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51. Which city is the host of the 15th Aero India event 2025?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Goa
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Hydrabad
Correct Answer: C [Bengaluru]
Notes:
Aero India 2025, recognized as Asia’s largest biennial air show, is scheduled to take place at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14, 2025. The inaugural event occurred in 1996, with the most recent, the 14th edition, taking place in 2023. This exhibition will highlight India’s advancements in aerospace and defense, featuring aerial displays and military aircraft exhibitions on February 13 and 14. The event is organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, which operates under the Department of Defence Production within the Ministry of Defence. The overarching theme for Aero India 2025 is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities.”
52. Which country has recently removed three Indian organizations and added eleven Chinese firms due to national security concerns?
[A] UAE
[B] France
[C] United States
[D] Australia
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The United States Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has revised its Entity List. It has taken off three Indian organizations and added eleven Chinese companies because of national security issues. The Indian organizations removed are:
- Indian Rare Earths
- Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Center (IGCAR)
- Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC)
This change comes after a review by multiple agencies to lower obstacles to advanced energy collaboration, including joint research and development, to meet common energy security objectives.
53. Which country is poised to become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2026, overtaking Japan?
[A] India
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Russia
[D] France
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India is projected to surpass Japan and become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2026, according to a report from the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). This optimistic outlook is bolstered by robust GDP growth forecasts and strategic policy measures aimed at enhancing economic resilience and fostering sustainable development. The PHDCCI anticipates that India’s GDP will grow by 6.8% in the current fiscal year (FY2024-25) and will further accelerate to 7.7% in FY2025-26. Such a growth trajectory is expected to elevate India’s position in the global economic landscape, enabling it to overtake Japan by 2026.
54. Recently, Sri Lanka has received its largest foreign direct investment from which country?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Russia
[D] United
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
Sri Lanka is poised to welcome its most substantial foreign direct investment to date from China, totaling $3.7 billion, designated for the construction of an oil refinery. This significant investment coincides with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s official visit to China and plays a crucial role in the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the project has sparked apprehensions about possible debt entrapment and heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, especially in relation to India. China’s Sinopec is set to construct a refinery with a daily capacity of 200,000 barrels. This initiative follows the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Energy of Sri Lanka and Sinopec. The primary objectives of the project are to satisfy the local fuel requirements and to generate foreign currency through export activities.
55. Which country has recently successfully launched Pakistan’s first indigenous Electro-Optical Satellite (PRSC-EO1)?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] France
[D] Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
On January 17, 2025, China achieved a significant milestone by launching Pakistan’s inaugural indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite, designated PRSC-EO1, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. This satellite, engineered for the purpose of gathering Earth observation data through electro-optical sensors, was successfully placed into its designated orbit by a Long March-2D carrier rocket at 12:07 PM Beijing Time. The objective is to improve Pakistan’s proficiency in the areas of natural resource monitoring and management, disaster response, urban planning, and agricultural advancement. The technology utilized includes sophisticated electro-optical sensors that provide high-resolution imaging of the Earth. This development represents a notable progression in Pakistan’s space technology, demonstrating the nation’s dedication to utilizing space for its advancement and sustainable development.
56. Odisha and which country have signed an MoU to establish a FinTech hub in Bhubaneswar?
[A] Singapore
[B] Japan
[C] Malaysia
[D] France
Correct Answer: A [Singapore]
Notes:
In a noteworthy initiative to enhance the FinTech landscape, the Electronics and IT Department of the Government of Odisha has formed a partnership with Singapore’s Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) to create a Global Competency Centre in Bhubaneswar. This collaboration seeks to promote innovation in InsureTech and associated fields, in line with India’s aspiration of achieving “Insurance for All” by the year 2047.
57. Recently, which country was officially admitted as a partner country of the BRICS group?
[A] Germany
[B] France
[C] Nigeria
[D] Sri Lanka
Correct Answer: C [Nigeria]
Notes:
Recently, Nigeria was officially recognized as a partner country within the BRICS coalition, which consists of Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa. This development underscores Nigeria’s increasing prominence as the largest economy in Africa and its dedication to fostering international collaboration. The BRICS group seeks to establish a counterweight to Western-dominated economic platforms and to encourage South-South cooperation. Established in 2009, BRICS initially included Brazil, Russia, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. The organization prioritizes economic collaboration, political discourse, and the reform of global governance structures. In 2023, BRICS expanded its membership to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE. With Nigeria’s inclusion, the group now counts nine partners, alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
58. TikTok App, which was seen in the news recently in which country?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Russia
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
In January 2025, TikTok experienced a temporary suspension in the United States as a result of a newly enacted law aimed at addressing national security issues. This legislation, which garnered bipartisan support, mandated that ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, divest the application to a U.S.-based organization. Nevertheless, within a matter of hours following the shutdown, TikTok was reinstated due to an intervention by President-elect Donald Trump, who pledged to postpone the implementation of the ban via an executive order. This article examines the key developments surrounding the app’s shutdown and its rapid restoration, as well as the ongoing challenges TikTok must navigate to ensure its viability in the U.S. market.
59. Which organization has recently announced that CEAT Limited and Hindustan Unilever Limited have joined its Global Lighthouse Network (GLN)?
[A] United Nations
[B] World Bank
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] International Monetary Fund
Correct Answer: C [World Economic Forum]
Notes:
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced the inclusion of CEAT Limited and Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in its Global Lighthouse Network (GLN) as of January 2025. The GLN serves as a consortium of industry leaders who leverage digital technologies to enhance productivity, bolster supply chain resilience, and achieve other operational improvements. This network acknowledges manufacturing facilities that implement digital innovations to boost efficiency, promote sustainability, and enhance workforce capabilities. Members of the GLN employ cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics. These organizations have reported significant gains in operational efficiency, a decrease in environmental impact, and improved adaptability to market fluctuations. CEAT’s manufacturing facility located in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, has been welcomed into the GLN, alongside HUL’s Doom Dooma plant, which is situated in Tinsukia, Assam, and is recognized as India’s largest manufacturing unit for beauty and well-being products.
60. Which ministry has signed contract worth Rs 2,960 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the supply of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) to the Navy?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Home
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of External Affairs
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Defence]
Notes:
Recently, the Indian Ministry of Defence entered into a contract valued at Rs 2,960 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited for the provision of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) to the Navy. This agreement underscores India’s dedication to achieving self-reliance in defense through the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, which seeks to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities and generate significant employment opportunities. The MRSAM is characterized as a medium-range missile with an operational range spanning from 1,000 km to 3,000 km. The development of this missile system is a collaborative effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), while Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is responsible for its production. The MRSAM is specifically engineered to address airborne threats, including helicopters, combat aircraft, cruise missiles, and other aerial vehicles. The land-based variant of the MRSAM is known as BARAK-8.
