1. What main reason did the US give for placing a 25% tariff on Indian imports in August 2025?
Answer: D. The tariff was tied to the proposed Russia Sanctions Act 2025, penalising India's energy and defence dealings with Russia and pushing it to lower trade barriers for the US.
2. Which hydroelectric project did India revive to press its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan?
Answer: E. The 1,856 MW Sawalkote project in Jammu & Kashmir, first planned in the 1980s, was revived as a strategic step to use India's share of the western rivers.
3. What is the key technical feature of the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite?
Answer: A. NISAR carries NASA's L-band and ISRO's S-band radar to observe changes on Earth's surface for climate and disaster management.
4. What did the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 change for cooperative banks?
Answer: B. Director terms in cooperative banks were lengthened to 10 years, bringing governance in line with the 97th Constitutional Amendment.
5. Why did Indian Overseas Bank return to its old internet banking interface in July 2025?
Answer: C. Login failures and patchy service on the new platform led IOB to roll back, so that customers could keep being served.
6. What is a notable feature of SEBI's revised Enhanced Surveillance Mechanism (ESM) for small-cap stocks?
Answer: D. The new framework picks out companies showing positive short-term price trends and either very high or negative PE ratios for tighter trading curbs.
7. On what condition can tenant farmers now claim PMFBY and MSP benefits?
Answer: E. The Union Agriculture Minister said tenants can get PMFBY and MSP benefits if landowners authorise it and the state allows it.
8. What main advantage does drone-based seed sowing offer in Kerala's waterlogged paddy fields?
Answer: A. Drones sowed germinated seeds uniformly in Pokkali fields, which saved time and improved yields through better crop establishment.
9. Which organisation introduced AI-based climate advisory services for India's smallholder farmers?
Answer: B. ICRISAT launched an AI-driven agromet advisory under Monsoon Mission III, delivered through local-language WhatsApp bots.
10. What is SusMafia's 'Climate-Tech Opportunity Map' for?
Answer: C. The map lists 25 high-impact challenges in areas like energy, water and agriculture to spur climate-tech innovation and startup growth in India.
11. What tariff rate did the US announce on Indian imports effective 1 August 2025?
Answer: C. A 25% tariff was announced on 30 July 2025.
12. On which river is the 1,856 MW Sawalkote hydroelectric project located?
Answer: D. Sawalkote is on the Chenab in Jammu & Kashmir.
13. Which meeting between India and the UAE led to the agreement to deepen defence and maritime cooperation in July 2025?
Answer: A. The 13th JDCC meeting produced the agreement.
14. Which department launched the Sanchar Mitra Scheme?
Answer: A. DoT launched the scheme to promote telecom awareness among youth.
15. Which agency implements the Swayamshakti Sahakar Yojna and Nandini Sahakar schemes for women cooperatives?
Answer: B. The notes say NCDC supports women through these two flagship schemes.