16. Who, as U.S. President, drove a forceful campaign in 2025 to annex Greenland?
Answer: A. Donald Trump was the president who pressed hard in 2025 to bring Greenland under American control, while the other people named did not lead that annexation push.
17. A DCA report dated April 2, 2025 found that what share of Greenlanders back complete independence?
Answer: B. The report put backing for full independence among Greenlanders at 80 percent, so most of the island's people favour breaking away.
18. Marking 75 years of India-China diplomatic ties, Xi Jinping described the cooperation he hoped for between the two countries using which image?
Answer: D. Xi Jinping used the picture of a cooperative pas de deux between the dragon and the elephant to describe how China and India should work together.
19. Which recent Indian policy is intended to bring about a revival of Indian languages and knowledge systems?
Answer: D. The National Education Policy 2020 is the policy named as the one that aims to revitalize Indian languages and knowledge systems.
20. The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2025 treats misinformation mainly as what kind of problem?
Answer: E. The report's main worry about misinformation is that it is a rising challenge which damages public trust.
21. As reported on April 2, 2025, the Indian government has put which pair of technologies to work for agricultural advancement?
Answer: A. India's government was reported to be using artificial intelligence together with the Internet of Things to push agriculture forward.
22. What did the research breakthrough on butterfly migration reveal?
Answer: B. Researchers found that one particular gene plays a key part in deciding how butterflies migrate.
23. The USTR Report points to which factor as a major concern in US-India trade relations?
Answer: C. According to the USTR Report, the heavy tariffs India places on American goods are a central irritant in trade between the two countries.
24. To deal with liquidity, what step did the Reserve Bank of India take, as reported on April 2, 2025?
Answer: D. The RBI put ₹80,000 crore into the banking system through Open Market Operations to ease short-term liquidity pressure and support stability.
25. In the 1946 Greenland episode, how much did the United States offer Denmark for the island?
Answer: B. The notes record a 1946 US offer of $100 million, which Denmark refused.
26. Which two officials led the India-China talks that agreed to resume flights and the Mansarovar Yatra?
Answer: B. India was represented by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and China by Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
27. During President Boric's visit, India and Chile agreed to begin talks on which type of agreement?
Answer: B. The two sides decided to open CEPA negotiations.
28. Which set of pillars is attributed to NEP 2020 in this review?
Answer: A. NEP 2020 is described as built on access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability.
29. Which risk did the WEF Global Risks Report 2025 rank as the top short-term global threat?
Answer: B. The report placed misinformation and disinformation first among short-term risks.
30. Which treaty does the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025 align India with?
Answer: C. The bill aligns India's law with the Cape Town Convention and Protocol.
31. MGNREGA wages were revised from April 1, 2025 to what daily rate?
Answer: C. Wages under the rural employment scheme went up to ₹370 a day with effect from April 1, 2025.
32. India's Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index for March 2025 came in at which reading?
Answer: D. The manufacturing PMI for India in March 2025 was recorded at 54.7.
33. Which country restarted its bombing of Gaza on March 17, 2025, bringing a shaky ceasefire to an end?
Answer: E. Israel was the party that resumed strikes on Gaza, breaking the fragile truce that had been in place.
34. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill cleared by the Lok Sabha is chiefly meant to do what?
Answer: A. The bill is about better management of Waqf assets and shielding them from encroachment so they are put to proper use.
35. A report on the world's major risks for 2025 was published by which organisation?
Answer: B. The World Economic Forum was the body behind the 2025 global risks report.
36. Extended Producer Responsibility, recently broadened in India, is chiefly concerned with what?
Answer: C. Under EPR the producer takes charge of collection, recycling and disposal once consumers finish with a product, which lessens the environmental burden.
37. Who took charge as a Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in April 2025?
Answer: D. Poonam Gupta was the person named Deputy Governor of the RBI in April 2025.
38. What came out of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok?
Answer: E. Leaders at the Bangkok summit adopted a charter meant to boost regional cooperation and firm up the grouping's institutional footing.
39. Chandrayaan-3's ChaSTE instrument is credited with which achievement?
Answer: A. The ChaSTE probe on Chandrayaan-3 is known for delivering the first-ever temperature profile of the lunar surface.
40. Which agreement of 2015 restricted Iran's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief?
Answer: A. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action traded limits for sanction relief.
41. In the Fair and Reciprocal Plan analysis, what share of global merchandise exports excluded the US?
Answer: C. The US received 13.4% in 2022, so about 87% of global goods exports do not involve it.
42. The 2025 Myanmar earthquake of magnitude 7.7 was caused by movement along which fault?
Answer: A. The notes state the quake came from the Sagaing fault near Mandalay.
43. Where was the April 2025 BIMSTEC summit with the theme "Prosperous, Resilient, and Open BIMSTEC" held?
Answer: C. The summit was hosted in Bangkok, Thailand.
44. Which body released the report 'Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well' in March 2025?
Answer: C. The report was published by UNESCO on 31 March 2025.
45. Which sections of the Waqf Act 1995 are proposed to be amended in the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 to add women to boards?
Answer: B. The notes say Sections 9 and 14 would change board composition to include women.
46. Effective April 9, 2025, at what rate did Trump announce a tariff on Indian imports?
Answer: E. The tariff announced on Indian imports, due to take effect on April 9, 2025, was set at 27 percent.
47. Which pair of Indian products were awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tags in the April 4, 2025 current affairs?
Answer: A. GI tags went to Kumbakonam Betel Leaf and Thovalai Maanikka Maalai, acknowledging their distinct geographical origin and cultural value.
48. The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 was brought in mainly to do what?
Answer: B. The bill seeks to promote and regulate coastal shipping, which would improve domestic maritime transport and lower logistics costs.
49. Regarding the government's stake increase in Vodafone Idea, what significant step did the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) take?
Answer: C. Sebi let the government off from making an open offer when it raised its Vodafone Idea holding, which helps the company's financial restructuring.
50. Which new system did Sebi roll out to improve how documents are verified?
Answer: D. Sebi brought in SebiDNVS, the Document Number Verification System, to make checking of documents submitted to the regulator faster and more secure.
51. In April 2025, who was named the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India?
Answer: E. Poonam Gupta received the appointment as RBI Deputy Governor, adding her expertise to the central bank's leadership.
52. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed by the Indian government, is chiefly concerned with what?
Answer: A. The amendment aims at better management and protection of Waqf properties, ensuring they are used properly and guarded against encroachment.
53. As of April 2025, what strategic development involved Starlink and its operations in India?
Answer: C. Starlink was cleared to run on its own in India, which lets it extend its satellite internet service to the Indian market.
54. NITI Aayog and NCAER launched the States Economic Forum Portal for what purpose?
Answer: C. The portal exists to monitor and analyse how Indian states perform economically and what policies they follow, supporting decisions based on data.
55. How did India react after the U.S. imposed a 27% tariff on its imports?
Answer: D. India's reaction to the 27 percent U.S. tariff was a careful, strategic silence rather than any immediate retaliation or complaint.
56. Which 1977 US law was invoked for the April 2025 reciprocal tariffs?
Answer: C. The notes say the tariffs were justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
57. The NITI-NCAER States Economic Forum was launched by NITI Aayog in collaboration with which body?
Answer: A. The portal was built by NITI Aayog with NCAER.
58. Starlink satellite internet services in India were tied up with SpaceX by which pair of telecom firms?
Answer: C. SpaceX partnered with Airtel and Jio.
59. Which Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha, creates a dedicated legal framework for coastal trade?
Answer: B. The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 was passed to regulate coastal trade.
60. In which Tamil Nadu district is Thovalai Maanikka Maalai exclusively made, as per the GI tag news of April 2025?
Answer: C. The garland is made only in Thovalai village of Kanyakumari district.
76. While Prime Minister Modi was in Sri Lanka in April 2025, which infrastructure idea was discussed to improve links between the two countries?
Answer: E. The visit highlighted a proposed maritime bridge as a way to strengthen connectivity and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
77. What is the central aim of 'Bangkok Vision 2030', which BIMSTEC unveiled in April 2025?
Answer: A. BIMSTEC's Bangkok Vision 2030 is directed mainly at enhancing connectivity across the region and making trade easier.
78. A Geographical Indication (GI) tag was granted in April 2025 to which of these West Bengal products?
Answer: B. The Baluchari Saree, known for intricate weaving and a rich history, was among the West Bengal products that earned a GI tag.
79. The study India started in April 2025 to catch zoonotic diseases that originate in birds as they occur is mainly about what?
Answer: D. The study centres on real-time surveillance in the places where birds live, so that diseases jumping from birds can be detected quickly.
80. Which of these is NOT counted among Buddhism's contributions to India?
Answer: E. Of the options listed, only the creation of elaborate temple dance forms is not credited to Buddhism; the other four are recognised contributions.
81. Ice Stupas built in Himalayan regions mainly serve what purpose?
Answer: E. Ice Stupas are built mainly so that water can be kept in frozen form and used later for farming.
82. Which branch of the Indian Armed Forces is INS Varsha, mentioned in April 2025 news, linked to?
Answer: A. INS Varsha is a naval base, so it belongs to the Indian Navy and adds to India's maritime capability.
83. What advance in medical diagnostics does the RAPID-CRISPR test, reported in April 2025, offer?
Answer: B. The RAPID-CRISPR test gives a quick and accurate way to diagnose Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia early, so treatment can begin in time.
84. What role does CAPTCHA technology play in online security?
Answer: D. CAPTCHA is designed to tell humans apart from computers, which keeps automated bots from accessing websites.
85. Which honour did Sri Lanka confer on PM Modi during his April 2025 visit?
Answer: B. The Mitra Vibhushana is Sri Lanka's top honour for foreign leaders.
86. BIMSTEC's Bangkok Vision 2030 seeks to build which kind of bloc?
Answer: B. The vision targets a Prosperous, Resilient and Open (PRO) bloc by 2030.
87. How many sitting Supreme Court judges agreed on April 1 to make their asset declarations public?
Answer: B. All 33 sitting Supreme Court judges agreed unanimously.
88. World Health Day 2025 emphasised which area of health?
Answer: B. The notes say the 2025 focus was maternal and newborn health.
89. After the latest grant, how many GI-tagged items does West Bengal have in total?
Answer: C. Seven new tags brought the state's total to 33.
90. Which agency leads India's real-time surveillance of bird-to-human zoonotic spillover?
Answer: A. ICMR is the lead agency in the initiative.
91. Whom did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet at the White House on April 8, 2025?
Answer: B. Netanyahu sat down with Donald Trump at the White House on 8 April 2025 to talk about bilateral ties and regional issues.
92. Which country declared in April 2025 that it would leave the International Criminal Court?
Answer: C. Hungary announced it was pulling out of the ICC, objecting to the court's jurisdiction and rulings that touch national sovereignty.
93. Which issue did the Policing Report 2025 in India mainly spotlight?
Answer: D. The report put custodial torture in focus, stressing a need for police reform and better respect for human rights.
94. The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is chiefly designed to do what?
Answer: E. PMMY provides small loans to micro and small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and bringing more people into formal finance.
95. The 'Women and Men in India 2024' report was brought out by which body?
Answer: A. The NSO released this publication to present gender statistics for the country.
96. The FAO's 'Four Betters Courses' are aimed at strengthening what?
Answer: B. These FAO courses focus on bringing education into agrifood systems, helping tackle global farming challenges.
97. INS Sunayna's deployment on the IOS SAGAR Mission serves which aim?
Answer: E. On this mission the ship carries out surveillance at sea, provides humanitarian help, joins exercises and builds regional diplomatic relations.
98. Which technology-related step did MoSPI take in April 2025?
Answer: D. MoSPI unveiled a revamped Microdata Portal so that researchers and policymakers can access and use data more easily.
99. What notable finding came out of the 'Health of the Nation 2025' report?
Answer: E. The report flagged a marked growth in lifestyle diseases, which points to a need for public health action.
100. Which bank cut its MCLR in April 2025?
Answer: A. HDFC Bank trimmed its marginal cost of funds-based lending rate in April 2025 to make borrowing cheaper.
101. What tariff did the U.S. impose on Israeli goods before Netanyahu's White House visit?
Answer: B. A 17% tariff was imposed the previous week.
102. Which treaty sets the one-year withdrawal period for states leaving the International Criminal Court?
Answer: B. Under the Rome Statute, exit takes effect one year after notifying the UN Secretary-General.
103. What additional tariff did Trump threaten on China from April 9 in this episode?
Answer: D. He threatened additional 50% tariffs if China did not withdraw its 34% increase.
104. Which two organisations produced the 2025 policing survey on attitudes to custodial torture?
Answer: B. The study was by Lokniti-CSDS and Common Cause.
105. Which ministry publishes the annual report Women and Men in India?
Answer: B. MoSPI released the 26th edition for 2024.
121. Whose 34% tariff on every US import, effective April 10, 2025, was a counter to American duties?
Answer: D. China's 34% levy on all goods from the US, from April 10, 2025, was payback for tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
122. How did the European Union react to US tariffs on its products?
Answer: E. The EU backed a 25% levy on certain American goods as a countermeasure, seeking to uphold multilateral trade norms and protect its industries.
123. What total cost did the Indian Cabinet sanction for the M-CADWM scheme to strengthen irrigation infrastructure?
Answer: A. The Cabinet cleared the Modified Command Area Development and Water Management scheme at a total cost of ₹1,600 Crore.
124. Crèche facilities for working mothers' children come as part of an integrated services package under which scheme?
Answer: B. The Palna Scheme bundles services such as crèche care to support working mothers and look after their children.
125. The first 3D-printed train station in the world was built in which country?
Answer: C. Japan constructed this station, a showcase of new construction technology.
126. Which monetary policy stance did the RBI adopt in April 2025?
Answer: D. Alongside its second consecutive rate cut in FY26, the RBI moved to an accommodative stance to support economic growth.
127. The 'Elite Plus' account for high net-worth individuals was introduced by which bank?
Answer: E. Bandhan Bank brought out 'Elite Plus', an account built for HNIs with exclusive banking services.
128. What GDP growth forecast did the Asian Development Bank give for India in FY26 after its revision?
Answer: A. In its April 2025 outlook the ADB cut India's FY26 growth estimate to 6.7% from 7%, citing global trade tensions and possible US tariffs on Indian exports.
129. The ₹1,600 crore allocated under M-CADWM for irrigation infrastructure benefits which state(s)?
Answer: B. The outlay is not limited to one state; it will help many states improve irrigation and manage water efficiently.
130. Which initiative did the Ministry of Women and Child Development bring under Mission Shakti for the safety and well-being of women and children?
Answer: C. Palna sits under Mission Shakti and offers crèche facilities and key services that help working mothers and their children.
131. How many Rafale-Marine jets did the Cabinet Committee on Security approve for the Indian Navy?
Answer: C. The CCS approved 26 Rafale-M jets: 22 single-seaters and 4 trainers.
132. The Supreme Court judgment on Governor R.N. Ravi concerned how many Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly?
Answer: B. The ruling dealt with 10 State Assembly Bills.
133. Which body was asked to draft the new Aadhaar law?
Answer: B. The minister asked UIDAI to begin drafting the revised law.
134. M-CADWM approved by the Union Cabinet is a sub-scheme of which scheme?
Answer: B. It is a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
135. Under which umbrella is the Palna Scheme placed?
Answer: A. Palna is part of the Samarthya sub-scheme under Mission Shakti.
136. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused which country of covert involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine?
Answer: D. Zelenskyy charged China with secret involvement, claiming that 155 Chinese nationals were fighting and that two had reportedly been captured in the Donetsk region.
137. The Ayushman Bharat Scheme was recently launched in which city to give its residents health coverage?
Answer: D. The Delhi government began the Ayushman Bharat Scheme for its residents in order to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and widen access to medical services.
138. On his Jayanti, which figure did Prime Minister Modi honour for his work in social reform and education?
Answer: E. Modi paid tribute to the social reformer Jyotiba Phule on his Jayanti, recognising what he did for education reform and social work.
139. The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) brought in during 2024 serves what purpose?
Answer: A. The PAI 2024 was created to judge panchayat performance across nine themes, encouraging good governance and development at the grassroots.
140. In which place was the Himalayan High Altitude Climate Research Centre inaugurated to study the effects of climate change?
Answer: B. The centre for studying climate change impacts in the Himalayas was inaugurated in Jammu & Kashmir, with the intent of improving research and policy making.
141. Which institution signed a strategic MoU with the New Development Bank to strengthen infrastructure financing?
Answer: D. NaBFID entered a strategic MoU with the New Development Bank so the two can cooperate on financing infrastructure and boost development projects in India.
142. What did a recent Reserve Bank of India study conclude about the effect of geopolitical risks on emerging markets?
Answer: D. The RBI study found that geopolitical risks magnify and show up late in emerging markets, hurting financial stability and growth over time.
143. Moody's Analytics has revised its 2025 GDP growth forecast for India to what figure?
Answer: E. Moody's Analytics moved its 2025 India growth forecast up to 6.6 percent, pointing to strong domestic demand, healthy credit growth and government capital spending.
144. According to data mentioned in April 2025, which state ranked first in rice production in India?
Answer: A. West Bengal is recorded as India's leading rice producer, helped by fertile soil and plentiful rainfall that suit the crop.
145. How many Chinese nationals did Ukraine claim were fighting for Russia?
Answer: B. Kyiv said it had evidence of 155 Chinese nationals in combat.
146. How many Delhi families receive ₹5 lakh yearly cover under AB PM-JAY, as per its Delhi rollout?
Answer: B. 6.5 lakh families in Delhi are covered under PM-JAY.
147. Jyotiba Phule founded which organisation in 1873 to promote equality and rational thinking?
Answer: B. The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded in 1873.
148. Where did Rajnath Singh address the 80th Defence Services Staff College course convocation in April 2025?
Answer: C. The convocation took place in Wellington, Nilgiris.
149. By what percentage did the Education Ministry raise PM-POSHAN material cost from 1 May 2025?
Answer: C. The material cost for cooking hot meals was increased by 9.5%.
150. According to the Women and Men in India 2024 report, what was India's female LFPR in 2023-24?
Answer: C. It rose to 41.7% from 23.2% in 2017-18.
151. What is the chief goal of India's Design-Linked Incentive Scheme?
Answer: A. By giving financial incentives to startups and MSMEs working on chip design, the scheme strengthens the domestic design ecosystem and lessens import reliance.
152. What is the AIKosh platform launched by the Indian government meant to do?
Answer: B. AIKosh merges cultural and religious texts with government data to form an AI platform with a wide range of applications.
153. Which ethical worry is linked to Colossal Biosciences' de-extinction projects?
Answer: C. Reviving extinct species raises concern over what happens to current ecosystems, to the animals themselves, and to conservation spending.
154. Why is India's Gaurav Long-Range Glide Bomb strategically significant?
Answer: D. The glide bomb lets the Air Force hit targets precisely from afar, so aircraft face less exposure to enemy defences.
155. By what percentage did equity mutual fund inflows fall in March 2025?
Answer: E. Inflows into equity mutual funds dropped 14.4% in March 2025, hinting at cautious investor sentiment.
156. What did the RBI propose for the Loan-to-Value ratio on gold loans?
Answer: A. The RBI suggested a 65% LTV ratio for gold loans to curb the risk of large loans against gold and promote credit discipline.
157. What was the reason IRDAI cautioned Heritage TPA?
Answer: B. The insurance regulator warned the firm because it broke rules on handling claims, which can erode policyholders' trust.
158. What is the main concern about air pollution's influence on rainfall in Indian cities?
Answer: C. Pollution acidifies rainfall, which can damage crops, soil, water bodies and built structures, creating environmental and economic problems.
159. Why did the Punjab government prohibit the sale of certain hybrid paddy seeds?
Answer: D. Growing those seeds degraded the soil and, through higher input costs, added to farmers' financial burden, so the state banned them.
160. To what level did China raise tariffs on US imports in April 2025 in response to Washington's duties?
Answer: C. China raised tariffs on US goods to 125%.
161. What share of climate policies mention women, as per the notes?
Answer: B. Just 6% of climate policies mention women; 1% consider the poor.
162. Which Italian port did Antonio Tajani offer as a central hub for the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor?
Answer: C. Italy offered Trieste Port as a central IMEC hub.
163. Which scheme, effective 1 January 2021, replaced MEIS for exporters?
Answer: A. RoDTEP replaced the MEIS export incentive.
164. The IMO's April 2025 climate framework for shipping aims for net-zero GHG emissions by around which year?
Answer: C. The goal is net-zero by or around 2050.
165. Who said 'We do not negotiate at gunpoint' regarding the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement?
Answer: C. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal made the remark.
166. The options open to a Governor on receiving a bill passed by the State Legislature are set out in which article of the Indian Constitution?
Answer: B. Article 200 covers the Governor's powers over state bills: assent, withholding assent, returning for reconsideration, or reserving the bill for the President.
167. India's National Aerospace Laboratories developed which civilian aircraft to improve regional connectivity?
Answer: C. Saras Mk2 is a 19-seater civilian aircraft built by NAL under CSIR to strengthen regional air connectivity within India.
168. A recent study of spatial rainfall trends across India for 2011 to 2020 showed rainfall timing had shifted. What is the main consequence of this shift?
Answer: D. Because the timing of rain has moved, the agricultural calendar is affected, which can upset cropping patterns and threaten food security.
169. Which type of diabetes was formally recognised by the International Diabetes Federation at the World Diabetes Congress 2025?
Answer: E. The IDF formally recognised Type 5 diabetes in 2025; it is linked with malnutrition and was first reported in Jamaica in 1955.
170. A new rt-LAMP assay for early tuberculosis diagnosis was developed by which Indian institute?
Answer: A. The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology developed the rt-LAMP assay, a fast and affordable way to diagnose TB early.
171. The Genome India Project wants to gather genetic samples from varied populations. Which group is a major focus?
Answer: B. The project puts emphasis on endogamous groups so it can learn about genetic diversity and what it means for disease risk and personalised medicine.
172. After the RBI cut the repo rate to 6%, which bank lowered its Repo-Based Lending Rate (RBLR) to 8.85%?
Answer: C. Following the RBI's cut, Bank of India brought its RBLR down from 9.10% to 8.85% to pass the benefit on to borrowers.
173. What was identified as the main cause of the recent UPI outage that hit digital transactions in India?
Answer: D. The outage was blamed on concentration risk, since depending on a handful of key players leaves the whole digital payments system vulnerable.
174. Which bank recently pulled its special fixed deposit scheme and cut interest rates?
Answer: E. Bank of India withdrew its special fixed deposit scheme and lowered rates in response to changes in the RBI's monetary policy.
175. Which body oversees the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India?
Answer: A. UPI is run and managed by NPCI, a non-profit set up by the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association to support retail payments and settlement.
176. The Maharashtra-ROSATOM thorium SMR MoU is described as a first for which category?
Answer: B. It is described as the first instance of an Indian state government entering nuclear energy development. Central approval is still needed.
177. Which statement about India's automotive sector, as per the NITI Aayog report, is correct?
Answer: B. India holds about 3% of global component trade. It is 4th in production, the production goal is $145 billion and the target year is 2030.
178. Which ridge, southwest of the Siachen Glacier, was central to Pakistan's 1980s claim before Operation Meghdoot?
Answer: B. Pakistan sought to claim the Saltoro Ridge, a Karakoram spur southwest of the glacier; Operation Meghdoot countered this.
179. From which year will the IMO's global carbon tax on shipping take effect?
Answer: B. The notes say the tax comes into effect from 2028.
180. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Governor's assent to State Bills?
Answer: B. Article 200 lists the Governor's options on a Bill.
196. Concerns about weakening the Right to Information (RTI) Act in India have been raised against which recent amendment?
Answer: A. The DPDP Act, 2023 permits withholding all personal information with no public interest exception, which could weaken the transparency provisions of the RTI Act.
197. What is the chief worry about the development of Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad?
Answer: C. Development at Kancha Gachibowli is feared mainly because it could cause a loss of biodiversity, which shows why urban planning must be sustainable.
198. Which technological advance makes faster data transmission possible in silicon chips?
Answer: D. Silicon photonics builds optical components into silicon chips so data moves using light rather than electrical signals, which is quicker.
199. Why does it matter to integrate lasers directly onto silicon chips?
Answer: E. Putting lasers on silicon chips makes on-chip optical communication possible, giving faster and more efficient data processing.
200. As of April 15, 2025, what did the State Bank of India (SBI) do with its special deposit scheme?
Answer: A. SBI cut the rates on its special deposit scheme as a response to the RBI's monetary policy adjustments.
201. For what reason are banks asking for the power to freeze "mule accounts"?
Answer: B. Mule accounts help carry out cyber fraud, so banks want to freeze them in order to make financial transactions more secure.
202. The IMF says geopolitical events cause global stock markets to fall by how much per month on average?
Answer: C. The IMF reports that geopolitical events lead to an average fall of 1 percent a month in global stock markets, showing the strain on financial stability.
203. What did the IMF advise financial institutions to do in the face of rising geopolitical risks?
Answer: D. The IMF suggested that financial institutions keep strong capital and liquidity buffers so they can withstand shocks from growing geopolitical tension.
204. Which state, with the backing of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), is promoting natural farming?
Answer: E. Himachal Pradesh is encouraging natural farming with NABARD's support, aiming for sustainable agriculture and less reliance on chemical inputs.
205. Under the Centre's 'Nutri-Cereals' campaign, which step is being taken to promote millets?
Answer: A. The campaign is encouraging millets in mid-day meals, which improves children's nutrition and supports millet cultivation.
206. In which IMF report were the geopolitical risk findings presented?
Answer: C. The findings come from the forthcoming Global Financial Stability Report.
207. Which section of the DPDP Act, 2023 amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act?
Answer: A. Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act brings the amendment.
208. How much land is under dispute in Kancha Gachibowli, Hyderabad?
Answer: C. The dispute covers 400 acres.
209. Which type of Crew Escape System will the human-rated LVM3 for Gaganyaan use?
Answer: B. A tractor-type CES sits atop the crew module.
210. Which ASI unit conducted expeditions at Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka?
Answer: C. The ASI's Underwater Archaeology Wing carried out the expeditions.
226. The 'Bhu Bharati' portal for managing land records was recently launched by which Indian state?
Answer: C. Telangana's government introduced Bhu Bharati to digitise land records and make land administration more transparent and efficient.
227. Under Round-IX of the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), how many blocks were awarded to strengthen India's energy sector?
Answer: D. Twenty-eight blocks were handed to various companies in OALP Round-IX so that unexplored energy resources across India can be tapped.
228. Which unique biological trait of the mantis shrimp is inspiring work on phononic shielding mechanisms?
Answer: D. The mantis shrimp's claw strikes extremely fast and hard, and researchers study its microstructure to design shielding that soaks up and spreads out energy.
229. Phononic shielding mechanisms that draw on biological structures are mainly used for what?
Answer: E. These mechanisms are built to block or control certain sound frequencies, cutting noise and vibration for use in engineering.
230. SEBI cleared which financial services firm to start mutual fund operations under the name 'Capitalmind Mutual Fund'?
Answer: A. Capitalmind Financial Services, founded by Deepak Shenoy, got SEBI's approval to launch Capitalmind Mutual Fund and move into asset management.
231. Punjab National Bank (PNB) marked its 131st foundation day by launching how many new products?
Answer: B. PNB released 34 new products on its 131st foundation day to improve the customer experience and broaden its range of services.
232. India's retail inflation in March 2025 was the lowest since August 2019. What was the figure?
Answer: C. Retail inflation eased to 3.34 percent in March 2025, its lowest since August 2019, mainly because food prices, especially vegetables, came down.
233. The World Trade Organization's revised 2025 forecast projects what change in global merchandise trade?
Answer: E. The WTO now expects global merchandise trade to shrink by 0.2 percent in 2025, reflecting worries over U.S. tariff developments and policy uncertainty.
234. What was the size of India's trade deficit with China in fiscal year 2024-25?
Answer: E. India's deficit with China reached $99.2 billion in 2024-25, driven largely by a surge in imports of electronics goods and consumer durables.
235. What percentage of the long-period average (LPA) rainfall has the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast for the 2025 monsoon season?
Answer: A. The IMD expects rainfall equal to 105 percent of the long-period average, which is above normal and should help farm output and food prices.
236. WTO revised its 2025 global merchandise trade forecast to what change?
Answer: B. The WTO now expects a 0.2% decline in 2025.
237. What was India's trade deficit with China in FY 2024-25?
Answer: B. India recorded a $99.2 billion trade deficit with China.
238. The White House said China may face tariffs of up to what level on its exports to the US?
Answer: C. The fact sheet said tariffs of up to 245% were possible.
239. In which year was the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra last held, per the notes?
Answer: B. It was last conducted in 2019.
240. Which tribe is India's largest, ahead of the Gonds who rank second?
Answer: B. The Bhil tribe is the largest; the Gond is second largest.
241. Which state rolled out the 'Bhu Bharati' portal to manage land records?
Answer: B. The Telangana government set up Bhu Bharati to bring land records online and make land administration smoother and more transparent.
242. Under OALP Round-IX, which number of blocks was awarded to boost India's energy sector?
Answer: C. In OALP Round-IX, 28 blocks were allotted to companies so that untapped energy resources can be explored.
243. The mantis shrimp's inspiration for phononic shielding comes from which biological feature?
Answer: D. Its claw strikes with great speed and force, so researchers examine its microstructure to build shielding that absorbs and dissipates energy.
244. Phononic shielding mechanisms inspired by living structures are primarily used for what?
Answer: E. They are engineered to block or manage certain sound frequencies, lowering noise and vibration in many engineering settings.
245. Which company got SEBI's approval for mutual fund operations branded 'Capitalmind Mutual Fund'?
Answer: A. Capitalmind Financial Services, founded by Deepak Shenoy, secured SEBI's go-ahead and so enters asset management with its own mutual fund.
246. Punjab National Bank marked its 131st foundation day by launching how many new products?
Answer: B. To celebrate 131 years, PNB launched 34 products meant to make banking better for customers and widen its services.
247. March 2025 retail inflation in India, the lowest since August 2019, stood at what level?
Answer: C. Easing food prices, vegetables above all, pulled retail inflation to 3.34%, inside the RBI's 2-6% target band.
248. What was India's WPI-based inflation figure for March 2025?
Answer: D. Wholesale price inflation in March 2025 was 2.05%, with food and primary articles playing a major role.
249. 'Aduthurai Betel Leaves' earned a GI tag for which state?
Answer: E. The leaves, prized for their aroma and taste, got the Geographical Indication tag, which supports local growers and preserves a tradition.
250. Which Indian institute is working on climate-resilient varieties of wheat and paddy?
Answer: A. IARI is breeding wheat and paddy that can withstand climate stresses such as erratic rain and extreme heat.
251. Which Chief Justice led the Supreme Court bench that recorded the Centre's Waqf assurances in April 2025?
Answer: B. The bench was led by CJI Sanjiv Khanna.
252. Flue Gas Desulphurisation systems in coal plants mainly remove which pollutant?
Answer: B. FGD removes sulphur dioxide from flue gases.
253. Which ministry spearheaded the TruthTell Hackathon under the 32 Create in India Challenges?
Answer: B. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting led it with ICEA.
254. Which telescope detected possible biosignature gases in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18 b?
Answer: D. JWST detected DMS and DMDS in K2-18 b's atmosphere.
255. Which two bodies are running the V2G pilot in Kerala?
Answer: B. The Kerala State Electricity Board partnered with IIT Bombay.
256. The 'Viksit Bharat 2047' initiative launched by the Indian government is mainly intended to do what?
Answer: B. Viksit Bharat 2047 aims to make India a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of independence, through work in infrastructure, education, health and governance.
257. Which well-known Indian cardiologist, called the 'Doyen of Angioplasty', died recently?
Answer: D. Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, a pioneer who helped introduce and popularise angioplasty in India, was the cardiologist who passed away.
258. What significant change has the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) made concerning GST registration?
Answer: D. CBIC reworked the GST registration framework by adding biometric Aadhaar authentication, which tightens verification and curbs fraudulent registrations.
259. What instruction did the Finance Ministry give banks about eNWR lending?
Answer: E. The ministry urged banks to lend more against eNWRs so credit flows better to agriculture and farmers get better prices for their produce.
260. What is the GST position on UPI transactions above ₹2,000?
Answer: A. UPI transactions are exempt from GST whatever the amount, and the government clarified this includes those over ₹2,000 to encourage digital payments.
261. Why do family offices favour the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) route in GIFT City over Family Investment Funds (FIFs)?
Answer: C. Family offices pick the AIF route because its regulatory processes are streamlined, whereas the FIF framework is relatively complicated.
262. What is the main goal of the ₹2,250 crore Export Promotion Mission launched by the Indian government?
Answer: D. The ₹2,250 crore mission seeks to raise India's export competitiveness through financial help, infrastructure development and policy support for exporters.
263. Which body is in charge of implementing the Export Promotion Mission?
Answer: D. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry leads the mission and works with different stakeholders on strategies to lift India's export performance.
264. What effect is the Export Promotion Mission expected to have on India's trade balance?
Answer: E. By pushing exports up, the mission is expected to improve India's trade surplus and strengthen the country's economic standing globally.
265. The Natyashastra, recently inscribed by UNESCO, is attributed to which figure and subject?
Answer: C. The Natyashastra is attributed to Bharata Muni and deals with drama, dance, music and aesthetics. The Gita is attributed to Vyasa.
266. The Director-General of the IBCA Secretariat is appointed by which Indian ministry?
Answer: D. The Secretariat head is appointed by India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
267. Why is the new protection for DPS Flamingo Lake considered a first?
Answer: C. The notes describe it as the first wetland connected to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary to receive such protection.
268. Which three agencies developed the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021?
Answer: B. JWST was developed by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
269. Which set of sites formed India's first World Heritage listings in 1983?
Answer: B. The notes list Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves as India's first four listings in 1983.
270. Which US official said Washington could move on from Russia-Ukraine peace efforts if no progress came in days?
Answer: A. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the remark in Paris.
271. Which US official is slated to travel to India for talks on the economy, trade and diplomacy?
Answer: D. JD Vance, the US Vice President, is due in India to discuss economic, trade and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
272. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's US trip is for meetings of which international bodies?
Answer: E. She is going to attend the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF, where global economic matters are taken up.
273. On her US trip, with whom is Nirmala Sitharaman expected to take up tariffs and trade talks?
Answer: A. Discussions on India-US tariffs and trade are scheduled between Sitharaman and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
274. What notable change did the RBI announce about minors and bank accounts?
Answer: B. The RBI said minors older than 10 may open and run accounts independently, which promotes financial inclusion for young people.
275. What is the main advantage of letting children above 10 run bank accounts independently?
Answer: C. Handling an account from a young age teaches children about managing money and how banking works.
276. As per the RBI's new guidelines, which accounts can minors open on their own?
Answer: D. The guidelines let minors independently open and operate savings as well as term deposit accounts, encouraging a habit of saving.
277. According to the RBI, who may serve as guardian when a minor opens a bank account?
Answer: E. A minor's account can be opened with any natural or legal guardian, which keeps the arrangement flexible and inclusive.
278. What are India's exports to the US projected to be for FY25?
Answer: A. The data indicate that exports to the US could reach $41.18 billion in FY25, a marked rise over earlier fiscal years.
279. Which approach is India considering in response to US worries over its growing trade deficit with India?
Answer: B. India is looking at purchasing more American goods so as to shrink its trade surplus and ease the US concern.
280. What will the upcoming India-US BTA negotiations mainly deal with?
Answer: C. The Bilateral Trade Agreement talks cover 19 chapters such as goods, services, customs facilitation and regulatory issues, so trade is the core.
281. What does PABS stand for in the WHO Pandemic Agreement draft?
Answer: B. PABS is the Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system.
282. What was India's trade surplus with the US in FY25, according to the notes?
Answer: C. The FY25 surplus reached $41.18 billion.
283. Which Article of the Constitution requires a minimum of five judges for Constitution Benches of the Supreme Court?
Answer: C. Article 145(3) sets the five-judge requirement.
284. Which launch vehicle carried the SpaDeX mission on 30 December 2024?
Answer: B. SpaDeX launched via PSLV-C60.
285. Which new initiative was launched at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting?
Answer: B. The Land Restoration Partnership was launched to fight land degradation.
286. What is the main purpose behind India's engagement with the Arctic's Northern Sea Route (NSR)?
Answer: A. India is interested in the NSR because it could be a shorter sea route that cuts shipping time and costs between Asia and Europe.
287. What change did the RBI make to the run-off factor under the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) for non-financial entities?
Answer: C. For deposits from non-financial entities such as trusts and partnerships, the RBI cut the run-off factor from 100% to 40%, easing banks' liquidity requirements.
288. What is the Reserve Bank of India's Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) used for?
Answer: C. The SDF lets the RBI soak up excess liquidity from banks without giving collateral, which helps manage inflation and keep monetary conditions stable.
289. What pattern was seen in private banks' hiring in FY25?
Answer: A. Private banks hired more slowly in FY25 while still growing their branch networks, possibly because of digitisation and cost-cutting.
290. As reported by the RBI, what happened to India's Net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)?
Answer: E. The RBI reported a steep fall in net FDI, which suggests gross inflows stayed strong but outflows or repatriations rose.
291. A fall in the Rupee's Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) signals what?
Answer: A. When the REER declines, the Rupee has weakened in real terms against a basket of currencies, which can help exports but make imports costlier.
292. Which factors helped the Indian economy stay resilient despite global trade tensions?
Answer: C. Strong domestic consumption together with a stable banking sector softened the blow of global trade uncertainty on India's economy.
293. What impact is the 2025 monsoon forecast expected to have on India's agricultural sector?
Answer: C. A normal monsoon is forecast for 2025, which should keep farm production steady and help hold down food inflation.
294. Which climate factors are shaping the 2025 monsoon forecast for India?
Answer: D. The 2025 forecast is influenced by La Niña and the Indian Ocean Dipole, both of which play a major role in setting monsoon patterns.
295. Why does the government's investment in deep-sea initiatives such as 'Samudrayaan' and 'Matsya 6000' matter?
Answer: E. Spending on Samudrayaan and Matsya 6000 is meant to explore and use ocean resources, supporting economic development and resource security.
296. Where did US Vice-President J.D. Vance deliver his address during his four-day India visit?
Answer: B. He spoke at the Rajasthan International Centre.
297. What global growth rate did IMF's April 2025 WEO project for 2025?
Answer: B. Growth falls from 3.3% in 2024 to 2.8% in 2025.
298. What is the name of India's research station in Svalbard?
Answer: D. The notes name Himadri as India's Svalbard station.
299. Which BNS section deals with sexual intercourse under a false promise of marriage?
Answer: C. Section 69 BNS creates this separate offence.
300. What is the LPA of rainfall for 1971-2020, as cited with the 2025 monsoon forecast?
301. Which state recently started an initiative to improve digital literacy among rural women?
Answer: A. Kerala's new initiative aims to empower rural women through technology and narrow the digital divide.
302. Which step has the RBI recently taken to ease liquidity in the banking system?
Answer: B. By conducting OMOs the RBI injects liquidity into banks, helping keep money supply adequate and interest rates steady.
303. Which bank has recently teamed up with a fintech firm to improve its digital lending platform?
Answer: C. ICICI Bank's tie-up with a fintech is meant to make loan processing faster and the customer experience better.
304. What is the main purpose of the RBI's recent digital lending guidelines?
Answer: D. The guidelines tackle unethical practices by demanding transparency, data privacy and responsible lending.
305. What growth rate for India's GDP in FY2025-26 has the World Bank projected?
Answer: E. The World Bank's projection of 6.3% for FY2025-26 reflects a mild slowdown because of global economic uncertainty.
306. Which recent trend has India's inflation rate shown?
Answer: A. Inflation has eased a little, helped by softer food prices and effective monetary policy.
307. Which sector has grown strongly and supported India's economic resilience?
Answer: B. Strong growth in services has helped the economy stay resilient through global headwinds.
308. What effect on India's farm output is expected from the 2025 monsoon?
Answer: C. A normal monsoon is forecast for 2025, which should keep agricultural production steady and help hold down food inflation.
309. Government incentives in the 2025 Kharif season are expected to increase cultivation of which crop?
Answer: D. Incentives are intended to get farmers to plant more pulses in Kharif 2025, which would lower import dependence and strengthen food security.
310. Which scheme did the Ministry of Agriculture recently launch to encourage sustainable farming and lower input costs?
Answer: E. PM-PRANAM aims at sustainable agriculture by cutting chemical fertiliser use and promoting organic methods.
311. How many new refineries did India and Saudi Arabia agree to collaborate on in India?
Answer: B. They agreed to collaborate on two refineries.
312. The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in which year, with the World Bank brokering it?
Answer: B. The notes say it was signed on September 19, 1960.
313. Which pollutant, mainly from coal-based power plants, is a major cause of acid rain?
Answer: D. SO2 comes from coal combustion and drives acid rain.
314. Judicial review in India is implied mainly through which Article?
Answer: A. Article 13 voids laws that contravene fundamental rights, implying judicial review.
315. To which international body will India present its first National Adaptation Plan?
Answer: C. The plan goes to the UNFCCC by September.
316. Which index was introduced to measure how well Panchayats are doing in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Answer: A. The Panchayat Advancement Index evaluates how Panchayats perform on the Sustainable Development Goals, with attention to local governance and development.
317. Which initiative was started to give athletes digital access to their documents?
Answer: B. DigiLocker was extended to athletes so they can store and reach important documents digitally, which adds convenience and cuts paperwork.
318. Which organization has told crypto exchanges in India to redo their Know Your Customer (KYC) process by June 30, 2025?
Answer: D. FIU-IND required crypto exchanges to repeat KYC by June 30, 2025, to improve compliance and help prevent financial crime.
319. How much gold did the Reserve Bank of India buy in FY25?
Answer: D. The RBI added 57.5 tonnes of gold in FY25, a move meant to diversify reserves and support financial stability.
320. Recent reports identify which factor as the main concern weighing on private investment in India?
Answer: E. New tariff scenarios have created uncertainty, and the possibility of shifting trade conditions is affecting private investment decisions in India.
321. What has been the recent direction of External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) inflows into India?
Answer: B. ECB inflows have risen significantly, helped by favourable global interest rates and investor confidence.
322. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified what rate of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on certain foreign remittances?
Answer: C. The CBDT fixed a 1 percent TCS rate on certain foreign remittances to simplify tax collection and improve compliance.
323. Through government incentives, cultivation of which crop is being encouraged in the 2025 Kharif season?
Answer: D. Incentives are being offered to promote pulses in the 2025 Kharif season, so that output rises and import dependence falls.
324. How is the 2025 monsoon expected to affect India's agricultural output?
Answer: D. The 2025 monsoon is forecast to be normal, which should keep agricultural production steady and help keep food inflation in check.
325. Which scheme did the Ministry of Agriculture recently launch to encourage sustainable farming and bring down input costs?
Answer: E. PM-PRANAM promotes sustainable agriculture by cutting the use of chemical fertilizers and encouraging organic practices.
326. How many Indian High Commission personnel remained in Islamabad after Pakistan's downsizing order?
Answer: B. The staff was reduced from 55 to 30.
327. Which WTO negotiation round, begun in 2001, has failed to deliver substantial results?
Answer: B. The notes say the Doha Round since 2001 delivered little.
328. After the second round of procurement, how many high-performance GPUs will India have under the IndiaAI Mission?
Answer: D. Adding 15,000 GPUs lifts the total to 33,000.
329. Which organisation's report linked algorithmic management in India to lower job quality?
Answer: B. The International Labour Organization reported the decline in job quality.
330. Which ministry launched the Panchayat Advancement Index?
Answer: B. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the PAI.
331. Similipal Tiger Reserve was declared India's 107th National Park in April 2025 by which state?
Answer: C. Odisha's Chief Minister announced the status for Similipal, situated in Mayurbhanj district, to strengthen conservation and biodiversity.
332. What is the name of the new net banking system being built by NPCI Bharat BillPay?
Answer: D. NPCI Bharat BillPay is developing Netbanking 2.0 to improve the experience with better interoperability and simpler processes.
333. Which entity is responsible for building Netbanking 2.0?
Answer: E. A subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India, NPCI Bharat BillPay, is developing it for digital payment infrastructure.
334. What is the main aim of Netbanking 2.0?
Answer: A. The system standardises processes so payment aggregators need not strike separate arrangements with each bank, which improves interoperability.
335. What did the World Bank's Poverty and Equity Briefs give as India's extreme poverty rate for 2022-23?
Answer: B. The World Bank said extreme poverty in India dropped to 2.3% in 2022-23, a big decline that signals real progress.
336. How many people in India moved above the international poverty line between 2011-12 and 2022-23?
Answer: C. Roughly 171 million Indians rose above the international poverty line over that period, a sign of poverty reduction.
337. What record volume of cargo moved on India's inland waterways in FY 2024-25?
Answer: D. A record 145.5 million metric tonnes moved on the country's inland waterways in FY 2024-25, showing strong growth.
338. Which crop is being encouraged through government incentives in the 2025 Kharif season?
Answer: E. Incentives are being offered to raise pulse production and cut the country's dependence on imports.
339. How is the 2025 monsoon expected to affect India's agricultural output?
Answer: A. Forecasters expect a normal monsoon, which should keep farm production steady and help contain food inflation.
340. Which scheme was recently launched by the Ministry of Agriculture for sustainable farming with lower input costs?
Answer: B. PM-PRANAM encourages sustainable agriculture by lessening chemical fertiliser use and promoting organic practices.
341. Which country mediated the recent US-Iran nuclear talks held in Muscat and Rome?
Answer: C. Oman mediated the two rounds of talks.
342. Where was the Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025 held?
Answer: C. The Hindu-Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025 was held in Chennai.
343. How many Rafale-Marine jets does India's agreement with France cover?
Answer: C. The deal is for 26 jets: 22 single-seaters and 4 trainers.
344. India's extreme poverty at $2.15/day PPP fell to what level in 2022-23, per the World Bank?
Answer: A. It fell from 16% in 2011-12 to 2.3% in 2022-23.
345. The BBNJ Treaty is the third implementing agreement under which convention?
Answer: B. BBNJ is an implementing agreement under UNCLOS.
346. Which Indian state recently saw the announcement of a Makhana Board to promote Makhana cultivation and exports?
Answer: A. The 2025 Union Budget announced a Makhana Board in Bihar to promote fox nut cultivation and exports, recognising the state's big role in its production.
347. What is the name of the measure in the 2025 Union Budget that exempts income up to ₹12 lakh from income tax?
Answer: C. The New Income Tax Bill from the 2025 Union Budget frees people earning up to ₹12 lakh a year from tax, simplifying the system and lightening compliance.
348. Which initiative was launched to extend enhanced credit via Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers?
Answer: D. This yojana makes short-term loans of up to ₹5 lakh available through KCC to 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers, widening access to credit.
349. Which cooperative bank was caught up in a ₹122 crore scam that led the RBI to restrict withdrawals?
Answer: D. Funds were misappropriated over six years at New India Cooperative Bank, after which the RBI limited withdrawals and superseded its board.
350. In May 2025, what step did the RBI take to put liquidity into the banking system?
Answer: E. The RBI announced it would buy bonds worth ₹1.25 trillion to add liquidity, which works much like a rate cut by lowering short-term interest rates.
351. According to the RBI, what is the revised GDP growth forecast for India for fiscal year 2024-25?
Answer: A. The RBI lowered its 2024-25 growth forecast from 6.7% to 6.5%, with stable inflation and moderate growth shaping its accommodative stance.
352. According to the Reuters poll, what is the main reason India's economic outlook has dimmed?
Answer: B. The poll said growth prospects weakened because of proposed U.S. tariffs and persistently weak private investment, cutting the GDP forecast from 6.5% to 6.3%.
353. What average consumer inflation rate is expected for India in fiscal year 2024-25?
Answer: C. Consumer inflation is projected to average 4.0% in 2024-25, in line with the RBI's target and leaving space for accommodative policy to support growth.
354. What effect is the favorable monsoon forecast expected to have on India's economy?
Answer: D. With rains forecast to be about 5% above average, food prices should steady, which may leave room for rate cuts to spur growth amid global uncertainty.
355. By which date did India hope to finalise an early BTA tranche with the US?
Answer: B. India hoped to finalise it by July 8, 2025, before the tariff pause expires.
356. In which year was the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra initiated under an India-China bilateral agreement?
Answer: B. The pilgrimage began in 1981.
357. Which UN body received India's revised Arabian Sea extended continental shelf submissions?
Answer: A. The submissions went to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
358. What does SBaaS stand for in the INSPACe initiative?
Answer: C. SBaaS means Satellite Bus as a Service.
359. Five cheetah cubs were recently born in which national park under Project Cheetah?
Answer: B. The cubs were born at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
360. According to the World Bank report, India's extreme poverty at $2.15 per day fell to what level in 2022-23?
Answer: B. It dropped from 16% in 2011-12 to 2.3% in 2022-23.
361. A ₹64,000 crore agreement to supply 26 Rafale-M jets to the Indian Navy was recently finalised with which country?
Answer: E. India sealed the ₹64,000 crore Rafale-M purchase with France, with deliveries slated for 2028 to 2030.
362. What is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana mainly intended to achieve?
Answer: A. The scheme targets 1 crore rooftop solar connections, handled through a fully digital process on the National Portal.
363. In the Pew Research survey, what share of Indians back uncensored media?
Answer: B. Although 80% think the media is free, just 68% back uncensored media, which points to censorship becoming normalised.
364. Which new financial instrument did the RBI bring in from May 2, 2025?
Answer: C. The RBI moved beyond cash-settled instruments with physical bond forwards, which help in hedging and lift demand for long-term SDLs.
365. What penalty did SEBI levy on Patel Wealth Advisors for spoofing?
Answer: D. SEBI fined PWA ₹3.22 crore and barred it from the market over 621 spoofing instances in 193 stocks, as part of a crackdown on algorithmic fraud.
366. Under the T+1 settlement regime, what is the new rule for collecting margins?
Answer: E. Brokers now have to collect client margins by the next trading day, which ensures timely compliance and lowers systemic risk.
367. What did the SIPRI report give as India's total military spending in 2024?
Answer: A. SIPRI placed India fifth worldwide in military spending at $86.1 billion, reflecting regional threats and modernisation aims.
368. By how much did the Indian Rupee gain in April 2025?
Answer: B. The rupee firmed up 0.51% in April to ₹85.03 per dollar, helped by a weak dollar index and greater foreign inflows.
369. Which important step did the Finance Ministry take to improve UPI services?
Answer: C. After several outages, the ministry started measures to make UPI sturdier and more secure against cyber threats.
370. What is the aim of the Microfinance Regulation Bill that Tamil Nadu passed in 2025?
Answer: D. The bill targets forceful recovery methods used by microfinance institutions, with jail terms and district-level dispute mechanisms.
371. Which UK minister did Piyush Goyal meet in London to finalise the India-UK FTA?
Answer: B. He met Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.
372. In the Pew survey, what share of Indian respondents called made-up news a very big problem?
Answer: C. 65% of Indians see fake news as a very big problem.
373. According to SIPRI, what was India's military expenditure in 2024?
Answer: C. India's spending rose 1.6% to $86.1 billion.
374. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana aims to install rooftop solar for how many households?
Answer: C. The target is rooftop solar for 10 million households.
375. SMILE, the scheme for rehabilitating persons engaged in begging, expands to what?
Answer: B. SMILE is Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise.
376. According to recent data, how much plastic waste does India emit each year, by estimate?
Answer: E. India emits an estimated 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste a year, which makes up 20% of global plastic emissions.
377. Which principle upheld by the Supreme Court makes polluters answerable for environmental damage?
Answer: A. Under the Polluter Pays principle, whoever causes pollution must bear the costs of dealing with it.
378. As per the latest updates, what percentage of India is under forest cover?
Answer: C. India's forest cover is 25.17%, which falls short of the 33% target set in the National Forest Policy.
379. What major problem emerged in India's microfinance sector during FY25?
Answer: D. Gross NPAs in microfinance climbed to 16% in FY25, a sign of growing credit risk, especially among low-income borrowers.
380. Platforms such as Probo, MPL Opinio and PlayerzPot, against which SEBI has issued a warning, are engaged in what?
Answer: D. These platforms let users bet on outcomes such as elections or sports, which SEBI regards as risky and possibly illegal under securities laws.
381. What does SEBI's KRAs Wind-Down Framework concentrate on?
Answer: E. The framework ensures investor KYC data is moved smoothly and kept safe if a KYC Registration Agency closes down or becomes insolvent.
382. What size of bond purchase did the RBI recently announce in order to add liquidity?
Answer: A. The RBI announced bond purchases of ₹1.25 trillion, along with a ₹1.5 trillion transfer to the government, to keep market liquidity adequate.
383. SEBI has pushed the deadline for full T+0 settlement out to which date?
Answer: B. SEBI moved the T+0 settlement deadline to November 1, 2025, because brokers were not ready in time.
384. Which significant corporate name change was announced recently to align the company with its brand?
Answer: C. Fashnear Technologies, which is Meesho's parent, was renamed Meesho Pvt Ltd so the company name matches the brand clearly and consistently.
385. A new study highlights which key challenge in India's publicly funded R&D ecosystem?
Answer: D. The study found that the research sector gives limited help to start-up incubation and has too few international partnerships.
386. In what year were India-Canada ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership?
Answer: C. The notes say ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2015.
387. India has been placed on which list of the US Trade Representative for IP concerns in 2025?
Answer: A. The USTR kept India on its 2025 Priority Watch List.
388. How much plastic does India emit annually, making it the largest plastic polluter?
Answer: C. India emits 9.3 million tonnes a year, nearly 20% of the global share.
389. What forest and tree cover share does India have, against the 33% target of National Forest Policy 1988?
Answer: B. The notes state cover is 25.17%.
390. The study on India's public-funded R&D organisations was commissioned by which office?
Answer: B. The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser commissioned it; CII executed it.