21. Mount Ibu, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Vietnam
[C] Malaysia
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indonesia]
Notes:
Mount Ibu, an active stratovolcano in Indonesia, erupted, sending ash clouds 3 kilometers high. It is located on Halmahera Island’s northwest coast. Mount Ibu is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes. Indonesia, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with 127 active volcanoes, often experiences such events. A stratovolcano, or composite volcano, has a conical shape formed by layers of volcanic material from successive eruptions.
22. Which country is the host of 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC)?
[A] India
[B] Malaysia
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments (CSPOC) of Commonwealth Countries in 2026. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced this at the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey. The event will focus on artificial intelligence, social media, and their role in parliamentary processes. India previously hosted CSPOC in 1970-71, 1986, and 2010, showcasing its cultural heritage and modern development.
23. What is Trichophyton indotineae that was recently seen in news?
[A] Invasive weed
[B] Asteroid
[C] Fungal pathogen
[D] Newly discovered species of Fish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungal pathogen]
Notes:
More than 30 dermatologists suggest renaming the fungus Trichophyton indotineae as its origin in India is unconfirmed despite reports from over 40 countries. Trichophyton indotineae is a fungal pathogen causing severe, treatment-resistant skin infections. It was named after India in 2020 based on isolates from India and Nepal. The fungus belongs to the dermatophyte group, causing dermatophytosis, which affects the skin, hair, and nails. It causes itchy, inflammatory infections on the groin, gluteal region, trunk, and face, affecting all ages and genders. It spreads via direct skin contact or contaminated objects and is resistant to terbinafine.
24. What is the IUCN status of Clouded Leopard that was recently seen in news?
[A] Critically Endangered
[B] Endangered
[C] Least Concern
[D] Vulnerable
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vulnerable]
Notes:
A new study highlights gaps in understanding the Clouded Leopard’s habitat, fragmentation, and connectivity, offering a conservation roadmap. The Clouded Leopard is a wild cat found in dense forests of the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and South China. There are two species: the mainland Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and the Sunda Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi). They are ancient cats but neither true great nor small cats, as they cannot roar or purr. Clouded Leopards prefer tropical rainforests but can also be found in woodlands and mangrove swamps. They are found in India’s northeastern states and are the state animal of Meghalaya. Both species are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List.
25. 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.
26. The falcated duck was recently spotted at which protected area in Haryana?
[A] Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary
[B] Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary
[C] Sultanpur National Park
[D] Kalesar National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sultanpur National Park ]
Notes:
A Falcated Duck was recently spotted at Sultanpur National Park, Gurugram, Haryana. It is also known as falcated teal. The duck is a gadwall-sized dabbling species, found from eastern Siberia to northern Japan, wintering in Southeast Asia and eastern India. They inhabit freshwater lakes, ponds, and marshes, usually surrounded by forests. Falcated ducks are mainly herbivorous, feeding on plants, seeds, and occasionally small invertebrates. They are listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.
27. What is the name of initiative recently launched by government to promote battlefield tourism in India?
[A] Bharat Darshan Yatra
[B] Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan
[C] Battlefield Tourism Project
[D] Incredible India: Battlefields
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan]
Notes:
The Union Government launched Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan to promote battlefield tourism in India. It is a joint initiative by the Indian Army and the Ministry of Tourism. The program focuses on showcasing 77 historic battlefields and border sites where significant military actions occurred. Notable sites include Galwan Valley (2020 India-China clashes), Doklam (2017 India-China standoff), Dras (Kargil War), Siachen Base Camp (highest battlefield), Longewala (1971 India-Pakistan war), and Bum La and Kibithu (Arunachal Pradesh).
28. Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0) has been launched by which organizations?
[A] Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Data Security Council of India
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs and National Informatics Centre
[C] NITI Aayog and National Informatics Centre
[D] Data Security Council of India and Indian Computer Emergency Response Team
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Data Security Council of India ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) launched the second edition of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0). The prize pool has been increased to Rs. 6.85 crores from Rs. 3.2 crores. Innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs are invited to address six key cybersecurity challenges, including API Security, Data Security, and AI for Threat Detection. Intellectual property rights for solutions developed will stay with startups. The competition has four stages, with winners receiving Rs. 25 lakh, and the overall winner getting Rs. 1 crore. The initiative supports Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
29. 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.
30. Recently, the “One Plate, One Bag” campaign was launched in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Agra
[C] Prayagraj
[D] Ayodhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prayagraj]
Notes:
The “One Plate, One Bag” campaign was launched at the Maha Kumbh, Prayagraj, to promote a plastic-free event. Cloth bags and steel plates and glasses are being distributed to replace plastic and disposable items. Around 70,000 cloth bags have been distributed from six centers so far. More than 2 million steel plates and glasses collected nationwide are being supplied to langars and food outlets. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath urged pilgrims to adopt eco-friendly practices and avoid single-use plastic during the pilgrimage.