1. In which city of Uttar Pradesh has Rocklink India established its lithium-ion battery and rare earth magnet recycling plant?
[A] Sonbhadra
[B] Meerut
[C] Raebareli
[D] Sikandrabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Sikandrabad ]
Notes:
Recently, Rocklink India Pvt. Ltd. set up an integrated recycling facility in Sikandrabad UPSIDC Industrial Area, Uttar Pradesh. The plant focuses on recycling lithium-ion batteries, rare earth magnets, and metal-bearing industrial waste. It has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes/year for lithium-ion batteries and 60 tonnes/month for rare-earth magnets. A rare-earth chloride processing unit (1,500 tonnes/year) is planned for 2026. The initiative supports domestic recovery of critical minerals and promotes a circular economy.
2. How many of the following Mahajanapadas are located in the modern-day state of Uttar Pradesh?
- Kuru
- Panchala
- Surasena
- Vatsa
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
All four Mahajanapadas—Kuru (Western UP/Delhi), Panchala (Rohilkhand), Surasena (Mathura/Brij region), and Vatsa (Prayagraj/Kaushambi)—were located in the area that is now modern-day Uttar Pradesh. Hence, the correct answer is that all four were situated in this state.
3. With reference to India’s projects on connectivity, consider the following statements:
- East-West Corridor under Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.
- Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.
- Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.
How many of the above statements are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2023)
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [None]
Notes:The correct answer is
[D] None. All three statements are incorrect regarding the specific cities and terminologies of these connectivity projects.
- East-West Corridor (Statement 1 – Incorrect): The East-West Corridor is part of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), not the Golden Quadrilateral (though they are related). It connects Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat. Dibrugarh and Surat are not the terminal points of this corridor.
- Trilateral Highway (Statement 2 – Incorrect): The India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway connects Moreh (Manipur, India) with Mae Sot (Thailand) via Myanmar. It does not connect to Chiang Mai. The project aims to enhance trade and commerce between ASEAN and India.
- BCIM Economic Corridor (Statement 3 – Incorrect): The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor is proposed to connect Kolkata (West Bengal, India) with Kunming (Yunnan Province, China), passing through Bangladesh (Dhaka) and Myanmar (Mandalay). It does not originate in Varanasi.
4. With reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs :
- Famous Place – Present StateBhilsa – Madhya Pradesh
- Dwarasamudra – Maharashtra
- Girinagar – Gujarat
- Sthanesvara – Uttar Pradesh
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
[A] 1 and 3 only
[B] 1 and 4 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 2 and 4 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 3 only]
Notes:The correct answer is
[A] 1 and 3 only. These ancient and medieval sites are significant markers of India’s cultural and political history across different dynasties.
- Bhilsa – Madhya Pradesh (Pair 1 – Correct): Historically known as Vidisha or Besnagar, Bhilsa is located in Madhya Pradesh. it was a prominent trade center during the Sunga and Gupta periods and is famous for the Heliodorus Pillar and its proximity to the Sanchi Stupa.
- Dwarasamudra – Karnataka (Pair 2 – Incorrect): Dwarasamudra (modern-day Halebeedu) was the magnificent capital of the Hoysala Empire. It is located in the Hassan district of Karnataka, not Maharashtra. It is renowned for its intricate Hoysaleswara temple architecture.
- Girinagar – Gujarat (Pair 3 – Correct): Girinagar (modern-day Junagadh/Girnar) is situated in Gujarat. It is an ancient site known for the rock edicts of Ashoka, the inscriptions of Rudradaman I, and Skandagupta, marking its importance under various empires.
- Sthanesvara – Haryana (Pair 4 – Incorrect): Sthanesvara (modern-day Thanesar/Kurukshetra) is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh. It served as the capital of the Pushyabhuti dynasty, notably under King Harshavardhana, before he shifted his capital to Kannauj.
5. Which city in Uttar Pradesh created the Guinness World Records for planting the highest number of saplings in one hour?
[A] Saharanpur
[B] Ayodhya
[C] Gorakhpur
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Varanasi]
Notes:
Varanasi entered the Guinness World Records by planting 2,51,446 saplings in one hour at Sujabad Domari, surpassing China’s 2018 record of 1,53,981 saplings. The record was verified by Guinness World Records adjudicator Rishinath using drone surveillance and a digital counting system. Certificate presented to Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal. Plantation covered nearly 350 bighas, developed as an urban forest with coordination among the Municipal Corporation, government departments, institutions, and social organisations.
6. India’s first National Cow Culture Museum has been established in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Mathura
[C] Gorakhpur
[D] Ayodhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mathura]
Notes:
India’s first national Cow Culture Museum has been set up by Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad in Mathura. It will be built on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University campus and land has been selected. The museum will highlight religious, cultural, spiritual and scientific importance of cows. Around 100 digital and symbolic models of major and endangered cattle breeds will be displayed. The project promotes cow conservation, cow-based economy and scientific standards under state government guidance.
7. Which district of Uttar Pradesh has been selected for the construction of India’s first dedicated Glass Museum?
[A] Moradabad
[B] Firozabad
[C] Saharanpur
[D] Aligarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Firozabad]
Notes:
India’s first dedicated Glass Museum is being constructed in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, which is popularly known as the “Glass City of India.” The project is being developed by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department near Vikas Bhawan at an estimated cost of around ₹47.47 crore. The three-storey museum is being built over an area of more than 25,700 square meters and will showcase the history, art, and technology of glassmaking, ranging from Harappan-era glass to modern designs.
8. What is the new name of the Uttar Pradesh Governor’s residence?
[A] Lok Bhavan
[B] Jan Bhavan
[C] Raj Sadan
[D] Praja Bhavan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jan Bhavan]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Governor’s official residence has been renamed from Raj Bhavan to Jan Bhavan. The name change was announced by the state government and is now in effect. The decision follows guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. The new name will be used for all official and statutory purposes. The move aims to standardise the names of Governors’ residences across India. It reflects a nationwide initiative to bring uniformity in official nomenclature.
9. Which city became the first in Uttar Pradesh to achieve 100% scientific processing of municipal solid waste?
[A] Meerut
[B] Varanasi
[C] Prayagraj
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lucknow]
Notes:
Lucknow became Uttar Pradesh’s first zero fresh waste dump city after launching the Shivari Solid Waste Management Plant under Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U). The new plant processes 700 metric tonnes per day, taking total capacity to over 2,100 metric tonnes daily. Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) and Bhumi Green Energy operate three plants of equal capacity. Waste is segregated into organic (55%) and inorganic (45%) fractions. Organic waste is converted into compost and biogas, while inorganic waste is recycled or made into Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).
10. Where was Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 held?
[A] Gorakhpur
[B] Meerut
[C] Varanasi
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lucknow]
Notes:
IndiaAI, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Government of Uttar Pradesh hosted the Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Lucknow on 12–13 January 2026. The Conference aims to showcase the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in governance and public service delivery and to align state-level initiatives with the IndiaAI Mission. It serves as a precursor to the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, which will be held in New Delhi from 16–20 February 2026. This event is part of a national series of eight Regional AI Impact Conferences across India.
