1. Which country stayed the top military spender in the world, per SIPRI Report 2026?
Answer: A. SIPRI 2026 shows the US kept spending the most on its military, holding a wide lead over every other nation.
2. Which organisation published "State of the Climate in Asia 2025"?
Answer: C. The World Meteorological Organization brought out this report, which centres on warming temperatures and climate risks across Asia.
3. What is the National Manufacturing Mission announced by the Centre chiefly meant to strengthen?
Answer: E. The mission was brought in to build up India's manufacturing ecosystem and back the Make in India drive.
4. The Bhargavastra counter-drone system was tested successfully by which agency?
Answer: B. DRDO's successful trial covered Bhargavastra, a home-grown technology built to neutralise hostile drones.
5. What does the new e-Zero FIR initiative relate to?
Answer: D. It lets people file FIRs online irrespective of jurisdiction, making police services easier to reach and more efficient.
6. Which agency is building India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train?
Answer: A. Indian Railways is developing the train as part of its push for green and sustainable transport.
7. Operation Olivia is run to protect which species?
Answer: C. The Indian Coast Guard conducts it every year to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season.
8. Mission Basundhara 3.0 was started by which state?
Answer: E. Assam launched it to ease land-related services and improve land governance through digital reforms.
9. The RBI Digital Payments Index gauges how far which thing has spread?
Answer: B. The index follows the growth and spread of digital payments in India using several parameters.
10. Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) is a framework for which area?
Answer: D. RBI uses PCA to watch banks with weak financial indicators and apply corrective steps to restore their stability.
11. Kuljeet Kaur Marhas is described as which of the following in the context of the Meteoritical Society fellowship?
Answer: B. She follows Devendra Lal and J.N. Goswami, making her the third Indian and first Indian woman Fellow.
12. The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 was prepared by the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat and which other UN body?
Answer: B. It was prepared jointly by UNDESA and the UNFF Secretariat.
13. After the duty hike, what is the effective import tax rate on gold and silver?
Answer: C. The effective rate doubled from about 9.2% to about 18.4%.
14. What is India's chosen theme as Kimberley Process Chair for 2026?
Answer: A. India's theme is the 3Cs: Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence.
15. The AI-enabled Forecast of Monsoon Advance launched by MoES covers how many blocks?
Answer: C. It covers 3,196 blocks across 15 states and 1 Union Territory.