third Known Interstellar Object
Q.7) Which Indian state recently approved the Mukhyamantri Vrindavan Gram Yojana, aimed at developing sustainable, self-reliant model villages?
[a] Uttar Pradesh
[b] Rajasthan
[c] Gujarat
[d] Madhya Pradesh
View Answer
Answer: [d] Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
The Mukhyamantri Vrindavan Gram Yojana has been approved by the Madhya Pradesh government as a visionary rural development initiative. It aims to transform selected villages into self-reliant, sustainable, and spiritually rooted communities, drawing inspiration from traditional Indian values and ecological practices. Each district and assembly constituency in the state will host one such Vrindavan Gram.
To be eligible, a village must have a minimum population of 2,000 and at least 500 cattle. The scheme’s focus spans organic farming, water conservation, renewable energy (like solar-powered water systems), and rural livelihoods, with emphasis on cow rearing and dairy-based enterprises.
Six broad categories of development have been identified, including animal care infrastructure, education and health services, clean energy and water systems, public infrastructure, digitized governance, and cultural/social enrichment. The program also promotes employment generation through dairy cooperatives, agro-based industries, and rural tourism.
Source: Madhya Pradesh approves Mukhyamantri Vrindavan Gram Yojana
Q.8) Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH)?
[a] Raghunandan G
[b] Nandan Nilekani
[c] Sahil Kini
[d] Abhijit Bose
View Answer
Answer: [c] Sahil Kini
Explanation:
Sahil Kini, a prominent name in India’s fintech sector, has been appointed as the CEO of the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH). He is an alumnus of IIT Madras and has held key roles across strategic consulting, investment, and entrepreneurship. He co-founded Setu, a fintech infrastructure startup that was acquired by Pine Labs in 2022. Kini has also been associated with the iSPIRIT Foundation, contributing to major public digital infrastructure projects like Aadhaar and UPI.
The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), established in 2022, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of India, headquartered in Bengaluru. Its mission is to promote innovation in the financial sector by enabling secure, inclusive, and seamless financial services. As CEO, Sahil Kini is expected to strengthen RBIH’s role in driving digital transformation and collaboration across India’s financial ecosystem.
Source: Sahil Kini appointed CEO of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
Q.9) What is the purpose of the newly approved USD 200 million concessional funding by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the Asian Development Bank (ADB)?
[a] To finance new coal-based thermal power plants
[b] To support India’s Green Finance Facility for clean energy development
[c] To establish smart cities in India
[d] To develop high-speed rail infrastructure
View Answer
Answer: [b] To support India’s Green Finance Facility for clean energy development
Explanation:
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved USD 200 million in concessional funding for the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) newly launched initiative called the India Green Finance Facility (IGFF). This facility is aimed at bridging financing gaps in India’s clean energy sector, particularly in areas that are underserved by commercial lenders.
The IGFF will use a blended finance model by channeling lines of credit through national development finance institutions (DFIs). It targets emerging and high-impact sectors such as round-the-clock renewable energy, green hydrogen, compressed biogas (CBG), electric mobility (especially in rural areas), and decentralised renewable energy systems. Additionally, it includes a risk-sharing facility of USD 65 million to provide partial credit guarantees, especially to support small CBG developers.
Source: GCF Approves US $200 Million for ADB’s Clean Energy Program in India
Q.10) India and Australia have recently launched their first-ever bilateral defence science and technology project focused on which of the following areas?
[a] Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence
[b] Ballistic Missile Defence
[c] Undersea Surveillance
[d] Hypersonic Missile Systems
View Answer
Answer: [c] Undersea Surveillance
Explanation:
India and Australia have jointly launched their first-ever bilateral defence science and technology project focusing on undersea surveillance, which aims to bolster maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. The announcement was made alongside the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Washington, D.C. (July 2025). This strategic initiative highlights growing convergence between both nations in the maritime and defence technology domains.
The primary goal of the project is the early detection and tracking of underwater threats such as submarines and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). It involves the use of Towed Array Target Motion Analysis (TMA) systems, which are capable of detecting and analyzing underwater acoustic signatures through towed hydrophone arrays. The project leverages advanced technologies such as machine learning and signal processing to develop stealth-enabled passive surveillance systems.
Source: India, Australia Sign Pact for Joint Undersea Surveillance Research
Q.11) The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently approved indigenous defence procurement proposals worth approximately ₹1.05 lakh crore. Which of the following is NOT among the categories of systems approved under this procurement?
[a] Land Systems
[b] Cyber Warfare Drones
[c] Naval Systems
[d] Electronic Warfare
View Answer
Answer: [b] Cyber Warfare Drones
Explanation:
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved capital acquisition proposals amounting to approximately ₹1.05 lakh crore, all of which are to be sourced indigenously under the “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN) stage. This significant move boosts India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and is aligned with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
The approved categories include:
- Land Systems: Such as Armoured Recovery Vehicles
- Electronic Warfare: Approval for advanced Electronic Warfare Systems
- Air Defence: Including Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs)
- Tri-Services Logistics: Development of an Integrated Common Inventory Management System (ICIMS)
- Naval Systems: Covering Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs), Super Rapid Gun Mounts, and Submersible Autonomous Vessels
Source: DAC Approved Rs 1.05 Lakh Crore Indigenous Defence Procurement
Q.12) Which Indian state has become the first to implement Aadhaar-based face authentication for Public Distribution System (PDS) ration delivery?
[a] Andhra Pradesh
[b] Himachal Pradesh
[c] Gujarat
[d] Odisha
View Answer
Answer: [b] Himachal Pradesh
Explanation:
Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to adopt Aadhaar-based face authentication (FaceAuth) for ration distribution under the Public Distribution System (PDS). This move enhances the reliability and inclusivity of Aadhaar authentication, especially for individuals who face difficulties with fingerprint or iris-based verification—such as the elderly or those engaged in hard manual labor.
About Face Authentication:
- Introduced by: Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
- Function: Uses 1:1 facial matching, comparing a live image of the beneficiary with the image stored in the Aadhaar database.
- Other authentication modes: OTP-based, fingerprint, and iris.
- Advantage: Reduces authentication failure rates and ensures better last-mile delivery of welfare services.
Source: Himachal Pradesh: First State to Use Aadhaar Face Authentication for PDS