1. Dr M.R. Srinivasan, who recently passed away, was associated with which major national programme?
[A] Blue Revolution
[B] Nuclear Programme
[C] Green Revolution
[D] Chandrayaan 3 mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nuclear Programme]
Notes:
Dr M.R. Srinivasan, a key architect of India’s civilian nuclear programme, passed away at the age of 95 on 20 May. He was a technocrat with strong engineering skills and a vision for building scientific institutions. He joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1955, just a year after it was formed. He worked closely with Dr Homi Bhabha, the father of India’s nuclear programme, to develop Apsara, India’s first nuclear research reactor, which became operational in 1956. In 1959, he became Principal Project Engineer and led India’s early efforts in nuclear power generation. He received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his contributions to nuclear energy. His legacy reflects excellence in engineering and dedication to national scientific self-reliance.
2. Who received the ‘Most Impactful Environmentalist’ award on World Environment Day 2025?
[A] Acharya Prashant
[B] Sunita Narain
[C] Sadhguru
[D] Rajendra Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Acharya Prashant]
Notes:
Philosopher and author Acharya Prashant received the ‘Most Impactful Environmentalist’ award on World Environment Day. The award was given by the Green Society of India for his work in linking spiritual clarity with environmental awareness. At the World Environment Conference 2025 in Greater Noida, he said climate crisis starts in our minds, not just nature. He launched “Operation 2030,” a national initiative educating youth to meet the UN’s 1.5°C climate target by 2030.
3. Who has been conferred with the 2024 Mathrubhumi Literary Award?
[A] K.R. Meera
[B] Subhash Chandran
[C] Sarah Joseph
[D] Krishna Chaithanya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sarah Joseph]
Notes:
Prominent writer Sarah Joseph has received the 2024 Mathrubhumi Literary Award. The award was presented by Jnanpith awardee Pratibha Ray in Kozhikode. It includes ₹3 lakh cash, a citation, and a sculpture by M. V. Devan. Sarah Joseph was appreciated for her fearless voice in Malayalam literature and social issues. She earlier won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Sahitya Akademi Awards.
4. Which Indian has received the United Nations Sasakawa Award 2025 for Disaster Risk Reduction?
[A] Rajendra Singh
[B] Ramesh Agrawal
[C] Sunita Narain
[D] Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mrutyunjay Mohapatra]
Notes:
Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), has received the United Nations Sasakawa Award 2025 for Disaster Risk Reduction. The award, started in 1986 with support from The Nippon Foundation, is the highest international honor in the disaster risk field. The 2025 theme, “Connecting science to people,” highlights his efforts in making cyclone forecasts accessible to vulnerable communities. Known as the “Cyclone Man of India,” Dr. Mohapatra helped reduce cyclone-related deaths across the north Indian Ocean region.
5. Maruti Chitampalli, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Environmentalist
[B] Journalist
[C] Politician
[D] Industrialist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Environmentalist]
Notes:
Renowned environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Maruti Chitampalli, also known as ‘Aranya Rishi’, passed away at 93 in Solapur, Maharashtra due to age-related issues. He devoted his life to forests, wildlife, and environmental literature, earning national recognition. He was honoured with the Padma Shri by the President of India on April 30, 2025. Chitampalli served in the Forest Department for 36 years and travelled over 5 lakh kilometres across India for research. His scientific works include ‘Pakshikosha’ (Birds), ‘Pashukosha’ (Animals), and ‘Matsyakosha’ (Fish).
6. Who has become the first woman and first African President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
[A] Joyce Banda
[B] Wangari Maathai
[C] Bonang Matheba
[D] Kirsty Coventry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kirsty Coventry]
Notes:
Recently, Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe made history by becoming the first female and first African President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in its 130-year history. Coventry, a seven-time Olympic medallist in swimming, won the election in one round with 49 out of 97 votes, beating Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr. and other candidates. She aims to focus on athlete rights, gender equality, and the sustainability of the Games. She has pledged to expand Olympic participation, especially in Africa, and engage youth.
7. Who has been elected as the new President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)?
[A] Mark Collins
[B] Lina Chua
[C] Zou Jiayi
[D] Mirana Mahrukh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Zou Jiayi]
Notes:
Recently, China’s former Vice Finance Minister Zou Jiayi was named as the next president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, known as AIIB, during its 10th Annual Meeting. Zou will take over from Jin Liqun, the founding president, starting her five-year term on January 16, 2026. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is a multilateral development bank focused on sustainable infrastructure, and started in 2016. China is the largest shareholder with 26.54% voting shares, while India holds 7.58%, followed by Russia and Germany.
8. Who won the 2025 Shakti Bhatt Prize for her debut memoir The Lucky Ones?
[A] Kiran Desai
[B] Shashi Deshpande
[C] Geetanjali Shree
[D] Zara Chowdhary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Zara Chowdhary]
Notes:
The Shakti Bhatt Prize 2025 was awarded to debut author Zara Chowdhary for her memoir The Lucky Ones, about surviving the 2002 Gujarat riots. She will receive a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh with the award. This year marks the final Shakti Bhatt Prize, which started in 2008 to honour debut authors in memory of publisher Shakti Bhatt, who died in 2007. The prize celebrated South Asian literature from countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, remaining independent and free from corporate sponsorship.
9. Which country recently honoured PM Narendra Modi with its highest civilian award, “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross”?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Brazil
[C] Ghana
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brazil]
Notes:
The Prime Minister recently concluded a four-day visit to Brazil, strengthening South-South cooperation and India-Brazil strategic ties. The Prime Minister was conferred Brazil’s highest civilian honour, the “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross,” for strengthening bilateral relations. The Prime Minister announced plans for adopting India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Brazil.
10. Which state won the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Industry Excellence Award 2025 for Battery Manufacturing?
[A] Haryana
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Telangana]
Notes:
Recently, Telangana won the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Industry Excellence Award 2025 in the State Leadership – Battery Manufacturing category. The award was presented at the 11th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025 held in New Delhi. It highlights Telangana’s leadership in building a strong ecosystem for battery manufacturing and new energy technologies. The state has become a hub for advanced energy manufacturing due to its proactive industrial policies and innovation support.