1. Astra Mark-2 missile is developed by which organisation?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[C] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
[D] Bharat Electronics Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Research and Development Organisation]
Notes:
India plans to equip Dassault Mirage 2000 jets with Astra Mark-2 missiles, enhancing interception up to 240 kilometres and boosting aerial dominance. Astra Mark-2 is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). More than 50 industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), contributed to its development. Astra Mark-1 (90–100 kilometres range) is already inducted in the Indian Air Force (IAF) on LCA Tejas and Su-30 MKI.
2. Hussain Sagar Lake is located in which city?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hyderabad]
Notes:
Hussain Sagar Lake is facing severe foul odour due to heavy algal bloom during rising summer temperatures. Algal bloom occurs due to eutrophication, where excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus enter the water. Hussain Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Hyderabad, built in 1562 AD under Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It is located on a tributary of the Musi River and is among Asia’s largest man-made lakes. The lake is also called Tank Bund and connects Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
3. The Tharu tribe is mainly found in which Indian states?
[A] Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar
[B] Rajasthan and Gujarat
[C] Assam, Manipur and Mizoram
[D] Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar]
Notes:
The Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) set aside rejection of Community Forest Rights claims of the Tharu tribe in Lakhimpur Kheri. The Tharu are an indigenous tribe of the Terai plains along the Indo–Nepal border, residing in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar. They are among the oldest and largest ethnic groups of the Terai and were recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1967. Their language, Tharu or Tharuhati, belongs to the Indo-Aryan subgroup of the Indo-European language family. Economy is based on agriculture, cattle rearing, fishing, hunting, and forest produce collection.
4. What is the objective of the Borrowers’ Platform launched by developing countries in April 2026?
[A] Provide direct financial aid to developing countries
[B] Enable developing countries to coordinate and discuss debt-related issues
[C] Regulate global financial markets
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Enable developing countries to coordinate and discuss debt-related issues]
Notes:
Developing countries launched the Borrowers’ Platform at the International Monetary Fund–World Bank Spring Meetings 2026. It is a platform for borrower nations to share experiences, coordinate policies, and collectively raise debt-related concerns. It includes Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to strengthen debt management and global negotiation capacity. It is governed by Finance Ministers, supported by technical debt officials for policy inputs. It is not a debt-restructuring mechanism, but a coordination and dialogue forum.
5. The Chenchu tribe is primarily found in which forest region?
[A] Sundarbans Forests
[B] Nallamala Forests
[C] Western Ghats Forests
[D] Aravalli Forests
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nallamala Forests]
Notes:
Chenchu tribals in Amrabad Tiger Reserve opposed relocation citing forest-based livelihood concerns. The Chenchu are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) mainly living in Nallamalai forests of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. They are classified under the Proto-Australoid group and also inhabit Karnataka and Odisha. Settlements called “Penta” consist of scattered huts based on kinship; “Peddamanishi” acts as village head. Society is based on small families with relatively equal gender roles and marriage at maturity.
