Q.1) India ranks first globally in which of the following agricultural products, as highlighted in recent data on the agriculture sector?
[a] Rice and wheat
[b] Cotton and tea
[c] Pulses and millets
[d] Sugarcane and fruits
View Answer
Answer: [c] Pulses and millets
Explanation:
India is the world’s largest producer of pulses and millets (Shree Anna), while ranking second in rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, cotton and tea. The agriculture sector contributed ~20% to GVA, supports about 55% of the population, and recorded record foodgrain production of 357.73 MMT in 2024–25, reflecting strong growth and global leadership.
Q.2) According to the National Household Survey 2024 on textiles, which fibre category dominates India’s textile market?
[a] Cotton
[b] Silk
[c] MMF & blended fibres
[d] Wool
View Answer
Answer: [c] MMF & blended fibres
Explanation:
The report by the Ministry of Textiles shows that MMF (man-made fibres) and blended fibres dominate India’s textile market with a 52% share, followed by cotton (41.2%). The total market reached ₹14.95 lakh crore in 2024, with rising demand for sustainable and technical textiles and significant rural consumption (~58%).
Q.3) The ‘Jiyo Parsi Scheme’, recently seen in news, is implemented by which of the following ministries?
[a] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[b] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[c] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[d] Ministry of Women and Child Development
View Answer
Answer: [b] Ministry of Minority Affairs
Explanation:
The Jiyo Parsi Scheme, launched in 2013–14 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, aims to reverse the declining Parsi population through medical assistance, financial support, and advocacy measures. It provides aid for infertility treatment, child care, elderly support, and promotes family formation through counselling and outreach initiatives.
Q.4) The Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE), recently launched in India, is conducted under which Act?
[a] Companies Act, 2013
[b] Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
[c] Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951
[d] Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008
View Answer
Answer: [b] Collection of Statistics Act, 2008
Explanation:
ASISSE, launched by the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, is conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. It fills the data gap for the incorporated services sector, which contributes over 50% to India’s GDP, covering about 1.21 lakh enterprises across multiple service industries.
Q.5) The BioNEST (Bioincubators Nurturing Entrepreneurship for Scaling Technologies) scheme is implemented by which organisation?
[a] Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
[b] Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
[c] Department of Science and Technology
[d] NITI Aayog
View Answer
Answer: [b] Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council
Explanation:
BioNEST is a scheme of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology. It supports biotech startups through incubation infrastructure, mentorship and commercialization support. BIRAC has established 65+ bioincubators across India to promote innovation and industry–academia collaboration.
Q.6) The Minerals Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 allow inclusion of contiguous areas up to what percentage for Composite Licences (CL)?
[a] 10%
[b] 20%
[c] 30%
[d] 50%
View Answer
Answer: [c] 30%
Explanation:
The amended rules permit one-time inclusion of contiguous areas up to 30% for Composite Licences (CL) and 10% for Mining Leases (ML). The amendment rules were notified by the Ministry of Mines to boost exploration of critical and deep-seated minerals. This reform aims to enhance mineral exploration efficiency, especially for critical and deep-seated minerals, while improving ease of doing business in the mining sector.
Q.7) Under which provision of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 are National Biodiversity Repositories designated in India?
[a] Section 21
[b] Section 25
[c] Section 39
[d] Section 48
View Answer
Answer: [c] Section 39
Explanation:
Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 empowers the government to designate National Biodiversity Repositories for safe custody of biological resources and voucher specimens. Recently, the National Biodiversity Authority designated two new repositories Bhavasagara (CMLRE, Kochi) and MACS Collection at Agharkar Research Institute, Pune raising the total to 18.
Q.8) The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which recently launched ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana, operates under which organisation?
[a] Ministry of Education
[b] NITI Aayog
[c] Department of Science and Technology
[d] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
View Answer
Answer: [b] NITI Aayog
Explanation:
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), launched in 2016, functions under NITI Aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. It runs 10,000+ Atal Tinkering Labs and 72+ incubation centres. AIM 2.0 (₹2,750 crore till 2028) expands grassroots innovation, while ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy strengthen mentorship, teacher training and startup pathways.
Q.9) Project Chetak, recently seen in news, is associated with which organisation?
[a] National Highways Authority of India
[b] Border Roads Organisation
[c] Indian Army Corps of Engineers
[d] Central Public Works Department
View Answer
Answer: [b] Border Roads Organisation
Explanation:
Project Chetak is a major project of the Border Roads Organisation, operating in the western sector (Punjab, Rajasthan, northern Gujarat). It maintains over 4,000 km of roads and key border infrastructure. BRO, established in 1960 under the Ministry of Defence, plays a crucial role in strategic connectivity and defence mobility.
Q.10) The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Food Processing Industry, recently seen in news, is implemented by which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[b] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[c] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
[d] Ministry of Consumer Affairs
View Answer
Answer: [c] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Explanation:
The PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry is implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore (FY 2021–22 to 2026–27). It supports RTC/RTE foods, marine and processed products, promotes SME innovation, and branding abroad. It also encourages millet-based products, with 128 companies (including MSMEs) approved across 22 states.
Q.11) ‘bob SAMVAD’, recently launched in India, is associated with which of the following sectors?
[a] Healthcare services
[b] Banking and financial services
[c] Education technology
[d] E-commerce
View Answer
Answer: [b] Banking and financial services
Explanation:
Bank of Baroda launched bob SAMVAD, an AI-powered multilingual conversational platform enabling real-time communication across 22 languages. It enhances customer–staff interaction at bank branches, initially deployed in 250 branches across five states, with nationwide rollout planned to improve accessibility and service delivery.
Q.12) Which port handled the highest cargo volume among India’s major ports in FY 2025–26?
[a] Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
[b] Deendayal Port Authority
[c] Paradip Port Authority
[d] Mumbai Port Authority
View Answer
Answer: [b] Deendayal Port Authority
Explanation:
India’s major ports handled a record 915.17 MT cargo in FY 2025–26 (7.06% growth). Among them, Deendayal Port Authority handled the highest volume (160.11 MT), followed by Paradip and JNPA. The performance reflects improved logistics efficiency and supports Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 for strengthening India’s global maritime position.
Q.13) The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), recently achieving first criticality in India, is located at which of the following places?
[a] Tarapur, Maharashtra
[b] Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
[c] Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu
[d] Rawatbhata, Rajasthan
View Answer
Answer: [b] Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
Explanation:
The PFBR achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026 at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. Built by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited with technology from IGCAR, it marks India’s entry into Stage-2 of the nuclear programme, using MOX fuel to breed plutonium and support future thorium-based reactors. It uses uranium–plutonium MOX fuel to breed more fuel, paving the way for thorium-based Stage-3 reactors.
Q.14) The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which recently signed an MoU with Rashtriya Raksha University, functions under which ministry?
[a] Ministry of Home Affairs
[b] Ministry of Defence
[c] Ministry of Civil Aviation
[d] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
View Answer
Answer: [c] Ministry of Civil Aviation
Explanation:
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It signed an MoU with Rashtriya Raksha University to establish an indigenous testing centre for aviation security equipment, ensuring scientific certification, global standards compliance, and capacity building in aviation security technologies.