Q.1) According to the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025 released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, which sector recorded the highest growth in Gross Value Added (GVA)?
[a] Manufacturing
[b] Trade
[c] Services
[d] Construction
View Answer
Answer: [b] Trade
Explanation:
As per ASUSE 2025, Gross Value Added (GVA) of the unincorporated sector grew by 10.87%, with the trade sector registering the highest growth at 16.77%. The survey also reported an increase in establishments to 7.92 crore, employment to 12.81 crore workers, and improvements in female participation (27%) and digital adoption (internet usage rising to 39.4%).
Q.2) With reference to the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following statements:
- The scheme has a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore for the period FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36.
- It aims to develop 100 airports and build 200 helipads.
- The scheme does not provide any financial support to airlines for operating regional routes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[a] 1 and 2 only
[b] 2 and 3 only
[c] 1 and 3 only
[d] 1, 2 and 3
View Answer
Answer: [a] 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
The Regional Connectivity Scheme – Modified UDAN, approved by the Union Cabinet, has a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36 to strengthen regional air connectivity. It aims to develop 100 airports and construct 200 helipads. The scheme also provides Viability Gap Funding (₹10,043 crore) to airlines to support regional routes, making statement 3 incorrect. It further includes funding for aerodrome development, operations and maintenance, and procurement of indigenous aircraft like HAL Dhruv helicopters and HAL Dornier aircraft, contributing to tourism, trade, emergency services, and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.
Q.3) The Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme, recently approved for continuation, was originally launched in which year?
[a] 2005
[b] 2010
[c] 2015
[d] 2020
View Answer
Answer: [b] 2010
Explanation:
The Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme was launched in 2010 to integrate immigration, visa issuance, and foreigner management through digital platforms while enhancing national security. The Union Cabinet has approved its continuation for 2026–2031 with an outlay of ₹1,800 crore. The upgraded system will cover 117 Immigration Posts, 15 FRROs, and 854 FROs/SPs/DCPs, and includes features like a 100% contactless e-visa process (91.24% approvals within 72 hours) and faster immigration clearance (2.5–3 minutes), further reduced to ~30 seconds under the Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Traveller Programme at 13 major airports.
Q.4) The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, recently seen in news, replaced which of the following schemes?
[a] Advance Authorization Scheme and EPCG Scheme
[b] Merchandise Exports from India Scheme and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme
[c] Production Linked Incentive Scheme and Startup India Scheme
[d] Foreign Trade Policy Scheme and SEZ Scheme
View Answer
Answer: [b] Merchandise Exports from India Scheme and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies Scheme
Explanation:
The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, launched on 1 January 2021, replaced the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) and the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme. It refunds embedded central, state, and local taxes not covered under GST through transferable e-scrips. The scheme covers over 10,000 export items, accounting for around 75% of traded goods and 65% of India’s exports, thereby enhancing global competitiveness.
Q.5) The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, recently seen in news, is announced every year on which occasion?
[a] Death anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose
[b] Independence Day
[c] Birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose
[d] National Disaster Reduction Day
View Answer
Answer: [c] Birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose
Explanation:
Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is a national award instituted by the Government of India to recognise outstanding contributions in disaster management. It is announced annually on 23 January, the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. For 2026, the award was conferred on the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (Institutional category) and Seeta Ashok Shelke (Individual category). The award recognises efforts in prevention, preparedness, response, rehabilitation, research, early warning, and capacity building. Nominations are open to individuals, government bodies, NGOs, academic institutions, and private organisations through the National Awards Portal.
Q.6) The National AI Skilling Initiative, recently launched by the Government of India, is implemented in collaboration with which of the following organisations?
[a] Microsoft and Amazon
[b] Google and YouTube
[c] Meta and Netflix
[d] IBM and Adobe
View Answer
Answer: [b] Google and YouTube
Explanation:
The National AI Skilling Initiative was launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to strengthen India’s media, broadcasting, and digital ecosystem and promote the Orange Economy. It is implemented in collaboration with Google and YouTube through the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, targeting 15,000 participants in AVGC and media technology sectors. The initiative is part of a broader push that also includes the MyWAVES platform and rollout of Advanced EPG for DD Free Dish.
Q.7) The World Water Day Conclave 2026, recently held in New Delhi, was organised by which of the following ministries?
[a] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[b] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[c] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[d] Ministry of Rural Development
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Jal Shakti
Explanation:
The World Water Day Conclave 2026 was organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi under the theme “Industry for Water”, focusing on sustainable water management and efficient water use. Several important reports were released, including the 7th Minor Irrigation Census, 2nd Census of Water Bodies, 1st Census of Springs, 1st Census of Major & Medium Irrigation Projects, and the National Water Data Policy 2026, along with publications by the National Mission for Clean Ganga, Central Ground Water Board, and National River Conservation Directorate. The event also felicitated 19 winners of the Jal Shakti Hackathon for innovative water solutions.
Q.8) The Rural Internal Audit Portal, recently operationalised in India, was developed by which of the following organisations?
[a] National Informatics Centre
[b] NITI Aayog
[c] Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
[d] Election Commission of India
View Answer
Answer: [a] National Informatics Centre
Explanation:
The Rural Internal Audit Portal was operationalised by the Ministry of Rural Development to transform audit processes from manual systems to a real-time, centralised digital ecosystem. It was developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The portal features a real-time dashboard, Action Taken Report (ATR) monitoring, automated escalation mechanisms, and role-based secure access. It enables centralised tracking of audit observations from field level to headquarters, with Secretary-level oversight. The system supports 365-day compliance monitoring, advanced data analytics, and evidence-based decision-making.
Q.9) The GARBH-INi Initiative, recently seen in news, is primarily aimed at addressing which of the following health issues?
[a] Maternal anaemia
[b] Preterm births
[c] Infant malnutrition
[d] Communicable diseases
View Answer
Answer: [b] Preterm births
Explanation:
The GARBH-INi (Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes) Initiative is India’s largest pregnancy cohort study involving around 12,000 women, aimed at reducing preterm births (PTB), a major cause of neonatal mortality and long-term morbidity. It was launched in 2015 by the Department of Biotechnology and is led by Translational Health Science and Technology Institute under Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council, with collaboration from IIT Madras and IIT Delhi. Implemented under Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission (UNaTI), study tracks women from early pregnancy to six months postpartum, using AI, multi-omics, and imaging data to develop predictive models for preterm birth and fetal growth restriction (FGR).
Q.10) The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes (VCF-ST), recently seen in news, is implemented by which of the following ministries?
[a] Ministry of Finance
[b] Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
[c] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[d] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
View Answer
Answer: [c] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Explanation:
The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Tribes (VCF-ST) was launched in February 2024 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote entrepreneurship and financial inclusion among Scheduled Tribes. It has an initial corpus of ₹50 crore and is managed by IFCI Venture Capital Funds Ltd.. The scheme provides equity/debt funding of ₹10 lakh to ₹5 crore (up to 75% of project cost) and incubation support up to ₹10 lakh annually for 3 years. Loans carry 4% interest (3.75% for women and Divyang ST entrepreneurs) with a tenure up to 10 years and a 36-month moratorium.
Q.11) Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, how much financial assistance is provided annually to eligible farmers?
[a] ₹4,000
[b] ₹5,000
[c] ₹6,000
[d] ₹10,000
View Answer
Answer: [c] ₹6,000
Explanation:
PM-KISAN, launched in 2019, is a Central Sector Scheme that provides ₹6,000 per year to eligible landholding farmer families in three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. The 22nd installment was released from Guwahati, Assam, by Narendra Modi, benefiting over 9.32 crore farmers. Since inception, more than ₹4.27 lakh crore has been disbursed. Initially meant for small and marginal farmers, the scheme now covers all landholding farmers with certain exclusions (e.g., MPs/MLAs, government employees, income taxpayers, etc.).