Consider the following statements.
1. Before the Prime Minister enters upon his office, the President administers to him the oaths of office and secrecy.
2. The President can dismiss the Prime Minister at any time in an arbitrary way.
3. If the Prime Minister loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he must resign or the President can dismiss him.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Under Article 75(4) of the Indian Constitution, the President administers the oaths of office and secrecy to the Prime Minister before he enters upon his office. Furthermore, under Article 75(3), the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Although Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President under Article 75(2), the President cannot exercise this power arbitrarily as long as the Prime Minister enjoys the majority support of the Lok Sabha. If the Prime Minister loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha, he must resign, and if he fails to do so, the President has the constitutional authority to dismiss him.
302General Awareness
Choose the correct statement regarding the process of photosynthesis in plants.
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) It converts light energy into chemical energy.
Explanation
Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which green plants convert solar light energy into chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose and other carbohydrates. Chlorophyll pigments absorb photons from sunlight, driving reactions that use water and carbon dioxide to generate oxygen and store energy in organic molecules used for plant growth and metabolism.
303General Awareness
Which material was mainly used for making beads and seals in Harappan civilization?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Steatite
Explanation
Steatite, a soft soapstone, was the primary material used by the Harappan craftspeople to manufacture seals and beads. Its soft texture allowed artisans to easily carve, cut, and engrave complex animal figures, motifs, and pictographic script. Upon being fired at high temperatures, steatite hardened and acquired a smooth, durable, glazed finish. Steatite paste was also extensively used to create extremely small micro-beads, making it the most dominant raw material in Harappan lapidary and seal-making traditions.
304General Awareness
Which of the following Acts provides statutory status to Lok Adalats in India?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Explanation
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 provides statutory status to Lok Adalats in India. Enacted to fulfill the mandate of Article 39A of the Constitution regarding equal justice and free legal aid, the Act establishes Lok Adalats as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. Under Section 21 of the Act, every award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court, making its decisions final, binding on all parties, and non-appealable in any court.
305General Awareness
Which of the following best describes the tendency of undisturbed objects to remain at rest or to keep moving with the same velocity?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Inertia
Explanation
Inertia is the natural tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion or rest. Formulated in Newton's first law of motion, an undisturbed object remains at rest, or continues to move with a constant velocity in a straight line, unless acted upon by an unbalanced external force. The measure of an object's inertia is directly proportional to its mass, so greater mass corresponds to greater inertia.
306General Awareness
Which Act introduced uniform reporting standards for banks to the Reserve Bank of India in 2025?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025
Explanation
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 introduced uniform reporting standards for banks to the Reserve Bank of India by amending statutory reporting timelines across existing banking legislations. Under its provisions, reporting frequency shifted from alternate or reporting Fridays to fixed calendar dates, specifically defining a fortnight as the period from the 1st to the 15th and from the 16th to the last day of each month. This harmonization aligns regulatory reporting deadlines with standard internal accounting and audit cycles, eliminating data discrepancies caused by varying numbers of Fridays in different months and facilitating seamless data reconciliation.
307General Awareness
What major climate agreement was discussed during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in November 2025?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Paris Agreement
Explanation
The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) was held in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. Marking the tenth anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, discussions centered on reviewing global climate progress, submitting updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to maintain the target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and accelerating implementation measures established under the agreement's framework.
308General Awareness
Which characteristic of computers enables them to perform various tasks such as calculations, graphics, and communication?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Versatility
Explanation
Versatility is the core characteristic of computers that enables them to perform a wide variety of completely different tasks. A single computer system can execute complex mathematical calculations, generate and process graphics, facilitate communications, and manage databases simply by running different sets of instructions or software programs.
309General Awareness
In the Chola empire, the tax-free lands donated to Brahminswhere they settled were known as
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Agraharam
Explanation
Agraharam refers to tax-free land grants and residential settlements donated by Chola rulers to Brahmins. These tax-exempt settlements served as dedicated centers for Vedic education, religious rituals, and scholarly activities, providing the Brahmin community with self-sustaining agrarian resources and administrative autonomy over the land.
310General Awareness
Who is the author of the memoir 'Mother Mary Comes to Me' released in September 2025?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Arundhati Roy
Explanation
Mother Mary Comes to Me is the debut memoir written by Booker Prize-winning author and activist Arundhati Roy. The book explores her complex and intense relationship with her late mother, Mary Roy, an educator and activist who passed away in September 2022. It traces Arundhati Roy's upbringing in Kerala, her journey through Delhi, and how her mother served as both a primary influence and inspiration in shaping her identity as a writer.
311General Awareness
If 1 is added to each odd digit and 1 is subtracted from each even digit in the number 48572613, what will be the product of the greatest and smallest digit in the new number thus formed?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) 8
Explanation
Applying the specified operations on each digit of the number 48572613:
Subtract 1 from each even digit:
4 - 1 = 3
8 - 1 = 7
2 - 1 = 1
6 - 1 = 5
In this new number, the greatest digit is 8 and the smallest digit is 1.
Product = 8 × 1 = 8
312General Awareness
Who authored 'The Indian War of Independence 1857'?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Explanation
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar authored 'The Indian War of Independence 1857' in 1909 while residing in London. Originally written in Marathi as '1857 che Svatantryasamar', the work played a pivotal role in India's freedom struggle by reframing the Revolt of 1857 as a planned, national war for independence against British colonial rule rather than a mere sepoy mutiny.
313General Awareness
According to the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, what proportion of seats to be filled by direct election in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) is to be reserved for women?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) One-third of the seats
Explanation
The Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, inserted Article 330A into the Indian Constitution. This provision mandates that as nearly as may be, one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) shall be reserved for women. This reservation also extends to the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within the Lok Sabha.
314General Awareness
100 men have provisions for 27 days. If 50 men have left, for how many days the same provisions would last for the remaining men?
According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, which of the following states was the major groundnut exporting state of India in 2020-2021?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Gujarat
Explanation
According to data from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Gujarat was the leading groundnut exporting state of India during 2020–2021, accounting for nearly 70% of the nation's total groundnut exports. The primary cultivation area in the state is concentrated in the Saurashtra region, comprising districts such as Rajkot, Junagadh, Amreli, and Bhavnagar. Gujarat's high agricultural yield, suitable sandy loam soil, and strategic logistical access to major sea ports like Kandla and Mundra enable its dominant position in groundnut exports.
316General Awareness
Which Harappan city, flourishing around 2500 BCE, is especially known for its Great Bath and advanced grid-pattern streets?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Mohenjodaro
Explanation
Mohenjodaro, located on the bank of the Indus River in modern-day Sindh, Pakistan, is renowned for its sophisticated urban planning. Its most iconic structure is the Great Bath, a massive rectangular brick-lined tank built with watertight bitumen mortar, steps leading down to the water, and an elaborate drainage system. The city was laid out on a meticulous grid system, featuring main roads and streets that intersected at right angles to divide the residential sectors into neatly organized rectangular blocks.
317General Awareness
Which treaty was signed on 17 July 2025 between the United Kingdom and Germany, marking their first bilateral treaty since the Second World War?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Kensington Treaty
Explanation
The Kensington Treaty, officially known as the Treaty between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Republic of Germany on Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation, was signed on 17 July 2025 at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Marking the first comprehensive bilateral treaty between the two nations since the Second World War, the agreement establishes structured cooperation across mutual defence and security commitments under NATO, migration management, green energy infrastructure, trade, and expanded educational and cultural exchanges.
318General Awareness
Rahul walks a distance of 6 km towards North, then turns to his left and walks for 3 km. He again turns left and walks for 6 km. At this point, he turns to his left and walks for 6 km. How far is he from his starting point? (All turns are 90-degree turns only, unless specified.)
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) 3 km
Explanation
Tracking Rahul's displacement along the coordinate axes from the starting point (0, 0):
First, walking 6 km North moves him to (0, 6).
Turning left (West) and walking 3 km moves him to (-3, 6).
Turning left (South) and walking 6 km moves him to (-3, 0).
Finally, turning left (East) and walking 6 km moves him to (3, 0).
The net displacement along the North-South axis is 6 - 6 = 0 km, and along the East-West axis is -3 + 6 = 3 km.
Distance from the starting point = √(0² + 3²) = 3 km.
319General Awareness
How many main approaches are there to human development?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Four: income, welfare, minimum needs, and capabilities approaches
Explanation
Human development is evaluated through four main approaches. The Income Approach links development directly to income levels, assuming higher income reflects higher freedom. The Welfare Approach treats humans as beneficiaries, emphasizing government spending on education, health, and social care. The Minimum Needs Approach, originally proposed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), focuses on fulfilling basic needs such as health, education, food, water supply, sanitation, and housing. The Capabilities Approach, associated with Amartya Sen, emphasizes building human capabilities in health, education, and resource access to expand human choices and freedoms.
Using the algebraic identity (a + b)² + (a - b)² = 2(a² + b²), let a = 555 and b = 444.
Substituting these values into the given expression:
Numerator = (555 + 444)² + (555 - 444)² = 2(555² + 444²)
Denominator = 555 × 555 + 444 × 444 = 555² + 444²
Dividing the numerator by the denominator:
[2(555² + 444²)] / (555² + 444²) = 2
The result is independent of the numbers chosen and simplifies directly to 2.
321General Awareness
Which among the following changes were made in the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Introduction of Fundamental Duties under Article 51A.
Explanation
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 added a new Part IV-A and Article 51A to the Indian Constitution, introducing ten Fundamental Duties for citizens. This addition was based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee to emphasize the civic responsibilities of citizens alongside their fundamental rights.
322General Awareness
Which of the following Articles was inserted into the Directive Principles of State Policy of the Indian Constitution by the Constitution (Ninety-seventh Amendment) Act of 2011?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Article 43B - Promotion of co-operative societies
Explanation
The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011 gave constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies in India. As part of this amendment, Article 43B was inserted into Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) of the Constitution, directing the State to endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of co-operative societies.
323General Awareness
Which of the following instruments is used to measure the intensity of earthquakes?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Seismograph
Explanation
A seismograph is an instrument used to detect, measure, and record seismic waves produced by earthquakes. It measures ground motion caused by the passage of these waves, allowing scientists to determine the arrival time, amplitude, magnitude, and intensity of seismic events.
324General Awareness
Which district in Mizoram was recognised as the best-performing district in NITI Aayog's SDG Index NE Districts 2023-24?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Hnaithial
Explanation
Hnaithial (Hnahthial) district in Mizoram achieved the top ranking among the districts of Mizoram in NITI Aayog's North Eastern Region District SDG Index, recognizing its outstanding performance across sustainable development indicators.
325General Awareness
According to the 2025 Human Development Report, what was India's Human Development Index (HDI) value for the year 2023?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) 0.685
Explanation
According to the 2025 Human Development Report, India's Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2023 stands at 0.685. This places India in the medium human development category, reflecting gains across health, education, and income indicators.
326General Awareness
Which of the following three river systems are primarily responsible for the formation of the Northern Plains of India?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra
Explanation
The Northern Plains of India were formed by the depositional work of three major Himalayan river systems: the Indus, the Ganga, and the Brahmaputra, along with their numerous tributaries. Over millions of years, these rivers carried vast quantities of silt and sediment eroded from the rising Himalayas and deposited them into a huge basin at the foothills, resulting in the creation of an extensive and fertile alluvial plain.
327General Awareness
Which of the following is an example of application software that depends entirely on system software to function?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Microsoft Word
Explanation
Microsoft Word is a word processing program designed to help end users perform specific tasks such as creating, editing, and formatting text documents, which classifies it as application software. Application software does not directly manage computer hardware; instead, it relies entirely on system software—such as an operating system—to handle memory allocation, file storage, user interface rendering, and input/output operations.
328General Awareness
Which of the following officials in the Mauryan administration was primarily responsible for supervising state agriculture and cultivation on crown lands?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Sitadhyaksha
Explanation
In the Mauryan administration, state-owned agricultural lands were referred to as Sita. The Sitadhyaksha was the superintendent responsible for supervising state agriculture, overseeing the cultivation of crown lands, collecting quality seeds, and managing irrigation facilities. As mentioned in the Arthashastra, this official employed farm workers, agricultural laborers, and prisoners to cultivate state fields, ensuring regular grain supplies and revenue directly to the royal treasury.
329General Awareness
What is the process by which plants make their food using sunlight?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Photosynthesis
Explanation
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and certain bacteria transform light energy from sunlight into chemical energy. Using the green pigment chlorophyll inside chloroplasts, plants absorb solar radiation to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen gas as a byproduct according to the equation 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
330General Awareness
In which of the following present-day places did Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Pune
Explanation
Jyotirao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth-seekers' Society) on 24 September 1873 in Pune, Maharashtra. The organization was established to promote social equality, empower marginalized communities, particularly Shudras and Ati-Shudras, and fight against religious exploitation through rational thought and education.
331General Awareness
Which Indian Prime Minister among the following was never the Chief Minister of any state of India?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Chandrashekhar
Explanation
Chandra Shekhar, who served as the 8th Prime Minister of India from November 1990 to June 1991, never served as the Chief Minister of any state. In fact, he holds the distinction of becoming the Prime Minister without having previously held any executive ministerial position at either the state or central government level throughout his political career.
332General Awareness
Which 17th- century CE monument in Agra, built by Shah Jahan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Taj Mahal
Explanation
The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, was commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Constructed primarily of white marble on the right bank of the Yamuna River, this 17th-century mausoleum represents the pinnacle of Mughal architecture. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
333General Awareness
Where did the Pune Book Festival 2025 take place?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Fergusson College Grounds
Explanation
The Pune Book Festival 2025, organized by the National Book Trust in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra and the Deccan Education Society, was held at the Fergusson College Grounds in Pune. Centered around the theme "Joy of Reading", the multi-day event featured hundreds of stalls displaying a wide variety of literature across Marathi, Hindi, English, and other Indian languages.
334General Awareness
Who among the following became the first female President of Namibia in March 2025?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
Explanation
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as the fifth president and first female head of state of Namibia on March 21, 2025. Representing the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) party, she secured the presidency after winning the November 2024 presidential election with over 57% of the vote. Prior to her presidency, she held multiple senior government roles, including serving as Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
335General Awareness
Which Classical Language underwent significant scriptural evolution from Grantha, Vatteluttu, Kolezhuthu, and finally to its current script used in modern writing?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Malayalam
Explanation
Malayalam underwent a scriptural evolution through ancient regional writing systems such as Vatteluttu, Kolezhuthu, and Grantha. Vatteluttu was used for native Dravidian sounds, Kolezhuthu served as a variant for administrative and land records, and Grantha was employed to write Sanskrit words. In the 16th century, Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan synthesized these elements into Arya Eluttu to accommodate both Dravidian and Sanskrit phonemes, laying the foundation for the modern Malayalam script. Malayalam was granted Classical Language status by the Government of India in 2013.
336General Awareness
Which of the following scholars introduced the concept of human development?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Mahbub-ul-Haq
Explanation
Pakistani economist Dr. Mahbub-ul-Haq introduced the concept of human development in 1990. He conceptualized human development as a process of enlarging people's choices and improving their well-being, shifting the focus of development economics from national income accounting to people-centered policies. Under his leadership, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) published the first Human Development Report in 1990 along with the Human Development Index (HDI).
337General Awareness
Why is RAM called "Random Access"?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Data can be accessed directly from any location
Explanation
RAM (Random Access Memory) is called "random access" because the central processing unit can read from or write to any memory location directly in a constant amount of time, regardless of where the data is physically stored in the memory grid. Unlike sequential access storage, access time in RAM is independent of the location's address or the sequence in which data was previously saved.
338General Awareness
Which of the following reflects the Gandhian ideals incorporated as Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Promoting cottage industries in rural areas
Explanation
Article 43 of the Constitution of India explicitly directs the State to endeavor to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas. This provision directly incorporates Mahatma Gandhi's economic vision of decentralization, village swaraj, and self-reliant rural economies into the Directive Principles of State Policy.
339General Awareness
What does the crude birth rate (CBR) measure in demographic studies?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Number of live births per thousand annually
Explanation
Crude Birth Rate (CBR) is a fundamental demographic measure defined as the total number of live births occurring in a given area during a year, divided by the total mid-year population of that area, multiplied by 1,000. Expressed mathematically as CBR = (B / P) × 1000, where B represents total live births and P represents the total mid-year population, it quantifies birth frequency relative to every thousand individuals in a population annually.
340General Awareness
Which landform is formed when a glacier erodes a pre- existing river valley by widening, deepening, and smoothing it?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) U- shaped valley
Explanation
When a glacier flows through a pre-existing river valley, the immense weight and movement of the ice erode both the valley floor and its sides through plucking and abrasion. This deepens, widens, and smooths the original channel, reshaping its profile into a broad, steep-sided U-shaped valley with a characteristic flat floor.
341General Awareness
Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden performed the famous α - particle scattering experiment under the supervision of
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Ernest Rutherford
Explanation
In 1909, Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden conducted the famous gold foil alpha-particle scattering experiment at the University of Manchester under the guidance and supervision of Ernest Rutherford. The experimental observation that a small fraction of alpha particles rebounded at large angles led Rutherford to discover the atomic nucleus and propose the nuclear model of the atom in 1911.
342General Awareness
In which district of Gujarat is the Harappan archaeological site of Dholavira, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Kutch District
Explanation
Dholavira, one of the most prominent Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappan) sites, is located on Khadirbet island in the Bhachau Taluka of Kutch district, Gujarat. Discovered by archaeologist J. P. Joshi in 1967–68, the ancient city is renowned for its sophisticated urban planning, monumental stone structures, and advanced water conservation system featuring interconnected reservoirs. In July 2021, Dholavira was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
343General Awareness
Which coastal region of India is associated with the Vembanad Lagoon being separated from the Arabian Sea by narrow barrier islands?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Malabar Coast
Explanation
Vembanad Lake (or Vembanad Kayal) is the longest lake in India and the largest lagoon in Kerala, situated along the southwestern Malabar Coast. This extensive estuarine system is separated from the Arabian Sea by a narrow network of barrier islands and sandbars, giving rise to the region's famous coastal backwaters.
344General Awareness
Which missile system successfully completed User Evaluation Trials conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in 2025, marking a major boost to India's defence preparedness?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Akash Next Generation (Akash-NG) missile system
Explanation
In December 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the User Evaluation Trials (UET) of the Next Generation Akash (Akash-NG) missile system. Akash-NG is an advanced surface-to-air air defence system equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, and a homegrown Multi-Function Radar (MFR). During the trials, the missile demonstrated high precision by intercepting agile aerial targets across various range and altitude profiles, including near-boundary low-altitude and long-range high-altitude scenarios, paving the way for its induction into the Indian Armed Forces.
345General Awareness
In 2025, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her fearless advocacy of democracy, free elections, and peaceful transition from authoritarian rule in Venezuela?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Maria Corina Machado
Explanation
María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the Venezuelan people and her advocacy for a peaceful transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. As a prominent opposition leader and co-founder of the electoral monitoring organization Súmate, she has played a central role in organizing civil society, unifying democratic opposition groups, and championing free elections in Venezuela.
346General Awareness
Who won a silver medal in shooting at the 2004 Athens Olympics, India's first individual Olympic silver?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
Explanation
Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won India's first individual Olympic silver medal by placing second in the men's double trap shooting event at the 2004 Summer Olympics held in Athens, Greece. He scored 179 targets out of 200 in the final to secure the historic podium finish for India.
347General Awareness
Who among the following is NOT directly associated with the Prarthana Samaj?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Debendranath Tagore
Explanation
Debendranath Tagore was a prominent socio-religious reformer from Bengal deeply associated with the Brahmo Samaj, which he joined in 1842, and the Tattwabodhini Sabha, which he established in 1839 to promote religious reform. His work was centered in Bengal, and he was not directly involved in the founding or organization of the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay.
348General Awareness
Identify an example of a curved mirror.
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Shining spoon
Explanation
A shining spoon has two polished, highly reflective curved surfaces. The inner curved surface acts as a concave mirror that reflects light inward, while the outer bulging surface acts as a convex mirror that reflects light outward. Because of its smooth reflective coating and curved geometry, a shining spoon serves as a classic practical example of a curved spherical mirror.
349General Awareness
Who released the book 'The Emergency Diaries-Years that Forged a Leader' in June 2025?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Amit Shah
Explanation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the book 'The Emergency Diaries — Years that Forged a Leader' on 25 June 2025 in New Delhi during an event marking Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency imposition. Published by the BlueKraft Digital Foundation, the book chronicles Prime Minister Narendra Modi's underground resistance work and personal experiences as a young RSS pracharak during the 1975–1977 Emergency period.
350General Awareness
Port Victoria, where the First Training Squadron completed its visit, serves as the capital port of which African island nation?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Seychelles
Explanation
Port Victoria is the capital city and primary seaport of Seychelles, located on the north-eastern coast of Mahé, the country's main island. It acts as the principal economic, political, and commercial hub of the island nation, frequently hosting international naval deployments and foreign vessels including the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron.