21. Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz, who recently announced her resignation, belongs to which country?
[A] Cameroon
[B] Sao Tome and Principe
[C] Chad
[D] Democratic Republic of the Congo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sao Tome and Principe ]
Notes:
São Tomé and Príncipe Prime Minister Ilza Amado Vaz resigned after her proposed cabinet list was publicly leaked before informing President Carlos Vila Nova. Amado Vaz, a former justice minister, was appointed prime minister following the dissolution of Patrice Trovoada’s government. São Tomé and Príncipe is a small archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, covering just over 1,000 sq. km.
22. Nag Mk 2 Missile is developed by which organization?
[A] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] Bharat Dynamics Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]
Notes:
Raksha Mantri congratulated DRDO on the successful Field Evaluation Trials of the Nag Mk 2 missile. The Nag Mk 2 is a third-generation, indigenously developed Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile. It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It features fire-and-forget technology for precision targeting with minimal operator intervention. The missile can neutralize modern armored vehicles with explosive reactive armor (ERA). The Nag Missile Carrier version-2 was also field evaluated, and the weapon system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army.
23. Who has been named the best javelin thrower of 2024 by the respected US-based sports magazine Track and Field News?
[A] Thomas Rohler
[B] Julius Yego
[C] Neeraj Chopra
[D] Kishore Jena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Neeraj Chopra]
Notes:
Neeraj Chopra was named the best javelin thrower of 2024 by the US-based Track and Field News. He won the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a throw of 89.45m. He narrowly beat Anderson Peters of Grenada for the top spot in the rankings; Peters won three Diamond League events in 2024. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who threw 92.97m to win Olympic gold, ranked fifth due to limited appearances. Track and Field News, founded in 1948, is highly respected in athletics.
24. Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Government of India has designated areas around Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to protect it from urbanization and development. The sanctuary is located in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, in the Himalayan foothills. It covers altitudes between 1,800 and 3,400 m, showcasing a transition from pine forests to alpine meadows. The sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, with a sacred temple at 2,850 m above sea level.
25. Which company has launched India’s first private satellite constellation?
[A] Pixxel
[B] Dhruva space
[C] Digantara
[D] Satellize
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pixxel]
Notes:
Google-backed Pixxel launched India’s first private satellite constellation, marking a milestone for the country’s private space sector. The satellites use hyperspectral imaging technology to capture detailed data across light bands for agriculture, mining, environmental monitoring, and defense. This technology can help improve crop yields, track resources, monitor oil spills, and provide better details than existing technology. Three more satellites are expected to be deployed by mid-2025. The global satellite imagery market is projected to reach $19 billion by 2029.
26. Exercise Devil Strike has been conducted by which country recently?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] China
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The Indian Armed Forces conducted Exercise Devil Strike from January 16 to 19. It involved elite airborne soldiers from the Army and Air Force. The exercise was held in training areas and firing ranges. The focus was on refining logistics and sustaining troops in tough conditions. Advanced technologies ensured precise delivery of forces to remote locations. The exercise aimed to enhance operational readiness and adaptability. It emphasized the commitment to maintaining military excellence and preparing for future challenges.
27. Genhua River, which was seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
A sudden flood on January 15 in Bihar’s Darbhanga district devastated Rabi crops like wheat, maize, lentils, and vegetables in Kiratpur block. The flood was triggered by rising water levels in the Genhua River, caused by the unintended opening of a small floodgate on NH-56 in Madhubani. The Genhua River is located in Bihar.
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. What is the primary objective of the SCOT Mission?
[A] To study the Moon’s surface
[B] Conducting interplanetary explorations
[C] Launching human spaceflights
[D] Tracking and monitoring Resident Space Objects
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tracking and monitoring Resident Space Objects]
Notes:
The Prime Minister praised Indian space startup Digantara for the success of its Mission SCOT. SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking) is Digantara’s first mission for space surveillance and one of the world’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites. It was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission and deployed in a sun-synchronous orbit. SCOT is designed to track Resident Space Objects (RSOs) as small as 5 cm in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with high accuracy and revisit rates. It addresses gaps in existing systems limited by fields of view, weather, and geography.
30. What are the names of the two new initiatives launched by the Rubber Board to enhance India’s rubber industry?
[A] Green Rubber and RPIS
[B] iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect
[C] Ne-Mitra and SustainRubber
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect]
Notes:
The Rubber Board launched two initiatives, iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber) and INR Konnect. iSNR ensures compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by streamlining the rubber supply chain for EU markets. It provides traceability certificates verifying the origin of rubber products and their compliance with EUDR standards. This initiative aims to make Indian natural rubber competitive and responsible globally, promoting sustainable production and industry growth. INR Konnect is a web-based platform connecting untapped rubber growers with adopters to improve plantation productivity. It certifies participants, offers training in sustainable practices, and maintains a database of certified tappers.