National Current Affairs From The Hindu

1. The Supreme Court recently reserved its judgment on the constitutional validity of reservation for Muslim converts in which State?

A. Karnataka
B. Kerala
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Andhra Pradesh

Answer: C. Tamil Nadu

Explanation: The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on the Tamil Nadu government’s appeal concerning reservation benefits for Muslim converts, a case involving constitutional questions on affirmative action and backward class status.

2. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recently stated that Ministers cannot respond in Parliament unless which condition is met?

A. The Prime Minister grants permission.
B. The Speaker adjourns the House.
C. The Opposition allows the debate to continue.
D. The House functions without disruption.

Answer: D. The House functions without disruption.

Explanation: Kiren Rijiju argued that repeated disruptions in Parliament prevent Ministers from replying to questions and participating in debates, stressing that orderly proceedings are essential for legislative business.

3. Women’s organisations recently demanded the immediate implementation of 33% reservation for women through which Constitutional Amendment?

A. 101st Constitutional Amendment
B. 102nd Constitutional Amendment
C. 106th Constitutional Amendment (Women’s Reservation Act)
D. 105th Constitutional Amendment

Answer: C. 106th Constitutional Amendment (Women’s Reservation Act)

Explanation: Women’s groups urged the government to implement the Women’s Reservation Act without linking it to the completion of the delimitation exercise. The Act provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

International Current Affairs

4. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye recently signed the Mecca Agreement to strengthen defence cooperation. Which of the following countries is NOT a signatory to this agreement?

A. Pakistan
B. Saudi Arabia
C. Türkiye
D. Qatar

Answer: D. Qatar

Explanation: Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Mecca Agreement, a trilateral defence partnership aimed at enhancing military cooperation, regional security, defence-industrial collaboration and a coordinated response to common security challenges.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

5. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recently came under discussion after the government proposed allowing banks to levy charges on certain transactions through amendments to which Act?

A. Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
B. Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
C. Banking Regulation Act, 1949
D. Information Technology Act, 2000

Answer: B. Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007

Explanation: The government has proposed amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which could enable banks to levy charges on specified UPI transactions. The proposal has triggered debate over the future of free UPI services.

6. The Reserve Bank of India recently decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged. The repo rate refers to the rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to whom?

A. State Governments
B. Commercial Banks
C. NBFCs only
D. Insurance Companies

Answer: B. Commercial Banks

Explanation: The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to commercial banks against government securities. It is one of the RBI’s primary monetary policy tools to manage inflation and liquidity.

7. India’s foreign exchange reserves recently increased by $10.5 billion to approximately what level?

A. $612.87 billion
B. $652.87 billion
C. $692.87 billion
D. $712.87 billion

Answer: C. $692.87 billion

Explanation: India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by $10.5 billion to $692.87 billion, reflecting higher foreign currency assets and strengthening the country’s external sector.

8. According to Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, which country accounts for about 67% of India’s LPG imports?

A. Saudi Arabia
B. Qatar
C. United Arab Emirates
D. United States

Answer: D. United States

Explanation: The United States has emerged as India’s largest LPG supplier, accounting for nearly 67% of LPG imports, as India diversifies its energy import sources.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

9. The latest exhibition season titled “QUANTUM” was launched at which institution?

A. National Museum, New Delhi
B. Science Gallery Bengaluru
C. Indian Museum, Kolkata
D. Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai

Answer: B. Science Gallery Bengaluru

Explanation: The exhibition “QUANTUM” was launched at Science Gallery Bengaluru to explore quantum science and technology through interactive installations, making advanced scientific concepts accessible to the public.

10. Netherlands-based AI company Wonderful recently announced the launch of its India operations. The company plans to establish its first Indian office in which city?

A. Bengaluru
B. Hyderabad
C. Mumbai
D. Pune

Answer: C. Mumbai

Explanation: AI company Wonderful, headquartered in the Netherlands, has launched its India operations with its first office in Mumbai, aiming to expand its presence in the Indian enterprise AI market.

11. NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Meir recently undertook a spacewalk outside which space laboratory?

A. Tiangong Space Station
B. Mir Space Station
C. International Space Station (ISS)
D. Lunar Gateway

Answer: C. International Space Station (ISS)

Explanation: NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Jessica Meir carried out a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) to perform maintenance and install additional solar array support equipment.

Environment & Climate Change Current Affairs

12. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) recently released captive-bred slender-billed vultures into the wild. These birds were released in which State?

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

Answer: A. Assam

Explanation: Five captive-bred slender-billed vultures were released into the wild in Assam as part of a conservation programme aimed at reviving the critically endangered species in its natural habitat.

13. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is primarily known for its work in which field?

A. Space Research
B. Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation
C. Agricultural Research
D. Ocean Exploration

Answer: B. Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation

Explanation: BNHS is one of India’s oldest scientific institutions dedicated to wildlife research, biodiversity conservation, ecological studies and the protection of threatened species.

14. The Union Government has proposed that no renewable energy project should be established within what minimum distance from India’s international border without prior approval?

A. 500 metres
B. 1 kilometre
C. 5 kilometres
D. 10 kilometres

Answer: B. 1 kilometre

Explanation: The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed stricter security guidelines requiring prior approval for solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects located within one kilometre of India’s international border.

15. The Union Government recently clarified that renewable energy projects located near international borders will require security clearance from which Ministry?

A. Ministry of Defence
B. Ministry of Home Affairs
C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Answer: B. Ministry of Home Affairs

Explanation: Under the proposed guidelines, renewable energy projects located close to India’s international borders will require mandatory security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs to address national security concerns.

Government Schemes Current Affairs

16. The Bihar Government has launched a major initiative to repaint government schools under which programme?

A. Shiksha Sudhar Abhiyan
B. Sunshine Project
C. Mission Kayakalp
D. School Beautification Scheme

Answer: B. Sunshine Project

Explanation: The Bihar Government has introduced the “Sunshine Project” to repaint government schools with a uniform colour scheme, aiming to improve infrastructure and create a more welcoming learning environment.

17. The Union Government has set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending in petrol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. What is the blending percentage in E20 fuel?

A. 10% Ethanol and 90% Petrol
B. 15% Ethanol and 85% Petrol
C. 20% Ethanol and 80% Petrol
D. 25% Ethanol and 75% Petrol

Answer: C. 20% Ethanol and 80% Petrol

Explanation: E20 fuel consists of 20% ethanol blended with 80% petrol. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower greenhouse gas emissions and support India’s biofuel sector.

Sports Current Affairs

18. Which Indian State won all four gold medals in women’s boxing at the Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham?

A. Punjab
B. Haryana
C. Maharashtra
D. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: B. Haryana

Explanation: Women boxers from Haryana won all four gold medals in boxing at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, highlighting the State’s dominance in Indian women’s boxing and its strong grassroots sporting ecosystem.

19. Which of the following Indian boxers won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham?

A. Nikhat Zareen
B. Lovlina Borgohain
C. Sakshi Chaudhary
D. Simranjit Kaur

Answer: C. Sakshi Chaudhary

Explanation: Sakshi Chaudhary was among the four women boxers from Haryana who won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, contributing to India’s impressive boxing performance.

20. Which of the following boxers was NOT among Haryana’s Commonwealth Games gold medallists featured in the report?

A. Preeti Pawar
B. Jasmine Lamboria
C. Priya Ghanghas
D. Nikhat Zareen

Answer: D. Nikhat Zareen

Explanation: The four Haryana boxers featured in the report were Sakshi Chaudhary, Preeti Pawar, Jasmine Lamboria and Priya Ghanghas, all of whom won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

21. Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa recently won which prestigious chess tournament?

A. Tata Steel Chess Tournament
B. Norway Chess
C. Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz
D. FIDE World Cup

Answer: C. Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz

Explanation: R. Praggnanandhaa won the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz title in the United States. It is his maiden victory in the prestigious event and significantly improved his position in the Grand Chess Tour standings.

22. R. Praggnanandhaa’s recent victory helped him move to which position in the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) standings?

A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth

Answer: B. Second

Explanation: Following his triumph at the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz, Praggnanandhaa climbed to second place in the overall Grand Chess Tour standings, strengthening his chances of qualifying for the season finale.

23. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) recently fixed the maximum age limit for its Executive Committee members at what age?

A. 65 years
B. 68 years
C. 70 years
D. 75 years

Answer: C. 70 years

Explanation: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) approved constitutional amendments introducing an upper age limit of 70 years for Executive Committee members to strengthen governance and institutional reforms.

24. “Bazball”, frequently seen in cricket news, is a term associated with the coaching philosophy of which former New Zealand cricketer?

A. Daniel Vettori
B. Brendon McCullum
C. Stephen Fleming
D. Ross Taylor

Answer: B. Brendon McCullum

Explanation: “Bazball” refers to England’s aggressive Test cricket approach introduced after Brendon McCullum (nicknamed “Baz”) became the team’s head coach in 2022, alongside captain Ben Stokes.

25. Anahat Singh recently became the first Indian to win the Junior World Championship in which sport?

A. Badminton
B. Table Tennis
C. Squash
D. Tennis

Answer: C. Squash

Explanation: Anahat Singh created history by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship. The 18-year-old defeated Egypt’s Amina Orfi in the final to claim the title.

Apps, Portals & Digital Initiatives Current Affairs

26. Meta has recently been accused of ramping up censorship of protest-related political content on which social media platform?

A. X (formerly Twitter)
B. Facebook and Instagram
C. LinkedIn
D. Snapchat

Answer: B. Facebook and Instagram

Explanation: Reports highlighted concerns that posts related to protests and political activities were being restricted or removed on Meta-owned platforms, raising issues about freedom of expression and content moderation.

Places in News Current Affairs

27. Bhiwani, frequently referred to as the “City of Boxers”, is located in which Indian State?

A. Punjab
B. Haryana
C. Rajasthan
D. Himachal Pradesh

Answer: B. Haryana

Explanation: Bhiwani has produced several national and international boxing champions and is widely known as the “City of Boxers” because of its rich boxing tradition and training infrastructure.

28. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, recently in the news due to wildfires, is located in which country?

A. Malaysia
B. Indonesia
C. Philippines
D. Papua New Guinea

Answer: B. Indonesia

Explanation: Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is located in East Java, Indonesia. It is famous for Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Java Island.