21. The Uttar Pradesh government launched the All India Radio’s special FM channel ‘Kumbhvani’ in which city?
[A] Gorakhpur
[B] Ayodhya
[C] Prayagraj
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prayagraj]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath launched the All India Radio Kumbhvani FM channel (103.5 MHz) for Maha Kumbh 2025 at Circuit House, Prayagraj. The channel will bring Mahakumbh to remote areas, providing live commentary for those unable to attend. It aims to spread the ambience of the Mahakumbh globally, promoting India’s religious traditions and providing vital information to devotees.
22. What is the primary objective of ICEGATE portal that was recently seen in news?
[A] Managing rail transport logistics
[B] Offering electronic services for customs-related activities
[C] Regulating air traffic
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Offering electronic services for customs-related activities]
Notes:
The overestimation of gold import figures from April to November was due to a data migration error. The error occurred during the shift from the SEZ Online system to ICEGATE, causing double counting of imports into Special Economic Zones and domestic zones. As a result, the gold import figures for November were revised down by 5 billion, from 14.8 billion to $9.9 billion. ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway) is an online portal that offers electronic services for customs-related activities. It is a part of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). It facilitates the electronic filing of import and export documents.
23. Project Veer Gatha 4.0 a joint initiative of which ministries?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Youth Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education
[C] Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Project ‘Veer Gatha 4.0’ has received a huge nationwide response as part of Republic Day celebrations. It was launched in 2021 under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The project aims to spread awareness of Gallantry awardees’ bravery and life stories, instilling patriotism and civic values in students. It is a joint initiative by the Ministries of Defence and Education. The initiative’s inspiring journey has expanded its reach nationwide.
24. Desert National Park is located in which city?
[A] Pushkar
[B] Bikaner
[C] Jaisalmer
[D] Jodhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jaisalmer]
Notes:
A group of 12 critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) was recently spotted at Desert National Park (DNP) in Rajasthan, boosting conservation efforts. Desert National Park (DNP) is located in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer and spans over 3,160 sq. km, making it one of India’s largest national parks. The park lies in an extremely arid region with annual rainfall below 100 mm. Its terrain includes craggy rocks, salt lake bottoms, dunes (20% of the park), and three main lakes: Rajbaugh, Malik Talao, and Padam Talao.
25. What is the name of India’s indigenous surgical robotic system that successfully conducted telesurgery recently?
[A] RoboMed
[B] SSI Mantra
[C] HealthBot
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SSI Mantra]
Notes:
India’s indigenous surgical robotic system, SSI Mantra, conducted two successful robotic cardiac telesurgeries. The first procedure, Telerobotic-assisted Internal Mammary Artery Harvesting, was completed in 58 minutes with 35-40 milliseconds latency. SSI Mantra successfully performed a robotic beating heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB), one of the most complex cardiac surgeries. SSI Mantra is the only robotic system globally approved for telesurgery and tele-proctoring, revolutionizing rural healthcare access in India. It recently received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
26. Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is located in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Mizoram
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved oil and gas exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Jorhat district, Assam. It is the only sanctuary in India named after gibbons and has the densest gibbon population in Assam. The sanctuary’s terrain slopes from southeast to northwest, with the Bhogdoi River creating a waterlogged region.
27. Which is the nodal ministry of PM KUSUM scheme?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Agriculture
[C] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of New and Renewable Energy]
Notes:
Rajasthan received an additional 5,000 MW allocation under the PM-KUSUM (Component A) scheme. The scheme targets commissioning projects by December 31, 2025, before sunsetting in March 2026. The scheme was launched in 2019. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme aims to reduce diesel usage in farming and boost farmers’ income. It supports India’s goal of achieving 40% installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy oversees implementation, requiring progress updates via the PM-KUSUM portal.
28. 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.
29. Which organization has released the World Employment and Social Outlook Report 2025?
[A] International Labour Organisation (ILO)
[B] World Health Organization (WHO)
[C] International Organization for Migration (IOM)
[D] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Labour Organisation (ILO) ]
Notes:
International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the World Employment and Social Outlook Report for 2025. The report highlights ongoing global labor market struggles due to geopolitical tensions, climate change costs, and unresolved debt issues. The global jobs gap in 2024 was 402 million, including 186 million unemployed, 137 million temporarily unavailable, and 79 million discouraged workers. The global unemployment rate stood at 5%, with youth unemployment at 12.6%. Low-income countries face challenges creating decent jobs, with informal work returning to pre-pandemic levels. Labour force participation declined in low-income nations but increased among older workers and women in high-income countries, though gender gaps persist.
30. 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.