1. National Productivity Council (NPC) is an autonomous organization under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Commerce and Industry]
Notes:
Delhi High Court quashed the proceedings of the Lokpal of India against Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in a promotion-related case. The case involved alleged irregularities at the National Productivity Council (NPC). National Productivity Council (NPC) was established under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is a non-profit body with equal representation from government, employers, and workers. It provides consultancy, training, research, publications, and productivity awards. It is also a member of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO).
2. What is the name of the operation launched by India to assist Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah?
[A] Operation Sagar Suraksha
[B] Operation Samudra Mitra
[C] Operation Ocean Shield
[D] Operation Sagar Bandhu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Operation Sagar Bandhu]
Notes:
India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission, to support Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused floods, landslides, and widespread disruption. Cyclone made landfall on 27 November 2025, causing fatalities and affecting thousands. Indian Air Force (IAF) delivered approx 12 tonnes of aid on 29 November 2025, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food to Colombo. The operation provides food, essentials, and logistical support to manage immediate crises in Sri Lanka.
3. Who was named the World Athlete of the Year (Men) in 2025?
[A] Michael Jordan
[B] Armand Duplantis
[C] Jon Rahm
[D] Edmund Serem
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Armand Duplantis]
Notes:
Armand Duplantis (Sweden) and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (USA) were named World Athletes of the Year 2025 at the World Athletics Awards. Duplantis broke the men’s pole vault world record four times and won all 16 competitions, including indoor and outdoor world titles. He is the first male pole vaulter in modern athletics to remain undefeated in a single event for two consecutive years. McLaughlin-Levrone won the women’s 400 metre title in Tokyo in 47.78 seconds, breaking a 42-year-old World Championships record. She is the first athlete to win world titles in both 400 metre flat and 400 metre hurdles.
4. Where was 15th International Sand Art Festival 2025 inaugurated in India?
[A] Odisha
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the 36th Konark Festival, 15th International Sand Art Festival, and Subhadra Shakti Mela at Chandrabhaga beach, Odisha. The events were held near the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Konark Sun Temple. Classical dances like Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, and Kathak are performed. 143 sand artists from India and abroad are participating in the sand art festival. The festival runs from 1 to 5 December 2025
5. Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is developed by which country?
[A] France
[B] Israel
[C] Russia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
To boost unmanned strength after Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces have urgently procured more satellite-linked Heron Mk II Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Heron Mk II is a Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is 8.5 m long, has a 16.6 m wingspan, and carries a 490 kg payload with 1,430 kg maximum takeoff weight. It flies for 45 hours, reaches 35,000 ft, and operates beyond 1,000 km. It carries Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR), Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and Communications Intelligence (COMINT) systems for long-range border-safe surveillance.
6. Exercise Ekuverin 2025 is conducted between India and which country?
[A] Singapore
[B] Australia
[C] Maldives
[D] Egypt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maldives]
Notes:
The 14th edition of Exercise Ekuverin 2025 has started from 2 December and will run till 15 December at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. “Ekuverin” means “Friends” in the Dhivehi language and it began in 2009. It is a bilateral annual military exercise conducted alternately between India and the Maldives. It involves the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces. It focuses on Counter Insurgency (CI) and Counter Terrorism (CT) operations in semi-urban, jungle, and coastal areas. It also promotes niche technology integration, sharing of best practices, and regional peace and security.
7. Which airport has become first in India to achieve “Water-Positive” Status?
[A] Mumbai International Airport
[B] Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
[C] Kempegowda International Airport
[D] Indira Gandhi International Airport
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indira Gandhi International Airport ]
Notes:
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has become India’s first water-positive airport handling over 40 million passengers per year. Water-positive means the airport recharges more water than it consumes, helping conserve natural resources. The achievement was announced by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). This step also supports IGIA’s long-term goal of becoming a net-zero airport and improving climate readiness.
8. Guinea-Bissau, which was recently in the news due to military rule, is located on which continent?
[A] Asia
[B] Africa
[C] Europe
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Africa]
Notes:
Guinea-Bissau recently came under military rule. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa with Bissau as its capital city. The country borders Senegal to the north and Guinea to the east and south, with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The terrain is mostly low-lying coastal plains with estuaries, rising to savanna in the east, and the Fouta Djallon Plateau dominates the southeast.
9. Which organization has published The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) 2025?
[A] World Bank
[B] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
[C] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
[D] International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)]
Notes:
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) publishes The State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (SOLAW) 2025 every two years. SOLAW 2025 highlights the untapped potential of land, soil, and water to improve sustainable agricultural production, food security, ecosystem services, and resilience. By 2050, agriculture must produce 50% more food, feed, and fibre compared to 2012 and use 25% more freshwater, while expanding farmland is no longer feasible. More than 60% of human-induced land degradation occurs on agricultural lands. Agriculture accounts for more than 70% of global freshwater withdrawal. Intensive farming and excessive chemical use cause pollution and depletion of soil, land, and water resources.
10. Which banks have been listed as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) in RBI’s 2025 list?
[A] ICICI Bank, UCO Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank
[B] Axis Bank, Punjab National Bank, and Yes Bank
[C] Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank, and ICICI Bank
[D] State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank]
Notes:
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has listed State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) for 2025. The three banks continue under the same bucketing structure as the previous year. D-SIBs are banks whose failure can severely affect the financial system and national economy. They are considered “too big to fail” due to size, interconnectedness, and critical banking role. RBI identifies D-SIBs based on systemic importance. D-SIBs must maintain additional CET1 capital above regular norms. Banks are categorized into buckets depending on their systemic criticality.