1. Which political leader was appointed as the new Education Minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned?

A. Ashwini Vaishnaw
B. Prahlad Joshi
C. Shivraj Singh Chouhan
D. Kiren Rijiju

Answer: B. Prahlad Joshi

Explanation: Following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid protests over the alleged paper leak controversy, President Droupadi Murmu appointed Prahlad Joshi as the new Union Education Minister.

2. The proposed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks to strengthen which existing law?

A. Right to Education Act, 2009
B. National Education Policy, 2020
C. Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
D. University Grants Commission Act, 1956

Answer: C. Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

Explanation: The amendment aims to make India’s anti-cheating law more stringent by introducing stricter punishments and enhanced investigative powers to curb organized examination malpractice.

3. Under the proposed amendments to the anti-cheating law, investigations into organized crime related to public examination paper leaks may be completed within:

A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days

Answer: C. 90 days

Explanation: The proposed amendment provides for a 90-day investigation period in cases involving organized crime networks engaged in public examination fraud.

4. According to the Centre, around what percentage of India’s exports to the United States remain exempt from the newly proposed 10% U.S. tariff?

A. 25%
B. 35%
C. 45%
D. 60%

Answer: C. 45%

Explanation: The Government stated that nearly 45% of India’s exports to the U.S. would continue to remain outside the scope of the proposed 10% tariff because of existing U.S. tariff structures.

5. The proposed 10% tariff announced by the United States is primarily aimed at:

A. Promoting renewable energy imports
B. Reducing dependence on foreign critical minerals
C. Preventing goods produced using forced labour from entering the U.S. market
D. Increasing agricultural imports

Answer: C. Preventing goods produced using forced labour from entering the U.S. market

Explanation: The tariff proposal is linked to the U.S. effort to discourage imports suspected of involving forced labour and to strengthen supply-chain compliance.

6. The Kerala government has decided to revive which community-based initiative associated with the Sabarimala pilgrimage?

A. Haritha Keralam Mission
B. Punyam Poonkavanam Project
C. Mission Green Kerala
D. Clean Pilgrim Campaign

Answer: B. Punyam Poonkavanam Project

Explanation: The Kerala government has revived the Punyam Poonkavanam Project, a volunteer-driven cleanliness initiative launched in 2011 to maintain sanitation and environmental conservation in and around the Sabarimala pilgrimage area.

7. Telangana has reduced the minimum age to contest elections to local bodies from 23 years to:

A. 18 years
B. 20 years
C. 21 years
D. 25 years

Answer: C. 21 years

Explanation: The Telangana government approved a proposal reducing the minimum age for contesting local body elections to 21 years, aiming to encourage greater participation of young people in grassroots democracy.

The move seeks to provide greater opportunities for young leaders to participate in Panchayats, Municipalities and other local self-government institutions.

8. The Union government is considering establishing two new dry ports in which States?

A. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
B. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
C. Odisha and Chhattisgarh
D. Maharashtra and Gujarat

Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Explanation: The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is considering proposals for setting up two inland dry ports in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to improve logistics and cargo movement.

9. A dry port primarily serves which purpose?

A. Naval defence operations
B. Inland cargo handling and customs clearance connected to seaports
C. Inland fisheries development
D. Tourism promotion

Answer: B. Inland cargo handling and customs clearance connected to seaports

Explanation: A dry port is an inland logistics terminal connected to a seaport by road or rail, where customs clearance, cargo storage and container handling are carried out.

10. Which Indian Buddhist site was recently inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List?

A. Bodh Gaya
B. Sanchi Stupa
C. Sarnath
D. Nalanda Mahavihara

Answer: C. Sarnath

Explanation: Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognizing its outstanding universal value.

11. According to the report, approximately how many adults in India were living with diabetes in 2024?

A. 52 million
B. 67 million
C. 89.8 million
D. 120 million

Answer: C. 89.8 million

Explanation: The study estimates that 89.8 million adults in India were living with diabetes in 2024, while millions more remain undiagnosed, making it a major public health concern.

12. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that despite peace efforts, which security challenge continues to confront India?

A. Maritime piracy
B. Cyber warfare alone
C. Proxy war and enemy intentions
D. Illegal immigration

Answer: C. Proxy war and enemy intentions

Explanation: Addressing the Kargil Vijay Diwas event, Rajnath Singh said that while India seeks peace, proxy war and hostile intentions from adversaries remain significant security challenges.

13. Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed every year on:

A. July 15
B. July 26
C. August 15
D. December 16

Answer: B. July 26

Explanation: Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on 26 July each year to commemorate India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War and honour the sacrifices of the armed forces.

14. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a Red Alert for heavy rainfall in parts of Gujarat. A Red Alert signifies:

A. Light rainfall expected
B. Be aware of changing weather
C. Severe weather requiring immediate action
D. Pleasant weather conditions

Answer: C. Severe weather requiring immediate action

Explanation: A Red Alert is the highest level of weather warning issued by the IMD, indicating extremely severe weather and the need for immediate preparedness and response.

15. The Ken–Betwa River Linking Project is the first river-linking project implemented under which national programme?

A. National Water Mission
B. National Perspective Plan (NPP)
C. Jal Jeevan Mission
D. Atal Bhujal Yojana

Answer: B. National Perspective Plan (NPP)

Explanation: The Ken–Betwa River Linking Project is the first project to be implemented under India’s National Perspective Plan (NPP) for interlinking rivers.

16. The Ken–Betwa River Linking Project mainly involves the river systems of which two States?

A. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
B. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
C. Gujarat and Maharashtra
D. Odisha and Chhattisgarh

Answer: A. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: The project links the Ken River and the Betwa River, benefiting districts in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh through irrigation and water supply.

17. Which tiger reserve has been at the centre of environmental concerns related to the Ken–Betwa River Linking Project?

A. Kanha Tiger Reserve
B. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
C. Panna Tiger Reserve
D. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Answer: C. Panna Tiger Reserve

Explanation: Environmentalists have raised concerns because parts of the Panna Tiger Reserve may be affected by the construction of the Daudhan Dam and associated infrastructure.

18. Spain’s football team is popularly known by which nickname?

A. Azzurri
B. La Roja
C. Seleção
D. Oranje

Answer: B. La Roja

Explanation: The Spanish national football team is popularly known as La Roja (“The Red One”), one of the most frequently asked sports GK facts in competitive examinations.

19. According to the article, India accounts for approximately what share of the world’s irrigated rice area?

A. 15%
B. 25%
C. 40%
D. 55%

Answer: B. 25%

Explanation: India possesses about 25% of the world’s irrigated rice area, making improvements in rice cultivation practices crucial for reducing global methane emissions.

20. According to the article, AI is helping improve which widely used gene-editing technology?

A. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
B. CRISPR-Cas9
C. DNA Fingerprinting
D. Sanger Sequencing

Answer: B. CRISPR-Cas9

Explanation: Researchers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to design improved versions of CRISPR-Cas9, enhancing the precision and efficiency of gene editing for future medical applications.

21. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has directed insurers to submit complete complaint-related information to Insurance Ombudsmen within:

A. 7 days
B. 15 days
C. 30 days
D. 90 days

Answer: B. 15 days

Explanation: IRDAI has instructed insurers to submit all documents and information related to a complaint within 15 days to enable Insurance Ombudsmen to resolve disputes within the prescribed timeline.

22. According to IRDAI’s latest direction, Insurance Ombudsmen should ordinarily dispose of complaints within:

A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days

Answer: C. 90 days

Explanation: The objective of the new directions is to help Insurance Ombudsmen dispose of complaints within 90 days, ensuring faster grievance redressal for policyholders.

23. India is set to introduce a common customer identification system for which sectors?

A. Banking only
B. Banking and Telecom
C. Banks and Insurance companies
D. Insurance and Stock Exchanges only

Answer: C. Banks and Insurance companies

Explanation: India plans to roll out a common customer ID that will enable customers to access financial services across banks and insurers using a single verified identity, improving interoperability and reducing duplication.

24. NTPC has approved raising up to ₹12,000 crore through which financial instrument?

A. Initial Public Offering (IPO)
B. Green Bonds
C. Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)
D. Commercial Paper

Answer: C. Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)

Explanation: NTPC’s Board approved raising up to ₹12,000 crore through the issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) to meet funding requirements.

25. What is a Non-Convertible Debenture (NCD)?

A. A government grant
B. A debt instrument that cannot be converted into company shares
C. An equity share with voting rights
D. A mutual fund investment

Answer: B. A debt instrument that cannot be converted into company shares

Explanation: An NCD is a fixed-income debt instrument issued by companies. Unlike convertible debentures, it cannot be converted into equity shares and generally offers a fixed rate of interest.

26. Which public sector company has commenced its first deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi offshore basin?

A. Oil India Limited (OIL)
B. ONGC
C. GAIL
D. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)

Answer: B. ONGC

Explanation: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has begun drilling its first deepwater exploration well in the Mahanadi offshore basin to enhance India’s hydrocarbon exploration efforts.

27. The Mahanadi offshore basin, recently in the news, is associated with the exploration of:

A. Rare earth minerals
B. Hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas)
C. Lithium deposits
D. Gold reserves

Answer: B. Hydrocarbons (oil and natural gas)

Explanation: The Mahanadi offshore basin is considered an important sedimentary basin for oil and natural gas exploration, contributing to India’s energy security.

28. Venezuela has formally notified its withdrawal from which international court?

A. International Court of Justice (ICJ)
B. International Criminal Court (ICC)
C. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
D. European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

Answer: B. International Criminal Court (ICC)

Explanation: Venezuela informed the United Nations of its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging bias in investigations.

29. Which Indian athlete won India’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?

A. Mirabai Chanu
B. Jhandu Kumar
C. Sonowal Meena
D. Sachin Siwach

Answer: B. Jhandu Kumar

Explanation: Para powerlifter Jhandu Kumar won the bronze medal in the men’s heavyweight category, securing India’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Jhandu Kumar earned a bronze medal in para powerlifting, marking India’s opening medal of the Games.

30. Anahat Singh created history by becoming the first Indian to win which title?

A. Commonwealth Squash Champion
B. World Junior Squash Champion
C. Asian Junior Squash Champion
D. British Junior Squash Champion

Answer: B. World Junior Squash Champion

Explanation: Anahat Singh became the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, a landmark achievement for Indian squash.

Anahat defeated Sameh El Torkey of Egypt to qualify for the final of the World Junior Squash Championship.

31. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a welfare scheme launched by which State Government?

A. Gujarat
B. Maharashtra
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Rajasthan

Answer: B. Maharashtra

Explanation: The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship welfare scheme of the Maharashtra Government, launched in 2024 to provide financial assistance to eligible women.

32. The primary objective of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is to:

A. Provide free healthcare to women
B. Offer monthly financial assistance to eligible women
C. Provide interest-free agricultural loans
D. Ensure free higher education for girls

Answer: B. Offer monthly financial assistance to eligible women

Explanation: The scheme aims to improve the economic security and financial independence of eligible women through direct monthly financial assistance.

Eligible beneficiaries receive ₹1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into their bank accounts.