1. What is primary objective of Operation Vajrapat, that was recently launched in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Combat cyber fraud in banks
[B] Dismantle criminal networks and their digital presence
[C] Prevent wildlife trafficking
[D] Strengthen border security
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dismantle criminal networks and their digital presence]
Notes:
Operation Vajrapat has been launched by the Varanasi Range Police in Uttar Pradesh to dismantle criminal networks and their digital presence. The operation covers Jaunpur, Ghazipur, and Chandauli districts. A major focus is on digital surveillance, resulting in the removal of 554 social media accounts allegedly used to glorify crime and spread fear. The initiative aims to curb gang culture, strengthen intelligence-based policing, and build a comprehensive database for continuous monitoring of criminal networks.
2. Recently , a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has been approved in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Sitapur
[B] Prayagraj
[C] Jhansi
[D] Kanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sitapur ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Defence has approved a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. The project will be developed on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land and is the first large-scale solar-plus-storage project on defence land in India. It aims to enhance energy security, promote renewable energy, and ensure optimum utilisation of vacant defence land. The project is expected to reduce dependence on conventional power sources and lower electricity procurement costs for defence establishments.
3. In June 2026, a new Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) was inaugurated in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Kanpur
[C] Ayodhya
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lucknow ]
Notes:
A new Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) was inaugurated in Lucknow by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. It will provide weather forecasting services for Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and adjoining regions. It aims to improve weather monitoring, forecasting, disaster warnings, agriculture advisories, aviation services, and public safety. Under Mission Mausam, India’s Doppler Weather Radar network has expanded from 17 radars in 2014 to 50 currently, with 50 more planned.
4. Who has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Prashant Kumar
[B] Mukul Goel
[C] Rajeev Krishna
[D] Devendra Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajeev Krishna]
Notes:
Rajeev Krishna has been appointed as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh. He became the first permanent police chief of Uttar Pradesh since 2022. Rajeev Krishna is a 1991-batch IPS officer and had been serving as the acting DGP since May 2025 after succeeding Prashant Kumar. He is also serving as the Director General of the Vigilance Establishment. The last regular DGP of Uttar Pradesh was Mukul Goel, who was removed from the post in 2022. Since 2022, Uttar Pradesh had four acting police chiefs before this appointment.
5. Nausena Shaurya Vatika is an open-air naval museum and interpretation centre inaugurated in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Lucknow
[C] Ayodhya
[D] Gorakhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lucknow ]
Notes:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Nausena Shaurya Vatika in Lucknow. It is an open-air naval museum and interpretation centre showcasing the achievements and operational legacy of the Indian Navy. The museum was developed as Phase-II of the Nausena Shaurya Sangrahalaya and jointly built by the Indian Navy and the Uttar Pradesh government. It displays artefacts and weapon systems from INS Gomati, decommissioned in 2022 after 34 years of service.
6. Consider the following historical personalities associated with the resistance during the 1857 Uprising:
- Shah Mal
- Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah
- Khan Bahadur Khan
- Kunwar Singh
Which of the above led active insurgencies in the regions of Rohilkhand and Western Uttar Pradesh (Baraut/Baghpat)?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 and 4 only
[D] 1, 3 and 4 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1 and 3 only]
Notes:
Shah Mal (1) led the rebellion in Baraut and Baghpat regions by mobilizing Jat cultivators and sabotaging British lines. Khan Bahadur Khan (3) established a government in Bareilly, Rohilkhand, resisting the British. Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah (2) was mainly active in Awadh, while Kunwar Singh (4) operated in Bihar, not in Rohilkhand or Western UP.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
