21. Which institute has been chosen by ICMR to establish South India’s first Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IRDL)?
[A] Stanley Medical College
[B] Andhra Medical College
[C] Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute
[D] Madras Medical College
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute ]
Notes:
Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) has been selected by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to host South India’s first Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IRDL). The lab will focus on research and diagnostics for bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, enabling quicker and more accurate disease management. This is part of a nationwide initiative to enhance medical research infrastructure in India. The lab will also study antibiotic resistance, fungal infections, and tropical diseases.
22. Kudankulam nuclear power plant, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Russia’s atomic agency has shipped the reactor vessel for the sixth unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to India. The Kudankulam plant, located in Tamil Nadu, is India’s largest nuclear power plant with six reactors and a total capacity of 6,000 MW. The reactor vessel, weighing 320 tonnes, was manufactured by Rosatom’s division Atommash and shipped from Novorossiysk at the end of 2024. The reactor vessel will travel 6,000 miles by sea to reach the construction site.
23. What is the name of Odisha’s health scheme that has been integrated with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana recently?
[A] Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
[B] Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana
[C] Rajiv Gandhi Aarogyasri Scheme
[D] Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana]
Notes:
Odisha became the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), converging it with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. The scheme offers ₹5 lakh per family annually, with an extra ₹5 lakh for women, benefiting 1.03 crore families. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in New Delhi, attended by key union and state ministers. AB PM-JAY covers 45% of India’s population, with 8.19 crore hospital admissions recorded since inception. Odisha’s 4.5 crore beneficiaries will access cashless treatment in over 29,000 hospitals, enhancing healthcare for 86% of the population.
24. Kerch Strait, which was seen in the news, connects which two water bodies?
[A] Arabian Sea and South China Sea
[B] Black Sea and Sea of Azov
[C] Red Sea and Black Sea
[D] Baltic Sea and Bering Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Black Sea and Sea of Azov]
Notes:
Russia has formed an emergency task force to address an oil spill in the Kerch Strait. The Kerch Strait links the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov and separates Crimea from Russia’s Taman Peninsula. It is 3 km long, 15 km wide, and 18 meters deep, with its narrowest point being 3-5 km. Kerch city is situated on the Crimean side of the strait. The Kerch Strait is a crucial global shipping route.
25. Atrax christenseni, which was seen in news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Frog
[C] Snake
[D] Fish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Spider]
Notes:
Australian scientists discovered a larger, more venomous Sydney funnel-web spider species, named Atrax christenseni. The new species, called “Big Boy,” is 9 cm (3.54 inches) long and was first found in the early 2000s near Newcastle. It is dark brown to black with finger-like spinnerets at the abdomen’s end. Its venom glands are bigger, and its fangs are longer. Only male funnel-web spiders cause human deaths due to their stronger venom. Found in bushy suburban areas, forests, and shady gullies. Funnel-web spiders are among the most dangerous, with venom containing 40 toxic proteins.
26. Which country has developed the world’s most powerful hydrogen train engine recently?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India has developed the world’s most powerful hydrogen train engine with 1,200 horsepower. It was made by Indian Railways using indigenous technology. The first trial run will be conducted on the Jind-Sonipat route in Haryana. This innovation supports hydrogen-powered trains and can be adapted for trucks, tugboats, and other vehicles.
27. PM Wani Scheme has been launched by which organization?
[A] Department of Telecommunications
[B] Bharat Broadband Network Limited
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Department of Telecommunications]
Notes:
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended capping Internet tariffs for Wi-Fi service providers under the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme at twice the rate of retail broadband. The PM-WANI scheme was launched in December 2020 by the Department of Telecommunication. The scheme aims to expand public Wi-Fi hotspots, especially in rural areas. It seeks to enhance digital infrastructure, increase employment for small entrepreneurs, and provide low-cost internet to underserved urban and rural households. The scheme encourages local shops to offer Wi-Fi for last-mile delivery without requiring a license or registration fee.
28. Which two sites from India have been included in the 2025 World Monuments Watch list?
[A] Musi River Historic Buildings and Bhuj Historic Water Systems
[B] Gateway of India and Mysore Palace
[C] Red Fort and Jaipur City
[D] Lotus Temple and Gateway of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Musi River Historic Buildings and Bhuj Historic Water Systems]
Notes:
The Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad and Bhuj Historic Water Systems in Gujarat are listed in the 2025 World Monuments Watch by the New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF). These sites face risks from climate change and water crises, highlighting the need for advocacy and preservation. WMF emphasizes heritage as a pathway for rejuvenation, sustainability, and resilience amid Hyderabad’s environmental challenges and rapid change.
29. According to World Bank, what is the projected growth rate of Indian economy over the next two fiscal years (2025-2027)?
[A] 6.3%
[B] 6.5%
[C] 6.7%
[D] 7.1%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6.7%]
Notes:
India’s economic growth is projected at 6.7% annually for fiscal years starting April 2025, as per the World Bank. The services sector is expected to continue expanding steadily. Manufacturing is set to strengthen due to government efforts to improve the business environment. Investment growth will remain stable, with private investment rising and public investment moderating. For 2024-25, growth is expected to ease to 6.5% due to slower investment and weak manufacturing performance.
30. Which organization has published the “Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures” report?
[A] International Labour Organization (ILO)
[B] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[C] United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ]
Notes:
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report “Prospects for Children in 2025” warns of escalating crises affecting children globally. More than 473 million children, or 19%, lived in conflict zones in 2023, facing risks like displacement, starvation, and trauma. Nearly 400 million children are in countries burdened by debt, limiting education, healthcare, and social services. In low-income nations, debt servicing outpaces social spending, deepening poverty for 1.8 billion children. Climate change impacts children, with only 2.4% of climate finance directed to child-responsive initiatives. Digital inequality affects access to essential services, especially for youth in low-income countries and adolescent girls. UNICEF calls for increased financing to protect children’s health, education, and well-being.