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1. When did a terrorist attack take place in Baisaran, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir?
[A] April 21, 2025
[B] April 22, 2025
[C] April 23, 2025
[D] April 24, 2025
Correct Answer: B [April 22, 2025]
Notes:
On April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, disrupted tourism by killing 26 people and injuring many others. This attack targeted tourists during a busy season, raising concerns about safety and threatening the region’s recovery in tourism and economy after COVID and conflicts.
2. Which ministry has recently released a draft notification of the “Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025”?
[A] Ministry of Earth Science
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[D] Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]
Notes:
The Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently issued a draft notification under the Energy Conservation Act of 2001. This notification presents the ‘Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025’, which are part of India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for 2023. The main goal is to create a national system for lowering greenhouse gas emissions through carbon credit trading. The new rules will set specific emission reduction goals for different industries, determined by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) based on CO₂ equivalent emissions per tonne of production. These targets will be in effect from 2025-26 to 2026-27, using data from 2023-24 as a baseline. Companies that fail to meet their emission intensity targets will need to buy carbon credit certificates, and non-compliance will result in penalties from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which can be up to twice the average market price of carbon credits during the compliance period. The penalties will help fund the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme. The draft specifies emission targets for several sectors, especially aluminium and cement, with major companies like Vedanta and Hindalco required to reduce their emissions. For instance, Vedanta’s Smelter II must lower its emission intensity from 13.4927 in 2023-24 to 13.2260 in 2025-26.
3. Which ministry launched the ‘AI Careers for Women’ initiative?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[C] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]
Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has partnered with Microsoft to create the ‘AI Careers for Women’ program, which aims to help women in higher education pursue careers in artificial intelligence. Launched on April 22, 2025, the initiative plans to train 20,000 women from smaller towns in six Indian states. It focuses on providing women with digital skills, leadership training, and entrepreneurship knowledge. A 240-hour curriculum was developed with the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). Training will be conducted through a Hub-and-Spoke model, featuring 30 Centers of Excellence and 150 spoke centers. This initiative aims to promote digital inclusion and reduce the gender gap in technology.
4. The Andhra Pradesh government will set up India’s first quantum computing village in which city?
[A] Visakhapatnam
[B] Amaravati
[C] Vijayawada
[D] Kurnool
Correct Answer: B [Amaravati]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh Government is working on India’s first Quantum Computing Village in Amaravati. This project aims to create a unique environment for quantum computing research and teamwork. Supported by the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS), it will cover 50 acres. The village will be a center for institutions and companies to access advanced quantum computing tools. An iconic building designed by IBM will be part of the facility, housing advanced quantum systems and a data center for high-performance computing. Collaborations with industry leaders like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and L&T will be crucial for finalizing the infrastructure. The project will support the IBM Quantum System Two, enhancing India’s quantum computing capabilities. Quantum computing uses quantum mechanics for calculations, utilizing qubits that can represent both 1 and 0 at the same time, making it more efficient than traditional computing.
5. Which space agency has developed the first space-based quantum sensor to measure gravity?
[A] European Space Agency (ESA)
[B] National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
[C] Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
[D] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Correct Answer: B [National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Notes:
NASA has created the first quantum sensor in space to measure gravity, called the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf). This sensor, made at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will be the first to operate in space, using ultra-cold atoms to map Earth’s gravity. It will detect variations in acceleration between these atoms to find gravitational anomalies. NASA is working on this groundbreaking technology to measure gravity accurately from a satellite in low Earth orbit. The Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) can sense tiny changes in gravity, measuring differences as small as 10⁻¹⁵ meters per second squared over a meter. Atoms are cooled to near absolute zero, becoming wave-like in a vacuum, and lasers manipulate them to show gravitational strength. This technology can help estimate the mass of large structures like the Himalayas and monitor the movement of water, ice, and rocks from space. This advancement is a significant step for quantum sensing in environmental monitoring and Earth sciences.
6. Which city hosted the first-ever Humanoid Robot Half-Marathon, where robots ran with humans, symbolizing the blend of sports and technology?
[A] Paris
[B] Tokyo
[C] Beijing
[D] New York
Correct Answer: C [Beijing]
Notes:
On April 19, 2025, Beijing held a historic half-marathon where humanoid robots raced alongside humans for the first time. This event highlighted advancements in robotics and represented the merging of sports and technology. It attracted global media attention, showcasing progress in humanoid robotics and AI. While human runners adhered to traditional race rules, the robots operated under modified guidelines with engineering assistance. Despite some technical issues and necessary breaks, the event generated significant interest and discussions about the future of robots in society.
7. Who was recently conferred the 2025 Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award?
[A] Achyuta Samanta
[B] Ananad Bhavani
[C] Ramanand Das
[D] Shankar Joshi
Correct Answer: A [Achyuta Samanta]
Notes:
Achyuta Samanta, the founder of KIIT and KISS, received the 2025 Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Award in Kokrajhar, Assam. This award, given by the Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust, recognizes people for their significant contributions to education and community development. This honor coincides with the 166th birth anniversary of Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma, a respected social reformer and spiritual leader of the Bodo community. Samanta’s commitment to improving lives through education has solidified his reputation as a key figure in India’s progress.
8. Which state awards the Yash Raj Bharati Samman for significant contributions to healthcare, education, and governance?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Haryana
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan presented the Yashraj Bharti Samman award to three grassroots organizations for their significant work in healthcare, education, and governance during a ceremony in Mumbai. The honored groups included Jan Swasthya Sahayog, Pratham Education Foundation, and the Services Plus platform from the National Informatics Centre. Dignitaries like former Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse Patil and G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant attended the event. Governor Radhakrishnan emphasized the need for better education, improved healthcare in tribal regions, and ethical governance to foster real social change.
9. Which article mandates the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbances?
[A] Article 355
[B] Article 345
[C] Article 335
[D] Article 325
Correct Answer: A [Article 355]
Notes:
Article 355 requires the Union to safeguard each state from outside attacks and internal issues. This article is part of the emergency rules in Part XVIII of the Constitution, covering Articles 352 to 360. Recently, the Supreme Court of India looked at a request to use Article 355 in West Bengal due to violence during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act. The Court highlighted the fine line between judicial power and executive duties. This situation shows the challenges of applying Articles 355 and 356 in today’s governance. Article 355 aims to ensure that each state’s government follows the Constitution and allows the Union government to step in when a state’s governance is at risk. This rule is crucial for upholding the state’s and the Union’s integrity. Article 355 is closely related to Article 356, which lets the President take over a state’s government when constitutional order fails, a situation known as ‘President’s Rule’. Article 356 can be invoked under certain conditions specified in Article 355.
10. Recently, which university filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration?
[A] Stanford University
[B] Yale University
[C] Columbia University
[D] Harvard University
Correct Answer: D [Harvard University]
Notes:
Harvard University has recently sued the Trump administration, escalating the ongoing dispute over federal funding and oversight. The administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funds, claiming Harvard has not properly dealt with anti-Semitism on campus. Harvard contends that these demands threaten its academic freedom and independence, with the risk of losing an additional $1 billion in federal grants. Anti-Semitism is prejudice against Jewish people, which can take many forms, including discrimination and stereotyping. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance describes it as a perception of Jews that can incite hatred and violence, although it can also refer to prejudice against all speakers of Semitic languages.
11. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a new target to eliminate filariasis globally by which year?
[A] 2030
[B] 2035
[C] 2040
[D] 2045
Correct Answer: A [2030]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate filariasis worldwide by 2030, which is ten years later than the previous target of 2020. India’s new goal is set for 2027, after several changes from the original 2015 aim. Filariasis is a difficult disease to eliminate, requiring ongoing efforts to lessen its impact. It is caused by parasitic worms that live in the lymphatic system and are spread by mosquitoes. Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) affects about 670 million people in India, according to 2022 data. Kerala has played a key role in fighting filariasis. In the 1980s, affected people formed a group to raise awareness, which led to political support and health official involvement. The Filariasis control initiative, called ‘Filco,’ aimed to eliminate mosquito breeding sites with community help.
12. Which organization has recently released “Power Hungry: How AI Will Drive Energy Demand” Report?
[A] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[B] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[C] World Bank
[D] World Economic Forum (WEF)
Correct Answer: D [International Monetary Fund (IMF)]
Notes:
The IMF’s recent report, “Power Hungry: How AI Will Drive Energy Demand,” predicts that AI will boost global output by about 0.5% each year from 2025 to 2030. This growth is expected to outweigh the costs of higher carbon emissions from energy-heavy data centers. The report highlights the importance of balancing AI’s advantages with its environmental effects. While AI is set to enhance global output, the benefits may not be shared equally, with some areas gaining more than others. Policymakers need to tackle these inequalities for fair economic growth. As AI use grows, the demand for data processing will likely triple global electricity needs to around 1,500 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, similar to India’s current electricity consumption. This increase in energy demand raises worries about greenhouse gas emissions, which could rise by 1.2% worldwide during this time.
13. Which organization has recently released its “World Economic Outlook (WEO): A Critical Juncture Among Policy Shift” report?
[A] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[B] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[C] World Economic Forum (WEF)
[D] World Trade Organization (WTO)
Correct Answer: D [International Monetary Fund (IMF)]
Notes:
The IMF has published its report titled ‘World Economic Outlook (WEO): A Critical Juncture Among Policy Shift’. This report, released twice a year, reviews global economic trends and offers policy advice. It has lowered the global growth forecast to 2.8% and India’s to 6.2% compared to the January 2025 update, citing global trade issues and uncertainty in policies. Additionally, it points out the fast aging population as a major issue for economies around the world.
14. Who won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025?
[A] Charles Leclerc
[B] Lando Norris
[C] Max Verstappen
[D] Oscar Piastri
Correct Answer: A [Oscar Piastri]
Notes:
Oscar Piastri, the Australian McLaren driver, won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, marking his third victory of the season. This win put him at the top of the Drivers’ Championship, ahead of Max Verstappen. Piastri’s impressive performance on April 20, 2025, at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit was aided by a penalty for Verstappen, allowing Piastri to lead the race and finish first, followed by Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, who achieved his first podium this season. The race included several exciting moments and strategic plays, including a strong comeback from Lando Norris and points for Williams and Ferrari.
15. Which Union department has launched Fire Safety Week from April 21–25, 2025?
[A] Union Education Department
[B] Union Health Department
[C] Union Trade and Commerce Department
[D] Union Finance Department
Correct Answer: B [Union Health Department]
Notes:
The Union Health Department is promoting Fire Safety Week from April 21 to 25, 2025, to highlight the importance of fire safety in healthcare. This initiative, led by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, aims to improve awareness and safety for patients and staff by working with states, UTs, and central ministries.
