1. Which state’s forest project has won the SKOCH Award for improving forest ecosystems?
[A] Odisha
[B] Nagaland
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagaland]
Notes:
Nagaland Forest Management Project (NFMP) won the SKOCH Award 2024 at the 100th SKOCH Summit on February 15, 2025, in New Delhi. The award was received by ANGO Konyak and Venni Konyak on behalf of Nagaland’s Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (DEFCC). NFMP focuses on forest conservation, jhum rehabilitation, and sustainable livelihoods. The SKOCH Award is an award given by the SKOCH Group to recognize people, projects, and institutions that make India a better nation.
2. Who has been named as the only Indian woman in TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025 list?
[A] Vandana Shiva
[B] Medha Patkar
[C] Purnima Devi Barman
[D] Kiran Mazumdar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Purnima Devi Barman]
Notes:
Purnima Devi Barman, an Indian biologist and wildlife conservationist, is named in TIME Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025 list. She is the only Indian woman on the list, alongside global figures like Nicole Kidman and Gisele Pelicot. The award recognizes extraordinary leaders working for a more equitable and sustainable world. Barman is known for her efforts in conserving the greater adjutant stork (Hargila). Her work has transformed both environmental and social landscapes, making a significant impact on wildlife conservation.
3. Which organization hosted the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi?
[A] National Biodiversity Authority
[B] Wildlife Institute of India
[C] Central Zoo Authority
[D] Animal Welfare Board of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Animal Welfare Board of India ]
Notes:
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) hosts the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony in New Delhi. The event honors individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions to animal welfare. AWBI is a statutory body promoting animal welfare and preventing cruelty to animals. It advises the Central and State Governments on animal welfare laws and enforcement. AWBI was established in 1962 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Its headquarters is in Ballabhgarh, Haryana. It functions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
4. ‘Diyaslai’ is the autobiography of which Nobel Peace Prize laureate?
[A] Malala Yousafzai
[B] Kailash Satyarthi
[C] S. Chandrasekhar
[D] Mother Teresa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kailash Satyarthi]
Notes:
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion held a discussion on Diyaslai. Diyaslai is the autobiography of Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, detailing his journey from Vidisha to his fight for child rights. Kailash Satyarthi, born in 1954 in Madhya Pradesh, has led global efforts against child slavery and exploitation in 140 countries. His organization has rescued over 1,38,000 children from child labour and trafficking. He highlighted that compassion is the key to solving global issues.
5. Boris Spassky, who recently passed away, was associated with which sports?
[A] Badminton
[B] Boxing
[C] Wrestling
[D] Chess
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chess]
Notes:
Russian chess grandmaster Boris Spassky, the 10th World Chess Champion, has passed away at 88. Spassky was known for his strategic brilliance, sportsmanship, and deep understanding of chess. Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), he became an International Grandmaster in 1955. In 1969, he defeated Tigran Petrosian to become the World Chess Champion. Spassky was famous for his versatile playing style, excelling in both positional and attacking games.
6. Which Indian leader recently received the ‘Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados’ award?
[A] External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar
[B] Prime Minister Narendra Modi
[C] Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
[D] Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prime Minister Narendra Modi]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados award. The award recognizes his strategic leadership and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is one of the highest national honors of Barbados, given for significant contributions to the country or international relations.
7. Who has become the first Indian to be honored with the Ramsar award for ‘Wetland Wise Use’?
[A] Kinkri Devi
[B] Jayshree Vencatesan
[C] Sunita Narain
[D] Almitra Patel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jayshree Vencatesan]
Notes:
Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Care Earth Trust, is the first Indian to receive the Ramsar award for ‘Wetland Wise Use.’ She is among 12 women changemakers in wetlands, recognized by the Ramsar secretariat in Geneva. She has dedicated decades to conserving India’s wetlands, especially Chennai’s Pallikaranai Marsh. She leads an all-women research team and mentors future conservationists. She dedicates her award to her late father and advocates for women’s technical roles in wetland management. She stresses persistence in conservation efforts despite bureaucratic challenges. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is a global treaty for wetland conservation.
8. Which country’s architect, Liu Jiakun, has been named the winner of the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize?
[A] South Korea
[B] Japan
[C] Vietnam
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
Chinese architect Liu Jiakun won the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize for designs that celebrate everyday life. The Pritzker Prize is the most prestigious award in international architecture. Liu is the 54th laureate and was chosen for his focus on people and communities over his 40-year career. He is the third Chinese architect to win, after IM Pei and Wang Shu. The Pritzker Architecture Prize, often called “architecture’s Nobel Prize,” is an international award established in 1979 by the Pritzker family through their Hyatt Foundation, recognizing a living architect (or architects) for their significant contributions to humanity and the built environment.
9. Which Indian leader was conferred with Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star?
[A] Prime Minister Narendra Modi
[B] External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar
[C] Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
[D] Home Minister Amit Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prime Minister Narendra Modi ]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Mauritius’ highest civilian honor, The Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK). The award ceremony took place in Port Louis, highlighting India-Mauritius strong diplomatic and cultural ties. This is PM Modi’s 21st international accolade, marking global recognition of his leadership. He dedicated the honor to Indian ancestors who migrated to Mauritius and to all Indians. PM Modi reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening India-Mauritius strategic relations. He also presented the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to Mauritius’ President and First Lady, strengthening cultural ties. His participation in global events reflects India’s rising international influence.
10. Which banking institution won the Digital Transformation Award 2025 by Central Banking, London?
[A] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
[B] Central Bank of India
[C] State Bank of India (SBI)
[D] National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) won the Digital Transformation Award 2025 from Central Banking, London for its digital initiatives Sarthi and Pravaah. Sarthi, launched in January 2023, digitized RBI’s internal workflows, improving document sharing, record management, and data analysis for 13,500 employees across 40+ locations. Pravaah, launched in May 2024, digitized 70+ regulatory applications, enhancing efficiency and transparency with real-time tracking. Pravaah increased monthly applications by 80%, reducing delays from paper-based systems. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised RBI’s achievement, calling it a milestone in India’s financial digital transformation.