1. Why is geo-mapping of rubber plantations being carried out in Kerala?
Answer: D. Mapping plots improves market access and helps meet the Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber framework and the EU Deforestation Regulation, aiding sustainability and competitiveness.
2. How many people were screened in the 100-Day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign?
Answer: A. The drive looked for TB in high-risk groups, with 10 crore people screened and 3.8 lakh given chest X-rays, though weak infrastructure limited results.
3. Which river dolphin conservation programme began in India in 2020?
Answer: D. Begun in 2020, it concentrates on protecting habitats of river dolphins, particularly in the Ganges and Brahmaputra systems.
4. Which of these forms a core part of the IndiaAI Mission?
Answer: B. AI Kosha is a national dataset platform that backs AI research and home-grown AI development under a mission with an outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore.
5. How does the Centre's Special Assistance Scheme for States mainly fund states?
Answer: E. The scheme totals ₹1.25 trillion, with ₹95,000 crore tied to reforms and ₹55,000 crore set by each state's share of central taxes, supporting infrastructure.
6. In which year is India's first home-made semiconductor chip expected to be produced?
Answer: C. India plans to release its first indigenous chip in 2025, backed by the 2021 Semicon India Programme and Tata projects in Morigaon and Dholera.
7. Which is a major hurdle for women entrepreneurs in India?
Answer: C. Startups led by women get far less funding and still struggle for credit, even with schemes like PM Jan Dhan, Mudra and Lakhpati Didi.
8. Which country was hit hardest by hacktivist attacks in 2024?
Answer: A. India absorbed 13% of hacktivist attacks worldwide in 2024, aimed at government, military, education and finance, exposing weak cybersecurity.
9. What separates futures contracts from options contracts?
Answer: E. In futures both sides must complete the trade at a preset price, whereas an options buyer holds a right and is not obliged to trade.
10. Which firm has recently prohibited intraday short-selling in non-F&O stocks?
Answer: B. Motilal Oswal stopped intraday short sales in stocks outside F&O so as to limit excess risk when markets are volatile.
11. Which country drafted the Arab League plan for Gaza's reconstruction that the OIC endorsed?
Answer: B. The notes call it the Egyptian-drafted plan approved in Cairo.
12. Which island did India redevelop as a joint surveillance facility with Mauritius?
Answer: B. India redeveloped Agaléga island as a joint surveillance facility.
13. Where is the headquarters of the New Development Bank, in which Pakistan planned a $582 million investment?
Answer: C. The NDB is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
14. Rubber Board's geo mapping of Kerala plantations mainly helps growers comply with which regulation?
Answer: A. The initiative targets EUDR compliance.
15. The 100-day intensified TB elimination campaign began on which date?
Answer: B. It began on December 7, 2024 across 33 States and UTs.