National Current Affairs From The Hindu

3. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted a fact-finding team to examine the alleged trafficking and exploitation of women through which practice?

A. Devadasi system
B. Bride trafficking through ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’ marriages
C. Child marriage
D. Dowry marriage

Answer: B. Bride trafficking through ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’ marriages

Explanation: The NCW constituted a five-member fact-finding team to examine concerns regarding the alleged trafficking and exploitation of economically vulnerable women brought from other States and married to men in Haryana through the practice commonly referred to as ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’.

1. The Supreme Court recently distinguished the CBSE’s three-language formula from which constitutional provision relating to language education?

A. Article 29
B. Article 30
C. Article 350A
D. Article 351

Answer: C. Article 350A

Explanation: The Supreme Court observed that the CBSE’s three-language formula should not be confused with Article 350A of the Constitution, which relates to providing adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children belonging to linguistic minority groups.

2. Article 350A of the Constitution of India is primarily concerned with providing instruction in which language to children belonging to linguistic minority groups?

A. Hindi
B. English
C. Sanskrit
D. Mother tongue

Answer: D. Mother tongue

Explanation: Article 350A directs every State and local authority to endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.

International Current Affairs

1. India and China recently discussed ways to clarify perceptions and settle concerns related to which geographical feature?

A. Line of Actual Control (LAC)
B. Line of Control (LoC)
C. McMahon Line
D. Durand Line

Answer: A. Line of Actual Control (LAC)

Explanation: India and China discussed ways to clarify their respective perceptions of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides agreed that any situation on the ground would be addressed promptly through existing diplomatic and military channels.

4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit which Central Asian country before participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Tianjin?

A. Kazakhstan
B. Uzbekistan
C. Kyrgyzstan
D. Tajikistan

Answer: B. Uzbekistan

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Uzbekistan as part of India’s renewed engagement with Central Asia before participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

1. India’s proposed strategic fuel programme aims to expand strategic storage by how much crude oil capacity?

A. 17 MT
B. 20 MT
C. 28 MT
D. 35 MT

Answer: C. 28 MT

Explanation: India is considering a major expansion of its strategic fuel reserves, including about 28 MT of crude oil storage. The plan also proposes strategic reserves for LNG and LPG to improve India’s energy security during supply disruptions.

2. Under India’s proposed strategic fuel programme, how much LNG storage is being considered?

A. 5 MT
B. 9 MT
C. 14 MT
D. 20 MT

Answer: B. 9 MT

Explanation: The proposed strategic fuel programme includes about 9 MT of LNG storage. Unlike crude oil, India currently has no operational underground natural-gas storage facility, making the proposal significant for long-term energy security.

3. India’s proposed strategic fuel programme also includes a proposed reserve of how much LPG?

A. 2 MT
B. 3 MT
C. 4 MT
D. 5 MT

Answer: C. 4 MT

Explanation: The proposed programme includes a 4 MT strategic LPG reserve. LPG is important for domestic cooking and other uses, and a strategic reserve could help India manage supply disruptions and emergencies.

4. What is the current underground storage capacity under Phase I of India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

A. 3.33 MT
B. 5.33 MT
C. 6.50 MT
D. 9 MT

Answer: B. 5.33 MT

Explanation: Under Phase I of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve programme, India has underground crude oil storage capacity of about 5.33 million tonnes. The reserves are located at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur.

6. The proposed expansion of India’s strategic fuel reserves is primarily aimed at strengthening which of the following?

A. Agricultural productivity
B. Energy security during supply disruptions
C. Foreign exchange reserves
D. Coal production capacity

Answer: B. Energy security during supply disruptions

Explanation: Strategic fuel reserves are intended to protect a country against disruptions in energy supplies caused by geopolitical tensions, maritime chokepoints, shipping disruptions or other emergencies. However, the article emphasises that storage alone is not sufficient without efficient pipelines, ports and distribution infrastructure.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

1. Which State is set to become India’s third major subsea cable hub as investments in data centres and digital infrastructure expand?

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

Answer: B. Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: Andhra Pradesh is expected to emerge as India’s third major subsea cable hub, after Mumbai and Chennai. The development is linked to growing investments in data centres and digital infrastructure, including projects involving global technology companies such as Microsoft and Google.

Defence & Security Current Affairs

1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently laid the foundation stone for a tank overhaul facility in which State?

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

Answer: B. Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a tank overhaul facility in Madhya Pradesh. The project is aimed at maintaining and upgrading the operational capabilities of tanks and strengthening India’s defence preparedness.

2. The recently announced ₹472-crore tank overhaul facility is primarily intended to keep which tanks operationally ready?

A. Arjun Mk-1 and Arjun Mk-1A
B. T-72 and T-90
C. Vijayanta and Arjun Mk-1
D. T-90 and AMX-30

Answer: B. T-72 and T-90

Explanation: The proposed facility aims to ensure the operational readiness of India’s T-72 and T-90 tanks by strengthening their maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities.

5. What does AMCA stand for in the context of India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme?

A. Advanced Military Combat Aircraft
B. Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
C. Airborne Multirole Combat Aircraft
D. Advanced Missile Combat Aircraft

Answer: B. Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft

Explanation: AMCA stands for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. It is India’s proposed indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme and is expected to incorporate advanced stealth and combat technologies.

Environment & Climate Change Current Affairs

1. A devastating flash flood in Nepal has renewed concerns over which major environmental risk in the Himalayas?

A. Desertification caused by monsoon failure
B. Glacier collapse and the formation of unstable glacial lakes
C. Volcanic eruptions beneath the Himalayas
D. Rising sea levels in mountain regions

Answer: B. Glacier collapse and the formation of unstable glacial lakes

Explanation: The flash flood in Nepal has renewed concerns about the impact of rapidly warming Himalayan glaciers. Scientists are investigating whether a glacier collapse triggered the disaster. Rising temperatures can accelerate glacier melting and increase the risk of unstable glacial lakes and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

Appointments & Resignations Current Affairs

5. Who is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), which recently constituted a fact-finding team to probe the alleged trafficking of women in the Nuh region?

A. Rekha Sharma
B. Vijaya Rahatkar
C. Smriti Irani
D. Annapurna Devi

Answer: B. Vijaya Rahatkar

Explanation: Vijaya Rahatkar is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women. The Commission recently constituted a five-member fact-finding team to investigate concerns related to the alleged trafficking and exploitation of women through ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’ marriages.

Sports Current Affairs

1. Which Czech pair won the US Open mixed doubles title, marking the maiden Grand Slam crown for both players?

A. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik
B. Barbora Krejcikova and Tomas Machac
C. Marketa Vondrousova and Jiri Lehecka
D. Petra Kvitova and Jiri Vesely

Answer: A. Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik

Explanation: Czech players Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik won the US Open mixed doubles title, their maiden Grand Slam crown. They saved match points in the semifinal before defeating Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the final.

Summits & Conferences Current Affairs

5. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit mentioned in the news was scheduled to be held in which country?

A. India
B. Russia
C. China
D. Kazakhstan

Answer: C. China

Explanation: The SCO Summit was scheduled to take place in Tianjin, China. The SCO is an important Eurasian political, economic and security organisation in which India is a member.

Apps, Portals & Digital Initiatives Current Affairs

3. Which Indian State has recently launched the L&T state-of-the-art IT campus at New Town with the objective of creating employment opportunities for skilled workers?

A. Odisha
B. West Bengal
C. Jharkhand
D. Bihar

Answer: B. West Bengal

Explanation: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the L&T IT campus at New Town. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the State’s information technology sector and generating employment opportunities for skilled youth.

Persons in News Current Affairs

3. Which Chief Minister recently called for Statehood for the Union Territory of Puducherry?

A. M. K. Stalin
B. N. Rangasamy
C. Pinarayi Vijayan
D. N. Biren Singh

Answer: B. N. Rangasamy

Explanation: Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy called for granting Statehood to Puducherry, arguing that Statehood would help ensure smoother and more effective administration.

Places in News Current Affairs

4. The recent flash flood that caused large-scale devastation occurred in which district of Nepal?

A. Kaski
B. Rasuwa
C. Chitwan
D. Kathmandu

Answer: B. Rasuwa

Explanation: The flash flood occurred in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, which borders Tibet. The disaster affected several areas and disrupted communication networks and transport infrastructure.

5. The Bodoland Territorial Council is located in which Indian State?

A. Assam
B. Meghalaya
C. Mizoram
D. Arunachal Pradesh

Answer: A. Assam

Explanation: The Bodoland Territorial Council is an autonomous territorial council in Assam. It was established to provide greater autonomy and administrative powers to the Bodo-dominated areas of the State.

4. The alleged practice of ‘Paro’ or ‘Molki’ marriages, recently in news, was particularly examined in which district of Haryana?

A. Gurugram
B. Nuh
C. Hisar
D. Ambala

Answer: B. Nuh

Explanation: The NCW’s fact-finding team was constituted to examine the practice of trafficking women through such marriages, particularly in Haryana’s Nuh district and other locations where necessary.

5. Which of the following locations is NOT among the existing Phase I Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage sites of India?

A. Visakhapatnam
B. Mangaluru
C. Padur
D. Chandikhol

Answer: D. Chandikhol

Explanation: India’s existing Phase I Strategic Petroleum Reserve facilities are located at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur. Chandikhol is associated with the planned Phase II expansion of the programme.

Art & Culture Current Affairs

2. ‘Ro Min Rel Sak Ang Che’ has recently been adopted as the State song of which State?

A. Mizoram
B. Meghalaya
C. Nagaland
D. Manipur

Answer: A. Mizoram

Explanation: The Mizoram Assembly unanimously adopted the song “Ro Min Rel Sak Ang Che” as the official State song. Such developments related to State symbols, culture and identity are important for State PSC and other competitive examinations.