Q.1) Recently, Parliamentary Friendship Groups (PFGs) were constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker with how many countries to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation?
[a] 32 countries
[b] 48 countries
[c] 64 countries
[d] 75 countries
View Answer
Answer: [c] 64 countries
Explanation:
In a major initiative to deepen India’s parliamentary diplomacy, Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups (PFGs) with 64 countries. The objective is to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation and legislative dialogue, enhancing India’s engagement with global legislatures. These Friendship Groups bring together Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum, reflecting bipartisan participation in parliamentary outreach. The initiative aims to promote mutual understanding, exchange of best legislative practices, and stronger diplomatic ties through parliamentary channels.
Q.2) The recently signed MoUs to implement a Standard Framework and Road Asset Management System (RAMS) in Delhi-NCR aim primarily to address which major pollution component?
[a] Sulphur dioxide (SO₂)
[b] Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
[c] PM10 caused by road dust
[d] Carbon monoxide (CO)
View Answer
Answer: [c] PM10 caused by road dust
Explanation:
Public Works Department (PWD) and urban departments of Delhi and NCR states- Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan along with expert institutes, signed MoUs to implement a Standard Framework and Road Asset Management System (RAMS) in the National Capital Region (NCR). The initiative aims to tackle road dust, a major contributor to PM10 pollution, which significantly affects air quality in the Delhi-NCR region. The MoUs align with the standard framework for paving and greening of urban roads issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).
Q.3) The indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine, recently launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has been introduced under which programme?
[a] Ayushman Bharat
[b] National Health Mission
[c] Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
[d] Mission Indradhanush
View Answer
Answer: [c] Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
Explanation:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine at the Central Research Institute Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. With its formal launch, the Td vaccine has been introduced for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). The Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, will supply 55 lakh doses to the UIP by April 2026, with production expected to scale up in subsequent years.
Q.4) Exercise ‘Agni Varsha 2026’, recently conducted by the Indian Army, was held at which location?
[a] Mahajan Field Firing Range
[b] Pokhran Field Firing Range
[c] Babina Military Station
[d] Longewala Sector
View Answer
Answer: [b] Pokhran Field Firing Range
Explanation:
Indian Army, under the aegis of Headquarters Southern Command, conducted the Integrated Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise (IFME) ‘Agni Varsha’ 2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The exercise was conducted in desert and semi-desert terrain to validate operational preparedness and integrated combat capabilities in the Desert Sector. It demonstrated the Army’s enhanced combat readiness, jointness, synchronised manoeuvre, and precision firepower under near-battlefield conditions.
Q.5) Projects worth over ₹1,500 crore were recently inaugurated and launched at which major port in Tamil Nadu?
[a] Chennai Port
[b] Kamarajar Port
[c] V.O. Chidambaranar Port
[d] Cochin Port
View Answer
Answer: [c] V.O. Chidambaranar Port
Explanation:
Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The projects focus on infrastructure expansion, renewable energy integration, and digital modernisation at the port, enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum was inaugurated — an immersive institution dedicated to India’s maritime legacy and the contributions of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaranar.
Q.6) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently signed a financing package of up to USD 108 million with which Indian company to expand affordable housing and MSME lending?
[a] LIC Housing Finance
[b] Aavas Financiers Limited
[c] HUDCO
[d] PNB Housing Finance
View Answer
Answer: [b] Aavas Financiers Limited
Explanation:
Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a senior secured debt financing package of up to USD 108 million (in Indian rupee equivalent) with Aavas Financiers Limited. The funding aims to expand access to: Affordable housing loans for lower-income households AND Business loans for MSMEs in underserved states across India. Out of the total package, USD 8 million (in Indian rupee equivalent) will be provided as concessional debt financing through the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA). The initiative supports financial inclusion, affordable housing expansion, and MSME credit penetration in less-served regions of the country.
Q.7) The Export Promotion Mission (EPM), recently in news, is implemented by which Ministry?
[a] Ministry of MSME
[b] Ministry of Finance
[c] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[d] Ministry of External Affairs
View Answer
Answer: [c] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Explanation:
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has launched seven additional interventions under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to strengthen India’s export ecosystem. The Export Promotion Mission (EPM) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Commerce aimed at empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access global markets. The Mission adopts a holistic ecosystem approach and is structured around two core pillars: Niryat Protsahan – Focused on financial enablers for exporters AND Niryat Disha – Focused on trade ecosystem support.
Q.8) The Pax Silica Initiative, recently joined by India, primarily focuses on which of the following areas?
[a] Climate finance and carbon markets
[b] Artificial Intelligence and supply chain security
[c] Maritime security in Indo-Pacific
[d] Nuclear non-proliferation
View Answer
Answer: [b] Artificial Intelligence and supply chain security
Explanation:
India recently joined the Pax Silica Initiative (2025) by signing the Pax Silica Declaration, along with a bilateral Joint Statement on the India–US AI Opportunity Partnership. The initiative is a US-led framework focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and supply chain security, aimed at building a new economic security consensus among allies and trusted partners. India’s participation strengthens technology cooperation under the Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology (TRUST) initiative in India–US relations.
Q.9) Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II), recently launched by the Union Government, expands its focus to include villages along which of the following borders?
[a] Only China border
[b] China and Pakistan borders only
[c] Borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar
[d] All coastal districts of India
View Answer
Answer: [c] Borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar
Explanation:
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) from Nathanpur village in Assam’s Cachar district. The programme aims to strengthen border villages and promote inclusive development in strategically important border areas. While Vibrant Villages Programme–I (VVP–I) focused exclusively on villages along the northern (China) border, the second phase significantly expands coverage to include border villages along: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan. This marks a strategic shift toward comprehensive border area development beyond the northern frontier.
Q.10) The “Meri Parampara – Meri Virasat” initiative, recently conceptualised by the Government of India, is primarily aimed at:
[a] Promoting rural tourism
[b] Digitally preserving tribal cultural heritage in Scheduled Areas
[c] Expanding Panchayat infrastructure
[d] Promoting tribal handicraft exports
View Answer
Answer: [b] Digitally preserving tribal cultural heritage in Scheduled Areas
Explanation:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has conceptualised the Meri Parampara – Meri Virasat initiative to document and digitally preserve the rich cultural heritage of tribal communities residing in Scheduled Areas. The initiative focuses on the comprehensive documentation and digital preservation of tribal traditions, including: Folk songs, Festivals, Oral traditions, Customary governance systems, Worship practices, Traditional art forms.
Q.11) The SAHI and BODH initiatives, recently launched in India, are related to which sector?
[a] Agriculture AI
[b] Defence AI
[c] Healthcare AI
[d] Fintech regulation
View Answer
Answer: [c] Healthcare AI
Explanation:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched two major initiatives — Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI) and Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH) — at the India AI Summit held at Bharat Mandapam. These initiatives aim to build a robust, responsible, and globally competitive health AI ecosystem in India. SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) is a national guidance framework designed to enable the:
Q.12) ‘Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima’, recently launched by the Government of India, is meant for which beneficiaries?
[a] Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries
[b] State Government employees
[c] CGHS beneficiaries
[d] All senior citizens above 60 years
View Answer
Answer: [c] CGHS beneficiaries
Explanation:
Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance has launched Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries to enhance their financial well-being and social security. The scheme is being implemented by New India Assurance Company Limited. Objective is to complement existing CGHS benefits by providing expanded, flexible, and seamless healthcare access, thereby strengthening financial protection for beneficiaries.
Q.13) Bharat-VISTAAR Phase 1, recently launched in Jaipur, is primarily related to which sector?
[a] Health
[b] Agriculture
[c] Rural Housing
[d] Digital Payments
View Answer
Answer: [b] Agriculture
Explanation:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare launched Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) Phase-1 from Jaipur. Bharat-VISTAAR is a farmer-centric, AI-powered Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the agriculture sector. It aims to integrate agricultural resources virtually and provide multilingual, accessible, and technology-enabled support to farmers. The initiative was announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, highlighting the government’s push towards AI-driven agricultural governance and digital empowerment of farmers.
Q.14) PM RAHAT Scheme, recently approved by the Prime Minister, is related to:
[a] Health insurance for senior citizens
[b] Free treatment for cancer patients
[c] Cashless treatment for road accident victims during the Golden Hour
[d] Emergency flood relief assistance
View Answer
Answer: [c] Cashless treatment for road accident victims during the Golden Hour
Explanation:
The Prime Minister approved the launch of PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme to ensure that road accident victims receive immediate life-saving treatment during the critical “Golden Hour” without upfront payment. The scheme aims to remove financial barriers that delay emergency medical care and to build a technology-driven emergency response ecosystem. Golden Hour is the first one hour after a traumatic injury. Timely medical intervention during this period significantly improves survival chances.
Q.15) The PM RAHAT Scheme recently approved by the Government of India primarily aims to:
[a] Provide insurance coverage to all senior citizens
[b] Ensure cashless treatment for road accident victims during the Golden Hour
[c] Promote road infrastructure development
[d] Provide compensation to accident victims’ families
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ensure cashless treatment for road accident victims during the Golden Hour
Explanation:
The Prime Minister approved the launch of PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme to ensure that road accident victims receive immediate life-saving treatment during the critical “Golden Hour” without upfront payment. The scheme is designed to eliminate financial barriers that delay emergency medical care and to strengthen India’s trauma response ecosystem. Objectives of PM RAHAT is to provide assured, cashless, and time-bound medical treatment to road accident victims and ensure life-saving intervention during the Golden Hour.
Q.16) The Lakhpati Didi Initiative, whose target has recently been revised to 6 crore beneficiaries, is implemented under which scheme?
[a] National Rural Employment Guarantee Act
[b] Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission
[c] Stand-Up India Scheme
[d] Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
View Answer
Answer: [b] Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission
Explanation:
Government has doubled the target of the Lakhpati Didi Initiative to 6 crore rural women, aiming for completion by March 2029. This follows the successful achievement of the earlier target of 3 crore women ahead of the original March 2027 timeline. The initiative operates under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. A Lakhpati Didi is defined as a Self-Help Group (SHG) member with a sustainable annual household income of ₹1,00,000 or more. The programme focuses on strengthening livelihood opportunities, financial inclusion, skill development, and entrepreneurship among rural women across India.
Q.17) The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), whose loan target has recently been doubled to ₹2 lakh crore, is primarily aimed at:
[a] Direct income support to farmers
[b] Financing post-harvest and agri-infrastructure projects
[c] Subsidising fertilisers
[d] Promoting organic farming
Answer: [b] Financing post-harvest and agri-infrastructure projects
Explanation:
The Government of India has officially doubled the loan target of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹2 lakh crore to strengthen India’s agricultural infrastructure ecosystem. The expansion aims to accelerate the development of critical post-harvest infrastructure such as cold chains, warehouses, grading and processing units, and community farming assets. By improving storage and supply chain facilities, the scheme seeks to reduce post-harvest losses, minimise wastage, stabilise prices, and ultimately enhance farmers’ incomes. AIF provides medium to long-term debt financing for viable infrastructure projects with support in the form of interest subvention and credit guarantee. The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme and will remain operational from 2020–21 to 2029–30.
Q.18) Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0), recently approved by the Government of India, has a total corpus of:
[a] ₹5,000 crore
[b] ₹7,500 crore
[c] ₹10,000 crore
[d] ₹15,000 crore
View Answer
Answer: [c] ₹10,000 crore
Explanation:
Government has approved the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0) with a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore to accelerate India’s startup ecosystem. This second phase builds upon the original Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS 1.0) launched in 2016 under the broader Startup India initiative. FoF 2.0 is aimed at mobilising long-term domestic venture capital, strengthening indigenous funding capacity, and reducing reliance on foreign capital inflows. Rather than directly investing in startups, the Fund of Funds model channels investments through SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which then invest in startups.
Q.19) The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), recently approved by the Government of India, requires cities to mobilise at least what percentage of project financing from market sources to qualify for central assistance?
[a] 25%
[b] 40%
[c] 50%
[d] 75%
View Answer
Answer: [c] 50%
Explanation:
Government of India has approved the launch of the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) with a total Central Assistance (CA) of ₹1 lakh crore. The fund is designed to transform urban infrastructure through a reform-driven and competitive “challenge-based” model. Under this framework, cities must mobilise a minimum of 50% of project costs through market financing mechanisms, such as municipal bonds, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and bank loans. Upon meeting this requirement, they become eligible for 25% central assistance, thereby promoting fiscal discipline, creditworthiness, and sustainable financing practices.
Q.20) The CBDC-based Digital Food Currency Pilot integrates which of the following into India’s Public Distribution System (PDS)?
[a] UPI-linked smart cards
[b] Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfers only
[c] RBI’s Digital Rupee (e₹)
[d] Blockchain-based ration tokens
View Answer
Answer: [c] RBI’s Digital Rupee (e₹)
Explanation:
The CBDC-based Digital Food Currency Pilot is a landmark reform in India’s Public Distribution System (PDS), launched by the Government of India to enhance transparency and efficiency in food subsidy delivery. The initiative integrates the Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Rupee (e₹) into the welfare delivery framework. Under this system, the government uses programmable Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), which allows funds to be “locked” for a specific purpose, in this case, food subsidy purchases. This ensures that benefits are purpose-bound, transparent, and leakage-free, reducing diversion and misuse.