National Current Affairs From The Hindu

1. Which Union Territory is set to become the first in India to conduct a caste enumeration?

A. Jammu & Kashmir
B. Chandigarh
C. Ladakh
D. Lakshadweep

Answer: C. Ladakh

Explanation: Ladakh is set to become the first Union Territory in India to undertake caste enumeration as part of the second phase of the Population Enumeration under the Census process. The exercise is expected to provide detailed socio-economic data for policy formulation.

2. The Kerala Government is considering withdrawing its directive on the singing of Vande Mataram in government programmes. According to the clarification, which part of the song would continue to be sung?

A. Only the first stanza
B. Only the last stanza
C. The first two stanzas
D. The complete song

Answer: C. The first two stanzas

Explanation: The Kerala Government clarified that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram were intended to be sung at State government programmes. The clarification came after political controversy over the directive.

3. The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Forum (AFTF) has demanded that the Arunachal Pradesh Government scrap its policy to recruit what percentage of non-residents for government jobs?

A. 10%
B. 15%
C. 20%
D. 25%

Answer: C. 20%

Explanation: The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Forum (AFTF) opposed the State Government’s proposal to reserve 20% of certain government jobs for non-residents, arguing that it would adversely affect employment opportunities for local youth.

4. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, recently opposed by the Opposition, seeks to amend which existing law?

A. Representation of the People Act, 1951
B. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010
C. Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
D. Societies Registration Act, 1860

Answer: B. Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010

Explanation: The proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill seeks to amend the FCRA, 2010, which regulates the acceptance and utilization of foreign contributions by individuals, associations, and NGOs in India. The Bill has drawn criticism from Opposition parties and several civil society organisations.

International Current Affairs

5. The recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), also referred to as the ‘Makkah Pact’, was signed among which three countries?

A. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye
B. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye
C. Iran, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye
D. Pakistan, Iran and Qatar

Answer: B. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye

Explanation: The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement (MJDA), also known as the Makkah Pact, is a trilateral defence agreement signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. It aims to enhance defence cooperation, strategic coordination, intelligence sharing, military training, and joint security initiatives among the three countries.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

6. The operating concessions of which two major Gujarat ports are nearing expiry, prompting the State Government to consider a new port policy?

A. Kandla and Deendayal Ports
B. Pipavav and Mundra Ports
C. Hazira and Dahej Ports
D. Porbandar and Okha Ports

Answer: B. Pipavav and Mundra Ports

Explanation: The Gujarat Government is considering a new policy framework as the long-term operating concessions of Pipavav and Mundra ports approach expiry. The decision will have significant implications for India’s maritime infrastructure and private port development.

7. Under Gujarat’s 1997 Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) policy, private developers were initially granted port operating concessions for what period?

A. 20 years
B. 30 years
C. 40 years
D. 50 years

Answer: B. 30 years

Explanation: Gujarat’s 1997 BOOT policy allowed private developers to build and operate ports under a 30-year concession agreement. The government is now considering a revised framework as these concessions near expiry.

8. Afghanistan’s recent gold mining boom is primarily concentrated in which province?

A. Kandahar
B. Badakhshan
C. Herat
D. Bamyan

Answer: B. Badakhshan

Explanation: Afghanistan’s gold mining activity has expanded rapidly in Badakhshan Province in the country’s northeast. While the sector has generated employment, concerns remain over environmental degradation, safety, and regulation.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

9. Scientists from which institution developed portable water purifiers that were recently supplied to flood-affected areas of Assam?

A. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST)
C. IIT Guwahati
D. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)

Answer: B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST)

Explanation: Scientists at CSIR-NEIST developed portable water purifiers capable of treating contaminated floodwater into safe drinking water. The units were delivered to flood-affected districts in Assam.

10. ‘Glueballs’, recently in the news, are hypothetical particles predicted by which theory?

A. General Theory of Relativity
B. Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD)
C. String Theory
D. Electroweak Theory

Answer: B. Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD)

Explanation: Glueballs are hypothetical particles composed entirely of gluons. Their existence is predicted by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the theory that explains the strong nuclear force responsible for binding quarks inside hadrons.

Defence & Security Current Affairs

11. Who recently presented the President’s Colour to the Puducherry Police?

A. Rajnath Singh
B. Amit Shah
C. Nityanand Rai
D. Kiren Rijiju

Answer: B. Amit Shah

Explanation: Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President’s Colour to the Puducherry Police in recognition of its distinguished service, professionalism, and commitment to maintaining law and order.

12. The Centre is considering the report on creating integrated theatre commands for which of the following?

A. Indian Army only
B. Indian Army and Indian Air Force only
C. Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard only
D. Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force

Answer: D. Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force

Explanation: The Government is examining the report on integrated theatre commands to improve jointness among the Army, Navy, and Air Force through unified operational structures and better coordination.

Government Schemes Current Affairs

13. Which State government has announced that it will protect the rights of tribal youth through special development and employment initiatives?

A. Odisha
B. Chhattisgarh
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. Jharkhand

Answer: C. Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced measures to safeguard the rights of tribal youth by focusing on education, skill development, employment, and welfare programmes in tribal areas.

Reports & Indices Current Affairs

14. According to a report published in The Hindu, Adivasis constitute approximately what percentage of Jharkhand’s population, as per the 2011 Census?

A. 18%
B. 22%
C. 26%
D. 32%

Answer: C. 26%

Explanation: According to the 2011 Census, Scheduled Tribes account for nearly 26% of Jharkhand’s population. The issue of employment opportunities for tribal youth remains a major socio-economic concern in the State.

15. According to data on the Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS), approximately what percentage of India’s registered nursing personnel are currently enrolled in the national registry?

A. 15%
B. 31%
C. 50%
D. 75%

Answer: B. 31%

Explanation: Only about 14.24 lakh of India’s 46.02 lakh registered nursing personnel are enrolled in the Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS), indicating slow implementation of the national digital registry for nurses.

Appointments & Resignations Current Affairs

16. The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Director Rahul Navin has received a service extension of how long?

A. Six months
B. One year
C. Two years
D. Three years

Answer: B. One year

Explanation: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved a one-year extension for Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Rahul Navin, allowing him to continue in office beyond his earlier tenure.

17. The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Chief Justices for how many High Courts?

A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five

Answer: C. Four

Explanation: The Supreme Court Collegium recommended appointments of Chief Justices for four High Courts as part of the ongoing process of strengthening the higher judiciary.

Sports Current Affairs

18. Which Indian badminton player won her maiden BWF World Tour title by defeating Han Yue in the Korea Masters Super 300 tournament?

A. Malvika Bansod
B. Unnati Hooda
C. Ashmita Chaliha
D. Aakarshi Kashyap

Answer: C. Ashmita Chaliha

Explanation: India’s Ashmita Chaliha clinched her maiden BWF World Tour title by defeating China’s Han Yue in the final of the Korea Masters Super 300. It marked the biggest title of her career and a significant milestone for Indian badminton.

19. Ashmita Chaliha won her maiden BWF World Tour title at which tournament?

A. Malaysia Masters
B. Korea Masters Super 300
C. Thailand Open Super 500
D. Indonesia Masters

Answer: B. Korea Masters Super 300

Explanation: Ashmita Chaliha secured the Korea Masters Super 300 title after an impressive run, becoming one of the latest Indian shuttlers to win a BWF World Tour event.

20. Which Indian athlete won the silver medal in the women’s high jump at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet in Eugene, USA?

A. Shaili Singh
B. Basanti Kumari Meghwal
C. Ancy Sojan
D. Jyothi Yarraji

Answer: B. Basanti Kumari Meghwal

Explanation: Basanti Kumari Meghwal won the silver medal in the women’s high jump with a clearance of 2.21 m at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet in Eugene, USA.

21. Which Indian athlete won the bronze medal in the men’s long jump at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet in Eugene?

A. Jeswin Aldrin
B. Murali Sreeshankar
C. Shahnawaz
D. Praveen Chithravel

Answer: C. Shahnawaz

Explanation: Shahnawaz secured the bronze medal in the men’s long jump with a best effort of 7.84 m at the World Athletics Continental Tour meet.

22. Which Indian rider recently won the British MotoGP?

A. Rajiv Sethu
B. Harith Noah
C. Rahul Fernandes
D. Sarath Kumar

Answer: C. Rahul Fernandes

Explanation: Rahul Fernandes won the British MotoGP, registering an important international success for Indian motorsport.

Apps, Portals & Digital Initiatives Current Affairs

23. BJP MP Baijayant Panda has introduced a Private Member’s Bill proposing restrictions on social media use for children below what age?

A. 10 years
B. 13 years
C. 16 years
D. 18 years

Answer: B. 13 years

Explanation: The proposed Private Member’s Bill seeks to prohibit children below the age of 13 from creating social media accounts and introduces provisions for parental consent, age verification, and enhanced online safety measures for minors.

Art & Culture Current Affairs

24. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is likely to move a resolution giving priority to which song as the State song?

A. Jana Gana Mana
B. Vande Mataram
C. Tamil Thai Vazhthu
D. Neerarum Kadaludutha

Answer: C. Tamil Thai Vazhthu

Explanation: The Tamil Nadu Government is expected to pass a resolution recognizing Tamil Thai Vazhthu as the State song and according it precedence at official State functions.