Q.1) Which Indian NGO became the first Indian organisation to win the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award?
[a] Pratham
[b] Educate Girls
[c] Smile Foundation
[d] Akshaya Patra Foundation
View Answer
Answer: [b] Educate Girls
Explanation:
Foundation to Educate Girls Globally (Educate Girls) has been awarded the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Award, often called the “Nobel Prize of Asia.” This makes it the first Indian organisation to receive this prestigious honour. The award recognised Educate Girls for: Tackling cultural stereotypes that prevent girls from attending school; Promoting education of girls and young women; Helping liberate them from illiteracy; Equipping them with skills, courage, and agency to achieve their potential.
Q.2) The International Day of Enforced Disappearances is observed every year on which date?
[a] 28 August
[b] 29 August
[c] 30 August
[d] 1 September
View Answer
Answer: [c] 30 August
Explanation:
International Day of Enforced Disappearances is observed annually on 30 August. It aims to draw global attention to the fate of individuals who are arrested, detained, or imprisoned under conditions unknown to their relatives or legal representatives. The day highlights issues such as: Enforced disappearances as a violation of human rights; Families being denied information on the whereabouts of their loved ones; The urgent need to end impunity for such practices.
Q.3) Power Finance Corporation (PFC) recently signed a EUR 150 million loan agreement with which German financial institution to fund India’s power sector reforms?
[a] Deutsche Bank
[b] KfW
[c] Commerzbank
[d] European Investment Bank
View Answer
Answer: [b] KfW
Explanation:
Power Finance Corporation (PFC), a state-owned power sector finance company, signed a EUR 150 million loan pact with German development bank KfW. The loan will fund projects under the Government’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Objective of RDSS: Revamp India’s power distribution sector; Reduce AT&C (Aggregate Technical & Commercial) losses; Improve operational efficiency of DISCOMs; Ensure reliable 24×7 power supply to consumers. This financing from KfW (Germany’s state-owned development bank) will also promote adoption of smart distribution technologies, modernization, and sustainability in India’s power sector.
Q.4) The traditional harvest festival ‘Nuakhai’, celebrated in Western Odisha, is associated with which of the following?
[a] Offering of first harvest to deity
[b] Worship of rivers
[c] Tribal dance festival
[d] Temple car festival
View Answer
Answer: [a] Offering of first harvest to deity
Explanation:
Nuakhai is a major harvest festival of Western Odisha, celebrated with devotion and community spirit. The word ‘Nua’ means new and ‘Khai’ means food, symbolizing the first consumption of newly harvested crops. The central ritual involves offering the first harvested produce (Nabanna) to the presiding deity Maa Samaleswari, the revered Goddess of Sambalpur.
Q.5) Which ministry released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2024?
[a] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[b] Ministry of Power
[c] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[d] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Power
Explanation:
Ministry of Power released the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2024. The index is a key tool for: Institutionalising state-level data monitoring, tracking energy footprint management across states/UTs, promoting best practices in energy efficiency and fostering competitive improvements among states. SEEI is developed to encourage states to take proactive measures for reducing energy consumption and improving overall efficiency in power usage. It helps in aligning with India’s national goals on energy transition and commitments under climate action (COP & SDGs). Implementing Body: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under Ministry of Power
Q.6) Ajaya Babu Valluri, who recently won gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025, has also qualified for which upcoming event?
[a] Asian Games 2026
[b] Paris Olympics 2024
[c] Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow)
[d] World Weightlifting Championships 2025
View Answer
Answer: [c] Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow)
Explanation:
Ajaya Babu Valluri clinched a gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025, held in Ahmedabad, India. His win secured automatic qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. In this championship, winners in each senior weightlifting category directly qualify for the Commonwealth Games 2026. India continues to show strong performance in weightlifting, a sport where it has historically won multiple medals at CWG events (notably by lifters like Mirabai Chanu).