1. India elevated its bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership with which country recently?
Answer: E. The upgrade with Qatar deepens cooperation in trade, investment, energy and security, while talks on a Free Trade Agreement with the GCC are also under way.
2. Which issue poses the main diplomatic difficulty in India-Qatar ties?
Answer: C. Even though seven Indian detainees were sent home, the continued detention of ex-Navy commander Purnendu Tiwary remains a sensitive matter between the two countries.
3. Which of these is not among the measures in SEBI's strengthened security framework for online trading?
Answer: D. SEBI brought in SIM binding, biometrics, QR-based logins and investor control options against cyber fraud, but email OTP was not listed as a new feature.
4. What is the main obstacle to the proposed Russia-US negotiations over the Ukraine war?
Answer: B. The US and Russia began diplomatic efforts, yet Ukraine objects to being excluded and European allies worry about being pushed aside.
5. How did COVID-19 affect India's greenhouse gas emissions?
Answer: A. Lower economic activity during the pandemic cut emissions by 7.93% in 2020, although the upcoming Biannual Transparency Report is expected to show a rise.
6. India's first PSLV built by private industry is expected to fly in which year?
Answer: C. A consortium of HAL and L&T will build the vehicle, slated for launch in the third quarter of 2025, opening a new phase of private involvement in space missions.
7. The RBI's action against New India Cooperative Bank points to which financial risk in Indian banking?
Answer: E. Withdrawal curbs were placed on the bank owing to asset-liability mismatches, which heighten systemic risk and erode trust in banks.
8. How has India been handling import tariffs?
Answer: B. Duties went up on machinery and industrial items but down on transport and textiles, while farm tariffs stay above 38% to shield domestic farmers.
9. Which Indian state records the highest female unemployment rate?
Answer: A. Himachal Pradesh has the top female unemployment rate at 24%, whereas Gujarat shows the lowest overall unemployment at 3%.
10. What is the aim of India's ₹1,000 crore Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR financing?
Answer: D. By promoting electronic Warehouse Receipts, the scheme helps farmers obtain loans so they do not have to sell crops in distress.