1. How much forest area was lost worldwide in 2024, according to the Forest Declaration Assessment 2025?
Answer: E. The assessment put global deforestation in 2024 at 8.1 million hectares, which leaves the world 63% behind the pace needed to end deforestation by 2030.
2. Which Indian city has been put forward to stage the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030?
Answer: C. The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board backed Ahmedabad in Gujarat as the proposed host, marking a hundred years since the first Games in 1930.
3. The Su-57 fighter, suggested for joint production in India, is built by which Russian firm?
Answer: E. This fifth-generation stealth multirole jet comes from Sukhoi, and the proposal is intended to boost India's air combat strength under Make-in-India.
4. In 2025, IUCN placed three Indian World Heritage Sites under Significant Concern. Which of the following was not among them?
Answer: B. The World Heritage Outlook 2025 flagged Western Ghats, Manas and Sundarbans as Significant Concern, whereas Khangchendzonga in Sikkim was given a Good rating.
5. Indian banks may now lend in rupees to which group of countries after the new RBI reform?
Answer: D. Amended FEMA rules now let Authorised Dealer banks extend loans denominated in Indian rupees to Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka, deepening regional trade links.
6. Under the new RBI amendment, for how long may exporters keep their export earnings in foreign currency accounts at IFSC banks?
Answer: A. Exporters can now hold proceeds in such accounts for as long as three months before bringing them back, which helps their cash flow and flexibility.
7. Where did GIFT City stand worldwide in the 2025 Global Financial Centres Index?
Answer: D. In the 38th edition of the index, GIFT City improved from 46th place to 43rd, reflecting India's rising competitiveness in financial services and fintech.
8. Which pair of insurance plans did LIC bring out in October 2025?
Answer: A. On 15 October 2025 LIC introduced Jan Suraksha for low-income groups and Bima Lakshmi for women, supporting financial inclusion and savings.
9. What share of their Provident Fund can members now withdraw for essential needs under the EPFO reforms?
Answer: C. Members may take out up to three quarters of the balance for illness, marriage, housing or education, and the remaining 25% stays for later needs.
10. How many major farmer-centric schemes fall under the government's new technology-driven monitoring plan?
Answer: E. The Centre will track more than 27 key schemes, including PM-KISAN and PMFBY, through technology and quarterly reviews, to keep benefits transparent and on time.
11. The 2025 protests in Madagascar were first triggered by which problem?
Answer: C. Demonstrations began on 25 September 2025 over persistent water and electricity cuts in Antananarivo.
12. In 1948 the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed at the same Paris site where the 1987 poverty-victims gathering was held. Which site?
Answer: B. The Trocadero hosted both the 1948 signing and the 1987 gathering of over 100,000 people.
13. Above what altitude is the MCPS the only parachute system operational with Indian Armed Forces?
Answer: C. It is the only system in service that functions above 25,000 feet, though the test was at 32,000 feet.
14. Which species is mainly farmed under the SAIME model using mangrove litter as natural feed?
Answer: D. Farmers raise Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), cutting reliance on chemical inputs.
15. In allowing green crackers for Deepavali 2025, the Supreme Court described its relaxation as what?
Answer: B. The court called it a test case to reconcile celebrations with environmental protection.