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Past Questions — 2025
What is a flagship scheme of the Government of India aimed at providing micro credit/small loans to street vendors?
A)
PM Gati Shakti
B)
PMSVANidhi
C)
PM Suraksha Street
D)
PM SHRI
The correct answer is PMSVANidhi.
1. **PMSVANidhi (PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi):** This is a flagship scheme launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to provide affordable working capital loans to street vendors to help them resume their livelihoods after the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers an initial loan of ₹10,000, with subsequent loans of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 available upon timely repayment.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **PM Gati Shakti:** This is a National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity to improve infrastructure and logistics efficiency across India.
- **PM Suraksha Street:** This is not a recognized flagship scheme of the Government of India.
- **PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India):** This is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at upgrading schools to showcase the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Which Union Ministry implemented the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 Scheme’?
A)
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
B)
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
C)
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
D)
Ministry of Women and Child Development
The 'Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0' scheme is a comprehensive program launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. It is an evolution of the previous Poshan Abhiyaan, aimed at strengthening the delivery of nutrition and early childhood education services through Anganwadi centers. The scheme focuses on reducing stunting, wasting, and anemia among children, adolescent girls, and pregnant/lactating women by leveraging technology (like the Poshan Tracker app) and improving the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Option (a) Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: This ministry handles food security and distribution (like NFSA), but not the specific operational management of Anganwadi centers.
- Option (b) Ministry of Food Processing Industries: This ministry focuses on the industrial processing of food products to reduce wastage and increase value addition.
- Option (c) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: While this ministry works for marginalized groups, the specific mandate for child nutrition and maternal health falls under the MWCD.
Rural indebtedness refers to the phenomenon where-
A)
Banking business failed in the rural areas
B)
Agricultural failure because of famine and drought
C)
Majority of Indian farmers live in debt
D)
Indian indigenous bankers were in debt
Rural indebtedness is a socio-economic condition where the inhabitants of rural areas, primarily farmers, are unable to repay loans taken from various sources. In the context of Indian history (especially during the colonial period), this became a systemic crisis due to high land revenue demands, the commercialization of agriculture, and the exploitation by moneylenders (Sahukars).
Step-by-step analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because rural indebtedness is about the borrowers (farmers), not the failure of the banking business itself.
- Option (b) is incorrect because while famine and drought are 'causes' or 'triggers' that lead to indebtedness, they are not the definition of the phenomenon itself.
- Option (c) is correct as it accurately describes the state of the rural population being trapped in a cycle of debt.
- Option (d) is incorrect because indigenous bankers (moneylenders) were the creditors (lenders), not the ones in debt; they profited from the indebtedness of the farmers.
What is the highest National Award of Guyana conferred to the Prime Minister of India?
A)
The Order of Valor
B)
The Crown Jewel Honor
C)
The Grand Cross of the Order
D)
The Order of Excellence
In November 2023, during the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit, the Government of Guyana conferred its highest national award, 'The Order of Excellence', upon the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. This honor was bestowed in recognition of his leadership and the strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Guyana.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 'The Order of Valor' is not the highest national award of Guyana.
- Option (b) 'The Crown Jewel Honor' is a fictional or incorrect term in this context.
- Option (c) 'The Grand Cross of the Order' is a common title for awards in various European or Latin American systems, but not the specific highest award of Guyana conferred to the PM.
- Option (d) 'The Order of Excellence' is the correct official designation of the award given to PM Modi.
Which country won the Men’s Hockey Juniour Asia Cup 2024 title in Muscat; Oman?
A)
Malaysia
B)
India
C)
Pakistan
D)
China
The Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024 was held in Muscat, Oman. In the final match, India faced South Korea. India won the match 1-0, securing the title. This victory marked India's dominance in the junior category of Asian hockey.
- Option (a) Malaysia: Did not win the title.
- Option (c) Pakistan: Did not win the title.
- Option (d) China: Did not win the title.
Who is the first Indian archer to win a gold medal in Paralympic?
A)
Sumit Antil
B)
Manish Narwal
C)
Harvinder Singh
D)
Nishad Kumar
Harvinder Singh made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by winning the gold medal in the Men's Compound Open recurve event. This achievement makes him the first Indian archer to ever win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.
Analysis of other options:
- Sumit Antil: He is a javelin thrower who has won gold medals in the Paralympics (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), not an archer.
- Manish Narwal: He is a javelin thrower who won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, not an archer.
- Nishad Kumar: He is a discus thrower who won a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, not an archer.
Which space agency launched the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) programme?
A)
SpaceX
B)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
C)
European Space Agency
D)
China National Space Administration
The Moonlight programme is an initiative by the European Space Agency (ESA) designed to establish a lunar communications and navigation system. Much like GPS works on Earth, the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) will provide satellite-based communication and positioning services for future lunar missions, enabling rovers, landers, and astronauts to navigate the Moon's surface and communicate with Earth more efficiently.
Why other options are incorrect:
- SpaceX (a) is a private aerospace company, not a government space agency, and while it partners with NASA, it does not lead the Moonlight programme.
- NASA (b) has its own lunar initiatives (such as the Artemis program and the LunaNet framework), but Moonlight is specifically an ESA project.
- China National Space Administration (d) leads the Chang'e missions and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which are separate from the ESA's Moonlight initiative.
Which city hosted the 23 meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Council of Heads of Government?
A)
Shanghai
B)
Beijing
C)
Islamabad
D)
Dhaka
The 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was hosted by Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistan held the rotating chairmanship of the SCO for the year 2024-2025. The meeting focused on enhancing regional cooperation, economic connectivity, and security among member states.
- Option (a) Shanghai: While the organization is named after the city, it does not host every meeting.
- Option (b) Beijing: China is a founding member and frequent host, but not for the 23rd CHG meeting.
- Option (d) Dhaka: Bangladesh is not a member state of the SCO, and therefore does not host its official Council meetings.
The first three Universities on modern lines were established in Bengal, Bombay and Madras following the recommendations of
A)
The Charter Act of 1813
B)
Woods Dispatch 1854
C)
Hunter Commission 1882
D)
Kothari Commission 1964-66
The establishment of universities in India on modern lines was a direct result of the 'Wood's Despatch' of 1854. Sir Charles Wood, the President of the Board of Control, sent a comprehensive dispatch to Lord Dalhousie outlining a systematic plan for education in India. This document is often referred to as the 'Magna Carta of English Education in India'. It recommended the creation of universities in the presidency towns of Calcutta (Bengal), Bombay, and Madras to serve as affiliating bodies for colleges. Consequently, the Universities of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras were established in 1857.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. The Charter Act of 1813: This act provided a sum of 1 lakh rupees for the promotion of education but did not establish a university system.
- c. Hunter Commission 1882: This commission focused primarily on the improvement of primary and secondary education, rather than the initial establishment of universities.
- d. Kothari Commission 1964-66: This was a post-independence commission that focused on a national pattern of education and the 10+2+3 structure.
Who has been elected as the 11" President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)?
A)
Bhargav Dasgupta
B)
Masato Kanda
C)
Masatsugu Asakawa
D)
Takehiko Nakao
The Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) elected Masato Kanda as the 11th President of the ADB. Masato Kanda, a seasoned Japanese diplomat and former Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs, succeeded the previous president.
Analysis of other options:
- Bhargav Dasgupta: Not associated with the ADB Presidency.
- Masatsugu Asakawa: He has served as the Managing Director of the ADB, but not as the 11th President.
- Takehiko Nakao: He served as the 10th President of the ADB (2013–2018), not the 11th.
The Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development pertains to
A)
Prevention of Child Labour
B)
Reduction of Infant Mortality
C)
Prevention of Child Marriage
D)
Prevention of Sexual Harassment
The 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' campaign is a strategic initiative launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. The term 'Bal Vivah' literally translates to 'Child Marriage' and 'Mukt Bharat' means 'Free India'. Therefore, the campaign's primary objective is to eliminate child marriage across the country through awareness, community mobilization, and the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a) Prevention of Child Labour: This is primarily handled through the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
- Option (b) Reduction of Infant Mortality: This falls under the purview of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (e.g., through programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana).
- Option (d) Prevention of Sexual Harassment: This is governed by the POSH Act (Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013) and various legal frameworks, rather than a specific 'Bal Vivah' campaign.
Who was associated with ‘Ring fence’ policy in India?
A)
Henry Lawrence
B)
Dalhousie
C)
Lord Hastings
D)
Warren Hastings
The 'Ring Fence' policy was a strategic diplomatic and military approach adopted by the British East India Company to protect its own territories by creating a series of 'buffer states' around its borders. This policy aimed to prevent direct conflict with powerful neighboring states and to ensure that any external aggression would be absorbed by these buffer states before reaching British territory. This policy is most strongly associated with Lord Hastings (Governor-General from 1813 to 1823), who implemented it to secure the frontiers of British India, particularly in the context of the Pindaris and the Marathas.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Henry Lawrence: He was a military officer and administrator known for his work in the Punjab, but not the architect of the Ring Fence policy.
- b. Dalhousie: Lord Dalhousie is famous for the 'Doctrine of Lapse', which was an expansionist policy (annexation), the opposite of creating buffer states.
- d. Warren Hastings: While he dealt with early conflicts (like the First Anglo-Maratha War), the formalized 'Ring Fence' strategy as a systemic frontier policy is attributed to the later period of Lord Hastings.
NIPUN Bharat is launched by which Ministry?
A)
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
B)
Ministry of Education
C)
Ministry of Science and Technology
D)
Ministry of Rural Development
NIPUN Bharat (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) is a centrally sponsored program launched by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its primary objective is to ensure that every child in the country attains foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) by the end of Grade 3 by the year 2026-27.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs focuses on the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
- Ministry of Science and Technology focuses on scientific research and technological advancement.
- Ministry of Rural Development focuses on infrastructure and poverty alleviation in rural areas.
Since NIPUN Bharat is an educational initiative aimed at primary schooling standards, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education.
Which among the following joined NATO in 2024?
A)
Spain
B)
Turkey
C)
Ukraine
D)
Sweden
Sweden officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 7, 2024, becoming the 32nd member of the alliance. This decision followed a historic shift in Sweden's long-standing policy of military non-alignment, prompted by the security environment in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Spain: A founding member of NATO (joined in 1982).
- b. Turkey: A long-standing member of NATO (joined in 1952).
- c. Ukraine: While Ukraine has expressed a strong desire to join NATO and is supported by many members, it is not currently a member and did not join in 2024 due to the ongoing conflict and the alliance's requirement that membership cannot be granted to a country currently in a state of war.
Who is the current CEO of Microsoft?
A)
Sundar Pichai
B)
Indra Nooyi
C)
Satya Nadella
D)
Narayana Murthi
Satya Nadella is the current Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, having taken over the role of CEO from Steve Ballmer in February 2014.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Sundar Pichai: He is the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google.
- b. Indra Nooyi: She is the former Chairperson and CEO of PepsiCo.
- d. Narayana Murthy: He is the co-founder and former chairman of Infosys.
The platform introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and IT which provides access to important documents anywhere is called
A)
PM Gatishakti
B)
Virtual ID
C)
Academic Bank of Credit
D)
Digilocker
DigiLocker is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Digital India programme. It provides a cloud-based platform for issuance and verification of documents and certificates in a digital way, thus eliminating the need for physical documents.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. PM Gatishakti: This is a National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity to coordinate infrastructure projects across ministries.
- b. Virtual ID: This is a temporary, revocable 16-digit random number mapped to an Aadhaar number to protect privacy during authentication.
- c. Academic Bank of Credit (ABC): This is an initiative by the Ministry of Education to store academic credits earned by students from various recognized HEIs (Higher Education Institutions).
Who spoke on behalf of the Hindu religion in the “Congress of Religions” in Chicago 1893?
A)
Dadabhai Naoroji
B)
Swami Vivekananda
C)
Swami Brijanand
D)
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
The Parliament of the World's Religions (often referred to as the 'Congress of Religions') was held in Chicago in September 1893. Swami Vivekananda represented Hinduism at this global gathering. His opening address, which began with the words 'Sisters and Brothers of America,' earned him a standing ovation and brought international recognition to Indian philosophy and the concept of universal tolerance and acceptance.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Dadabhai Naoroji: Known as the 'Grand Old Man of India,' he was a political leader and economist, not a religious representative at the 1893 Congress.
- Swami Brijanand: While a scholar, he is not the historical figure associated with the primary representation of Hinduism at the 1893 Chicago Parliament.
- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A great social reformer and educator from Bengal, but he did not attend or speak at the Chicago Congress of 1893.
Which Country recently banned the use of Whatsapp and Google Drive in Government Departments?
A)
Vietnam
B)
Thailand
C)
Hong Kong
D)
Singapore
The government of Singapore has implemented strict guidelines regarding the use of third-party communication and storage applications within its government departments to ensure data security and prevent leaks of sensitive information. Specifically, the use of WhatsApp and Google Drive for official government business is restricted or banned in favor of secure, government-approved platforms (such as the government's own secure messaging and cloud infrastructure). This move is part of a broader strategy to protect national security and maintain the integrity of official communications. Options a, b, and c (Vietnam, Thailand, and Hong Kong) have different regulatory approaches to these apps, often focusing on censorship or national security laws rather than a specific administrative ban on these tools for government internal operations in the same context.
In crypto-currency, a ledger that stores data and records of transactions which are linked together across computers is called
A)
Bitcoin
B)
UPI payment block
C)
Virtual payment ledger
D)
Blockchain
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analysis of the Question**: The question asks for the name of a distributed ledger used in cryptocurrency that records transactions and links them across a network of computers.
2. **Evaluating Option (d) Blockchain**: A blockchain is a distributed, decentralized, public ledger. It consists of a chain of 'blocks' where each block contains a list of transactions. These blocks are cryptographically linked to the previous one, ensuring that the data is immutable and synchronized across all computers (nodes) in the network. This perfectly matches the description in the question.
3. **Evaluating Option (a) Bitcoin**: Bitcoin is a specific type of cryptocurrency (the first one), not the underlying ledger technology itself. Bitcoin *uses* blockchain technology to function.
4. **Evaluating Option (b) UPI payment block**: UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is a real-time payment system developed by NPCI in India. It operates on centralized banking servers, not on a distributed cryptocurrency ledger.
5. **Evaluating Option (c) Virtual payment ledger**: This is a generic term and not a standard technical term for the specific linked-data structure used in cryptocurrencies.
Conclusion: The correct technical term for the described system is Blockchain.
The first Jute Mill in India was started in?
A)
1855
B)
1863
C)
1865
D)
1870
The first jute mill in India was established in 1855 at Rishra in West Bengal. It was started by George Acland. The jute industry flourished in the Hooghly river basin due to the availability of raw jute from the hinterlands of Bengal and the proximity to the port of Calcutta for export.
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) 1855: Correct. This is the historically documented year of the first jute mill's establishment.
- Option (b) 1863: Incorrect. While the industry grew rapidly in the 1860s, the first mill predates this.
- Option (c) 1865: Incorrect.
- Option (d) 1870: Incorrect.
Which day is observed as International Anti-Corruption Day each year?
A)
September 9
B)
October 9
C)
November 9
D)
December 9
International Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on December 9. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about how corruption affects the everyday lives of people worldwide and the importance of fighting it. The date commemorates the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), which is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument.
Analysis of options:
- September 9: Not associated with International Anti-Corruption Day.
- October 9: Not associated with International Anti-Corruption Day.
- November 9: Not associated with International Anti-Corruption Day.
- December 9: The officially designated date by the UN.
What is the name of the Al-based app recently launched by the Ministry of Education for providing study materials in regional languages?
A)
Anuvadini
B)
Swayam
C)
Diksha
D)
Bhasini
The Ministry of Education, Government of India, launched 'Anuvadini', an AI-based translation tool designed to remove language barriers in technical and higher education. It allows for the translation of study materials, textbooks, and courses into various regional Indian languages to make education more inclusive.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Swayam: This is an indigenous MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) platform for providing quality education to all, but it is not specifically an AI-based translation app.
- c. Diksha: This is a national digital infrastructure for teachers and students to access educational content, but it is a portal/platform rather than a specific AI translation app.
- d. Bhasini: While Bhasini is the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM) AI platform developed by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), 'Anuvadini' is the specific application/tool utilized within the education sector (often leveraging Bhasini's ecosystem) for academic content translation.
Who among the following is not a High Court Judge?
A)
KL Liana
B)
Michael Zothankhuma
C)
Nelson Sailo
D)
Marli Vankung
This question pertains to the judicial appointments in the High Court of Mizoram. Justice KL Liana, Justice Michael Zothankhuma, and Justice Nelson Sailo are recognized members of the judiciary who have served or are serving as judges of the High Court of Mizoram. Marli Vankung is not a judge of the High Court; rather, she is associated with the legal profession/administration in a different capacity or is a name included as a distractor in the context of Mizoram's judicial leadership. Therefore, she is the correct answer to the question 'Who among the following is NOT a High Court Judge?'
Which ministry is responsible for conducting the census in India?
A)
Ministry of Culture
B)
Ministry of Defense
C)
Ministry of Home Affairs
D)
Ministry of Law and Justice
The Census of India is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, which functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The Census is a massive exercise conducted every ten years (as per the Census Act, 1948) to collect demographic, social, and economic data of the population.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Ministry of Culture: Responsible for the preservation and promotion of India's cultural heritage, arts, and literature.
- Ministry of Defense: Responsible for the national security and management of the Armed Forces.
- Ministry of Law and Justice: Responsible for legal affairs, judicial administration, and legislative drafting.
The first Governor-General of the Government of Bengal was-
A)
Warren Hastings
B)
Lord Cornwallis
C)
Robert Clive
D)
Lord Mayo
The Regulating Act of 1773 was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the British Parliament to oversee the affairs of the East India Company. Under this Act, the designation of the 'Governor of Bengal' was changed to the 'Governor-General of Bengal'. Warren Hastings, who was already serving as the Governor of Bengal, became the first person to hold this new title of Governor-General of Bengal in 1773.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Lord Cornwallis: He was the fourth Governor-General of Bengal (1786–1793) and is best known for the Permanent Settlement of 1793.
- Robert Clive: While he was a pivotal figure and served as Governor of Bengal twice, he never held the title of 'Governor-General' as the post was created after his primary tenure.
- Lord Mayo: He served as the Viceroy of India (1869–1872), a position created much later (1858) after the Government of India Act shifted power from the Company to the British Crown.