Q1. In January 2026, the Government of India blocked 242 illegal betting and gambling website links primarily to address which of the following concerns?
A. Cultural erosion
B. Cyber governance and financial fraud
C. Foreign exchange volatility
D. Media regulation
? Answer: B
Explanation:
Blocking illegal betting websites strengthens cyber governance , prevents financial fraud and money laundering , and supports enforcement under the IT Act and online gaming regulations.
Q2. The Supreme Court ruled that unreserved category seats in public recruitment are open to:
A. Only general category candidates
B. Only economically weaker sections
C. All candidates purely on merit
D. Only candidates without reservation benefits
? Answer: C
Explanation:
The Supreme Court of India clarified that general category seats are merit-based , open to candidates of all social categories , reinforcing Articles 14 and 16 .
Q3. The ?6,957 crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor is significant mainly because it:
A. Boosts border connectivity with Bhutan
B. Promotes inland waterways
C. Balances infrastructure development with wildlife conservation
D. Is India’s longest flyover
? Answer: C
Explanation:
The corridor integrates eco-sensitive planning near Kaziranga National Park , highlighting the environment–development trade-off .
Q4. India’s first Sleeper Vande Bharat train was flagged off from:
A. New Delhi
B. Howrah
C. Malda
D. Guwahati
? Answer: C
Explanation:
The sleeper variant was flagged off from Malda (West Bengal) , marking the next stage of long-distance railway modernisation .
Q5. The NAMO Book Fest, launched in New Delhi, primarily aims to promote:
A. Digital publishing only
B. Literary tourism
C. Reading culture and publishing ecosystem
D. Translation of foreign books
? Answer: C
Explanation:
NAMO Book Fest is India’s first national-level literary initiative , supporting reading habits, authors, and publishers .
Q6. Spituk Gustor Festival, recently in news, is associated with which tradition?
A. Sufi culture
B. Himalayan Buddhist monastic tradition
C. Tribal harvest rituals
D. Jain philosophy
? Answer: B
Explanation:
Held at Spituk Monastery , it reflects Himalayan Buddhist intangible cultural heritage .
Q7. The Jamma Bane land issue in Karnataka is historically linked to:
A. Zamindari system
B. Colonial forest-linked land tenures
C. Ryotwari settlement
D. Cooperative farming
? Answer: B
Explanation:
Jamma Bane lands are forest-linked colonial-era tenures , especially in Kodagu, requiring legal and revenue reforms.
Q8. Jharkhand notified rules under which Act nearly 25 years after its enactment?
A. Forest Rights Act, 2006
B. Panchayati Raj Act, 1992
C. PESA Act, 1996
D. Land Acquisition Act, 2013
? Answer: C
Explanation:
Rules under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) strengthen tribal self-governance in Fifth Schedule areas .
Q9. India–Germany Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecom mainly focuses on:
A. Satellite navigation
B. Cyber warfare
C. 5G/6G and trusted digital connectivity
D. Undersea cable security
? Answer: C
Explanation:
The JDI emphasizes future telecom technologies (5G/6G) , digital infrastructure, and technology diplomacy .
Q10. The theme of the 6th ASEAN–India Digital Ministers’ Meeting was:
A. Digital ASEAN 2030
B. Smart Borders, Smart Nations
C. Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence
D. Digital Inclusion for All
? Answer: C
Explanation:
The meeting, hosted virtually by Vietnam , aligns with India’s Act East Policy and digital cooperation.
Q11. The Reserve Bank–Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) 2026 aims to:
A. Merge all banks
B. Regulate NBFC lending rates
C. Simplify grievance redressal across financial institutions
D. Monitor digital currencies
? Answer: C
Explanation:
Issued by the Reserve Bank of India , RB-IOS creates a unified consumer grievance mechanism .
Q12. RBI’s proposal to reopen the licensing window for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) is significant because:
A. It was last open in 2015
B. It was closed after 2004 due to bank failures
C. It applies only to rural banks
D. It replaces scheduled commercial banks
? Answer: B
Explanation:
The licensing window was closed in 2004 following widespread failures, so reopening signals confidence in cooperative banking reforms .
Q13. The Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) benefits farmers mainly through:
A. Crop insurance subsidies
B. Direct income transfers
C. Short-term loans via Kisan Credit Cards
D. MSP procurement
? Answer: C
Explanation:
MISS ensures affordable agricultural credit , supporting farm income stability via KCC-linked short-term loans .
Q14. India’s first open-sea marine fish farming project was launched in:
A. Arabian Sea near Kochi
B. Bay of Bengal near Chennai
C. Andaman Sea at North Bay
D. Gulf of Kachchh
? Answer: C
Explanation:
Launched in the Andaman Sea (North Bay) , it is strategic for Blue Economy and sustainable fisheries .
Q15. INS Sagardhwani, associated with the Sagar Maitri