1. Which country has restarted FTA negotiations with India after roughly ten years?
Answer: A. In March 2025 the two sides formally resumed talks after Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met New Zealand's Trade Minister Todd McClay.
2. What is the main aim of India's latest defence purchases from France, such as Rafale-M jets and Scorpene submarines?
Answer: D. The French deals, covering Rafale-M aircraft and Scorpene-class submarines, are intended to strengthen India's navy across the Indian Ocean region.
3. Which former president was arrested after an ICC warrant linked to a drug war?
Answer: B. The ex-Philippine president was taken into custody under an International Criminal Court warrant over alleged crimes against humanity in his anti-drug campaign.
4. Baidu's Ernie X1 AI is meant to rival a model from which global AI leader?
Answer: E. Ernie X1 from Baidu is positioned as a competitor to GPT-4 from OpenAI in the worldwide AI race.
5. Which national park was newly notified as India's 58th tiger reserve?
Answer: C. Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh received the status of the 58th tiger reserve, adding to the country's tiger conservation work.
6. Which illness, caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is emerging as a health worry in India?
Answer: C. Melioidosis, resulting from that bacterium, is being noted as a growing concern in India, especially in places like Odisha.
7. Which Indian institute found that the HIV drug Efavirenz may work against Chikungunya?
Answer: A. A team at IIT Roorkee reported that Efavirenz, used for HIV/AIDS, shows promise for treating Chikungunya infections.
8. What recent pattern is seen in demand under MGNREGA?
Answer: E. More people seeking MGNREGA work hints at underlying difficulty and distress in rural areas.
9. What has helped mutual funds pull ahead of bank deposits in India?
Answer: B. Mutual funds have gained appeal through new products, customisation for investors and easier access through digital platforms.
10. Which step has been suggested to improve digital debt collection in Indian microfinance?
Answer: D. Microfinance collections are being improved with AI risk scoring, automated reminders and mobile-based collection to raise efficiency and recoveries.
11. How many Rafale-M fighter jets are planned for the Indian Navy under the deal?
Answer: B. 26 jets: 22 single-seaters plus 4 twin-seater trainers.
12. Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on a warrant issued by which court?
Answer: B. He was arrested on an International Criminal Court warrant.
13. Which company launched the reasoning-focused AI model Ernie X1?
Answer: B. Baidu launched Ernie X1 and upgraded its flagship model to Ernie 4.5.
14. Which space agency is NOT among the five partners that assemble and maintain the ISS?
Answer: C. The ISS partners are NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA and CSA.
15. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to shrink which two atmospheric layers, reducing satellite capacity?
Answer: B. The study says the mesosphere and thermosphere will contract.