1. Citing bias and a poor handling of COVID-19, which country has pulled out of the WHO?
Answer: C. Under President Trump the U.S. quit the WHO, alleging a tilt toward China and poor pandemic management. As the biggest donor, its exit created a funding crisis for the agency.
2. India's updated Bilateral Investment Treaty is chiefly meant to do what?
Answer: A. The revision builds an investor-friendly framework with fewer legal hurdles and broader coverage, to attract FDI while India negotiates free trade agreements.
3. Under American pressure, which Latin American nation quit China's Belt and Road Initiative?
Answer: D. Panama left the BRI, putting its ties with Washington first. The step dents China's sway in Latin American trade and infrastructure.
4. Mission 3000 sets what cargo-handling goal for Indian Railways by 2030?
Answer: B. Railways want to move 3,000 mt of freight by 2030, though current growth points to only about 1,700 mt in FY25-26. Annual investment of ₹2.5 trillion backs the goal.
5. What concern did the Supreme Court stress on forest conservation in India?
Answer: E. The Court held that forest land cannot shrink without compensatory afforestation, questioning the 2023 amendment to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which limited forests to government-declared land.
6. India's manufacturing PMI stood at what level in January 2025, signalling a strong recovery?
Answer: A. The manufacturing PMI climbed to 57.7 in January 2025 on a 14-year export high, more factory orders and firm domestic demand, which also lifted hiring.
7. Which major financial-sector reform features in the Union Budget 2025-26 proposals?
Answer: D. Allowing full foreign ownership of insurers is under consideration to bring in investment, sharpen competition and encourage innovation, potentially reshaping the market.
8. Why is the RBI being careful about lowering interest rates?
Answer: C. The MPC hesitates because retail inflation of 5% sits above the 4% target, compounded by global inflation risks and a strong US dollar.
9. Solar irrigation and solar power plants for farmers are the focus of which clean energy scheme?
Answer: B. PM-KUSUM, begun in 2019, promotes solar pumps and decentralised plants for farmers, though unspent funds and supply-chain problems have limited its success.
10. What is the reason behind steep customs duties on solar modules and cells?
Answer: E. A 40% duty on modules and 25% on cells was imposed so that local production grows and dependence on Chinese imports falls, in line with renewable targets.