1.With reference to New India Literacy Programme, consider the following statements:
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027
2. The scheme aligned with New Education Policy 2020 targets adults aged 15 years and above.
3. The scheme has five components- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)All three
In News: Mizoram Achieves Full Functional Literacy
Explanation:
- Mizoram, which attained statehood on 20th February 1987, spans a geographical area of 21,081 km² (8,139 sq mi).
- As per the 2011 Census, it recorded a literacy rate of 91.33%, ranking third in India. Building on this strong foundation, the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) was implemented to identify and educate the remaining non-literate individuals.
- ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP) is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027.
- The scheme, aligned with NEP 2020, targets adults (aged 15 years and above) who couldn’t go to school.
- The scheme has five components- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills and Continuing Education.Hence option(c) is correct.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2130080
2. Consider the following Countries:
1. Brasil
2. Russia
3. Bangladesh
4. United Arab Emirates
How many of the above are founding members of the New Development Bank?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
In News: India Leads Call for Inclusive Energy Governance at BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meet in Brazil
Explanation:
- Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs led the Indian Delegation for the BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting hosted in Brasília on 19 May 2025 under Brazil’s Presidency.
- The Union Minister highlighted energy security as one of the most pressing current challenges and emphasized the need to strengthen BRICS cooperation to ensure economic stability and sustainability, as well as to promote equitable access to energy resources globally.
- Affirming each country’s right to determine its own energy transition path and pace, the Ministers advocated efficient use of all energy sources and called for increased concessional and low-cost financing from developed to developing nations. They highlighted the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) in promoting sustainable energy infrastructure, especially through local currency financing.
- In addition to Brasil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — the founding members of the NDB — the bank’s membership expanded between 2021 and 2023 to include Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Uruguay and Algeria are currently in the process of joining.Hence option(b) is correct.
- The new BRICS members are expected to join the NDB, a process that will follow the terms and procedures stated in the bank’s constitutive agreement.
- Adhesion to the BRICS does not guarantee membership in the NDB.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2129776
3. The Shirui Lily Festival recently seen in news is a state flower of
(a) Mizoram
(b) Manipur
(c) Assam
(d) Meghalaya
Answer: (a)Manipur
In News: In conflict-scorched Manipur, Shirui Lily festival kicks off: All you need to know, about the festival and the flower
Explanation:
- The Shirui Lily Festival is organised by the Manipur government’s Department of Tourism. First held in 2017, it is one of two major tourism festivals organised by the state government.
- While it is named after the Shirui Lily, or the Lilium mackliniae, recognised as the state flower of Manipur, the other major festival is named after the Sangai, or the Manipur brow-antlered deer, recognised as its state animal.Hence option(a) is correct.
- The Shirui Lily festival coincides with the blooming season of this rare flower. Held in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, which is home to the Tangkhul Naga community, the event is designed as an eco-tourism festival to raise awareness about the Shirui Lily and to promote tourism to the hills of Ukhrul.
- The festival includes cultural performances, music concerts, a beauty pageant, a trash collection marathon, and a cooking competition.
- This year, it will be held from May 20 to May 25.
- The Shirui Lily is endemic to the upper reaches of the Shirui Hill range in Ukhrul district at an elevation of 2,673 m above sea level.
- While locals had long been familiar with the plant — calling it the ‘Kashsong Timrawon’ after Timrawon, the daughter of mythical goddess Philava who resides and protects the hills of Shirui — in 1946, botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward identified it and gave it its scientific name. The name, Lilium mackliniae, draws from his wife Jean Macklin’s name.
Source:
4.With reference to The World Health Assembly, Consider the following statements:
Statement -I: The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget
Statement -II: The Health Assembly is held annually in Paris, France.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is the correct explanation for Statement – I
(b) Both Statement – I and Statement – II are correct and Statement – II is not the correct explanation for Statement – I
(c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
(d) Statement – I is incorrect but Statement – II is correct
Answer: (c) Statement – I is correct but Statement – II is incorrect
In News: Text of PM’s address at the 78th Session of the World Health Assembly
Explanation:
- Inclusion is at the core of India’s health reforms. We run Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest health insurance scheme. It covers 580 million people and provides free treatment. This programme was recently extended to cover all Indians above the age of 70 years.
- We have a network of thousands of health and wellness centres.
- They screen and detect diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension.
- Thousands of public pharmacies provide high-quality medicines at far less than the market price.
- The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of WHO. It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
- The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
Source:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2129904
5. The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers released by
(a) NITI aayog
(b) Reserve Bank of India
(c) Ministry of statistics and program implementation
(d) Labour Bureau
Answer: (d)Labour Bureau
In News: ALL-INDIA CONSUMER PRICE INDEX NUMBERS FOR AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL LABOURERS
Explanation:
- The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) (Base: 1986-87=100) increased by 1 point each for the month of April 2025, to stand at 1307 and 1320 points, respectively.
- The year-on-year inflation rates based on CPI-AL and CPI-RL for April 2025 were recorded at 3.48% and 3.53%, respectively, compared to 7.03% and 6.96% in April 2024. The corresponding figures for March 2025 stood at 3.73% for CPI-AL and 3.86% for CPI-RL.
- The compilation of CPI Numbers for Agricultural Labourers started w.e.f. September, 1964. The existing series of CPI Numbers for Agricultural and Rural Labourers (base 1986-87=100) replaced the same w.e.f. November, 1995.
- The Labour Bureau, established in 1920, is an attached office under the Ministry of Labour & Employment and is responsible for the collection, collation and dissemination of labour, employment and price statistics.
- Besides, it is also a major source of primary data pertaining to several important economic indicators.
- These include the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers, Agricultural and Rural Labourers, Wage Rate Indices, wages, earnings, absenteeism, labour turnover, industrial relations, socio-economic conditions of workers in the organized and unorganized sectors of industry, etc.Hence option(d) is correct.
Source:
https://labourbureau.gov.in/functions-of-labour-bureau
6. Which of the following are major nesting sites of Olive Ridley turtles in India?
1. Gahirmatha
2. Rushikulya River Mouth
3. Hope Island
4. South Andaman
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 2, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (d) 1,2,3,4 and 5
Explanation:
In News: Indian Coast Guard’s ‘Operation Olivia’ protects over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley Turtles
- In a major boost to marine conservation, the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) annual mission ‘Operation Olivia’ helped protect a record of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles nested at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha.
About Olive Ridley Turtle
- They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
- It gets its name from the olive green colouration of its carapace (shell).
- It is best known for its unique mass nesting, called Arribada, where thousands of females come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
- They are mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
- They are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals.
- They are solitary, preferring the open ocean.
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
- CITES: Appendix I
Major Nesting sites:
- Gahirmatha (Odisha) – Largest rookery in the world for Olive Ridley turtles
- Rushikulya River Mouth (Odisha) – Major mass nesting site (arribada)
- Marina Beach (Tamil Nadu) – Known for sporadic nesting and awareness drives
- Hope Island (Andhra Pradesh) – An important nesting site in the eastern coast
- South Andaman (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) – Known for scattered nesting along remote beaches. Hence option (d) is correct.
Source:
7.With reference to the High-Altitude Platform (HAP) prototype, consider the following statements:
1. It is designed by National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).
2. It acts as a relay for telecommunications and weather monitoring.
3. It is an unmanned, solar-powered aircraft that flies in the stratosphere.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1,2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: India’s HAP prototype, built for border patrol, complete’s key test
- The HAP now utilises a certified sensor redundant control system hardware, enabling fully autonomous vehicle operation through custom control laws, navigation algorithms, and automated fail safes for all possible scenarios.
- In simpler terms, it now has a certified autopilot system.
High-Altitude Platform (HAP) prototype
- A High-Altitude Platform (HAP) is a solar-powered, unmanned stratospheric aircraft that operates at 17–22 km altitude, bridging the gap between terrestrial systems and satellites. Hence statement 3 is correct
- It serves as a middle layer between ground systems and satellites for continuous aerial services.
- It was developed by NAL, Bengaluru, under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Hence statement 1 is correct
- It is designed for border patrolling, surveillance in remote areas, and civil-military use.
- It can also act as a relay for telecommunications and weather monitoring. Hence statement 2 is correct
Applications of HAP:
- Defence: Border surveillance, intelligence gathering, disaster response.
- Meteorology: Radiosonde deployment, monsoon cloud measurements (IITM, Pune use case).
- Telecommunications: Temporary or mobile 5G connectivity in remote or disaster-hit areas.
- Geoinformatics: Real-time mapping, environmental monitoring.
- Crowd Monitoring: Public safety during large events or protests.
Source:
8.Tulare Lake, which recently reappeared after more than a century due to excessive rainfall and flooding, is located in which of the following countries?
(a) Canada
(b) United States of America
(c) Australia
(d) South Africa
Answer: (b) United States of America
Explanation:
In News: Why Is Tulare Lake Called ‘Ghost Lake,’ And Is Its Return After 130 Years Alarming?
- Tulare Lake is located in the San Joaquin Valley of California, in the United States of America. Once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, it reappeared in 2023 due to intense rainfall caused by a series of atmospheric rivers. Hence option (b) is correct.
- Its reemergence has raised concerns related to flooding and land use in the region.
- It is an important source of water for local indigenous communities, like the Tachi Yokut tribe, who called the lake “Pa’ashi.”
- The lake was also used for transportation, with steamships carrying supplies from Bakersfield to San Francisco.
Source:
9.Consider the following statements regarding the Official Secrets Act, 1923:
1. The Act applies to government officials, civilians, foreign nationals, or any individual who handles classified information.
2. The provisions of the Right to Information Act, 2005 override the Official Secrets Act in all cases of information disclosure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In News: What is the Official Secrets Act, under which YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra was held?
- YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, also known as Jyoti Rani, was arrested for passing sensitive information to Pakistani handlers. She has been charged under Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of BNS
About Official Secrets Act, 1923
- The Official Secrets Act of 1923 is a colonial-era legislation enacted in India to counter espionage and safeguard sensitive information related to national security.
- The Act criminalises spying, unauthorised sharing of confidential government information, and the withholding of sensitive data that could potentially threaten the safety or interests of the state.
- It applies to all Indian citizens, including government servants, both within and outside the country. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The law covers a broad range of offences, such as wrongful communication of official secrets, codes, passwords, sketches, plans, and other classified materials.
- Its main objective is to prevent the leakage of information that could be exploited by foreign powers or hostile entities, thereby protecting India’s sovereignty and security.
- The RTI Act does not override the Official Secrets Act in all cases. Section 8 of the RTI Act bars the disclosure of information that would prejudicially affect the sovereignty, security, or integrity of India, often referring back to the OSA. However, in certain public interest cases, information may still be disclosed. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
Punishment under Sec 3 of Official Secrets Act
- If the offence relates to defence establishments, arsenals, or military affairs, imprisonment can extend up to fourteen years. In other cases, imprisonment may extend up to three years.
Source:
10.With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?(2021)
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
- The Desert National Park (DNP), an area of 3162 km², spreads over districts of Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan.
- The area falls in the extreme hot and arid region of very low rainfall zone (<100 mm) of the country.
- DNB was demarcated and notified in 1980. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- The Thar desert is the most thickly populated desert in the world with an average density of 83 persons/ km².
- However, the human population within the DNP is low (4-5 persons per km²). There are around 70 villages and also settlements or Dhanis existing within the Park.
- The Thar desert harbours a wide array of flora and faunal species. It is the only place where Rajasthan State Bird (Great Indian Bustard) are found naturally. Hence, option(c) is correct.