1. Security worries have grown over stepped-up drone flights near Okinawa by which country?
Answer: E. China has been flying more unmanned aerial vehicles close to Okinawa in Japan. Their strategic use is being watched closely because of what it could mean for regional stability.
2. India's National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) mainly seeks to:
Answer: B. The mission targets 10 lakh hectares under oil palm by 2025-26. That would lessen import dependence and make India more self-sufficient in edible oils.
3. Countries in the World Happiness Report 2025 are ranked using which set of factors?
Answer: D. The report weighs things like GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and perceptions of corruption.
4. What does the ₹1,500 crore UPI incentive scheme for FY 2024-25 seek to encourage?
Answer: B. The scheme was launched to drive up digital transactions through the Unified Payments Interface and help build a cashless economy.
5. The recently introduced APAAR ID system belongs to which sector?
Answer: E. APAAR ID is a unique identity for students. It keeps academic records in one place, supports digital learning and simplifies education-related processes.
6. For how many days has the DGTR recommended a 12% safeguard duty on steel imports?
Answer: A. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies suggested a 12% safeguard duty for 200 days. It is meant to protect local producers from heavy imports from China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan.
7. Which Indian initiative, backed by ₹40,000 crore, is intended to boost maritime growth?
Answer: D. Sagarmala 2.0 has a proposed outlay of ₹40,000 crore. It will develop port infrastructure, raise cargo handling capacity and improve maritime trade.
8. Which statement is right about the 2025 monsoon forecast for India?
Answer: C. ENSO has a big effect on Indian monsoon patterns. El Niño generally brings a weak monsoon, whereas La Niña brings above-normal rain.
9. Recent data show India's remittance inflows moving away from GCC countries towards which group?
Answer: A. An RBI survey finds remittances increasingly coming from advanced economies like the US and UK instead of Gulf nations. More highly skilled workers are migrating there.
10. The newly proposed Enterprise Sample Registration System (ESRS) is chiefly meant to:
Answer: D. ESRS is put forward as a substitute for the economic census. It would give timely insight into the rise and fall of microenterprises, particularly in the informal sector.
11. Israel's ground operation in northern Gaza aimed to regain control of which strategic area?
Answer: D. The operation aimed to regain the Netzarim corridor, which splits Gaza in two.
12. Roughly what share of IMF resources does the US contribute, per the analysis of Trump's second term?
Answer: C. US contributions are around 20% of IMF resources.
13. What does APAAR stand for?
Answer: B. APAAR is the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry.
14. The Cabinet-approved greenfield highway connecting JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk will be built under which mode?
Answer: C. The project is to be executed on Build Operate Transfer mode.
15. The ongoing ENSO pattern with warm SST near the dateline and cold further east resembles which phenomenon?
Answer: B. The notes compare it to a Dateline (Central Pacific) El Nino.