41. Recently, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship collaborated with which country to energise agriculture sector of India with emerging skills?
[A] Canada
[B] New Zealand
[C] Australia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Australian Government held a roundtable to review the Australia-India Critical Agriculture Skills Pilot Project. Led by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari and Mr. Mathew Johnston, the discussion focused on scaling and replicating the initiative. Representatives from NCVET, NSDC, ICAR, MoE, and ASCI attended. The project, initiated last March, identified five critical agriculture job roles through extensive consultations with 89 experts from 64 organizations.
42. Baltic Sea, recently seen in the news due to Nord Stream pipelines, is located in which region?
[A] Northern Europe
[B] Western Australia
[C] South America
[D] Central Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Northern Europe]
Notes:
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that a significant portion of methane gas released from ruptured Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea last September did not reach the atmosphere. Methane, a primary component of natural gas, contributes significantly to global warming. The Baltic Sea, a semi-enclosed sea in Northern Europe, connects several countries and plays a vital role in regional and international maritime trade and transportation.
43. Recently, which state government has introduced the first AI-based smart fence project, named ‘Ele-fence’, to reduce human-wildlife conflict?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Kerala
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Ele-fence project, India’s first AI-based smart fence, is being deployed in Wayanad, Kerala, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, primarily involving elephants. Implemented by White Elephant Technologies and the Kerala Forest Department, it aims to prevent crop loss and casualties caused by elephants encroaching on human habitats. Human-wildlife conflicts escalate as human populations grow and encroach into animal habitats, affecting biodiversity and local economies. The Ele-fence seeks to protect both wildlife and human livelihoods in affected areas.
44. According to the UNCTAD report, India dropped to what position in 2023 in terms of FDI inflows?
[A] 9th
[B] 12th
[C] 14th
[D] 15th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [15th]
Notes:
According to a UNCTAD report, foreign direct investment (FDI) to India dropped by 43% in 2023, falling from 49 billion in 2022 to 28 billion. Globally, FDI declined by 2%. India, China, France, Australia, and the USA saw reduced FDI inflows. India’s global FDI recipient rank fell from 8th to 15th in 2023 but remained in the top five for attracting greenfield projects and international project finance deals.
45. Recently, India has secured what position in the Global Domestic Airline Market?
[A] First
[B] Second
[C] Third
[D] Fifth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Third]
Notes:
India’s aviation sector has ascended to the world’s third-largest domestic market, advancing from fifth place a decade ago under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The average yearly growth rate in airline seat capacity is a leading 6.9%. Low-cost carriers (LCCs) now dominate with 78.4% market share, led by IndiGo capturing 62%. LCCs’ rapid expansion, with IndiGo growing 13.9% annually, has significantly boosted accessibility and contributed to economic growth.
46. Recently, who has been appointed as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha?
[A] Piyush Goyal
[B] JP Nadda
[C] Chirag Paswan
[D] Rajnath Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [JP Nadda ]
Notes:
Union Minister JP Nadda has been appointed Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, succeeding Piyush Goyal, who is now a Lok Sabha member from North Mumbai, Maharashtra. Nadda was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat by the BJP in February this year.
47. Recently, where was the ‘Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education’ inaugurated?
[A] Jaipur
[B] Gandhinagar
[C] Patna
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gandhinagar]
Notes:
The Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE) was inaugurated on June 23 at Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha highlighted BCORE’s role as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and performance in Indian sports. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee, BCORE promotes Olympic values as an academic center.
48. Which organization recently witnessed ‘Gigantic Jets’ over the Himalayan Mountains?
[A] JAXA
[B] ISRO
[C] NASA
[D] CNSA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NASA]
Notes:
NASA recently observed gigantic jets over the Himalayan Mountains. These rare and powerful lightning phenomena extend from the top of a cloud to the edge of space, differing from regular cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. Documented only in the 21st century, the bottoms of gigantic jets resemble blue jets, while the tops look like red sprites. This discovery adds to our understanding of atmospheric phenomena.
49. Recently, which organization has successfully completed six consecutive development trials of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] HAL
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [DRDO]
Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently completed six successful trials of the High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’ in Chandipur, Odisha. Designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen & Toubro, ABHYAS provides realistic threat scenarios for weapon systems practice. It features autonomous flying, a laptop-based Ground Control System, and data recording capabilities for post-flight analysis.
50. Recently, where was the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Annual Board meeting held?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bhutan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
India participated in the CLGF Annual Board meeting in Sri Lanka, focusing on “Reinforcing Social Resilience through Women’s Political Representation.” CLGF, headquartered in London since 1995, unites local governments and ministries across 56 Commonwealth nations, including India. It advocates for gender equality in local governance to support women’s active participation in public life, aligning with SDG 5 goals.
