1. Consider the following statements about the NISAR Mission:
- It is a collaboration between NASA and ISRO.
- The satellite will use optical imaging for disaster monitoring.
- It can capture images even at night or in cloudy conditions.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: B. 1 and 3 only
Explanation: NISAR is a joint Earth observation satellite mission by NASA (USA) and ISRO (India). It uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), not optical cameras. SAR allows the satellite to take clear pictures even in darkness and bad weather (like clouds or fog), which is crucial for tracking natural disasters and environmental changes.
2. The recently tested ET-LDHCM missile is:
A. An intercontinental ballistic missile
B. A hypersonic cruise missile developed under Project Vishnu
C. An air-to-air missile
D. A nuclear-tipped tactical missile
ANS: B. A hypersonic cruise missile developed under Project Vishnu
Explanation: ET-LDHCM stands for Extended Trajectory–Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile. Hypersonic means it travels at more than 5 times the speed of sound. It is being developed by DRDO under Project Vishnu and can be launched from land, sea, or air, giving India strategic defense capabilities.
3. As per recent data (May 2025), India’s unemployment rate increased due to:
A. Layoffs in urban IT sectors
B. Shrinking informal economy
C. Decline in rural agricultural jobs post-harvest
D. Fall in manufacturing output
ANS: C. Decline in rural agricultural jobs post-harvest
Explanation: After the harvest season ends, many rural workers lose temporary jobs in agriculture. This seasonal unemployment pushed the unemployment rate to 5.6% in May 2025, reflecting rural job stress.
4. Digital India recently completed:
A. 10 years
B. 12 years
C. 11 years
D. 9 years
ANS: C. 11 years
Explanation: Digital India was launched on July 1, 2015 to improve digital access, governance, and online infrastructure. In 2025, it completed 11 years, showcasing progress in digital payments, Aadhaar, online services, and rural connectivity.
5. Vietnam became the ____ member of BRICS in 2025.
A. 8th
B. 9th
C. 10th
D. 11th
ANS: C. 10th
Explanation: BRICS originally had 5 members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). New expansions are adding more partners. Vietnam joined as the 10th country, showing the growing influence of BRICS in global geopolitics.
6. According to SIPRI 2025, India’s nuclear warhead count is:
A. 165
B. 172
C. 180
D. 190
ANS: C. 180
Explanation: SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) reported that India’s nuclear arsenal rose from 172 in 2023 to 180 in 2024. This includes modern developments like canister-based missiles and possibly MIRV technology (Multiple warheads on one missile).
7. The ICAR-NIHSAD was recently recognized by FAO-WOAH for:
A. Foot and Mouth Disease research
B. Poultry genome sequencing
C. Category A status in Rinderpest containment
D. Bovine tuberculosis eradication
ANS: C. Category A status in Rinderpest containment
Explanation: ICAR-NIHSAD is India’s top animal health research lab. It was given ‘Category A’ status for safely handling the Rinderpest virus, a deadly disease that has been eradicated but needs secure labs for any research.
8. The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on:
A. June 5
B. June 17
C. July 11
D. May 15
ANS: B. June 17
Explanation: This day raises awareness about land degradation and water scarcity, especially important for India’s dry zones like Rajasthan. It promotes sustainable farming, afforestation, and rainwater harvesting.
9. Arun Srinivas was recently appointed as:
A. CEO of OpenAI India
B. MD and Head of Meta India
C. CTO of Google India
D. Chairman of TRAI
ANS: B. MD and Head of Meta India
Explanation: Arun Srinivas was appointed to head Meta (formerly Facebook) in India, overseeing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which are important for digital communication and economy.
10. David Beckham was knighted by King Charles III for:
A. Services to football
B. Charity and sports achievements
C. Role in international diplomacy
D. Olympic contribution
ANS: B. Charity and sports achievements
Explanation: Beckham is a famous footballer and global celebrity. He received Knighthood for both his excellence in sports and his contributions to charity, especially for children and health causes.
11. India’s first mobile-based e-voting system was launched by:
A. Gujarat
B. Kerala
C. Bihar
D. Telangana
ANS: C. Bihar
Explanation: Bihar pioneered India’s first mobile-based e-voting system. It allows secure voting via smartphones, especially helping people who migrate for work or live in remote areas.
12. The decade of 2025–2035 has been declared as ‘Decade of Hydro Power’ by:
A. Sikkim
B. Himachal Pradesh
C. Arunachal Pradesh
D. Uttarakhand
ANS: C. Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh, rich in river energy, announced 2025–35 as the Decade of Hydro Power to harness its huge hydropower potential and become a clean energy leader.
13. MSC Bank launched India’s first C-SOC, which stands for:
A. Central Security Operations Command
B. Cooperative Smart Online Centre
C. Cyber Security Operations Centre
D. Cyber Surveillance of Cooperatives
ANS: C. Cyber Security Operations Centre
Explanation: C-SOC will monitor cyber threats in cooperative banks, which often lack advanced security. MSC Bank’s initiative is a step to protect financial data in the cooperative sector.
14. DIGIPIN, launched on 18 June 2025, is best described as:
A. A digital health ID
B. A new PIN for Aadhaar
C. A geospatial digital address system
D. A QR code-based UPI system
ANS: C. A geospatial digital address system
Explanation: DIGIPIN is a new 6-digit code that maps your exact location digitally. It helps in emergency services, delivery systems, and better governance, especially in rural areas.
15. Which organization developed DIGIPIN?
A. UIDAI
B. India Post
C. NIC
D. Ministry of Electronics and IT
ANS: B. India Post
Explanation: India Post developed DIGIPIN to improve logistics and address identification across India, using GPS and geotagging technologies.
16. Which foreign university became the first to receive approval for an Indian campus under UGC regulations?
A. Harvard
B. University of Aberdeen
C. MIT
D. Oxford
ANS: B. University of Aberdeen
Explanation: University of Aberdeen (UK) is the first foreign university approved by UGC to set up a campus in Navi Mumbai, offering international education in India.
17. The Aberdeen campus in India will primarily offer courses in:
A. History and Philosophy
B. Fine Arts
C. STEM and AI-related fields
D. Traditional Medicine
ANS: C. STEM and AI-related fields
Explanation: The new campus will focus on Science, Technology, AI, and Renewable Energy, supporting India’s NEP 2020 goals of global quality education.
18. What is Project Vishnu associated with?
A. Space weather monitoring
B. Artificial Intelligence
C. Hypersonic missile development
D. Genome sequencing
ANS: C. Hypersonic missile development
Explanation: Project Vishnu is DRDO’s project to develop hypersonic missiles like ET-LDHCM, essential for fast and long-range military operations.
19. Which of the following is NOT a likely benefit of DIGIPIN?
A. Helps emergency services locate victims
B. Provides health insurance to rural citizens
C. Assists postal delivery
D. Enables accurate e-KYC
ANS: B. Provides health insurance to rural citizens
Explanation: DIGIPIN improves location tracking, not health insurance. It helps in KYC, online services, and accurate delivery.
20. The BRICS grouping recently expanded. Which of the following is NOT a member as of 2025?
A. Brazil
B. Russia
C. Vietnam
D. Japan
ANS: D. Japan
Explanation: Japan is not part of BRICS. Vietnam joined in 2025 as the 10th member, expanding BRICS’ global reach.