National Affairs
1. India has ranked third globally in the clean industrial project pipeline . Which two countries are ahead of India?
A) Japan and Germany
B) China and USA
C) USA and France
D) China and Japan
Answer: B) China and USA
Explanation: India’s rapid growth in renewable and green manufacturing has placed it 3rd globally, behind China and the USA, highlighting its progress toward sustainable industrialisation.
2. Total deposits under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) crossed which milestone as of October 2025?
A) Rs2.5 lakh crore
B) Rs2.6 lakh crore
C) Rs2.75 lakh crore
D) Rs3 lakh crore
Answer: C) Rs2.75 lakh crore
Explanation: PMJDY deposits reached ₹2.75 lakh crore, strengthening India’s financial inclusion framework, especially for rural and unbanked populations.
3. Which of the following statements about Public Sector Banks (PSBs) is correct for Q2 FY26?
A) Reported losses due to high NPAs
B) Posted ₹49,456 crore profit, a 9% YoY increase
C) Decline in total net profit
D) Recorded negative credit growth
Answer: B) Posted ₹49,456 crore profit, a 9% YoY increase
Explanation: PSBs collectively posted record profits in Q2 FY26, led by SBI, despite two banks showing marginal declines.
4. Under RBI’s new FEMA amendment (2025) , exporters can retain foreign currency earnings in IFSC accounts for up to how many months?
A) 1 month
B) 3 months
C) 6 months
D) 12 months
Answer: B) 3 months
Explanation: The RBI now permits exporters to retain proceeds for three months in IFSC-based foreign currency accounts, improving ease of doing business.
5. What is the purpose of RBI’s newly proposed Digital Payments Intelligence Platform (DPIP) ?
A) To promote UPI usage abroad
B) To detect and prevent digital payment frauds using AI
C) To issue digital rupee wallets
D) To track forex transactions
Answer: B) To detect and prevent digital payment frauds using AI
Explanation: The DPIP aims to use Artificial Intelligence to identify suspicious digital transactions in real time.
6. Which ministry launched the India AI Governance Guidelines , India’s first principle-based AI regulatory framework?
A) Ministry of Science & Technology
B) Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
C) NITI Aayog
D) Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: B) Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
Explanation: MeitY launched the India AI Governance Guidelines under the IndiaAI Mission to ensure responsible and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence.
7. The Government of Maharashtra signed an LoI with Starlink (SpaceX) to provide:
A) Satellite-based education
B) Satellite-based internet in remote areas
C) Smart city management solutions
D) Drone delivery services
Answer: B) Satellite-based internet in remote areas
Explanation: The agreement aims to enhance internet access in rural and underserved areas of Maharashtra through Starlink’s satellite connectivity.
Economy & Trade
8. APEDA facilitated the export of 20 MT of fortified rice from which state to Papua New Guinea?
A) Odisha
B) Telangana
C) Chhattisgarh
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: C) Chhattisgarh
Explanation: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) exported fortified rice from Chhattisgarh, boosting India’s agri-exports.
9. The World Bank will release a second tranche of $200 million for which Indian capital project?
A) Amaravati Capital Phase-I
B) Dholera Smart City
C) GIFT City Expansion
D) Navi Mumbai Metro
Answer: A) Amaravati Capital Phase-I
Explanation: The second tranche supports infrastructure development in Andhra Pradesh’s new capital, Amaravati.
International Affairs
10. Which country became the world’s first cashless nation in 2025?
A) Finland
B) Denmark
C) Sweden
D) Singapore
Answer: C) Sweden
Explanation: Sweden achieved complete transition to digital payments, eliminating cash transactions nationwide.
11. India and the UK jointly launched which platform to enhance bilateral research coordination?
A) Indo-UK Innovation Mission
B) IN-UK-STP Dashboard
C) Indo-British Tech Alliance
D) Global Science Connect
Answer: B) IN-UK-STP Dashboard
Explanation: The India–United Kingdom Science and Technology Partnership (IN-UK-STP) Dashboard ensures transparency in joint R&D projects.
12. India-born Ghazala Hashmi made history by being elected as:
A) Governor of California
B) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
C) US Senator from Georgia
D) Mayor of New York
Answer: B) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Explanation: Hyderabad-born Ghazala Hashmi became the first Muslim, Indian-origin, and South Asian American to be elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, USA.
Science & Awards
13. Bharat Biotech recently launched a CRDMO unit . It focuses on which area?
A) Vaccine manufacturing
B) Cell and gene therapies
C) Drug packaging
D) Biosensors and diagnostics
Answer: B) Cell and gene therapies
Explanation: Bharat Biotech’s CRDMO (Contract Research Development and Manufacturing Organisation) aims to develop advanced cell and gene therapy products.
14. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received the World Leader for Peace and Security Award 2025 from:
A) United Nations
B) Boston Global Forum
C) World Economic Forum
D) Commonwealth Foundation
Answer: B) Boston Global Forum
Explanation: He was honoured for promoting peace and interfaith harmony globally by the Boston Global Forum and the AI World Society.
Obituaries & Sports
15. Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga passed away in which Indian state?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Kerala
C) Maharashtra
D) Karnataka
Answer: B) Kerala
Explanation: Odinga, a veteran African leader, passed away in Koothattukulam, Ernakulam district, Kerala, at age 80.
16. FIFA announced a new award called the FIFA Peace Prize . It will first be presented at:
A) FIFA Congress 2025
B) 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington D.C.
C) 2025 Club World Cup
D) 2027 FIFA Women’s Cup
Answer: B) 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington D.C.
Explanation: FIFA President Gianni Infantino