1. Cooperation in which area is the Pax Silica initiative mainly designed to strengthen?
Answer: A. Pax Silica is a multilateral effort led by the US to secure supply chains in chips, AI and critical minerals, lowering dependence on any one country and supporting resilient, peaceful technology ecosystems.
2. By which year have India and the UAE aimed to double their bilateral trade to USD 200 billion?
Answer: D. Under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two countries have committed to take trade to USD 200 billion by 2032.
3. Mostly from what source will money flow into the Environmental (Protection) Fund notified in January 2026?
Answer: C. The Fund puts fines collected for breaches of environmental law back into protecting and restoring the environment.
4. The Indian Skimmer is regarded as an indicator species because it reflects the health of which ecosystem?
Answer: B. The bird needs clean, slow rivers with exposed sandbars, so its presence points to a healthy river ecosystem.
5. Which component of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) gives interest subvention on export credit?
Answer: A. Niryat Protsahan is the EPM's financial arm, offering interest subvention on export credit before and after shipment as well as on other export finance instruments.
6. Which description fits the Hooghly River best?
Answer: D. The Hooghly branches off from the Ganga system and gives ships a navigable route from the Bay of Bengal up to Kolkata.
7. What GDP growth rate does the IMF's revised forecast give for India in FY 2025-26?
Answer: E. The IMF raised its estimate for India to 7.3% for FY 2025-26, pointing to an economy performing better than it had expected.
8. Who issues State Development Loans (SDLs)?
Answer: B. SDLs are bonds floated by states to meet fiscal deficits and capital spending, and they usually yield more than central government securities.
9. On which threshold has SEBI proposed to identify "significant indices"?
Answer: C. SEBI suggested that an index followed by mutual funds with total AUM above Rs 20,000 crore be treated as significant and face stronger regulation.
10. What is the main reason for bringing in the Closing Auction Session (CAS) in equity markets?
Answer: E. An auction fixes the closing price, which cuts down manipulation in the final minutes and makes the price more reliable, in line with global practice.
11. Which country launched the Pax Silica initiative in December 2025?
Answer: C. The US launched it as a strategic lead.
12. By which year did India and the UAE pledge to double bilateral trade to USD 200 billion?
Answer: C. The target is USD 200 billion by 2032.
13. Which ministry administers the Environment (Protection) Fund?
Answer: C. MoEFCC, or an authority notified by the Centre, administers the Fund.
14. Which two organisations launched the Indian Skimmer conservation project in the Ganga basin?
Answer: B. BNHS worked with the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
15. Parbati Giri is popularly called the Mother Teresa of which region?
Answer: A. She is known as the Mother Teresa of Western Odisha.