21. 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.
22. Where was the Asia’s second-largest ISKCON temple inaugurated recently?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sri Sri Radha Madanmohanji Temple of ISKCON in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, on January 15, 2025. The temple is now the second-largest ISKCON temple in Asia. The design of the temple blends spirituality and knowledge, with various facilities reflecting ISKCON’s mission to serve society.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. Which organisation released the ‘Global Risks Report 2025’?
[A] International Monetary Fund
[B] World Economic Forum
[C] United Nations Development Programme
[D] United Nations Environment Programme
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Economic Forum]
Notes:
The World Economic Forum released the Global Risk Report, first published in 2006, categorizing extreme weather as an “environmental risk.” The 2024-2025 report is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS) and assesses risks over short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years) periods. Short-term risks include misinformation, extreme weather events, and state-based armed conflict. Long-term risks include extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and critical earth system changes. Four key spheres shaping global risks are technological, geostrategic, climatic, and demographic, expected to intensify. The report highlights addressing short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons.
26. Hemigobius hoevenii and Mugilogobius tigrinus, which were recently seen in news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Frog
[C] Goby Fish
[D] Ant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Goby Fish]
Notes:
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India discovered two goby fish species, Hemigobius hoevenii and Mugilogobius tigrinus, in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh. Goby fish are typically found in estuarine and mangrove areas, playing a vital role in the ecosystem by occupying multiple levels in the food chain and serving as environmental health indicators.
27. Which country has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc in January 2025?
[A] Iran
[B] Vietnam
[C] Turkey
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nigeria]
Notes:
Nigeria has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc. BRICS was formed in 2009 to counterbalance the G-7 industrialized nations. Nigeria is the ninth partner, joining countries Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. With Africa’s largest population and a major economy, Nigeria aligns with BRICS on South-South cooperation and global governance reform. The bloc is exploring alternatives to the US dollar for international payments.
28. Who has been appointed Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) recently?
[A] Gyanendra Pratap Singh
[B] Akhilesh Sinha
[C] Deepak Kumar
[D] Ravideep Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gyanendra Pratap Singh]
Notes:
Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh is appointed as Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The CRPF, India’s premier central police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensures internal security. It was established in 1939 as the Crown Representative’s Police during political unrest in princely states.
29. Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary, which was seen in news, lies in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Indian grey wolf gave birth to eight pups in Karnataka’s Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary. Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary is Karnataka’s first and India’s second protected area dedicated to wolves. The first such sanctuary is Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary, established in 1976 in Jharkhand (formerly Bihar). Bankapur’s terrain consists of scrub forests, hills, and natural caves. It is home to diverse wildlife, including wolves, leopards, peacocks, blackbucks, foxes, hares, and porcupines.
30. Piraeus Port City, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Greece
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greece]
Notes:
Former US President Joe Biden highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) post the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. IMEC, announced at the 2023 G20 meeting, aims to boost trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, and Europe. Countries involved include India, the EU, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, and Italy. It features two corridors: eastern (India to Arabian Gulf) and northern (Gulf to Europe). A shipping route links Mumbai and Mundra to the UAE, and a rail network connects the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Haifa. Haifa connects by sea to Piraeus Port, Greece, linking to Europe.