1. Which country is home to the world’s longest expressway tunnel called Tianshen Shengil Tunnel?
[A] Turkey
[B] China
[C] Vietnam
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China has completed the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world’s longest expressway tunnel at 22.13 kilometers. It forms part of the Urumqi-Yuli Expressway, connecting northern Xinjiang to Yuli County, reducing travel time through the Tianshan Mountains from three hours to 20 minutes. The project faced challenges such as high-altitude conditions, complex geology, and environmental concerns near glaciers and water sources. This project supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative, fostering regional economic growth and integration.
2. Which country has banned the creation of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in January 2025?
[A] Russia
[B] Indonesia
[C] United States
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
US President Donald Trump has banned the creation and issuance of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the United States. Agencies are prohibited from promoting or issuing CBDCs without legal approval. The executive order defines CBDC as a digital currency directly backed by the central bank. Concerns cited include risks to privacy, sovereignty, and financial stability. The order promotes a private-sector-led digital asset ecosystem, focusing on dollar-backed stablecoins as alternatives. CBDCs differ from cryptocurrencies as their value is fixed by the central bank, with several countries adopting them for centralized digital currency control.
3. Which country becomes the first nation to criminalise artificial intelligence child abuse tools?
[A] Britain
[B] France
[C] Australia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Britain]
Notes:
Britain will be the first country to introduce laws against Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools used to generate sexual abuse images of children. Possessing, creating, or distributing these AI tools will be punishable by up to 5 years in prison. It will also be illegal to possess AI paedophile manuals, punishable by up to 3 years. The law will criminalize websites promoting child abuse content with up to 10 years in prison. AI is making it easier for predators to manipulate images and groom children. 500,000 children in the UK face abuse each year, with online abuse increasing.
4. Bart De Wever has been elected as prime minister of which country?
[A] Belgium
[B] France
[C] Italy
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Belgium]
Notes:
Bart De Wever was sworn in as Belgium’s Prime Minister by King Philippe on 3rd February 2025. He replaced Alexander De Croo, who led a seven-party coalition government. The June 2024 elections did not give a decisive mandate to any party or coalition. Belgium has a complex political system, divided into Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. De Wever is the first nationalist Flanders leader to become PM.
5. The term ‘Dunki route’ is related to which one of the following?
[A] An illegal immigration method
[B] A trade route between India and Russia
[C] A new air route in India
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [An illegal immigration method]
Notes:
A US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed at Amritsar airport on 5th February 2025. The deportees spent between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 1 crore on expenses and agent fees to reach the US. They traveled through the “dunki route,” an illegal and dangerous immigration path. “Dunki” or “donkey journey” refers to long, risky routes taken due to a lack of legal permits or financial resources. American authorities deported individuals who used this illegal route to enter the US.
6. What is the name of the scheme that allows young Indian professionals to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years?
[A] India-UK Work Exchange Program
[B] UK-India Young Professionals Scheme
[C] British Indian Talent Initiative
[D] UK-India Skilled Migration Program
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK-India Young Professionals Scheme]
Notes:
The UK-India Young Professionals Scheme (YPS) ballot opens next week. The scheme was created through the India-U.K. Migration and Mobility MoU signed in May 2021. It was launched in February 2023. It allows Indian citizens aged 18-30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. Applicants must be selected in the ballot before applying for a visa. They can study, be self-employed, and set up a business with certain restrictions. The visa must be used within six months of issuance.
7. Which organization has launched the campaign “Imagine a world with more women in science”?
[A] United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
[B] World Health Organization (WHO)
[C] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)]
Notes:
UNESCO launched the “Imagine a world with more women in science” campaign. The campaign marks the 10th anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). It promotes diverse perspectives in science using #EveryVoiceInScience. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared February 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. Globally, women make up only one-third of scientists and hold just 1 in 10 Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leadership roles. In India, 43% of STEM enrolments are women, but only 18.6% are scientists, and 25% lead R&D projects.
8. Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which was seen in news, connects which two countries?
[A] Russia and Ukraine
[B] Azerbaijan and Iran
[C] Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan
[D] Kazakhstan and Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kazakhstan and Russia]
Notes:
Russia reported a 30-40% reduction in oil flows through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) after a Ukrainian drone attack on a pumping station. CPC is a $2.6 billion project with a 935-mile pipeline connecting Tengiz oil field (Kazakhstan) to Novorossiysk (Russia). Construction began in 1999, commissioned in 2001, and expanded by $5.1 billion in 2018. It is a key East-West pipeline carrying two-thirds of Kazakhstan’s oil exports.
9. Bangladesh has designated which day as national military martyrdom day?
[A] February 24
[B] February 25
[C] February 26
[D] February 27
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 25]
Notes:
Bangladesh marks February 25 as National Military Martyrdom Day, announced by the interim government on February 23, 2025. The day commemorates the February 25-26, 2009 Pilkhana killings, where 74 military personnel, including 57 army officers, died in a failed mutiny by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). The mutineers looted weapons and attempted a coup but were crushed. The interim government, led by Prof. Muhammed Yunus, has ordered a fresh probe, led by A.L.M Fazlur Rahman, into the mutiny.
10. India recently dispatched humanitarian assistance to which country in the wake of Tropical storm SARA?
[A] Peru
[B] Venezuela
[C] Honduras
[D] Mexico
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Honduras]
Notes:
India has sent 26 tons of humanitarian aid to Honduras after Tropical Storm SARA. The assistance includes medical supplies like surgical items, glucometers, oximeters, gloves, syringes, and IV fluids. It also contains disaster relief materials such as blankets, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits. The aid aims to help the country recover from the impact of the storm.