Q1. Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) 2026 is best described as which of the following?
A. A competitive examination reform initiative under NEP 2020
B. A counselling programme for students preparing for board exams
C. An interactive platform focusing on exam stress, student well-being and stakeholder engagement
D. A digital learning scheme for rural schools
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Pariksha Pe Charcha is an annual interactive programme focusing on exam stress management, mental well-being, parental guidance and teacher engagement , reflecting soft governance in education , not a formal examination or scheme.
Q2. The NCDC schemes ‘Yuva Sahakar’ and ‘Swayamshakti Sahakar’ primarily aim to promote:
A. Cooperative banking reforms
B. Agricultural credit expansion
C. Youth entrepreneurship and women empowerment in cooperatives
D. MSME exports through cooperatives
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Both schemes of the National Cooperative Development Corporation focus on innovation, inclusivity, youth participation and women-led development within the cooperative sector.
Q3. Bharat Taxi, recently launched in India, is unique because it is:
A. A government-owned cab service
B. A private aggregator under the gig economy
C. A cooperative-based ride-hailing platform
D. A women-only transport initiative
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform , representing platform cooperativism as an alternative to monopoly-driven gig-economy models.
Q4. Karnataka’s automatic property mutation system is most closely linked with which of the following objectives?
A. Land acquisition for infrastructure projects
B. Faster digitisation of judicial land records
C. Transparency and ease of land transactions
D. Agricultural land ceiling reforms
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The system enables time-bound, digital mutation of land records , improving revenue transparency, DPI usage and ease of doing business .
Q5. Which Indian state became the first to present a dedicated ‘Elderly Budget’?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Kerala
C. Maharashtra
D. Karnataka
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Kerala introduced India’s first Elderly Budget (FY27) , focusing on ageing, pensions, healthcare and social security , addressing demographic transition challenges.
Q6. The India–GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations formally began after the signing of:
A. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
B. Joint Statement on Trade Cooperation
C. Terms of Reference (ToR)
D. Strategic Energy Framework
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) marks the formal initiation of FTA negotiations , covering trade, energy, investment, logistics and diaspora issues.
Q7. The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 is significant because it:
A. Abolishes foreign participation in insurance
B. Introduces universal insurance coverage
C. Allows 100% Foreign Direct Investment in insurance
D. Merges life and general insurance regulators
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Act permits 100% FDI in insurance , aiming to boost capital inflows, competition, global best practices and insurance penetration .
Q8. The sharp decline in India’s gold purchases by the RBI in 2025 was mainly due to:
A. Decline in foreign exchange reserves
B. Shift to cryptocurrency assets
C. High international gold prices
D. IMF restrictions on gold accumulation
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India purchased only 4 tonnes of gold in 2025 , compared to 73 tonnes in 2024 , largely because of very high gold prices .
Q9. Which of the following initiatives is directly linked to promoting green finance for MSMEs?
A. InvesTap Nxt
B. SBI Global Trade Finance Centre
C. Rooftop Solar Finance by Axis Bank
D. Bharat Taxi
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Axis Bank’s Rooftop Solar Finance helps MSMEs adopt solar energy , supporting clean energy transition and sustainable banking .
Q10. The partnership between Digantara and Singapore’s DSTA is related to:
A. Satellite launch services
B. Space tourism
C. Space Situational Awareness (SSA)
D. Deep-space exploration
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The partnership focuses on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) , crucial for satellite security, orbital debris tracking and space sustainability .
Q11. Which defence milestone was achieved by Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd.?
A. First indigenous combat drone delivery
B. First Unmanned Surface Vessels delivered to the Navy
C. First AI-enabled submarine system
D. First hypersonic missile platform
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Sagar Defence successfully delivered India’s first indigenously built Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to the Indian Navy, strengthening maritime autonomy.
Q12. World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed annually from:
A. 2–8 February
B. 4–10 February
C. 1–7 February
D. 6–12 February
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Observed 1–7 February , the UN-led initiative promotes peace, tolerance, pluralism and inter-faith dialogue , relevant for GS-IV (Ethics) .
Q13. The digital portal launched by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) relates to:
A. Wildlife crime monitoring
B. Climate change adaptation projects
C. Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants
D. Forest rights claims
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
The NBA portal enables electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin , enhancing traceability, biodiversity governance and compliance .
Q14. Which district became India’s first to achieve 100% insurance coverage under “Insurance