Q.1) Who has been recommended to become the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI)?
[a] Justice Sanjiv Khanna
[b] Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
[c] Justice B.R. Gavai
[d] Justice N.V. Ramana
View Answer
Answer: [c] Justice B.R. Gavai
Explanation:
Justice B.R. Gavai is set to become 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI), taking oath on May 14, 2025. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who took over as CJI on November 11, 2024, recommended his senior-most colleague, Justice Gavai, before his own retirement scheduled for May 13, 2025. Justice Gavai will succeed Justice Khanna, continuing the tradition of appointing the senior-most Supreme Court judge as CJI. Retirement age for Supreme Court judges in India: 65 years. Justice B.R. Gavai will also be among the few CJIs from a Scheduled Caste (SC) background, reflecting the importance of diversity and representation in India’s judiciary.
Q.2) Which Indian state currently holds the highest number of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged products?
[a] Tamil Nadu
[b] Maharashtra
[c] Uttar Pradesh
[d] Karnataka
View Answer
Answer: [c] Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has become the state with the most GI (Geographical Indication) certified products in India, boasting 77 GI tags, moving past Tamil Nadu which has 58. In 2007-08, UP had only one GI-tagged product — the famous Allahabad Surkha Guava. Varanasi alone contributes 32 GI-certified products, the highest from a single district in India. Among UP’s newly recognized GI products are:
- Tharu Embroidery
- Banarasi Shehnai
- Banarasi Tabla
- Banarasi Bharwan Mirch (spicy stuffed chilli)
- Banaras Metal Casting Craft
Q.3) Who presented the MacGregor Memorial Medal for the years 2023 and 2024?
[a] Chief of Army Staff
[b] Chief of Defence Staff
[c] President of India
[d] Defence Minister of India
View Answer
Answer: [b] Chief of Defence Staff
Explanation:
The MacGregor Memorial Medal is a prestigious military award presented for outstanding contributions in military reconnaissance, exploration, and adventure. For the years 2023 and 2024, five military personnel were honored with this award. The medals were conferred by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan. It continues to recognize and promote the spirit of adventure, courage, and exploration among India’s military forces.
Q.4) Which organization, along with Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), successfully tested India’s first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) transmission?
[a] ISRO
[b] C-DAC
[c] C-DOT
[d] DRDO
View Answer
Answer: [c] C-DOT
Explanation:
C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics), in collaboration with Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL), successfully achieved India’s first Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over 4-core Multi-Core Fibre (MCF). Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a next-generation secure communication method that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to encrypt information, making it virtually unhackable.
This is a significant milestone in India’s efforts to build quantum-secure communication networks, critical for sectors like defence, banking, and critical infrastructure. The success supports the country’s vision of a secure digital future and aligns with national initiatives on quantum technologies.
Q.5) Where will the headquarters of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) be established?
[a] USA
[b] India
[c] UK
[d] South Africa
View Answer
Answer: [b] India
Explanation:
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a global initiative launched on April 9, 2023, during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. Indian Government and IBCA have signed an agreement to establish the Alliance’s headquarters and secretariat in India, reinforcing India’s leadership in wildlife conservation efforts. The IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven major big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah. This move strengthens India’s global role in wildlife conservation and environmental leadership.
Q.6) Which two countries recorded historic firsts by having their first-ever geoparks designated by UNESCO?
[a] India and Saudi ArabiA
[b] North Korea and Saudi Arabia
[c] Brazil and North Korea
[d] China and Saudi Arabia
View Answer
Answer: [b] North Korea and Saudi Arabia
Explanation:
UNESCO announced the designation of 16 new global geoparks during the 10th Anniversary of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGPs) celebrations. This expansion brings the total number of geoparks to 229 sites across 50 countries. Notably, North Korea and Saudi Arabia have had geoparks recognized for the first time in history, marking a major milestone for these countries. UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development.
Q.7) Where is India’s first Quantum Computing Village being established?
[a] Bengaluru, Karnataka
[b] Pune, Maharashtra
[c] Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
[d] Hyderabad, Telangana
View Answer
Answer: [c] Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:
India has announced the establishment of its first Quantum Computing Village in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh. The project is supported by global and national tech leaders like IBM, TCS, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The initiative aims to develop a world-class ecosystem focused on quantum hardware, collaborative research, and innovation. This strategic move will help position India at the forefront of global quantum technology development, advancing India’s capabilities in cutting-edge scientific domains.
Q.8) Which Indian institute secured the top position among Indian institutes in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings 2025?
[a] IIT Delhi
[b] Anna University
[c] Indian Institute of Science
[d] IIT Bombay
View Answer
Answer: [c] Indian Institute of Science
Explanation:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) topped among Indian institutions, securing the 38th position in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Rankings 2025. This performance highlights the increasing global recognition of India’s higher education standards, especially in research and innovation. Other notable Indian entries in the list:
Mahatma Gandhi University: 140th position
Anna University: 111th position
IIT Indore: 131st position