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1. Which state has emerged as a leader in their conservation, hosting over 80% of India’s Gharials?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] West Bengal
[D] Gujarat
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) are long-snouted crocodiles that are critically endangered because of habitat loss, pollution, and fishing. Madhya Pradesh (MP) plays a vital role in their conservation, as it is home to more than 80% of India’s gharial population. Recently, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released 10 gharials into the Chambal River, showing MP’s dedication to protecting this species.
2. The Union government is considering a reduction in the share of central tax revenues allocated to states, from the current 41% to at least ________ percent.
[A] 37%
[B] 38%
[C] 39%
[D] 40%
Correct Answer: D [40%]
Notes:
The Union government is thinking about reducing the share of central tax revenues given to states from 41% to at least 40%. This plan will be shared with the Finance Commission of India, led by economist Arvind Panagariya, which is expected to deliver its report by October 31, 2025. The recommendation aims to address the Union government’s increasing spending needs and could create friction between the central and state governments. Furthermore, the Centre intends to set conditions on revenue-deficit grants to limit freebies and debt waivers offered by state governments.
3. The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) report was released recently, by how much percent increase in January, 2025?
[A] 4.6%
[B] 4.8%
[C] 5%
[D] 5.5%
Correct Answer: A [4.6%]
Notes:
The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is an important economic measure that shows how eight key sectors of the Indian economy are doing. These sectors play a major role in the overall Index of Industrial Production (IIP), so their growth is vital for the economy’s health. The ICI report for January 2025 has been published, highlighting trends in these core sectors and their effects on the industrial and economic environment.
4. Which organization has recently introduced a centralised database portal named Bond Central?
[A] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
[B] Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
[C] Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI)
[D] National Housing Bank (NHB)
Correct Answer: B [Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)]
Notes:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched a centralized database portal called Bond Central. This portal aims to improve transparency and make it easier to access information about corporate bonds. The goal is to provide a single, reliable source of data on corporate bonds issued in India, which will help investors and others in the market. Bond Central was created through a partnership between the Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPP) Association and Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), such as stock exchanges and depositories. The portal is designed to be a public information resource and is available for free.
5. The sighting of 85 Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape after how decades?
[A] One Decade
[B] Two Decades
[C] Three Decades
[D] Four Decades
Correct Answer: C [Three Decades]
Notes:
The recent sighting of 85 Cape Vultures (Gyps coprotheres) in South Africa’s Eastern Cape after 30 years is a big win for conservation. These vultures, found only in Southern Africa, are essential for keeping the ecosystem healthy by cleaning up dead animals and stopping disease from spreading. While conservation efforts have helped their numbers improve, vultures around the world still face many dangers.
6. Which of the following has recently introduced the National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025?
[A] National Archives of India
[B] Ministry of Home
[C] Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
[D] Ministry of Defence
Correct Answer: C [Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)]
Notes:
India has recently introduced new rules to enhance infrastructure development on its national waterways. The National Waterways (Construction of Jetties/Terminals) Regulations are designed to simplify the process of building jetties and terminals by different organizations. These rules are expected to draw in private investments and boost logistical efficiency throughout the country’s vast waterways system. Any organization looking to develop or run a terminal must first get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NoC) from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This requirement applies to both new and existing terminals, whether they are permanent or temporary. Operators can keep permanent terminals indefinitely, while temporary terminals are allowed for five years, with options to extend. IWAI is also creating an online portal to make the application process easier for terminal developers. This digital tool aims to improve efficiency and transparency, supporting the government’s goal of enhancing the Ease of Doing Business (EODB). The portal will enable applicants to submit their requests and monitor their status easily.
7. Recently, the 10,000th Farmer Producer Organization (FPOs) was launched in which state, focusing on maize, banana, and paddy?
[A] Khagaria, Bihar
[B] Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
[C] Mysore, Karnataka
[D] Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Khagaria, Bihar]
Notes:
The Central Sector Scheme for the Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 29, 2020, with an allocated budget of ₹6,865 crore extending until the fiscal year 2027-28. This program is designed to empower small and marginal farmers by enhancing their access to markets, providing financial support, and enabling collective bargaining. Recently, the milestone of establishing the 10,000th FPO was achieved in Khagaria, Bihar, with a focus on crops such as maize, banana, and paddy. Currently, around 30 lakh farmers, of whom 40% are women, are affiliated with FPOs, thereby making a substantial contribution to the agricultural sector.
8. Which organization has recently declared encephalitis a global health emergency issue?
[A] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[B] World Health Organization (WHO)
[C] World Bank
[D] UNICEF
Correct Answer: B [World Health Organization (WHO)]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized encephalitis as a significant public health concern. This comes as cases rise and many go unreported in India. Experts are calling for a national plan to tackle the disease effectively. Encephalitis is brain inflammation caused by various factors, including viral infections and autoimmune issues. In India, the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) is the most common viral cause. This virus, spread by mosquitoes, is widespread in Southeast Asia. The disease is a major issue in India, with the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC) noting high rates in states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. Recently, India experienced a serious outbreak of Chandipura virus (CHPV), with 245 cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) reported in 2024. Most of those affected were children under 15, showing symptoms like fever and convulsions. This outbreak highlighted the vulnerability of children and the urgent need for effective response measures.
9. Which of the following has captured the first-ever image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower solar atmosphere?
[A] STEREO
[B] Parker Solar Probe
[C] BepiColombo
[D] Aditya-L1
Correct Answer: D [Aditya-L1]
Notes:
India’s first space-based solar mission, Aditya-L1, has reached an important milestone. On February 22, 2025, the Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) on Aditya-L1 captured its first image of a solar flare ‘kernel’ in the lower atmosphere of the Sun. This finding is vital for understanding solar activity and its impact on Earth. The ‘kernel’ was seen in the Sun’s lower layers, providing new information about solar behavior. It was detected in near-ultraviolet light, a wavelength not often used for these studies. This can aid scientists in learning how mass and energy flow through the Sun’s atmosphere. Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar observatory mission, launched on September 2, 2023, to study the Sun from 1.5 million kilometers away. The spacecraft arrived at Lagrange Point 1 (L1) on January 6, 2024. This mission is ISRO’s second astronomy observatory mission after AstroSat.
10. Which space agency will launched its SPHEREx telescope, aiming to create the most detailed and colorful map of the universe ever made?
[A] ISRO
[B] JAXA
[C] NASA
[D] CNES
Correct Answer: C [NASA]
Notes:
NASA is getting ready to launch its SPHEREx telescope, which will create the most detailed and colorful map of the universe ever. By using infrared spectroscopy, the telescope will analyze light in 96 different bands, going far beyond what humans can see. This detailed study will help scientists understand how the universe formed, how galaxies evolved, and where life-essential molecules are found. Unlike the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which focuses on high-resolution images of small areas, SPHEREx will scan the whole sky in just a few months.
11. What is the name of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi autobiography?
[A] Diyaslai
[B] Ri yaslai
[C] Saiyaslai
[D] Kaiyaslai
Correct Answer: A [Diyaslai]
Notes:
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), working with the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, held a literary discussion about Diyaslai, the autobiography of Kailash Satyarthi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner. The event focused on the book’s themes of social justice, child rights, and global compassion. Diyaslai tells the story of Satyarthi’s life, his activism, and his dedication to ending child labor. He shares his journey from his early life in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, to leading global initiatives like the Global March Against Child Labour, which spanned 186 countries. In Diyaslai, Satyarthi not only details his battle for children’s freedom and education but also highlights the emotional and social obstacles he faced. His book serves as both an inspiration and a call to action, encouraging readers to see compassion as a key democratic value.
12. Which ministry has recently withdrawn the draft of the Advocates (Amendment) Bill?
[A] Ministry of Home
[B] Ministry of Law and Justice
[C] Ministry of Current Affairs
[D] Ministry of Culture
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Law and Justice]
Notes:
On February 23, 2025, the Union Ministry of Law and Justice decided to withdraw the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill. This move came after significant protests by lawyers and strong opposition from the Bar Council of India (BCI). The Bill, released on February 13, aimed to make changes to the legal profession in India. It triggered protests in courts across Delhi, resulting in a united stance from bar associations against what they called an “unfair and biased” Bill. The draft included several contentious amendments, particularly one that would allow the central government to appoint members to the BCI. This was viewed as a threat to the Bar Council’s independence. The BCI, created under the Advocates Act of 1961, has always been a body elected by its members. The suggested changes would have weakened its control over legal admissions and cases of misconduct.
13. World Seagrass Day is celebrated annually on which day?
[A] February 28
[B] March 1
[C] March 2
[D] March 3
Correct Answer: B [March 1]
Notes:
World Seagrass Day is observed every year on March 1 to raise awareness about the importance of seagrass and encourage conservation actions. Seagrass is essential for the health of marine ecosystems, helping to support diverse marine life, protect coastlines, and serve as a significant carbon sink. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially recognized this day on May 22, 2022, after a resolution from Sri Lanka highlighted the critical need for seagrass conservation.
14. Chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, who passed away recently at the age of 88, was from which country?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] Russia
[D] Switzerland
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, who was the 10th World Chess Champion, has died at the age of 88. Emil Sutovsky, the general director of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), confirmed the news to Reuters. Spassky was a legendary player known for his strategic skills, sportsmanship, and profound knowledge of chess. His impact on the game, both as a player and a representative, has greatly influenced the sport.
