41. Which Indian-origin scientist won the Crafoord Prize, called the “Nobel of Geosciences”?
[A] Veerabhadran Ramanathan
[B] Nikku Madhusudhan
[C] Vandi Verma
[D] Hargovind Khorana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Veerabhadran Ramanathan]
Notes:
Veerabhadran Ramanathan, an 81-year-old Indian-origin scientist, won the Crafoord Prize, called the “Nobel of Geosciences,” for his pioneering climate research. He grew up in southern India, studied engineering in Bengaluru, and moved to the United States for higher studies. Early work at a refrigeration company led him to study chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and their heat-trapping effect on the atmosphere. In 1975, his Science paper showed that a single CFC molecule could warm the planet as much as thousands of carbon dioxide molecules. His work contributed to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, banning CFCs and preventing further warming.
42. Mount Aconcagua, that was recently seen in news, is located in which mountain range?
[A] Himalayas
[B] Andes
[C] Rockies
[D] Alps
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andes]
Notes:
Indian mountaineer Kabak Yano from Arunachal Pradesh successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. The climb is part of her ambitious 7-Summit Mountaineering Expedition. Mt Aconcagua, located in the Andes of Argentina, is the highest peak in South America and outside Asia, standing at 6,962 meters. The mountain is of volcanic origin but is not currently active.
43. Which state government launched Pilloo AI, a voice-based billing and accounting assistant for businesses?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched Pilloo AI, a voice-based billing and accounting assistant for businesses. The app allows users to create invoices, record transactions, generate reports, and manage accounts by speaking in their native language. No prior accounting knowledge or complex software is required, saving time and reducing manual effort. Pilloo AI supports five Indian languages and can record daily sales and payments, generate balance sheets, receivables, and payables. It automates purchase and bank transaction entries by extracting data from uploaded bills and bank statements.
44. Which country is the host of 6th Badminton Asia Team Championships 2026?
[A] India
[B] Malaysia
[C] Indonesia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
The 6th Badminton Asia Team Championships began on 3 February 2026 in Qingdao, China, with men’s and women’s national teams from Asia. India’s women are defending their title without two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, who withdrew from the tournament. Women’s team is in Group Y with fourth seeds Thailand and Myanmar, featuring Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda, Malvika Bansod, and doubles pair Treesa Jolly–Gayatri Gopichand. Men’s team is in Group C with fourth seeds Japan and Singapore, comprising Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, and doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy–Chirag Shetty.
45. Who became the youngest Asian squash player to enter the World Top 20 in Professional Squash Association (PSA) rankings?
[A] Dipika Pallikal
[B] Anahat Singh
[C] Tanvi Khanna
[D] Urwashi Joshi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Anahat Singh]
Notes:
Indian teenage squash player Anahat Singh became the youngest Asian to enter the PSA World Top 20, breaking Nicol David’s record. She achieved this after winning her first PSA Bronze-level title at the Washington Fire Open. In the tournament, she defeated world number 17 in the quarterfinal, world number 23 in the semifinal, and world number 10 Georgina Kennedy in the final (12-10, 11-5, 11-7).
46. Which state leads the country in rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY)?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
More than 26 lakh households in India have benefited from PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) since its launch in February 2024. 20,85,514 rooftop solar (RTS) systems have been installed nationwide, providing clean energy access. Rs 14,771.82 crore in Central Financial Assistance (CFA) has been disbursed up to December 2025. The scheme allows eligible grid-connected residential consumers to install solar panels via the national portal. Gujarat leads with 5.15 lakh installations benefiting 7.41 lakh households, followed by Maharashtra (3.92 lakh) and Uttar Pradesh (3.26 lakh). The programme promotes affordable household solar energy and supports India’s clean energy transition.
47. Which state government launched the ‘Samikshya’ portal for real-time monitoring of projects in February 2026?
[A] Odisha
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Bihar
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Samikshya’ portal for real-time monitoring of projects funded under State Finance Commission (SFC) and Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants. State Finance Commission (SFC) emphasized equity, regional disparities, and differing needs of rural and urban local bodies, offering financial and non-financial development measures. The portal aims to improve transparency, accountability, timely execution, and better service delivery of SFC- and CFC-funded works at the grassroots level.
48. The first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Government of India’s Shipbuilding Development Scheme has been formed in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under India’s Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) has been formed: National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu (NSHIP, TN). It is a 50:50 Joint Venture between VOC Port (GoI) and SIPCOT (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu). The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will create a roadmap for the Thoothukudi Greenfield Shipbuilding Cluster, access central funding, enable digital and technical infrastructure, and strengthen Centre–State–industry collaboration with global partners.
49. Where was the 10th Mising Youth Festival (2026) held?
[A] Assam
[B] Nagaland
[C] Manipur
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
The 10th Mising Youth Festival 2026 was held from 26–30 January at Kareng Chapori, Dhemaji, Assam. It celebrates the heritage of the Mising tribe through traditional music, dance, and art. The festival was organized by Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) to showcase the culture of the Brahmaputra Valley’s riparian community. The event emphasizes that protection of tribal rights, culture, language, literature, and music is achieved through cultural unity, not conflict. The Donyi-Polo tradition of the Mising community teaches that worshipping nature is equivalent to worshipping God.
50. World Cancer Day is observed every year on which day?
[A] February 1
[B] February 2
[C] February 3
[D] February 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [February 4]
Notes:
World Cancer Day is observed every year on 4 February. It is a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). It aims to raise awareness about cancer, promote prevention and early detection, and ensure equitable access to treatment. The theme for World Cancer Day 2025–2027 is “United by Unique”, which focuses on placing individuals at the center of cancer care while fostering global unity to make a difference.