1. Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, has been developed by which company?

A. Agnikul Cosmos
B. Skyroot Aerospace
C. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
D. Larsen & Toubro

Answer: B. Skyroot Aerospace

Explanation: Vikram-1 is India’s first privately developed orbital launch vehicle. It successfully placed payloads into orbit, making India the fourth country to have a privately developed orbital launch capability. The rocket is named after Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space programme.

2. Vikram-1 was launched from which spaceport?

A. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
B. Kulasekarapattinam Spaceport
C. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island
D. Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station

Answer: A. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota

Explanation: Vikram-1 was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, India’s primary spaceport operated by ISRO.

3. Vikram-1 uses which type of propulsion system?

A. Cryogenic engines only
B. Liquid-fuel engines only
C. Solid-fuel rockets with 3D-printed engines and propulsion systems
D. Nuclear propulsion

Answer: C. Solid-fuel rockets with 3D-printed engines and propulsion systems

Explanation: Vikram-1 is a carbon-composite launch vehicle powered by solid-fuel propulsion. It incorporates advanced technologies, including 3D-printed engines and lightweight composite structures.

4. According to the report, what is the biggest challenge facing Skyroot Aerospace after the successful launch of Vikram-1?

A. Developing reusable rockets
B. Proving commercial viability through regular launches and customers
C. Building a space station
D. Competing with NASA

Answer: B. Proving commercial viability through regular launches and customers

Explanation: While the successful launch demonstrated Skyroot’s technological capability, the company’s next major challenge is to secure commercial customers, execute launches consistently, and establish a sustainable business model in the global launch market.

5. Which constitutional provision is at the centre of Sonam Wangchuk’s demand for Ladakh?

A. Article 356
B. Article 371A
C. Sixth Schedule of the Constitution
D. Article 239AA

Answer: C. Sixth Schedule of the Constitution

Explanation: Activist Sonam Wangchuk has been demanding constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which provides protection for tribal areas through Autonomous District Councils.

6. Which State recorded nearly 2.9 lakh school dropouts in the academic year 2024–25?

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

Answer: C. Kerala

Explanation: The report states that approximately 2,91,400 students dropped out of schools in Kerala during the 2024–25 academic year, with migrant workers’ children accounting for a significant share.

7. The 72nd National Film Awards honoured the film Article 370 in which category?

A. Best Feature Film
B. Best Film on National Integration
C. Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
D. Best Debut Film

Answer: C. Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment

Explanation: The film Article 370, based on the abrogation of Article 370, received the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment at the 72nd National Film Awards.

8. Which State has introduced the ‘e-Zero FIR’ system to facilitate prompt registration and investigation of cyber fraud cases?

A. Karnataka
B. Kerala
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Telangana

Answer: C. Tamil Nadu

Explanation: Tamil Nadu has implemented the e-Zero FIR system to enable the immediate registration of cybercrime complaints without jurisdictional delays. The initiative aims to speed up investigations, improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, and enhance the recovery of funds lost to cyber fraud.

9. The ‘e-Zero FIR’ system primarily deals with complaints related to which type of crime?

A. Wildlife crime
B. Cyber fraud and online financial crime
C. Drug trafficking
D. Human trafficking

Answer: B. Cyber fraud and online financial crime

Explanation: The e-Zero FIR system has been introduced specifically for cyber fraud cases. It allows victims to register complaints quickly, ensuring that investigations begin immediately, thereby improving the chances of tracing offenders and recovering defrauded money.

10. According to the Kerala government, children of which group accounted for the largest share of school dropouts in the academic year 2024–25?

A. Scheduled Tribe families
B. Fishermen’s families
C. Children of interstate migrant workers
D. Children studying in private schools

Answer: C. Children of interstate migrant workers

Explanation: Kerala reported 2,914 State school dropouts during the 2024–25 academic year. The largest share (about 36.72%) comprised children of interstate migrant workers, many of whom discontinued schooling after returning to their home States with their families.

11. The Vikasit Bharat Samvidhan (VBSA) Bill is primarily intended to:

A. Introduce a Uniform Civil Code
B. Reform India’s constitutional and governance framework
C. Establish a National Judicial Commission
D. Abolish the Rajya Sabha

Answer: B. Reform India’s constitutional and governance framework

Explanation: The proposed Vikasit Bharat Samvidhan (VBSA) Bill seeks to introduce reforms in India’s constitutional and governance framework. It is currently under examination by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

12. Which political party expelled Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon after he refused to step down as the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil?

A. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
B. Indian National Congress (INC)
C. National Conference (NC)
D. People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Answer: C. National Conference (NC)

Explanation: The National Conference expelled Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon after he refused to resign as the Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, following a leadership dispute.

13. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) functions primarily to:

A. Conduct Parliamentary elections
B. Provide local self-governance and administrative autonomy in Ladakh
C. Manage border security
D. Administer Union Territories directly under the President

Answer: B. Provide local self-governance and administrative autonomy in Ladakh

Explanation: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) at Leh and Kargil are elected local bodies that oversee development planning and local administration in the region.

14. A recent study highlighted the ecological importance of which invasive plant species in Assam’s Raimona National Park?

A. Lantana camara
B. Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
C. Parthenium hysterophorus
D. Prosopis juliflora

Answer: A. Lantana camara

Explanation: A study conducted in Raimona National Park, Assam, found that the invasive shrub Lantana camara, despite its harmful effects on native vegetation, serves as an important nectar source for many butterfly species. Researchers suggested managing the plant carefully instead of completely eradicating it.

15. Raimona National Park, recently in the news for its butterfly diversity, is located in which State?

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

Answer: B. Assam

Explanation: Raimona National Park is located in the Kokrajhar district of Assam. It was declared a national park in 2021 and forms part of the transboundary Manas Conservation Landscape shared with Bhutan.

16. Which butterfly species was reported to depend significantly on Lantana camara as a nectar source in Raimona National Park?

A. Common Jezebel (Delias eucharis)
B. Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae)
C. Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor)
D. Common Crow (Euploea core)

Answer: B. Common Rose (Pachliopta aristolochiae)

Explanation: The study recorded that the Common Rose butterfly was among the species that frequently visited Lantana camara for nectar, highlighting the plant’s unexpected ecological role despite being invasive.

17. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed indigenous border security technologies during his visit to which Border Security Force (BSF) frontier?

A. Punjab Frontier
B. Gujarat Frontier
C. North Bengal Frontier
D. Jammu Frontier

Answer: C. North Bengal Frontier

Explanation: During his visit to West Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed indigenous surveillance and border management technologies at the BSF’s North Bengal Frontier, with a focus on strengthening security along the India–Bangladesh border.

18. The Smart Borders Project, reviewed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is primarily aimed at:

A. Expanding inland waterways
B. Strengthening border surveillance using indigenous technology
C. Modernising railway stations
D. Developing coastal tourism

Answer: B. Strengthening border surveillance using indigenous technology

Explanation: The Smart Borders Project seeks to modernise India’s border management through the use of indigenous surveillance systems, artificial intelligence, sensors, and advanced monitoring technologies, improving border security and reducing illegal infiltration.

19. The recently concluded Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed between India and which country?

A. Australia
B. Canada
C. United Kingdom
D. France

Answer: C. United Kingdom

Explanation: India and the United Kingdom signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to boost bilateral trade, investment, services, and economic cooperation. The agreement provides greater market access for goods and services in both countries.

20. Under the India–U.K. CETA, the United Kingdom has agreed to eliminate tariffs on approximately what percentage of Indian tariff lines?

A. 50%
B. 75%
C. 99%
D. 100%

Answer: C. 99%

Explanation: Under the CETA, the U.K. will eliminate tariffs on about 99% of Indian tariff lines, significantly improving market access for Indian exports such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and agricultural products.

21. Which sector has been kept outside the scope of the India–U.K. CETA and will be negotiated separately?

A. Digital trade
B. Government procurement
C. Renewable energy
D. Space cooperation

Answer: B. Government procurement

Explanation: While the CETA covers trade in goods, services, investment, and several other areas, government procurement has been excluded from the agreement and will be negotiated separately.

22. Which Indian programme was recently approved in its second phase with a total outlay of ₹22,919 crore?

A. Digital India 2.0
B. Semicon 2.0
C. Make in India 2.0
D. National Quantum Mission

Answer: B. Semicon 2.0

Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 with an outlay of ₹22,919 crore to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem through support for manufacturing, assembly, packaging, and design.

23. Semicon 2.0 primarily aims to promote:

A. Electric vehicle manufacturing
B. Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem
C. Green hydrogen production
D. Space launch vehicle development

Answer: B. Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem

Explanation: Semicon 2.0 focuses on developing a complete semiconductor value chain in India, including chip manufacturing, assembly, testing, packaging, design, and related electronics manufacturing.

24. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) functions under which Ministry?

A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
C. Ministry of Science and Technology
D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Answer: A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Explanation: The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is an independent business division under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It coordinates policies and incentives for developing India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

25. India’s first hydrogen-powered train has been introduced on which route?

A. New Delhi – Agra
B. Jind – Sonipat
C. Mumbai – Pune
D. Chennai – Bengaluru

Answer: B. Jind – Sonipat

Explanation: India’s first hydrogen-powered train was flagged off on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana. It represents a major step towards cleaner and more sustainable rail transport.

26. A hydrogen-powered train generates electricity primarily through:

A. Diesel-electric generators
B. Nuclear batteries
C. Hydrogen fuel cells
D. Solar photovoltaic panels

Answer: C. Hydrogen fuel cells

Explanation: Hydrogen-powered trains use hydrogen fuel cells, where hydrogen reacts with oxygen to generate electricity. The electricity powers the traction motors, and the only by-products are water and heat, making the technology environmentally friendly.

27. Which gas is the primary emission from a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered train?

A. Carbon dioxide
B. Methane
C. Water vapour
D. Nitrogen dioxide

Answer: C. Water vapour

Explanation: Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The only direct emissions are water vapour and heat, with no carbon emissions during operation.

28. Ahmad Vahidi, recently in the news, served as the Defence Minister of which country?

A. Iraq
B. Syria
C. Iran
D. Lebanon

Answer: C. Iran

Explanation: Ahmad Vahidi is a senior Iranian military leader and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. He has served as Iran’s Defence Minister and is regarded as one of the architects of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” strategy.

29. The “Axis of Resistance”, frequently mentioned in West Asian geopolitics, is primarily associated with:

A. NATO countries
B. Iran and its allied regional groups
C. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members
D. ASEAN nations

Answer: B. Iran and its allied regional groups

Explanation: The Axis of Resistance refers to a network of Iran and its allied governments and non-state groups across West Asia, including organisations such as Hezbollah and other allied forces. It forms a key component of Iran’s regional security strategy.

30. Which natural phenomenon was recently identified as posing a slow-burn threat to power grids by inducing geomagnetically induced currents (GICs)?

A. Earthquakes
B. Solar storms
C. Volcanic eruptions
D. El Niño

Answer: B. Solar storms

Explanation: Researchers have highlighted that solar storms can generate geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in power transmission lines. These currents can damage transformers, disrupt electricity grids, and pose a significant threat to critical infrastructure.

31. Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) are primarily caused by:

A. Ocean tides
B. Changes in Earth’s magnetic field during solar storms
C. Seismic waves
D. Atmospheric pressure variations

Answer: B. Changes in Earth’s magnetic field during solar storms

Explanation: During a solar storm, charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, causing rapid changes in the magnetic field. These changes induce electric currents in long conductors such as power transmission lines.

32. Which layer of the Sun is responsible for emitting the charged particles that trigger solar storms?

A. Core
B. Radiative zone
C. Corona
D. Photosphere

Answer: C. Corona

Explanation: Solar storms originate from the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere. Events such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) release large quantities of charged particles into space, which can interact with Earth’s magnetic field.

33. Researchers have identified a new monkey species, Likweki, in which country?

A. Democratic Republic of the Congo
B. Cameroon
C. Central African Republic
D. Gabon

Answer: C. Central African Republic

Explanation: Researchers discovered a new monkey species named Likweki in Lomami National Park in the Central African Republic. The species was distinguished through genetic studies and field observations.

34. The Union Government’s India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) primarily aims to:

A. Develop nuclear technology
B. Build a domestic semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem
C. Promote electric vehicles
D. Expand digital payment infrastructure

Answer: B. Build a domestic semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem

Explanation: The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) seeks to establish a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in India by supporting chip fabrication, packaging, testing, design, and related electronics manufacturing.

35. Which State topped the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026?

A. Maharashtra
B. Gujarat
C. Karnataka
D. Tamil Nadu

Answer: B. Gujarat

Explanation: Gujarat ranked first in the NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026, reflecting its strong performance in policy stability, governance, infrastructure, ease of doing business, and investment facilitation.

36. The UNESCO “List of World Heritage in Danger” includes sites that are threatened primarily by:

A. Trade disputes only
B. Armed conflict, natural disasters, uncontrolled development, and climate change
C. Population growth only
D. Tourism alone

Answer: B. Armed conflict, natural disasters, uncontrolled development, and climate change

Explanation: UNESCO places World Heritage Sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger when they face serious threats such as armed conflict, climate change, natural disasters, pollution, uncontrolled urbanisation, or neglect, requiring urgent conservation measures.

37. The International Criminal Court (ICC), recently mentioned in connection with discussions about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is headquartered in:

A. Geneva, Switzerland
B. Vienna, Austria
C. The Hague, Netherlands
D. Brussels, Belgium

Answer: C. The Hague, Netherlands

Explanation: The International Criminal Court (ICC) is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

38. Kimi Antonelli, recently in the news, competes in which motorsport?

A. MotoGP

B. Formula One

C. Formula E

D. World Rally Championship

Answer: B. Formula One

Explanation: Kimi Antonelli is an Italian Formula One driver representing the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. He was in the news after securing pole position ahead of Max Verstappen.

39. Which tribal community do most of the surrendered Maoists featured in the report belong to?

A. Gond
B. Muria
C. Bhil
D. Santhal

Answer: B. Muria

Explanation: The report states that most of the surrendered Maoists belong to the Muria tribal community from Pungutta village in Chintoor (formerly in East Godavari district, now part of Alluri Sitharama Raju district), Andhra Pradesh. The article highlights their rehabilitation, livelihood generation, and reintegration into society.