1. The sex ratio at birth for 2021–23, as per the Women and Men in India 2025 report, stood at what figure?
A. 917 B. 904 C. 910 D. 925 E. 930 Answer: A. The report records a rise in the birth sex ratio from 904 in 2017–19 to 917 in 2021–23, pointing to better survival of girl babies.
2. Where will the country's first green methanol facility come up?
A. Cochin Port B. Visakhapatnam Port C. Mumbai Port D. Deendayal Port, Kandla E. Paradip Port Answer: D. The plant is planned at Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla, Gujarat, and will draw on Prosopis juliflora as its biomass feedstock.
3. What recycling capacity has been set as the goal under the National Critical Mineral Mission?
A. 750 KTPA B. 850 KTPA C. 1000 KTPA D. 500 KTPA E. 650 KTPA Answer: B. The mission sets a recycling goal of 850 kilo tonnes per annum, which signals an industrial scale of ambition.
4. Which description fits a 'Tathagata' in Buddhist thought?
A. A builder of monasteries B. A ruler who gained political supremacy C. An author of sacred texts D. The founder of a monastic order E. One who has gone beyond the cycle of birth and death Answer: E. The word denotes someone who has moved past samsara, the round of birth and death, and reached enlightenment.
5. Roughly how many credit cards did Federal Bank take over from Standard Chartered Bank?
A. 2 lakh B. 3 lakh C. 6 lakh D. 4.5 lakh E. 10 lakh Answer: D. The deal covers about 4.5 lakh cards, mostly held by customers whose only relationship is a single product.
6. Which data source will the Index of Service Production draw on to gauge output?
A. GST outward supplies B. Import bills C. RBI reports D. Census data E. Income Tax data Answer: A. GST outward supplies serve as a stand-in for services output because they give real-time transaction records.
7. Which year has been proposed as the base for the Index of Service Production?
A. 2020-21 B. 2025-26 C. 2011-12 D. 2017-18 E. 2024-25 Answer: E. Growth of the services sector under the ISP will be measured against a 2024-25 base.
8. A key weakness of the ISP at the start is that it:
A. Faces political interference B. Leaves out the informal sector C. Lacks funding D. Covers only agriculture E. Relies on imports Answer: B. GST does not capture informal activity, so a large slice of services GVA is missing from the index in its early stage.
9. A 'non-co-branded' credit card is one that:
A. Is meant just for corporate clients B. Charges no interest C. Is jointly issued with the RBI D. Is available only to rural customers E. Carries only the issuing bank's own brand Answer: E. Such cards come straight from the bank with no tie-up with an outside brand.
10. For removing price effects from indices such as the ISP, why do global practices favour PPI over CPI?
A. CPI covers rural areas alone B. PPI covers imported goods only C. PPI captures prices at the production level D. CPI cannot gauge inflation E. CPI is out of date Answer: C. Since the PPI tracks producer-level prices, it is a better tool for stripping inflation out to obtain real output.
11. Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal, newly named head of a corporate tribunal, was born in which Punjab district?
A. Amritsar B. Patiala C. Jalandhar D. Bathinda E. Ludhiana Answer: E. He was born on 10 March 1964 in Ludhiana district. The tribunal he now heads is the NCLT.
12. EPFO's E-PRAAPTI portal primarily helps members to do which of the following?
A. Withdraw funds directly through UPI B. Link old inoperative EPF accounts with their UAN using Aadhaar C. Open a new bank account for pension D. Apply for housing loans against EPF E. Change their employer registration Answer: B. It uses Aadhaar-based authentication to identify, track and link inoperative EPF accounts with the UAN.
13. C-ART in Visakhapatnam was described as which number of such testbed in India?
A. First overall B. Second C. Fifth D. Fourth E. Third Answer: E. It is the third such testbed in India and the first on the East Coast.
14. In the RSF World Press Freedom Index 2026, which of these statements about India is correct?
A. India rose to 151st place B. India ranked 157th out of 180 countries C. India ranked 153rd, ahead of Pakistan D. India was placed in the top 100 E. India shared 180th place with Eritrea Answer: B. India was 157th with a score of 31.96, a fall of six places from 151st; Pakistan was 153rd.
15. The review says several states spend more than what share of revenue receipts on interest payments?
A. 5% B. 8% C. 10% D. 25% E. 15% Answer: E. Several states spend over 15% of revenue receipts on interest, a sign of fiscal stress.
16. Trade sanctions under Section 301 can follow when a country lands in which Special 301 Report category, the gravest one?
A. Priority Foreign Country B. Watch List C. Priority Watch List D. Monitoring List E. Restricted Trade List Answer: A. Placement as a Priority Foreign Country signals the highest level of concern in the Special 301 Report and can open the door to Section 301 investigations and sanctions.
17. THE Asia University Rankings 2026 listed the largest contingent of institutions from which country?
A. China B. Japan C. India D. Singapore E. South Korea Answer: C. India led the list with 128 ranked universities, though that large count sits alongside a quality gap at the very top end.
18. Which newly added segment gets targeted incentives under the PM E-DRIVE scheme?
A. Petrol cars B. Hybrid trucks C. Diesel buses D. CNG taxis E. Electric ambulances Answer: E. The scheme widened to emerging categories such as electric ambulances and trucks, pushing electrification of public and commercial vehicles.
19. Local-level documentation of biodiversity and traditional knowledge through the People's Biodiversity Register is a legal requirement under which Act?
A. Forest Conservation Act, 1980 B. Biological Diversity Act, 2002 C. Environment Protection Act, 1986 D. Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 E. National Green Tribunal Act Answer: B. The PBR is a statutory duty under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, meant to record biodiversity and traditional knowledge at the grassroots.
20. Operation Sadbhavana rests chiefly on which approach?
A. Economic sanctions B. Military dominance C. Cyber warfare D. Winning Hearts and Minds E. Border fencing Answer: D. The operation builds trust among local people through welfare work in education, healthcare and infrastructure.
21. At the Panchayat or municipal level, who prepares and keeps the PBR?
A. Biodiversity Management Committee B. National Biodiversity Authority C. State Biodiversity Board D. Gram Sabha only E. Forest Department Answer: A. The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) is the local body that drafts and maintains the register.
22. Under RBI norms, a Core Investment Company must keep at least what share of its net assets invested in group companies?
A. 50% B. 60% C. 90% D. 75% E. 100% Answer: C. RBI rules require a CIC to hold a minimum of 90% of its net assets as investments in its group companies.
23. Which NBFC layer under RBI's Scale-Based Regulation is obliged to get listed on stock exchanges?
A. Base Layer B. Middle Layer C. Top Layer D. All Layers E. Upper Layer Answer: E. NBFCs in the Upper Layer face tougher regulation, with compulsory listing, because of their systemic importance.
24. Under SMAM, Custom Hiring Centres exist mainly to do what?
A. Export machinery B. Rent out machinery to farmers C. Give subsidies to corporates D. Manufacture tractors E. Train engineers only Answer: B. CHCs let small and marginal farmers use costly equipment on rent, which lowers the capital they must put up.
25. Up to 50% subsidy, the top tier under SMAM, is meant for which category?
A. Corporate farmers B. Exporters C. Government officers D. Small and marginal farmers, SC/ST farmers and women farmers E. Private companies Answer: D. SMAM favours inclusive growth by giving vulnerable farmer groups the larger subsidy so that mechanisation spreads to them.
26. Rohit Jain's appointment as RBI Deputy Governor carries which term, as per the government notification?
A. One year B. Two years C. Three years D. Five years E. Until age 65 Answer: C. The appointment is for three years from 3 May 2026 or from a later date as provided.
27. The PM said the new NITI Aayog members' experience would strengthen which area?
A. Monetary policy only B. Defence procurement C. Judicial appointments D. Election management E. Policy making Answer: E. He said their rich experience would greatly strengthen policy making.
28. According to the UN, roughly what share of commercial tuna catches comes from biologically sustainable stocks?
A. 49% B. 65% C. 75% D. 99% E. 89% Answer: D. The UN states that about 99% of commercial catches come from stocks assessed as sustainable, with only 2 of 23 stocks overfished.
29. In the 2026 Special 301 Report, which country alone was labelled a Priority Foreign Country?
A. India B. China C. Vietnam D. Indonesia Answer: C. Vietnam is the only country in the harshest tier; India sits on the Priority Watch List.
30. Which institution was India's top performer in the THE Asia University Rankings 2026?
A. IIT Madras B. IISc Bengaluru C. IIT Delhi D. JNU Answer: B. IISc, at 43rd, was the only Indian institution in the top 50.
31. Which aim does Operation WHITE STRIKE serve?
A. Disaster relief B. A coastal security drill C. An anti-narcotics drive against cocaine trafficking D. An anti-terror surgical strike E. Countering cyber warfare Answer: C. The Narcotics Control Bureau ran it to break up international cocaine syndicates, resulting in a seizure of 349 kg of cocaine.
32. Operation WHITE STRIKE was carried out by which agency?
A. NIA B. DRI C. CBI D. ED E. NCB Answer: E. The Narcotics Control Bureau led the intelligence-based drive against drugs, focused on logistics hubs in Mumbai.
33. What did the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 bring in for OCI holders?
A. A smart OCI chip B. A paper OCI booklet C. A biometric passport D. An e-OCI digital certificate E. An Aadhaar-linked OCI card Answer: D. OCI becomes fully digital under Form XXIX, ending the earlier hybrid arrangement.
34. Fast Track Immigration under the 2026 OCI Rules requires an applicant to give:
A. Consent for biometric data B. Aadhaar linking C. Police verification D. Proof of income E. PAN linkage Answer: A. Biometric consent is needed so that travellers can pass through e-gates in an automated and smooth way.
35. The legal basis for the powers of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board is which statute?
A. Disaster Management Act, 2005 B. Nuclear Liability Act, 2010 C. Energy Conservation Act, 2001 D. Atomic Energy Act, 1962 E. Environment Protection Act, 1986 Answer: D. AERB was set up in 1983 under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to oversee nuclear safety in India.
36. PMGSY-IV is chiefly meant for what purpose?
A. Smart city building B. All-weather road links for rural areas C. Expanding coastal highways D. Metro connectivity in cities E. Bullet train corridors Answer: B. This phase concentrates on giving all-weather roads to remote rural habitations that lack connectivity.
37. In the Banking Connect platform, what role does the 'Switch' play?
A. It holds the customer database B. It stores payment data C. It encrypts data D. It detects fraud E. It routes transactions Answer: E. The Switch works as the central router that passes payment requests between banks efficiently.
38. What is the Banking Connect framework mainly intended to do?
A. Replace UPI B. Do away with banks C. Standardise and simplify net banking payments D. Bring in cryptocurrency payments E. Raise ATM usage Answer: C. It seeks to end fragmented integrations by building one interoperable net banking system.
39. Per CMFRI's 2025 data, which state emerged as the leading marine fish producer?
A. Tamil Nadu B. Kerala C. Karnataka D. Maharashtra E. Gujarat Answer: A. Tamil Nadu moved ahead of Gujarat in 2025 to lead India's marine fish output.
40. Which species had the largest marine fish landing in India?
A. Shrimp B. Pomfret C. Oil Sardine D. Indian Mackerel E. Tuna Answer: D. Indian Mackerel was landed in the greatest quantity, at around 0.27 million tonnes.
41. ADB's Asia-Pacific Digital Highway received what share-equivalent amount of the total pledge?
A. USD 30 billion B. USD 50 billion C. USD 10 billion D. USD 40 billion E. USD 20 billion Answer: E. The Digital Highway gets USD 20 billion of the USD 70 billion total.
42. Which institution functions as the PaRRVA Data Centre under SEBI's performance verification framework?
A. BSE Limited B. NSDL C. National Stock Exchange of India D. CDSL E. Reserve Bank of India Answer: C. NSE is the data centre, while CARE Ratings is the verification agency.
43. Who launched India's first barrier-less Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling at Chorayasi in Gujarat?
A. Ashwini Vaishnaw B. Amit Shah C. Piyush Goyal D. Jyotiraditya Scindia E. Nitin Gadkari Answer: E. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched it.
44. Operation WHITE STRIKE, seen in the news in May 2026, relates to which area?
A. Counter-terrorism in J&K B. Cocaine trafficking crackdown C. Evacuation from a war zone D. Cyber-security drill Answer: B. It was an NCB action that seized 349 kg of cocaine.
45. Which Union Ministry notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026?
A. Ministry of External Affairs B. Ministry of Home Affairs C. Ministry of Law and Justice D. Ministry of Electronics and IT Answer: B. The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the rules on May 1, 2026.
46. What does it mean for Sikkim to be called India's first "paperless judiciary state"?
A. All courts are permanently shut for in-person hearings B. The whole life of a case is handled digitally with no paper records C. Only Supreme Court matters are digitised D. Only criminal matters are handled online E. AI systems take the place of judges Answer: B. Going paperless means filing, processing and judgments all move onto digital tools such as e-Filing, CIS and digital signatures.
47. Which role is the Supreme Court's e-Committee chiefly tasked with?
A. Appointing judges B. Drafting constitutional amendments C. Monitoring state police forces D. ICT enablement of the judiciary E. Conducting elections Answer: D. It steers the digital transformation of courts under the e-Courts Mission Mode Project, covering paperless courts and e-filing.
48. India held the CINBAX-II 2026 exercise with which partner country?
A. Cambodia B. Vietnam C. Thailand D. Indonesia E. Malaysia Answer: A. CINBAX-II is a bilateral army drill between India and Cambodia concentrating on UN peacekeeping and sub-conventional operations.
49. What chiefly sets the Cell Broadcast System apart from ordinary SMS?
A. It needs an internet connection B. It works only on smartphones C. It sends point-to-area broadcasts D. It needs advance registration E. It is a paid government service Answer: C. CBS pushes a message to every device within a geographic zone at once, so it avoids the congestion that point-to-point SMS can suffer.
50. India and which country dispute the Lipulekh Pass used for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra?
A. Bhutan B. China C. Myanmar D. Bangladesh E. Nepal Answer: E. Nepal bases its claim on the Treaty of Sugauli, while India treats the pass as part of Uttarakhand, which makes it a geopolitical issue.
51. Which description fits the BHISHM Cube of the Aarogya Maitri initiative?
A. A satellite communication device B. A portable, modular hospital system C. A vaccine storage facility D. A military surveillance system E. A disaster warning system Answer: B. The cube is a modular portable hospital built for quick deployment in disaster areas and can treat as many as 200 patients.
52. What is the ceiling on FDI in Indian insurance intermediaries after the 2026 FEMA Rules amendment?
A. 49% B. 51% C. 74% D. 100% E. 20% Answer: D. The change permits 100% FDI through the automatic route in insurers and intermediaries, to attract capital and grow the sector.
53. Despite the 2026 FEMA reforms, whose FDI limit is still held at 20%?
A. LIC B. Insurance Brokers C. TPAs D. Private Insurers E. Surveyors Answer: A. LIC works under its own law, the LIC Act, 1956, and its FDI limit stays at 20% to protect national interest.
54. Why has RBI cautioned against bogus loan waiver campaigns?
A. They reduce tax revenue B. They increase digital payments C. They undermine credit discipline D. They promote financial inclusion E. They reduce banking competition Answer: C. Such scams lure borrowers into defaulting, which damages the credit system and weakens the lending capacity of banks.
55. What is the "RBI Kehta Hai" initiative meant for?
A. Promoting exports B. Regulating NBFCs C. Deciding monetary policy D. Arranging bank mergers E. Financial literacy and fraud awareness Answer: E. It teaches the public safe banking habits, digital hygiene and ways to guard against fraud.
56. Who declared Sikkim India's first paperless judiciary state?
A. Justice Surya Kant B. The Prime Minister C. The Sikkim Chief Secretary D. The Law Minister Answer: A. The declaration was made by Justice Surya Kant at a conclave in Gangtok.
57. CINBAX-II 2026 is a bilateral army exercise between India and which country?
A. Cambodia B. Vietnam C. Laos D. Thailand Answer: A. CINBAX-II is the second India-Cambodia exercise.
58. Which organisation developed India's indigenous Cell Broadcast System (CBS)?
A. ISRO B. DRDO C. C-DOT D. NITI Aayog Answer: C. CBS was developed by C-DOT and launched by the Ministry of Communications.
59. Which treaty does Nepal cite to claim Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura?
A. Treaty of Sugauli, 1816 B. Treaty of Amritsar C. Treaty of Peace and Friendship D. Treaty of Versailles Answer: A. Nepal's May 2026 objection relied on the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli.
60. In which country was India's Aarogya Maitri (BHISHM Cube) deployed in April 2026?
A. Guyana B. Barbados C. Jamaica D. Trinidad and Tobago Answer: C. The cube was deployed in Jamaica for CARICOM.
61. Which statement about ECLGS 5.0 is correct?
A. SIDBI is its implementing agency B. It applies solely to MSMEs C. It was originally rolled out during the 2008 financial crisis D. It is the first edition prompted by a geopolitical crisis E. It gives 100% guarantee cover across every sector Answer: D. ECLGS began in 2020 because of COVID-19; the 2026 version 5.0 is the first one set off by a geopolitical crisis rather than a pandemic.
62. How is the guarantee cover structured under ECLGS 5.0?
A. 100% for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs and airlines B. 50% for all sectors C. 100% for every borrower D. 90% for MSMEs and 100% for airlines E. 80% for MSMEs and 100% for airlines Answer: A. MSMEs get a full guarantee, whereas non-MSMEs and airlines are covered to the extent of 90%.
63. Consider these statements on Project 17A: 1. It covers Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. 2. Its indigenisation is 100%. 3. INS Mahendragiri belongs to it. Which are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 1 and 3 only E. None of them Answer: D. The project covers Nilgiri-class frigates and includes INS Mahendragiri, but indigenous content is around 75% and not the full 100%.
64. Project Deepak relates to which of these?
A. Coastal security B. Border infrastructure development in Himachal Pradesh C. Nuclear power generation D. Cyber security E. Space research Answer: B. It is an initiative of the BRO centred on building strategic roads in Himachal Pradesh.
65. In what year was the Border Roads Organisation set up?
A. 1962 B. 1971 C. 1947 D. 1955 E. 1960 Answer: E. BRO came into being on 7 May 1960 to build infrastructure in border regions.
66. What is the UDGAM Portal chiefly used for?
A. Processing digital payments B. Disbursing loans C. Collecting taxes D. Finding unclaimed deposits E. Giving investment advice Answer: D. UDGAM lets people trace unclaimed deposits held across several banks, though the claims themselves are not processed there.
67. How many years must pass before unclaimed deposits move to the DEAF fund?
A. 10 years B. 2 years C. 5 years D. 7 years E. 15 years Answer: A. After 10 years of lying unclaimed, funds are moved into the DEAF corpus that the RBI maintains.
68. What is the longest period for which a bank may hold acquired assets under RBI's SNFA framework?
A. 5 years B. 10 years C. No time limit D. 7 years E. 3 years Answer: D. The 7-year cap is meant to stop banks from turning into holders of real estate.
69. OBPPs are best described as:
A. Insurance brokers B. Debt market intermediaries registered with SEBI C. Mutual fund distributors D. Agencies that issue government bonds E. Forex trading platforms Answer: B. OBPPs are SEBI-registered platforms through which retail investors can buy and sell bonds online.
70. What is the present yearly ceiling for individuals under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme?
A. USD 500,000 B. USD 50,000 C. USD 100,000 D. USD 150,000 E. USD 250,000 Answer: E. The RBI lets an individual remit up to USD 250,000 in each financial year under the scheme.
71. Which body issues the credit guarantee under ECLGS 5.0 to member lending institutions?
A. SIDBI B. NABARD C. NCGTC D. RBI Answer: C. NCGTC provides the guarantee under ECLGS 5.0.
72. Project 17A of the Indian Navy involves building how many Nilgiri-class frigates?
A. Three B. Five C. Six D. Seven Answer: D. It is a ₹45,000-crore programme for seven stealth frigates.
73. Where is the headquarters of Project Deepak of the Border Roads Organisation located?
A. Leh B. Shimla C. Dehradun D. Srinagar Answer: B. Project Deepak is headquartered in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
74. What is the main purpose of the RBI's UDGAM portal?
A. Tracing unclaimed deposits across several banks B. Transferring dormant funds instantly to heirs C. Giving small loans to depositors D. Trading dormant shares Answer: A. UDGAM helps find unclaimed deposits; claims are settled with banks.
75. Under the RBI's May 2026 draft norms on SNFAs, what is the maximum period a bank may hold an acquired asset?
A. Three years B. Five years C. Seven years D. Ten years Answer: C. The asset must be sold within seven years.
76. Which measure did the HCES 2023-24 use to estimate consumption inequality in India?
A. Human Development Index B. Poverty Gap Ratio C. Gini Index D. Fiscal Deficit Ratio E. Ease of Living Index Answer: C. The Household Consumer Expenditure Survey gauged consumption inequality with the Gini Index, which came out at 0.29.
77. The inequality report found the top 10% of urban residents spend roughly how many times as much as the bottom 10% of rural residents?
A. 3 times B. 5 times C. 7 times D. 12 times E. 9 times Answer: E. The report pointed to a steep urban-rural gap, with the richest urban tenth spending about nine times the poorest rural tenth.
78. Which technique revealed the atmosphere around the TNO (612533) 2002 XV93?
A. Radio Astronomy B. Stellar Occultation C. Doppler Imaging D. Infrared Spectroscopy E. Gravitational Lensing Answer: B. Astronomers spotted the thin atmosphere by watching the object cross in front of a faraway star, a technique called stellar occultation.
79. Cryovolcanism is best understood as which process?
A. Eruption of molten lava from rocky planets B. Release of radioactive gases from stars C. Formation of volcanic ash in deserts D. Eruption of volatile icy materials such as methane or ammonia E. Explosions caused by asteroid impacts Answer: D. Instead of molten rock, icy substances like water, methane or ammonia erupt, and this activity may help sustain thin atmospheres on icy bodies.
80. Under which mission does the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling fall?
A. National Critical Mineral Mission B. National Green Hydrogen Mission C. Make in India Mission D. PM Gati Shakti Mission E. Startup India Mission Answer: A. The scheme is a focused financial measure housed within the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
81. Which waste stream does the Critical Mineral Recycling Scheme specifically target?
A. Agricultural residue B. Municipal sewage C. Spent lithium-ion batteries D. Plastic packaging waste E. Textile waste Answer: C. It aims at urban-mining feedstock including e-waste, used lithium-ion batteries, permanent magnets and catalytic converters, in order to recover critical minerals.
82. What outlay was approved for the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0?
A. ₹5,000 crore B. ₹10,500 crore C. ₹25,000 crore D. ₹30,000 crore E. ₹18,100 crore Answer: E. The Union Cabinet cleared ECLGS 5.0 with ₹18,100 crore set aside for financial help and liquidity support.
83. What is the main goal of PhonePe's AI-driven merchant onboarding drive?
A. Boosting cryptocurrency trading B. Making merchant verification simpler and quicker C. Lowering interest rates on loans D. Promoting foreign exchange reserves E. Expanding gold imports Answer: B. The AI tools streamline KYC checks so that merchants can register faster and with less effort.
84. Which institution is linked to the Foreign Exchange Management (Authorised Persons) Regulations, 2026?
A. SEBI B. NABARD C. IRDAI D. RBI E. SIDBI Answer: D. These regulations are issued within the framework overseen by the Reserve Bank of India.
85. What did the Finance Ministry report say about FY26?
A. Strong credit growth B. Falling bank deposits C. Weak credit demand D. A decline in digital payments E. A high fiscal deficit at banks Answer: A. The ministry noted robust credit growth in FY26, a sign of expanding lending and economic momentum.
86. Which survey formed the primary basis of the inequality analysis showing a consumption Gini of 0.29 for India?
A. Periodic Labour Force Survey B. NFHS C. HCES 2023-24 D. Annual Survey of Industries Answer: C. The analysis used the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey 2023-24.
87. Which technique was used to detect the atmosphere of TNO 2002 XV93?
A. Radio telescope imaging B. Stellar occultation C. Gravitational lensing D. Spectroscopy from a lander Answer: B. The atmosphere was found by watching the object pass in front of a star.
88. What is the total outlay of the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling under the NCMM?
A. ₹500 crore B. ₹1,000 crore C. ₹2,500 crore D. ₹1,500 crore Answer: D. The scheme carries a total outlay of ₹1,500 crore over FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
89. What is the total outlay of the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling?
A. ₹1,500 crore B. ₹500 crore C. ₹3,000 crore D. ₹6,000 crore Answer: A. The scheme has ₹1,500 crore over six years.
90. What total bench strength, including the CJI, does the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 propose?
A. 34 B. 36 C. 38 D. 40 Answer: C. The strength rises to 37 judges plus the CJI, making 38.
91. The World Migration Report 2026 came out under which body?
A. WTO B. UNDP C. UNESCO D. IOM E. UNICEF Answer: D. The International Organization for Migration, which studies global migration patterns, published the 2026 edition.
92. What ceiling applies to civil works that a School Management Committee can carry out under the 2026 guidelines?
A. ₹10 lakh B. ₹30 lakh C. ₹15 lakh D. ₹20 lakh E. ₹50 lakh Answer: B. The revised 2026 guidelines allow SMCs to undertake civil works worth up to ₹30 lakh.
93. How many big cat species does the first International Big Cat Alliance Summit concentrate on protecting?
A. Six B. Eight C. Nine D. Five E. Seven Answer: E. The summit centres on the 'Big Seven' species and encourages worldwide cooperation to protect them.
94. Which ministry started the Swasth Bharat Portal?
A. Ministry of Women and Child Development B. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare D. Ministry of AYUSH E. Ministry of Rural Development Answer: C. The Health Ministry launched the portal to widen access to healthcare and manage digital health services.
95. India and Japan inked agreements covering which pair of areas?
A. Quantum and health research B. Mining and infrastructure C. Agriculture and tourism D. Defence and shipping E. Space and fisheries Answer: A. The two countries agreed to deepen cooperation in quantum technology and health research.
96. A World Bank loan of USD 500 million for urban development was approved for which state?
A. Odisha B. Gujarat C. Tamil Nadu D. Bihar E. Assam Answer: D. Bihar's USD 500 million World Bank loan is meant to back urban development and better infrastructure.
97. Up to what percentage stake has RBI allowed Kotak Bank to hold in AU Small Finance Bank and Federal Bank?
A. 5.99% B. 9.99% C. 7.49% D. 12.50% E. 4.99% Answer: B. RBI's clearance lets Kotak raise its holding to as much as 9.99% in both AU Small Finance Bank and Federal Bank.
98. Which company built Mythos AI, which has been flagged as a cybersecurity threat?
A. Google DeepMind B. Microsoft C. OpenAI D. Meta E. Anthropic Answer: E. Mythos AI is an advanced model from Anthropic, built for software engineering and cybersecurity work.
99. Who set up the 'Cyber-suraksha.ai' task force in May 2026?
A. SIDBI B. RBI C. SEBI D. NABARD E. Ministry of Electronics and IT Answer: C. SEBI created the task force to harden cybersecurity in the securities market against AI-driven threats.
100. Which of these does NOT count as a Market Infrastructure Institution in the Cyber-suraksha.ai context?
A. Individual stockbrokers B. Stock exchanges C. Clearing corporations D. Depositories E. NSDL Answer: A. MIIs comprise exchanges, clearing corporations and depositories, while individual brokers fall outside that group.
101. Which organisation released the World Migration Report 2026?
A. World Bank B. International Organisation for Migration C. International Labour Organization D. UNHCR Answer: B. The report comes from the IOM.
102. Where is the International Big Cat Alliance headquartered?
A. Nairobi B. Geneva C. Brasilia D. India Answer: D. IBCA is headquartered in India.
103. Where was the Swasth Bharat Portal launched by MoHFW in May 2026?
A. New Delhi B. Bengaluru C. Hyderabad D. Chandigarh Answer: D. It was launched at the 10th National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity in Chandigarh.
104. What is the maximum stake the RBI allowed Kotak Mahindra Group to hold in AU Small Finance Bank and Federal Bank?
A. 5% B. 9.99% C. 10.5% D. 26% Answer: B. The approval covers an aggregate holding of up to 9.99% in each bank.
105. Which AI model did DFS Secretary M. Nagaraju flag as a potential cybersecurity threat to Indian banks?
A. Mythos AI B. GPT-5 C. Gemini Pro D. AlphaCode Answer: A. The warning centred on Mythos AI, developed by Anthropic.
106. Which body publishes the Red List of Threatened Species?
A. UNEP B. WWF C. UNESCO D. IUCN E. FAO Answer: D. The International Union for Conservation of Nature issues this widely used list, rating the conservation status of species across the globe.
107. In the context of IUCN's expansion, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is described as what?
A. The world's second-largest coral reef system B. The world's largest coral reef C. The largest freshwater ecosystem in Latin America D. The deepest ocean trench in the Atlantic E. The biggest mangrove ecosystem in Asia Answer: A. It ranks second in size among coral reef systems globally and is a key biodiversity hotspot of the Mesoamerican region.
108. NITI Aayog's report says school internet access rose to what share in 2024-25?
A. 25.5% B. 40.2% C. 63.5% D. 50.8% E. 75.9% Answer: C. School internet access climbed from 8.05% in 2014-15 to 63.5% in 2024-25, a big digital jump.
109. Which independent regulator for school standards does the NITI Aayog report propose?
A. AICTE B. NCERT C. PARAKH D. UGC E. SSSA Answer: E. The proposed State School Standards Authority would be an independent regulator ensuring uniform standards for school safety, infrastructure and quality of learning.
110. NCRB's Crime in India 2024 report shows cybercrime cases passing which mark for the first time?
A. 10,000 cases B. 1 lakh cases C. 25,000 cases D. 50,000 cases E. 75,000 cases Answer: B. Cybercrime registrations went beyond one lakh for the first time, totalling 1,01,928 in 2024.
111. What area does the JANANI platform deal with?
A. Agricultural insurance B. Digital taxation C. Disaster management D. Maternal and child healthcare E. Industrial automation Answer: D. JANANI, short for Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care, is a digital platform that tracks mother and child health continuously.
112. Which weapon type results when TARA kits are fitted to conventional bombs?
A. Precision-guided glide weapons B. Ballistic missiles C. Nuclear warheads D. Anti-submarine torpedoes E. Hypersonic drones Answer: A. TARA is a modular range-extension kit that turns ordinary unguided bombs into precision glide munitions using modern guidance technology.
113. RBI's relaxation lets banks count quarterly profits in regulatory capital with no tie to which condition?
A. Inflation targets B. Repo rate changes C. NPA provision deviation conditions D. CRR requirements E. Forex reserves Answer: C. RBI dropped the earlier rule that tied counting interim profits toward capital to caps on deviations in NPA provisioning.
114. The Capital Adequacy Ratio expresses bank capital against which denominator?
A. Total deposits B. Gross NPAs C. Operating expenses D. Cash reserves E. Risk-Weighted Assets Answer: E. CAR gauges a bank's strength by setting its available capital against its risk-weighted assets.
115. Which category covers retained earnings and common equity under Basel III?
A. Tier 2 Capital B. Tier 1 Capital C. Tier 3 Capital D. Statutory Reserve E. Cash Reserve Ratio Answer: B. These items make up Tier 1 Capital, the core strength layer of a bank's capital base in Basel III.
116. In which year was the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) established?
A. 1948 B. 1972 C. 1992 D. 2002 Answer: A. IUCN was established in 1948.
117. The JANANI platform launched by MoHFW in 2026 upgrades which earlier portal?
A. Co-WIN B. e-Sanjeevani C. RCH (Reproductive and Child Health) portal D. PM-Kisan portal Answer: C. JANANI is described as an upgraded version of the RCH portal.
118. The TARA weapon tested off Odisha is best described as which kind of system?
A. Submarine-launched ballistic missile B. Modular range extension kit for unguided bombs C. Surface-to-air missile D. Anti-satellite weapon Answer: B. TARA is a bolt-on kit that makes unguided bombs into glide weapons.
119. The RBI's May 2026 circular removed which condition for including quarterly profits in bank capital?
A. A 25% deviation limit on NPA provisions B. A minimum CRR level C. A cap on dividend payout D. A requirement of audit by CAG Answer: A. Profits previously counted only if NPA provisions stayed within 25% of the four-quarter average.
120. How many MoUs did India and Vietnam sign during President To Lam's May 2026 visit?
A. 13 B. 7 C. 10 D. 20 Answer: A. The visit produced 13 MoUs across several sectors.
121. Which Indian warship took part in the IMDEX Asia 2026 naval exercise?
A. INS Vikrant B. INS Kolkata C. INS Chennai D. INS Shivalik E. INS Kiltan Answer: E. INS Kiltan was India's participant at IMDEX Asia 2026, displaying naval diplomacy and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
122. Which state was the host of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026?
A. Gujarat B. Odisha C. Bihar D. Karnataka E. Maharashtra Answer: C. Bihar staged the 2026 edition, which boosted sporting culture and youth participation.
123. The main goal of the SVAMITVA Scheme is to give:
A. Rural households their property ownership records B. Scholarships for students C. Subsidies for startups D. Health cover for farmers E. Skill training for young people Answer: A. Using drone mapping of land, the scheme hands rural households legal ownership cards for their property.
124. The revamped SHAKTI policy on coal allocation was launched by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Heavy Industries B. Ministry of Steel C. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas D. Ministry of Mines E. Ministry of Coal Answer: E. The Coal Ministry reworked SHAKTI to make coal linkage allocation to thermal plants more transparent and efficient.
125. PM POSHAN is a scheme concerned with:
A. Rural housing B. Crop insurance C. Mid-day meals in schools D. Women's entrepreneurship E. Digital literacy Answer: C. This centrally sponsored scheme serves nutritious mid-day meals to schoolchildren to lift nutrition and attendance.
126. What chiefly led the RBI to restrict New India Co-operative Bank?
A. Weak lending to agriculture B. Too much foreign investment C. Poor digital infrastructure D. Cybersecurity threats E. Supervisory and liquidity concerns Answer: E. The restrictions followed supervisory worries and a worsening liquidity position at the bank.
127. Which body brings out the Financial Stability Report?
A. Ministry of Finance B. SIDBI C. RBI D. SEBI E. NABARD Answer: C. The RBI releases the FSR to review risks to, and the resilience of, the financial system.
128. Which organisation operates the Unified Payments Interface?
A. NPCI B. SBI C. RBI D. SEBI E. IRDAI Answer: A. NPCI built and runs UPI, which makes real-time digital payments possible.
129. In Basel norms, what does the abbreviation CRAR expand to?
A. Capital Reserve Adjustment Ratio B. Credit Risk Assessment Report C. Central Reserve Allocation Rate D. Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio E. Current Risk Allocation Ratio Answer: D. CRAR gauges a bank's capital adequacy by setting its capital against risk-weighted assets, supporting financial stability.
130. The Liquidity Coverage Ratio is meant to make sure banks hold enough:
A. Tax collections B. High-quality liquid assets C. Foreign exchange earnings D. Equity share capital E. Gold reserves Answer: B. LCR requires banks to keep sufficient high-quality liquid assets so they can withstand short-term liquidity stress.
131. The 35th ISO/TC 20/SC 14 meetings on Space Systems and Operations were hosted in New Delhi by which Indian body?
A. ISRO B. IN-SPACe C. Bureau of Indian Standards D. DRDO Answer: C. BIS, India's National Standards Body, hosted the meetings.
132. Which ancient foundation technique was used to restore the Kalyana Mandapam of the Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda?
A. Kakatiya sandbox technology B. Reinforced cement concrete C. Rubber seismic isolators D. Iron clamp joinery Answer: A. ASI rebuilt the pavilion on a sand-filled pit, as Kakatiya engineers did.
133. Where were PMSBY, PMJJBY and APY launched on 9 May 2015?
A. New Delhi B. Mumbai C. Kolkata D. Varanasi Answer: C. They were launched by PM Narendra Modi in Kolkata, West Bengal.
134. JANANI is an upgraded version of which existing health portal?
A. CoWIN B. RCH Portal C. e-Sanjeevani D. Poshan Tracker Answer: B. JANANI upgrades the Reproductive and Child Health portal.
135. IALFS 2.0, the aircraft leasing and financing summit, was held at which location?
A. Mumbai BKC B. GIFT City, Gandhinagar C. Hyderabad Airport City D. Bengaluru Aerospace Park Answer: B. The summit took place at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
136. Bharat Gen, launched by the Government of India, mainly concerns what?
A. Space exploration B. Agricultural exports C. Water conservation D. Tourism promotion E. Indigenous AI development Answer: E. It is a government-backed effort to build home-grown multilingual AI systems and datasets suited to Indian requirements.
137. Which ministry introduced the One Nation One Portal initiative to bring government services together?
A. Ministry of Home Affairs B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology C. Ministry of Finance D. Ministry of Rural Development E. Ministry of Commerce and Industry Answer: B. MeitY started the initiative so that digital government services sit on a single combined platform.
138. Which force carried out Exercise Jal-Thal-Raksha 2026?
A. Indian Army B. Indian Navy C. Indian Air Force D. National Disaster Response Force E. Border Security Force Answer: D. The NDRF ran the exercise to sharpen readiness and coordination for flood and disaster response.
139. RBI's revised project financing guidelines chiefly aim to tighten what?
A. Loan appraisal and monitoring B. Gold imports C. Cryptocurrency trading D. Foreign tourism investments E. Insurance penetration Answer: A. The revised norms push for sturdier appraisal, monitoring standards and provisioning for infrastructure and project loans.
140. Expected Credit Loss (ECL) belongs to which area?
A. Stock market volatility B. Digital payment systems C. Loan provisioning framework D. Forex reserve management E. Insurance claim settlement Answer: C. ECL is a forward-looking provisioning approach where banks estimate likely default losses ahead of time.
141. Which body started a pilot of AI-based fraud detection for banking transactions?
A. SEBI B. NABARD C. IRDAI D. SIDBI E. RBI Answer: E. RBI piloted AI-driven fraud detection to better monitor and prevent frauds in digital banking.
142. What is the main aim of the Account Aggregator framework?
A. Increase tax collection B. Enable secure financial data sharing C. Promote cryptocurrency investments D. Reduce the repo rate E. Replace debit cards Answer: B. It lets institutions pass financial data to each other securely and with the user's consent, improving digital financial services.
143. Which authority regulates Account Aggregators in India?
A. NPCI B. SEBI C. IRDAI D. RBI E. Ministry of Finance Answer: D. The Reserve Bank supervises them under its NBFC-AA framework, which keeps the handling of financial data secure.
144. PMFBY is a scheme dealing with which area?
A. Crop insurance B. Fisheries development C. Soil health improvement D. Organic certification E. Dairy entrepreneurship Answer: A. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana covers farmers against crop loss and gives them financial support.
145. The initiative promoting climate-resilient agriculture through advanced technologies mainly supports what?
A. Urban industries B. Textile exports C. Sustainable farming practices D. Shipping infrastructure E. Tourism activities Answer: C. It encourages advanced technology and sustainable farming methods to lift farm productivity and resilience.
146. Roughly how many rural development projects have IFAD and India partnered on over nearly five decades?
A. 15 B. 25 C. 45 D. 55 E. 35 Answer: E. The partnership covers nearly 50 years and 35 rural development projects.
147. Which company does the new CII President R. Mukundan lead as Managing Director and CEO?
A. Tata Steel B. Tata Motors C. Tata Consumer Products D. Titan E. Tata Chemicals Answer: E. Mukundan is MD and CEO of Tata Chemicals Ltd.
148. From which date do MGNREGA rules and schemes stand repealed as VB-G RAM G comes into force?
A. 1 April 2026 B. 1 July 2026 C. 1 January 2027 D. 15 August 2026 Answer: B. The notification fixes 1 July 2026.
149. D'Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, where a tiger was recently camera-trapped, is located in which district of Arunachal Pradesh?
A. West Kameng B. Tawang C. Lower Subansiri D. East Siang Answer: D. The sanctuary is in East Siang district, near Pasighat.
150. Who announced the One Case One Data initiative and the Su Sahay chatbot?
A. CJI Surya Kant B. Law Minister C. President of India D. Attorney General Answer: A. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant announced both initiatives in open court.
151. What is the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) used for?
A. Weather prediction and climate modelling B. Predicting the stock market C. Space communication systems D. River linking projects E. Forecasting agricultural exports Answer: A. BFS is a homegrown advanced forecasting system meant to sharpen climate and monsoon predictions.
152. Who launched the Bharat Forecast System?
A. NITI Aayog B. Ministry of Environment C. ISRO D. India Meteorological Department E. DRDO Answer: D. IMD rolled out BFS to improve high-resolution weather forecasting.
153. PM e-VIDYA is mainly about:
A. Tourism promotion B. Online judicial services C. Digital school education D. Rural banking access E. E-commerce exports Answer: C. The initiative widens access to digital and online learning for students through several platforms.
154. The Indian Army's Exercise 'Aakraman 2026' concentrated on what?
A. Naval warfare B. Cybersecurity drills C. Space surveillance D. Disaster management preparedness E. Integrated battlefield operations Answer: E. The exercise worked on integrated battlefield strategies and the Army's operational readiness.
155. For whom is the RBI's climate risk disclosure framework mainly designed?
A. Educational institutions B. Agricultural cooperatives C. Telecom operators D. Regulated financial entities E. Tourism firms Answer: D. The framework is aimed at regulated financial entities so that they are more transparent about climate-related financial risks.
156. Which digital payment system was spotlighted in 2026 for growing international acceptance?
A. UPI B. RTGS C. NEFT D. SWIFT E. PayPal Answer: A. UPI kept spreading abroad, with wider overseas acceptance and cross-border payment tie-ups.
157. In banking, 'Green Deposits' are funds used to finance:
A. Tourism infrastructure B. Real estate projects C. Gold imports D. Environment-friendly projects E. Export subsidies Answer: D. Banks raise these deposits specifically to fund sustainable, environmentally friendly projects.
158. Which institution issues the Green Deposit guidelines in India?
A. SEBI B. RBI C. NABARD D. SIDBI E. IRDAI Answer: B. RBI framed the guidelines to keep things transparent and make sure the money goes to sustainable projects.
159. Natural farming initiatives in India stress cutting back on:
A. Hybrid seeds B. Farm mechanization C. Crop insurance D. Irrigation systems E. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides Answer: E. These initiatives promote eco-friendly practices with as little chemical fertilizer and pesticide as possible.
160. Against what does the PMFBY scheme give farmers financial protection?
A. Shortage of farm labour B. Livestock diseases alone C. Crop losses from natural calamities D. Industrial losses E. Export restrictions Answer: C. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana offers insurance cover and support when crops are lost to natural disasters or bad weather.
161. What was the urban unemployment rate (15+) in the PLFS bulletin for January-March 2026?
A. 6.7% B. 6.6% C. 5.8% D. 7.2% Answer: B. It declined to 6.6% from 6.7% in the previous quarter.
162. Where was PMGSY-IV launched on 10 May 2026?
A. Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh B. Bhairunda in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh C. Bhopal city D. Indore Answer: B. The launch took place at Bhairunda, Sehore district.
163. Which mobile app under the Jute Crop Information System is used by the I-CARE field network for geo-tagged data?
A. PATSAN B. CHAMAN C. BHUVAN JUMP D. KISAN Suvidha Answer: C. BHUVAN JUMP is the mobile app; PATSAN is the web analytics platform.
164. According to the NITI Aayog school education report, what share of Grade 3 students can read a Grade 2-level text?
A. 27% B. 31% C. 58.4% D. 14% Answer: A. The report says only 27% of Grade 3 students can read a Grade 2 text.
165. What fiscal deficit target did the Union Budget set for 2026-27, as noted in this coverage?
A. 3.5% of GDP B. 4.3% of GDP C. 5% of GDP D. 7% of GDP Answer: B. The Budget target is 4.3% of GDP; slippage towards 5% is feared.
166. Which country stayed the top military spender in the world, per SIPRI Report 2026?
A. United States B. China C. Russia D. India E. United Kingdom Answer: A. SIPRI 2026 shows the US kept spending the most on its military, holding a wide lead over every other nation.
167. Which organisation published "State of the Climate in Asia 2025"?
A. UNEP B. IPCC C. WMO D. IMF E. FAO Answer: C. The World Meteorological Organization brought out this report, which centres on warming temperatures and climate risks across Asia.
168. What is the National Manufacturing Mission announced by the Centre chiefly meant to strengthen?
A. Tourism infrastructure B. Agricultural exports C. Digital entertainment D. Urban transport E. Industrial production and Make in India Answer: E. The mission was brought in to build up India's manufacturing ecosystem and back the Make in India drive.
169. The Bhargavastra counter-drone system was tested successfully by which agency?
A. ISRO B. DRDO C. BEL D. HAL E. Indian Navy Answer: B. DRDO's successful trial covered Bhargavastra, a home-grown technology built to neutralise hostile drones.
170. What does the new e-Zero FIR initiative relate to?
A. Online tax filing B. Monitoring e-commerce C. Banking grievance redressal D. Registering police complaints digitally E. Railway ticket booking Answer: D. It lets people file FIRs online irrespective of jurisdiction, making police services easier to reach and more efficient.
171. Which agency is building India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered train?
A. Indian Railways B. ISRO C. DRDO D. BHEL E. HAL Answer: A. Indian Railways is developing the train as part of its push for green and sustainable transport.
172. Operation Olivia is run to protect which species?
A. Asiatic Lions B. Snow Leopards C. Olive Ridley Turtles D. One-horned Rhinoceros E. Gangetic Dolphins Answer: C. The Indian Coast Guard conducts it every year to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles during their nesting season.
173. Mission Basundhara 3.0 was started by which state?
A. Odisha B. Bihar C. Gujarat D. Rajasthan E. Assam Answer: E. Assam launched it to ease land-related services and improve land governance through digital reforms.
174. The RBI Digital Payments Index gauges how far which thing has spread?
A. Foreign exchange reserves B. Digital payments adoption C. Cryptocurrency adoption D. Stock market capitalisation E. Insurance penetration Answer: B. The index follows the growth and spread of digital payments in India using several parameters.
175. Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) is a framework for which area?
A. Insurance companies B. Mutual funds C. Export promotion councils D. Banking sector supervision E. GST compliance Answer: D. RBI uses PCA to watch banks with weak financial indicators and apply corrective steps to restore their stability.
176. Kuljeet Kaur Marhas is described as which of the following in the context of the Meteoritical Society fellowship?
A. First Indian ever to be elected B. Third Indian and first Indian woman Fellow C. Second Indian and first woman Fellow D. Founder of the society E. First Asian woman to chair it Answer: B. She follows Devendra Lal and J.N. Goswami, making her the third Indian and first Indian woman Fellow.
177. The Global Forest Goals Report 2026 was prepared by the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat and which other UN body?
A. UNEP B. UNDESA C. FAO D. UNDP Answer: B. It was prepared jointly by UNDESA and the UNFF Secretariat.
178. After the duty hike, what is the effective import tax rate on gold and silver?
A. About 9.2% B. About 12.5% C. About 18.4% D. About 25% Answer: C. The effective rate doubled from about 9.2% to about 18.4%.
179. What is India's chosen theme as Kimberley Process Chair for 2026?
A. Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence B. Growth, Governance and Green Mining C. Trade, Transparency and Technology D. Peace, Prosperity and Partnership Answer: A. India's theme is the 3Cs: Credibility, Compliance and Consumer Confidence.
180. The AI-enabled Forecast of Monsoon Advance launched by MoES covers how many blocks?
A. 1,196 B. 2,500 C. 3,196 D. 4,500 Answer: C. It covers 3,196 blocks across 15 states and 1 Union Territory.
181. Which factor did the Global Report on Food Crises 2026 name as a leading cause of acute food insecurity worldwide?
A. Rising cryptocurrency adoption B. Conflict and climate shocks C. Decline in digital payments D. Growth in tourism E. Expansion of luxury industries Answer: B. The 2026 report pointed to conflict, climate disasters and economic shocks as the chief reasons behind acute hunger in many countries.
182. Which body published the World Social Report 2026?
A. OECD B. IMF C. World Bank D. WTO E. United Nations Answer: E. The UN issued the report, which looks at inequality, social protection and inclusive development.
183. What is the newly launched 'Sachet' app for?
A. Online education B. Digital taxation C. A disaster alert and awareness system D. Tourism promotion E. Space communication Answer: C. The app delivers early warnings and awareness messages about natural disasters.
184. Who developed the home-grown anti-drone system 'Bhargavastra'?
A. DRDO B. BEL C. HAL D. BHEL E. ISRO Answer: A. DRDO built Bhargavastra with advanced interception technology to deal with hostile drones.
185. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is chiefly meant to encourage:
A. Exports of electric vehicles B. Water conservation projects C. Free LPG distribution D. Rooftop solar adoption E. Free internet access Answer: D. Households are nudged to install rooftop solar panels and cut power bills through renewable energy.
186. India held 'Shakti 2026' as a joint exercise with which country?
A. United Kingdom B. France C. Russia D. Japan E. Australia Answer: B. Shakti is a two-nation military exercise between India and France that builds defence cooperation and interoperability.
187. The AI Kosha initiative was launched by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Defence B. Ministry of Agriculture C. Ministry of Education D. Ministry of Commerce E. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Answer: E. MeitY started AI Kosha to back AI innovation with datasets, tools and shared resources.
188. What does the RBI aim for with its framework to recognise SROs in fintech?
A. Replacing commercial banks B. Eliminating NBFCs C. Encouraging compliance led by the industry itself D. Raising import duties E. Banning digital lending Answer: C. The proposed SRO framework is meant to foster responsible innovation, ethical conduct and self-governance in fintech.
189. A 'Core Investment Company (CIC)' is one whose main business is:
A. Holding investments in group companies B. Underwriting insurance C. Financing tourism D. Agricultural exports E. Building infrastructure Answer: A. A CIC chiefly owns shares and securities of companies in its own group and falls under RBI norms.
190. Under which Act does RBI regulate Core Investment Companies?
A. SEBI Act, 1992 B. Banking Regulation Act C. Companies Act, 2013 D. RBI Act, 1934 E. FEMA, 1999 Answer: D. RBI's oversight of CICs rests on the RBI Act, 1934, with the aim of financial stability and good governance.
191. Which body publishes the LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) report?
A. NITI Aayog B. DPIIT C. World Bank D. Ministry of Shipping Answer: B. DPIIT under the Commerce and Industry Ministry publishes LEADS.
192. Which body published the 'Sand and Sustainability' report on global sand extraction?
A. World Bank B. UNEP C. FAO D. NITI Aayog Answer: B. The report was released by the United Nations Environment Programme.
193. Which tool is described as detecting mule accounts in real time?
A. Banking BHASHINI B. MuleHunter.AI C. Unified Lending Interface D. Mission Digital ShramSetu Answer: B. MuleHunter.AI, pioneered by the RBI, flags mule accounts used to move fraud proceeds.
194. The new India-IFAD Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) covers which period?
A. 2025-2030 B. 2026-2033 C. 2026-2031 D. 2027-2035 Answer: B. The eight-year COSOP runs from 2026 to 2033.
195. For which period was India nominated as Chair of the Common Criteria Development Board?
A. January 2026 to January 2027 B. April 2025 to April 2027 C. April 2026 to April 2028 D. April 2026 to April 2029 Answer: C. The notes state a two-year term from April 2026 to April 2028.
196. Which species does the newly launched Operation Olivia primarily seek to protect?
A. Snow Leopards B. Olive Ridley Turtles C. Asiatic Lions D. Gangetic Dolphins E. Red Pandas Answer: B. The operation shields Olive Ridley turtles, particularly in the nesting period along India's eastern coast.
197. AI Kosha, launched by the Centre, is tied to what?
A. Space technology B. Digital payments C. Agriculture marketing D. Building the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem E. Tourism analytics Answer: D. The platform supports India's AI ecosystem by supplying datasets, tools and resources for innovation.
198. The National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2026 was started by which ministry?
A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare B. Ministry of Women and Child Development C. Ministry of AYUSH D. Ministry of Rural Development E. Ministry of Education Answer: A. The Health Ministry began the campaign with the goal of eliminating measles and rubella from India.
199. India's partner in Exercise Shakti 2026 was which country?
A. USA B. Australia C. France D. Russia E. Japan Answer: C. Shakti is a joint India-France military exercise meant to deepen defence ties and interoperability.
200. Which area does PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana focus on promoting?
A. Wind energy B. Hydropower plants C. Electric buses D. Nuclear energy E. Rooftop solar systems Answer: E. The scheme urges households to put up rooftop solar and use clean energy.
201. DRDO's Bhargavastra is built to counter what?
A. Ballistic missiles B. Drone threats C. Cyber attacks D. Enemy submarines E. Chemical warfare Answer: B. It is an indigenous counter-drone system using advanced technology to neutralise hostile drones.
202. What is the main business of a Core Investment Company (CIC)?
A. Tourism financing B. Retail banking operations C. Insurance claims settlement D. Holding investments in group companies E. Agricultural exports Answer: D. CICs chiefly own shares and securities of companies in their own group and come under RBI regulation.
203. Core Investment Companies in India are governed under which Act?
A. RBI Act, 1934 B. FEMA, 1999 C. Banking Regulation Act D. Companies Act, 2013 E. SEBI Act, 1992 Answer: A. RBI oversees such companies using powers under its 1934 Act, to keep them disciplined and stable.
204. The RBI Digital Payments Index is a gauge of what?
A. Export growth B. Banking NPAs C. Adoption of digital payments D. Inflation trends E. Gold reserves Answer: C. The index shows how widely digital payments have been taken up and how deeply they reach across India.
205. Which virus is behind the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo and Uganda that WHO declared a PHEIC in May 2026?
A. Zaire ebolavirus B. Sudan ebolavirus C. Bundibugyo virus D. Reston ebolavirus Answer: C. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, with no approved vaccines or therapeutics.
206. Which dynasty's copper plates, known as the Leiden plates, were returned to India by the Netherlands?
A. Chola B. Pandya C. Chera D. Pallava Answer: A. The Anaimangalam plates are Chola-period, the first of that era to be repatriated.
207. Sahasra Semiconductors' new plant in Bhiwadi is described as India's first of which type of semiconductor facility?
A. Wafer fabrication unit B. SME-led ATMP/OSAT facility C. Display fab D. Chip design centre Answer: B. It is India's first SME-led ATMP/OSAT facility.
208. How many members does the Committee on Empowerment of Women have in total?
A. 28 B. 30 C. 31 D. 21 Answer: A. It has 18 Lok Sabha and 10 Rajya Sabha members.
209. Which tool developed by the RBI Innovation Hub forms Phase 1 of the effort against mule accounts?
A. MuleHunter.AI B. UPI Help C. FraudShield D. e-Rupee Guard Answer: A. Phase 1 produced MuleHunter.AI to detect mule accounts.
210. Which portion of the NPS Tier I corpus does the Retirement Income Scheme apply to?
A. The mandatory 40% annuity portion B. The withdrawable 60% portion C. The entire corpus D. Only Tier II savings Answer: B. RIS covers the withdrawable 60%, not the 40% annuity share.
211. What is the newly launched 'Sachet' platform chiefly built for?
A. Tourism promotion B. Online education C. Spreading disaster alerts D. Stock market analysis E. Agricultural exports Answer: C. Sachet gives citizens disaster alerts and awareness information, helping them prepare and respond better.
212. Households are encouraged to adopt what under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
A. Rooftop solar systems B. Electric vehicles C. Wind turbines D. Biogas plants E. Nuclear energy units Answer: A. By promoting rooftop solar, the scheme expands renewable power use and trims household electricity costs.
213. 'Bhargavastra', the home-built anti-drone system, came from which organisation?
A. BEL B. ISRO C. BHEL D. HAL E. DRDO Answer: E. DRDO developed it to counter hostile drones and bolster India's defence.
214. Shakti 2026 was a joint exercise of India with which country?
A. Russia B. France C. Australia D. USA E. Japan Answer: B. This bilateral military exercise with France improves defence cooperation and coordination in operations.
215. What is the Government of India's AI Kosha initiative connected with?
A. Space tourism B. Digital taxation reforms C. River interlinking projects D. Food processing industries E. Building the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem Answer: E. It strengthens India's AI ecosystem by offering datasets, tools and infrastructure for innovation.
216. Who launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2026?
A. Ministry of Education B. Ministry of AYUSH C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare D. Ministry of Women and Child Development E. Ministry of Rural Development Answer: C. The Health Ministry began the drive, using vaccination and awareness to eliminate measles and rubella.
217. Cryovolcanism, in the news lately, means volcanic activity in which:
A. Icy volatile substances erupt B. Radioactive gases are emitted C. Solar plasma explodes D. Underground coal catches fire E. Molten iron erupts Answer: A. Instead of molten lava, volatiles like water, methane or ammonia erupt, typically on icy celestial bodies.
218. Which technique revealed an atmosphere around the TNO (612533) 2002 XV93?
A. Laser spectroscopy B. Magnetic resonance scanning C. Infrared mapping D. Stellar occultation E. Radio imaging Answer: D. Astronomers saw the dimming of a faraway star as the Trans-Neptunian Object passed in front of it, revealing its atmosphere.
219. What does the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) deal with?
A. Quantum computing B. Advanced weather forecasting C. Tracking defence missiles D. Analysing banking fraud E. Satellite navigation Answer: B. BFS is an Indian weather forecasting model made to sharpen climate and monsoon predictions.
220. AI Kosha was started to support innovation chiefly in which area?
A. Biotechnology alone B. Nuclear energy C. Robotics manufacturing alone D. Semiconductor exports E. Artificial Intelligence Answer: E. It backs the development of AI applications by supplying datasets, computing tools and shared infrastructure.
221. Which agency seized two live Indian Red Sand Boas at Warangal in May 2026?
A. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau B. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence C. Central Bureau of Investigation D. Enforcement Directorate Answer: B. The DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit made the seizure.
222. Under which section of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was Jharkhand directed to declare Saranda a sanctuary?
A. Section 18 B. Section 35 C. Section 26A D. Section 38V Answer: C. The order cites Section 26A of the Act.
223. SHE-MART, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, is implemented through which mission?
A. PM-KISAN B. DAY-NRLM C. Mission Shakti D. PMFME Answer: B. MoRD implements SHE-MART through DAY-NRLM.
224. Which two agencies jointly developed the SMILE mission?
A. NASA and CAS B. ESA and CAS C. ISRO and ESA D. NASA and ESA Answer: B. SMILE is the first fully joint mission of ESA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
225. Which set of countries did EAM S. Jaishankar visit from May 2 to 10, 2026?
A. Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago B. Cuba, Haiti and Barbados C. Brazil, Peru and Chile D. Fiji, Samoa and Tonga Answer: A. The tour covered Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
226. Mission Karmayogi is intended to improve what?
A. Agricultural exports B. Tourism infrastructure C. Capacity building of civil services D. Digital banking services E. Railway connectivity Answer: C. This national programme builds skills and capability among civil servants through technology-enabled learning.
227. Which installations does PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana encourage?
A. Wind turbines B. Nuclear power units C. Hydropower plants D. Biofuel stations E. Rooftop solar panels Answer: E. Households are nudged to adopt rooftop solar, cutting their electricity bills through renewable generation.
228. Who developed the home-grown anti-drone system Bhargavastra?
A. HAL B. DRDO C. ISRO D. BHEL E. BEL Answer: B. DRDO built the system to find and neutralise hostile drones with indigenous defence technology.
229. Exercise Shakti 2026 saw India train jointly with which nation?
A. Japan B. USA C. Russia D. France E. Australia Answer: D. Shakti is a two-nation military exercise of India and France that strengthens defence cooperation and operational coordination.
230. AI Kosha is meant to develop what?
A. The Artificial Intelligence ecosystem B. A digital taxation platform C. River-linking infrastructure D. Food security management E. Railway modernisation Answer: A. It was launched to back AI innovation by offering datasets, tools and infrastructure for building AI.
231. Which ministry was behind the launch of the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2026?
A. Ministry of Rural Development B. Ministry of Education C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare D. Ministry of Women and Child Development E. Ministry of AYUSH Answer: C. The Health Ministry started the drive to eliminate measles and rubella through nationwide vaccination and awareness work.
232. RBI's SRO framework for fintech seeks to encourage what?
A. Cryptocurrency mining B. Elimination of NBFCs C. Import duty reduction D. Foreign bank privatisation E. Industry-led self-governance Answer: E. The framework was brought in to foster responsible conduct, compliance and ethical practice among fintech firms.
233. Core Investment Companies mainly own which kind of assets?
A. Agricultural loans B. Investments in group companies C. Insurance assets D. Tourism bonds E. Export subsidies Answer: B. These firms chiefly hold shares and securities of other companies in their group and fall under RBI norms.
234. Under which Act does RBI regulate Core Investment Companies?
A. FEMA, 1999 B. SEBI Act, 1992 C. Companies Act, 2013 D. RBI Act, 1934 E. Banking Regulation Act Answer: D. RBI supervises these companies through the RBI Act, 1934, to secure financial stability and sound governance.
235. The RBI Digital Payments Index tracks the growth of which thing?
A. Digital payment adoption B. Gold reserves C. Insurance penetration D. Export financing E. Cryptocurrency trading Answer: A. The index follows how far digital payments have been adopted and spread across the country.
236. In which state is the Palamu Tiger Reserve, site of India's first AI-powered human-elephant conflict research centre?
A. Odisha B. Jharkhand C. Chhattisgarh D. Assam Answer: B. Palamu Tiger Reserve is in Jharkhand.
237. In which district of Jammu and Kashmir is the Panzath Nag Spring Conservation Festival held?
A. Anantnag B. Baramulla C. Kupwara D. Pulwama Answer: A. Panzath village lies in Anantnag district, Qazigund region.
238. Which country conferred the Royal Order of the Polar Star on PM Modi?
A. Norway B. Netherlands C. Sweden D. Denmark Answer: C. Sweden honoured PM Modi in Stockholm with the Royal Order of the Polar Star.
239. The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 raises the sanctioned judges, excluding the CJI, from 33 to what number?
A. 35 B. 36 C. 37 D. 38 Answer: C. Sanctioned judges rise to 37; with the CJI the total becomes 38.
240. What operating track record does the RBI direction require before banks lend to a REIT or InvIT?
A. One year B. Three years C. Five years D. Seven years Answer: B. Banks may lend only to listed REITs and InvITs with three years of operations.
241. The Bharat Forecast System, launched in India, is mainly connected with:
A. Defence communication B. Banking analytics C. Digital taxation D. Advanced weather forecasting E. Satellite navigation Answer: D. BFS is a sophisticated forecasting system intended to make climate and monsoon predictions in India more accurate.
242. Which body is behind the launch of the Bharat Forecast System?
A. DRDO B. India Meteorological Department C. Ministry of Environment D. NITI Aayog E. ISRO Answer: B. IMD introduced the system to bolster the country's forecasting ability.
243. PM e-VIDYA has to do with:
A. Space research B. Tourism promotion C. Defence modernisation D. Digital banking expansion E. Digital school education Answer: E. It brings accessible digital learning to students via several online platforms and channels.
244. The Indian Army's Exercise 'Aakraman 2026' aimed at:
A. Air combat simulation B. Naval operations C. Cybersecurity training D. Integrated battlefield operations E. Disaster relief drills Answer: D. The exercise strengthened the Army's preparedness and coordination for integrated battlefield operations.
245. Which ministry launched the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2026?
A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare B. Ministry of AYUSH C. Ministry of Women and Child Development D. Ministry of Rural Development E. Ministry of Education Answer: A. The Health Ministry leads this campaign, which pursues elimination through vaccination and awareness work.
246. What does the AI Kosha initiative seek to build up in India?
A. Tourism infrastructure B. Railway modernisation C. Export financing D. The Artificial Intelligence ecosystem E. The space mission ecosystem Answer: D. AI Kosha offers datasets, tools and infrastructure to speed up AI innovation.
247. What is the RBI's SRO framework for fintech meant to foster?
A. Eliminating NBFCs B. Monetising gold C. Self-regulation led by the industry D. Legalising cryptocurrency E. Privatising foreign banks Answer: C. The framework nudges fintech firms toward ethical conduct, responsible innovation and compliance.
248. What does a Core Investment Company chiefly hold?
A. Retail banking assets B. Agricultural insurance policies C. Export subsidies D. Government tax reserves E. Investments in group companies Answer: E. CICs mostly own shares and securities of companies within their group and come under RBI guidelines.
249. Under which law does the RBI regulate Core Investment Companies?
A. FEMA, 1999 B. Companies Act, 2013 C. SEBI Act, 1992 D. RBI Act, 1934 E. Banking Regulation Act Answer: D. The RBI Act, 1934 is the basis of RBI's regulation of CICs, aimed at financial discipline and systemic stability.
250. The RBI Digital Payments Index gauges the extent of:
A. Digital payment adoption B. Foreign investment C. Gold reserve growth D. Fiscal deficit management E. Inflation control Answer: A. The index follows how fast digital payment systems are growing and spreading across India.
251. Where was the 3rd India-Nordic Summit, co-chaired by PM Modi, held?
A. Stockholm B. Copenhagen C. Helsinki D. Oslo Answer: D. The 3rd India-Nordic Summit took place in Oslo, Norway.
252. The Ayush Anudan Portal is designed to digitise grant management under which category of schemes of the Ministry of Ayush?
A. Centrally Sponsored Schemes B. Central Sector Schemes C. State Plan Schemes D. Public-private schemes Answer: B. It handles submission, evaluation and tracking of grants under Central Sector Schemes.
253. Which DRDO laboratory was the nodal developer of the ULPGM-V3 missile?
A. Defence Research and Development Laboratory B. Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad C. Aeronautical Development Establishment D. Naval Science and Technological Laboratory Answer: B. RCI Hyderabad, DRDO's missile guidance lab, led the development.
254. Where is Exercise PRAGATI 2026 being held?
A. Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya B. Pune, Maharashtra C. Jodhpur, Rajasthan D. Leh, Ladakh Answer: A. It is hosted at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya.
255. Veer Gundadhur, honoured by a Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar, led which 1910 uprising against British rule?
A. Munda Ulgulan B. Bhumkal Rebellion C. Santhal Hul D. Rampa Rebellion Answer: B. Gundadhur led the 1910 Bhumkal Rebellion in Bastar.
256. Which sector does PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana mainly promote?
A. Wind energy projects B. Nuclear energy expansion C. Biofuel production D. Rooftop solar installations E. Hydropower generation Answer: D. Households are encouraged to fit rooftop solar, supporting renewable energy and lower power bills.
257. The Centre's AI Kosha initiative relates to which area?
A. Artificial Intelligence ecosystem development B. Agricultural marketing reforms C. Digital taxation systems D. River-linking projects E. Railway modernisation Answer: A. It is meant to build up India's AI ecosystem by supplying datasets, tools and infrastructure support.
258. Which body is behind the home-grown anti-drone system Bhargavastra?
A. HAL B. ISRO C. DRDO D. BEL E. BHEL Answer: C. DRDO created this anti-drone system to meet hostile drone threats using indigenous defence technology.
259. India held Exercise Shakti 2026 together with which country?
A. USA B. Russia C. Japan D. Australia E. France Answer: E. Shakti is an India-France bilateral military drill meant to improve operational coordination and defence cooperation.
260. Which ministry started the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2026?
A. Ministry of Education B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare C. Ministry of AYUSH D. Ministry of Women and Child Development E. Ministry of Rural Development Answer: B. The Health Ministry began the campaign to wipe out measles and rubella using broad immunisation programmes.
261. What is the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) connected with?
A. Space communication B. Banking analytics C. Defence surveillance D. Advanced weather forecasting E. Digital taxation Answer: D. BFS is an advanced weather prediction model made to raise the accuracy of climate and monsoon forecasts.
262. What does RBI's Self-Regulatory Organisation framework for fintech aim to promote?
A. Industry-led self-regulation B. Cryptocurrency trading C. Elimination of NBFCs D. Gold reserve expansion E. Foreign bank privatisation Answer: A. The SRO framework was introduced to encourage ethical practice, responsible innovation and compliance among fintech players.
263. A Core Investment Company mainly holds which of these?
A. Agricultural subsidies B. Retail banking loans C. Investments in group companies D. Insurance claims E. Government bonds only Answer: C. Such companies chiefly hold shares and securities of entities in their own group and are regulated under RBI norms.
264. Core Investment Companies fall under RBI regulation through which law?
A. SEBI Act, 1992 B. Companies Act, 2013 C. FEMA, 1999 D. Banking Regulation Act E. RBI Act, 1934 Answer: E. RBI uses the RBI Act, 1934 to oversee these companies and keep them stable and well governed.
265. The RBI Digital Payments Index follows the growth of what?
A. Export financing B. Digital payment adoption C. Insurance penetration D. Gold monetisation E. Fiscal deficit Answer: B. The index tracks how widely and how fast digital payment systems are being used across India.
266. India abstained on a UNGA climate resolution that passed with how many votes in favour?
A. 128 B. 141 C. 152 D. 160 Answer: B. The resolution got 141 votes for, 8 against and 28 abstentions.
267. To which level were India-Italy relations elevated during PM Modi's Rome visit?
A. Comprehensive Global Partnership B. Special Strategic Partnership C. Strategic Dialogue D. Free Trade Partnership Answer: B. The Joint Declaration created a Special Strategic Partnership.
268. The FAO Agricola Medal was established by FAO in which year?
A. 1945 B. 1977 C. 2008 D. 2015 Answer: B. FAO set up the Agricola Medal in 1977.
269. Which agency signed the MoU with ISRO for Sweden's participation in the Shukrayaan Venus mission?
A. European Space Agency B. Swedish National Space Agency C. NASA D. JAXA Answer: B. ISRO and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) signed the MoU.
270. Where is the headquarters of the Asian Productivity Organization located?
A. Tokyo B. Singapore C. New Delhi D. Manila Answer: A. APO is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
271. Mission Karmayogi is chiefly aimed at upgrading:
A. Defence exports B. Tourism promotion C. Urban housing D. Agricultural productivity E. Capacity building of civil services Answer: E. This national programme builds the skills, efficiency and capacity of civil servants via continuous learning and training.
272. Households adopt what under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
A. Hydroelectric units B. Nuclear energy devices C. Wind turbines D. Rooftop solar systems E. Biogas plants Answer: D. Installing rooftop solar raises renewable generation and lowers household power bills under the scheme.
273. Bhargavastra, which was in the news lately, is a home-grown:
A. Anti-drone system B. Quantum computer C. Satellite launch vehicle D. Submarine detection radar E. Ballistic missile Answer: A. It was built to neutralise hostile drones and reinforce air defence.
274. With which country did India jointly hold Exercise 'Shakti 2026'?
A. Australia B. Russia C. Japan D. France E. United States Answer: D. The two-sided military exercise with France aims to deepen defence cooperation and interoperability.
275. The AI Kosha initiative is meant to boost India's:
A. Tourism infrastructure B. Digital taxation framework C. Artificial Intelligence ecosystem D. Logistics network E. Agricultural ecosystem Answer: C. It supplies datasets, tools and resources to speed up AI innovation and research in the country.
276. Which field is the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) linked to?
A. Digital governance B. Space exploration C. Banking fraud detection D. Defence surveillance E. Advanced weather forecasting Answer: E. BFS is a forecasting model that aims for better accuracy on weather and climate in India.
277. What does the RBI's SRO framework for fintech seek to promote?
A. Elimination of NBFCs B. Cryptocurrency adoption C. Self-regulation led by industry D. Foreign bank mergers E. Lower digital payments Answer: C. RBI brought in the framework so that the fintech sector practises responsible conduct, innovation and compliance.
278. A Core Investment Company mainly invests in:
A. Group companies B. Government subsidies C. Agricultural exports D. Insurance policies E. Real estate projects Answer: A. Their business is holding shares and securities of companies belonging to their own group.
279. Which legislation governs the regulation of Core Investment Companies?
A. SEBI Act, 1992 B. Companies Act, 2013 C. Banking Regulation Act, 1949 D. RBI Act, 1934 E. FEMA, 1999 Answer: D. RBI oversees CICs through the RBI Act, 1934, to uphold financial stability and governance standards.
280. What does the RBI's Digital Payments Index measure?
A. Fiscal deficit trends B. Digital payment adoption C. Corporate tax collection D. Inflation levels E. Foreign exchange reserves Answer: B. RBI uses the index to judge how widely and quickly digital payment systems are used across India.
281. According to the SRS 2024 bulletin, what was India's Crude Birth Rate in 2024?
A. 21 B. 18.3 C. 20.2 D. 14.7 Answer: B. CBR fell from 21 in 2014 to 18.3 in 2024.
282. Which department implements the UMMID programme for rare genetic disorders?
A. Indian Council of Medical Research B. Department of Health Research C. Department of Biotechnology D. Department of Science and Technology Answer: C. UMMID runs under DBT in the Ministry of Science and Technology.
283. Who launched the Bharat Tex 2026 Event Application?
A. Neelam Shami Rao B. Giriraj Singh C. Piyush Goyal D. Amit Shah Answer: A. Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao launched the app.
284. How much surplus did the RBI Central Board approve for transfer to the government for FY 2025-26?
A. ₹2.69 trillion B. ₹2.87 trillion C. ₹3.3 trillion D. ₹1.09 trillion Answer: B. The record transfer is ₹2.87 trillion.
285. ZikZuk Technologies received final RBI authorisation to operate as what kind of entity?
A. Payments Bank B. Small Finance Bank C. Prepaid Payment Instrument issuer D. Credit Information Company Answer: C. It became an RBI-authorised PPI issuer under the PSS Act, 2007.
286. Which energy source does PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana seek to spread?
A. Wind energy systems B. Hydroelectric generators C. Biofuel plants D. Nuclear energy units E. Rooftop solar installations Answer: E. The scheme promotes rooftop solar to encourage clean generation and trim household electricity costs.
287. India's development of which area is the AI Kosha initiative linked with?
A. Tourism infrastructure B. Artificial Intelligence ecosystem C. Agricultural marketing network D. Defence logistics system E. Urban transport network Answer: B. AI Kosha supports AI innovation by giving researchers and developers datasets, tools and infrastructure.
288. Recently in the news, Bhargavastra is what kind of indigenous system?
A. Satellite navigation system B. Aircraft carrier C. Ballistic missile D. Anti-drone system E. Weather radar Answer: D. Bhargavastra is a home-built system made to detect hostile drones and neutralise them.
289. Which country was India's partner in Exercise Shakti 2026?
A. France B. Russia C. Japan D. Australia E. United States Answer: A. India and France run this bilateral military exercise to improve defence cooperation and interoperability.
290. Bharat Forecast System (BFS) is mainly connected with which area?
A. Digital governance B. Banking supervision C. Weather forecasting D. Space exploration E. Cybersecurity monitoring Answer: C. BFS is an advanced forecasting model built to make weather predictions across India more accurate.
291. RBI's fintech framework for Self-Regulatory Organisations is meant to encourage what?
A. Foreign bank mergers B. Cryptocurrency mining C. Elimination of digital lending D. Gold monetisation E. Industry-led self-regulation Answer: E. RBI brought in the SRO framework to promote responsible conduct, innovation and compliance within the fintech industry.
292. Core Investment Companies mainly keep their investments in which kind of entities?
A. Government securities only B. Group companies C. Agricultural cooperatives D. Insurance products E. Foreign exchange reserves Answer: B. These companies chiefly hold shares and securities of firms in their own group and are regulated by RBI.
293. What does RBI's Digital Payments Index help to measure?
A. Inflation trends B. Foreign direct investment C. Fiscal deficit levels D. Digital payment adoption E. Corporate tax collections Answer: D. The index captures how far digital payment systems have grown and spread across the country.
294. PMFBY is a government scheme dealing with which area?
A. Crop insurance B. Soil health management C. Organic farming certification D. Irrigation development E. Dairy entrepreneurship Answer: A. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana shields farmers financially from crop losses caused by natural calamities and bad weather.
295. Natural farming drives promoted by the Centre stress cutting back on what?
A. Irrigation facilities B. Farm machinery C. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides D. High-yielding varieties E. Crop insurance services Answer: C. Natural farming backs eco-friendly agriculture by lowering reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
296. What share of global greenhouse gas emissions is covered by carbon pricing, per the World Bank's State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2026?
A. 15% B. 22% C. 29% D. 41% Answer: C. The report says carbon pricing systems cover 29% of global GHG emissions.
297. Which ministry launched the JEEVAN app and SHATAYU dashboard?
A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare B. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment C. Ministry of Women and Child Development D. Ministry of Rural Development Answer: B. MoSJE launched them, through its Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
298. The newly described Kali night frog has which scientific name?
A. Nyctibatrachus kumbara B. Nyctibatrachus kali C. Nyctibatrachus sahyadris D. Bufo kali Answer: B. The new species is Nyctibatrachus kali.
299. Which body launched Bharat Digital Samvad in New Delhi?
A. Bharath Digital Infrastructure Association B. TRAI C. NASSCOM D. MeitY Answer: A. BDIA convened the forum.
300. What government guarantee do airlines receive under ECLGS 5.0?
A. 100% B. 75% C. 90% D. 50% Answer: C. Non-MSMEs, including airlines, get a 90% guarantee.
301. What is the Bharat Forecast System, lately in the news, meant to improve?
A. Weather forecasting accuracy B. Satellite communication C. Tax administration D. Defence surveillance E. Banking supervision Answer: A. BFS is a modern forecasting model giving sharper weather and climate predictions for the whole country.
302. AI Kosha is meant to reinforce which of India's areas?
A. Power transmission network B. Railway infrastructure C. Export logistics network D. Artificial Intelligence ecosystem E. Tourism sector Answer: D. The initiative gives datasets, tools and resources behind AI innovation, research and development in India.
303. Bhargavastra was built to counter which threat?
A. Ballistic missiles B. Hostile drones C. Cyber attacks D. Submarines E. Space debris Answer: B. It is a home-grown anti-drone solution that finds and neutralises hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.
304. India's partner in the joint Exercise Shakti 2026 was:
A. Japan B. Australia C. United States D. Russia E. France Answer: E. Shakti pairs India and France in a bilateral military exercise that strengthens defence ties and interoperability.
305. What is the aim of the RBI's framework on SROs for fintech?
A. Eliminating NBFCs B. Gold monetisation C. Encouraging industry-led self-regulation D. Legalising cryptocurrency E. Foreign bank acquisitions Answer: C. The RBI framework promotes responsible innovation, compliance and governance in fintech.
306. Core Investment Companies chiefly hold their investments in:
A. Group companies B. Foreign banks C. Agricultural cooperatives D. Government securities alone E. Insurance firms alone Answer: A. Such companies mostly hold shares and securities of entities in their own group, under RBI regulation.
307. Which law is the basis for regulating Core Investment Companies?
A. FEMA, 1999 B. Companies Act, 2013 C. SEBI Act, 1992 D. RBI Act, 1934 E. Banking Regulation Act, 1949 Answer: D. RBI uses the RBI Act, 1934 to regulate these companies for financial stability and sound governance.
308. The RBI Digital Payments Index serves to measure:
A. Foreign exchange reserves B. Digital payment adoption C. Fiscal deficit trends D. Tax compliance rates E. Inflation levels Answer: B. It captures the growth and spread of digital payment systems across the country.
309. What does the abbreviation PMFBY expand to?
A. Pradhan Mantri Food Buffer Yojana B. Pradhan Mantri Farming Budget Yojana C. Pradhan Mantri Farm Business Yojana D. Pradhan Mantri Fertilizer Benefit Yojana E. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Answer: E. PMFBY is the Government of India's main crop insurance scheme, shielding farmers from crop losses.
310. Natural farming encourages lower use of what?
A. Agricultural extension services B. Irrigation facilities C. Farm machinery D. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides E. Certified seeds Answer: D. By limiting synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides, natural farming favours eco-friendly cultivation.
311. What is the total outlay of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA)?
A. ₹33,660 crore B. ₹3,366 crore C. ₹1 lakh crore D. ₹76,000 crore Answer: A. BHAVYA has an outlay of ₹33,660 crore.
312. According to the SRS Statistical Report 2024, what is India's Total Fertility Rate?
A. 2.1 B. 2.3 C. 1.9 D. 1.5 Answer: C. TFR is 1.9, below the 2.1 replacement level.
313. RBI imposed a total penalty of how much on City Union Bank in May 2026?
A. ₹2.70 lakh B. ₹3.10 lakh C. ₹10.10 lakh D. ₹25 lakh Answer: C. It was ₹10 lakh for PSL lapses plus ₹10,000 for SHG reporting failure.
314. What is the maximum continuous tenure of a UCB director under RBI's 2026 amendment?
A. 5 years B. 8 years C. 10 years D. 15 years Answer: C. A director cannot serve continuously for more than 10 years.
315. Which product of B+H Solutions recently received FCO registration in India?
A. AgroBeize B. AgroCopper C. AgroIron D. AgroUrea Answer: B. AgroCopper (nano copper) was recently FCO-registered.
316. The Bharat Forecast System (BFS) was built chiefly to improve which thing?
A. Weather forecasting accuracy B. Defence intelligence C. Banking supervision D. Tax administration E. Railway operations Answer: A. BFS is an advanced weather model designed to sharpen the precision of weather and climate predictions throughout India.
317. The AI Kosha initiative aims to strengthen which part of India?
A. Tourism sector B. Agricultural marketing system C. Artificial Intelligence ecosystem D. Defence logistics network E. Export promotion framework Answer: C. AI Kosha offers datasets, tools and infrastructure to speed up AI innovation, research and development in India.
318. Bhargavastra, which has been in the news lately, is an indigenous what?
A. Missile defence shield B. Satellite launch vehicle C. Nuclear submarine D. Weather monitoring radar E. Anti-drone system Answer: E. It is a home-grown anti-drone system built to detect and neutralise hostile drones and bolster national security.
319. India carried out Exercise Shakti 2026 jointly with which country?
A. Russia B. France C. Australia D. Japan E. United States Answer: B. Shakti is a bilateral India-France military exercise centred on stronger defence cooperation and interoperability.
320. Which ministry was responsible for launching the National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign 2026?
A. Ministry of Education B. Ministry of Rural Development C. Ministry of AYUSH D. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare E. Ministry of Women and Child Development Answer: D. The campaign aims to eliminate measles and rubella through vaccination and awareness efforts across the country.
321. Which technology does PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana encourage households to adopt?
A. Rooftop solar installations B. Wind energy systems C. Hydropower units D. Biofuel plants E. Nuclear energy systems Answer: A. The scheme boosts renewable energy use by getting households to put rooftop solar systems on their homes.
322. RBI's Self-Regulatory Organisation framework for fintech looks to foster what?
A. Cryptocurrency mining B. Foreign bank acquisitions C. Industry-led self-regulation D. Elimination of digital lending E. Gold monetisation schemes Answer: C. The framework supports responsible innovation, ethical practice and self-governance in the fintech sector.
323. A Core Investment Company mainly puts its money into what?
A. Agricultural cooperatives B. Government securities only C. Foreign exchange reserves D. Insurance funds E. Group companies Answer: E. These companies chiefly invest in and own shares of companies within their group, under RBI regulation.
324. Under which law are Core Investment Companies regulated?
A. Companies Act, 2013 B. RBI Act, 1934 C. FEMA, 1999 D. SEBI Act, 1992 E. Banking Regulation Act, 1949 Answer: B. RBI regulates these companies using the RBI Act, 1934, keeping them financially disciplined and stable.
325. The RBI Digital Payments Index measures what?
A. Inflation trends B. Fiscal deficit levels C. Foreign investment inflows D. Digital payment adoption E. Corporate profitability Answer: D. The index follows how far digital payment systems have grown and how deeply they reach across the country.
326. Which ministry launched the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile Application?
A. Rural Development B. Tribal Affairs C. Social Justice and Empowerment D. Housing and Urban Affairs Answer: C. MoSJE launched the portal and app for the PM-AJAY scheme.
327. In which mode was the first BRICS Tourism Working Group meeting under India's 2026 Chairship held?
A. Hybrid in Goa B. Physical in Jaipur C. Virtual D. Physical in New Delhi Answer: C. The first TWG meeting was held in virtual mode.
328. Where was the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting hosted by EAM S. Jaishankar held?
A. Hyderabad House, New Delhi B. Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi C. Taj Palace, Mumbai D. Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi Answer: A. The meeting took place at Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
329. Which organisation launched 'Medical Innovations Patent Mitra: Innovators-to-Industry (I2I) Connect'?
A. DBT B. CSIR C. ICMR D. DRDO Answer: C. The Indian Council of Medical Research launched the platform in New Delhi.
330. Kopra Reservoir, Chhattisgarh's first Ramsar Site, is located in which district?
A. Raipur B. Durg C. Bilaspur D. Korba Answer: C. Kopra Reservoir lies in Bilaspur district.
331. The Bharat Forecast System was developed to raise India's strength in:
A. Defence intelligence B. Cybersecurity monitoring C. Weather forecasting D. Digital governance E. Railway safety Answer: C. BFS is a weather prediction model built to make forecasts and climate monitoring more accurate in India.
332. Strengthening which area is the goal of the AI Kosha initiative?
A. Agricultural extension network B. Tourism industry C. Space research programme D. Digital taxation framework E. India's Artificial Intelligence ecosystem Answer: E. Datasets, tools and infrastructure from AI Kosha support AI innovation, research and development.
333. What was Bhargavastra developed for?
A. Weather forecasting B. Space communication C. Anti-drone operations D. Underwater surveillance E. Missile interception Answer: C. The system exists to detect and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.
334. Exercise Shakti 2026 was a joint effort by India and which nation?
A. France B. Australia C. United States D. Japan E. Russia Answer: A. India and France conduct this bilateral military exercise to strengthen defence cooperation and interoperability.
335. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana encourages the setting up of what?
A. Nuclear generators B. Wind turbines C. Hydropower units D. Rooftop solar systems E. Biofuel plants Answer: D. Households are urged to put up rooftop solar, producing clean power and cutting energy bills.
336. The RBI's SRO framework in fintech seeks to encourage what?
A. Foreign bank acquisitions B. Cryptocurrency mining C. Self-regulation led by the industry D. Gold monetisation E. Elimination of NBFCs Answer: C. Through self-regulation by the industry, the framework promotes responsible innovation, compliance and governance in fintech.
337. A Core Investment Company chiefly holds investments in:
A. Foreign exchange reserves B. Insurance funds C. Agricultural cooperatives D. Government securities only E. Group companies Answer: E. CICs invest in and own shares of companies in their group, and the RBI regulates them.
338. What does the RBI's Digital Payments Index track?
A. Corporate profits B. Foreign investment inflows C. Digital payment adoption D. Inflation trends E. Fiscal deficit levels Answer: C. It shows how the growth and penetration of digital payment systems is progressing.
339. PMFBY is a flagship scheme dealing with:
A. Crop insurance B. Dairy farming C. Agricultural exports D. Organic certification E. Irrigation development Answer: A. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana insures farmers against crop losses from natural calamities and adverse weather.
340. Natural farming chiefly tries to lessen reliance on:
A. Irrigation facilities B. Farm mechanization C. Certified seeds D. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides E. Agricultural credit Answer: D. This approach supports environmentally sustainable farming by limiting synthetic fertilizers and chemical pesticides.
341. What is the total outlay approved for SARTHAK-PDS up to March 2031?
A. ₹15,530 crore B. ₹20,000 crore C. ₹25,530 crore D. ₹30,250 crore Answer: C. The scheme has an outlay of ₹25,530 crore.
342. The Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework aims to mobilise roughly how much capital?
A. USD 5 billion B. USD 10 billion C. USD 50 billion D. USD 20 billion Answer: D. About USD 20 billion via public funds, soft loans and private investment.
343. Which organisation manages the Central Registry under PM-WANI?
A. TRAI B. NIC C. C-DoT D. BSNL Answer: C. The Central Registry is managed by C-DoT.
344. Which India-Singapore exercise is described as one of India's longest-running uninterrupted naval exercises?
A. Bold Kurukshetra B. SIMBEX C. SITMEX D. JMT Answer: B. SIMBEX is the navy-level exercise with this distinction.
345. Within how many days must the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) be completed under the IBC, including litigation?
A. 180 days B. 270 days C. 330 days D. 365 days Answer: C. The IBC sets a 330-day limit for CIRP, though average resolution still takes about two years.
346. Which of these countries was among the six Muslim-majority nations the US President urged in 2026 to join the Abraham Accords?
A. Indonesia B. Pakistan C. Malaysia D. Algeria E. Tunisia Answer: B. The US President called on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan to enter the Accords framework that normalises ties with Israel.
347. The Abraham Accords take their name from Abraham, seen as a common ancestor of which religions?
A. Judaism and Christianity B. Christianity and Islam C. Hinduism and Buddhism D. Judaism and Islam E. Judaism, Christianity and Sikhism Answer: D. Abraham is treated as a shared patriarch by Judaism and Islam, a symbol of common roots despite historical political and religious differences.
348. The SRS Statistical Report 2024 puts India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at what level after its decline?
A. 1.9 B. 2.5 C. 2.3 D. 2.1 E. 1.7 Answer: A. The TFR has dropped to 1.9, under the 2.1 replacement level, which points to a long-run slowing of population growth.
349. India's first indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell train, cleared by Indian Railways, was developed by which organisation?
A. BHEL B. RITES C. RDSO D. IRCON E. DMRC Answer: C. The Research Designs and Standards Organisation, the research wing of Indian Railways, built the home-grown hydrogen train.
350. On which railway section is India's first indigenous hydrogen train planned to run?
A. Delhi–Agra B. Lucknow–Kanpur C. Jaipur–Ajmer D. Patna–Gaya E. Jind–Sonipat Answer: E. In its first phase the hydrogen-powered train will be deployed on the Jind–Sonipat stretch in Haryana.
351. Which department launched the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) 2025 Portal?
A. Department of Telecommunications B. DARPG C. MeitY D. NITI Aayog E. UIDAI Answer: B. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances started the portal to assess digital governance and how well citizen services are delivered.
352. NeSDA draws its concept from which global benchmark?
A. Human Development Index B. Global Innovation Index C. Ease of Doing Business Index D. UN Online Service Index (OSI) E. Corruption Perceptions Index Answer: D. NeSDA takes its methodology from the UN Online Service Index and fits it to India's federal system of governance.
353. Which country moved ahead of India in May 2026 to rank as the world's fifth-largest stock market?
A. Taiwan B. South Korea C. Germany D. Canada E. Australia Answer: A. Taiwan's market capitalisation went past India's in May 2026, lifting it into fifth place globally.
354. For which licence did One MobiKwik get RBI's in-principle approval?
A. Small Finance Bank Licence B. Universal Bank Licence C. Payment Aggregator-Physical (PA-P) Licence D. White Label ATM Licence E. NBFC Licence Answer: C. RBI gave MobiKwik an in-principle nod for the PA-P licence, which widens what its payments business can do.
355. Andhra Pradesh teamed up with which institution on a Deep-Tech Startup Angel Fund?
A. NABARD B. RBI C. EXIM Bank D. NHB E. SIDBI Answer: E. The state joined hands with SIDBI to set up a fund that backs innovative, technology-driven startups.
356. Which three countries were the original 2020 signatories of the Abraham Accords?
A. Egypt, Jordan, Qatar B. UAE, Bahrain, Morocco C. Sudan, Kosovo, Kazakhstan D. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan Answer: B. The UAE, Bahrain and Morocco signed first in 2020.
357. According to the SRS Statistical Report 2024, what is India's Total Fertility Rate?
A. 1.9 B. 2.1 C. 2.4 D. 1.5 Answer: A. TFR has fallen to 1.9, below the 2.1 replacement level.
358. Which organisation designed and developed India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell trainset?
A. BHEL B. RDSO C. DMRC D. ICF Chennai Answer: B. RDSO designed and developed the trainset.
359. Which department launched the NeSDA 2025 Portal?
A. DARPG B. NITI Aayog C. MeitY D. Department of Expenditure Answer: A. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances launched it.
360. Which platform did India and Canada launch after the Indian Commerce Minister's visit to Canada?
A. Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum B. India-Canada Energy Council C. Indo-Pacific Trade Pact D. India-Canada Defence Dialogue Answer: A. They launched the Canada-India Trade and Investment Forum.