Q.1) Which Indian state recently declared ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav’ as an official state festival?
[a] Gujarat
[b] Maharashtra
[c] Karnataka
[d] Andhra Pradesh
View Answer
Answer: [b] Maharashtra
Explanation:
Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, a public celebration of Lord Ganesha, was popularised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in the late 19th century as a means to foster unity and nationalism during British rule. In 2025, Maharashtra government officially declared the festival as a “state festival”. The government will now bear the cost of organising and promoting the festival across the state, including installations, events, and cultural programmes. This move recognizes the religious, social, and historical importance of Ganeshotsav in the state and aims to promote cultural tourism and community participation.
Q.2) Which Indian state has launched the ‘Gajah Mitra’ scheme to address human-elephant conflict?
[a] Kerala
[b] Odisha
[c] Assam
[d] Karnataka
View Answer
Answer: [c] Assam
Explanation:
‘Gajah Mitra’ Scheme was recently approved by the Assam Government to mitigate rising incidents of human-elephant conflict in the state. The scheme will cover 80 high-conflict zones and aims to develop sustainable elephant habitats. As part of habitat enrichment, the scheme will include the plantation of bamboo and Napier grass, which are both major components of an elephant’s natural diet. This initiative reflects a community-inclusive conservation model, balancing ecological preservation with human safety.
Q.3) Which UN official was sanctioned by the United States for her criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza?
[a] Agnès Callamard
[b] Francesca Albanese
[c] Navi Pillay
[d] Michelle Bachelet
View Answer
Answer: [b] Francesca Albanese
Explanation:
Francesca Albanese is the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. The United States imposed sanctions on her in response to her public and formal criticisms of Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which she described as “acts of genocide” and violations of international law in official UN reports. Albanese has been vocal in various international forums about human rights abuses in the conflict and accountability under international humanitarian law. This move marks a rare instance of a UN official being sanctioned by a permanent member of the Security Council.
Q.4) What is the primary objective of the TALASH initiative launched by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS)?
[a] Promote tribal languages in schools
[b] Empower tribal students through education, life skills, and employability
[c] Provide mid-day meals in tribal areas
[d] Facilitate tribal cultural festivals
View Answer
Answer: [b] Empower tribal students through education, life skills, and employability
Explanation:
TALASH (Tribal Advancement through Learning and Skill Holistics) is a comprehensive initiative by NESTS to uplift tribal students. It focuses on education, life skills, career counselling, and employability of students in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). The initiative is supported by: UNICEF India – for inclusive education frameworks and skill development; Tata Motors – for industry-linked training and exposure; Ex-Navodayan Foundation – for mentoring and academic support. The programme will reach over 1.3 lakh tribal students across India. This is part of the government’s push to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education for tribal communities.
Q.5) Which country currently tops the FIFA Men’s World Rankings as of June 2025?
[a] France
[b] Brazil
[c] Argentina
[d] Spain
View Answer
Answer: [c] Argentina
Explanation:
As of June 2025, India dropped to 133rd place in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings — its lowest in 9 years. The drop follows two crucial match losses in June 2025, impacting its international points tally. Argentina retained its top position in FIFA Rankings among 210 countries, followed by Spain, France, England, Brazil, and others. India’s previous highest ranking was 96th in 2017 (under coach Stephen Constantine). FIFA Rankings are determined by a team’s match results, with more weight given to competitive matches and stronger opponents.
Q.6) India has been selected to host which major international shooting event in 2027?
[a] ISSF Junior World Cup
[b] ISSF World Cup
[c] World Archery Championship
[d] Commonwealth Shooting Championship
View Answer
Answer: [b] ISSF World Cup
Explanation:
India will host the ISSF World Cup in 2027, a major event in global shooting sports. India will also organize the ISSF World Junior Championship in 2028, highlighting the country’s growing influence in global shooting competitions. The announcement was made by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), the official body governing shooting sport in India. The events are being held under the aegis of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF). These developments reflect India’s rising prominence in Olympic sports infrastructure and organization, and will help promote shooting sports among Indian youth.
Q.7) Telangana received the IESA Industry Excellence Award 2025 under which category?
[a] Green Energy Leadership
[b] State Leadership in EV Policy
[c] State Leadership in Battery Manufacturing
[d] Best Solar Adoption State
View Answer
Answer: [c] State Leadership in Battery Manufacturing
Explanation:
Telangana was awarded the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Industry Excellence Award 2025. The award falls under the State Leadership category in Battery Manufacturing. It was presented during the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) held in New Delhi. The recognition highlights Telangana’s leadership in energy technology innovation, driven by: Progressive industrial policies, Robust infrastructure for battery manufacturing and Supportive ecosystem for clean energy startups and research.
Q.8) Which Indian state launched ‘Operation Kalanemi’ to crack down on fake saints and sadhus?
[a] Uttar Pradesh
[b] Rajasthan
[c] Uttarakhand
[d] Madhya Pradesh
View Answer
Answer: [c] Uttarakhand
Explanation:
Operation Kalanemi is named after a mythological demon (asura) known for deceiving people in disguise, reflecting the strategy of fake saints who mislead the public for personal gain. The Uttarakhand police arrested 82 fake babas under this drive. This operation is part of the state’s effort to safeguard devotees and spiritual seekers from exploitation, especially in a state known for its holy sites like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Kedarnath. The crackdown highlights the need for regulating spiritual tourism and ensuring authenticity in religious practices.
Q.9) What is the name of the newly launched digital service portal by MSTC?
[a] MetalKart
[b] DigiScrap
[c] Upkaran E-Portal
[d] e-Marketplace
View Answer
Answer: [c] Upkaran E-Portal
Explanation:
MSTC Ltd, a Mini Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Steel and Heavy Industries, inaugurated its new corporate office at Narojinagar, World Trade Center, New Delhi. The Upkaran E-Portal was also launched at the same event to expand MSTC’s digital offerings, especially for refurbished equipment and tools. The portal aims to streamline disposal, resale, and acquisition of idle and refurbished machinery, enhancing transparency and efficiency in government and industrial transactions. This initiative is aligned with the Digital India vision and pushes forward circular economy principles by promoting reuse.