1. Which Indian institute developed the novel heterostructure catalyst to enhance green hydrogen production?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[B] Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali
[C] Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
[D] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali]
Notes:
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have found a new way to improve green hydrogen production. They created a special heterostructure using Copper Tungsten Oxide and Copper Oxide. This structure uses the Built-In Electric Field (BIEF) effect to boost the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER). The Copper Tungsten Oxide nanoparticles are grown over a Cu(OH)₂ base, forming a p-n heterojunction with an uneven electronic setup. This BIEF helps in better proton adsorption and desorption. Green hydrogen, made from water using clean energy, is a pollution-free fuel of the future.
2. PRAVAAH portal was launched by which institution?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] State Bank of India (SBI)
[C] Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
[D] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made it mandatory for all banks, financial institutions, and regulated entities to submit applications through the PRAVAAH portal from May 1, 2025. PRAVAAH stands for Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorization. It is a secure, web-based digital portal launched by RBI on May 28, 2024. The portal serves as a single-window system for applying for RBI permissions, licenses, and approvals. This step aims to improve transparency, reduce paperwork, and speed up the approval process. It ensures faster communication between applicants and the RBI.
3. Which state government has launched the Tourism Security Force, also known as Paryatan Mitra, to improve tourist safety and boost tourism?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Maharashtra government has launched the Tourism Security Force, also known as Paryatan Mitra, to improve tourist safety and boost tourism. The pilot launch will be held during the Mahabaleshwar festival from 1st to 4th May 2025 in Satara district. The Tourism Department will appoint tourism police on a contract basis to make tourists feel secure while visiting the state. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation will fund the project with help from the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and Satara police. These tourism police will also guide tourists by sharing information on cultural sites, laws, and sustainable tourism.
4. Vembanad Lake, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
The Vembanad Lake Rejuvenation Project, led by the Alappuzha District Administration, is inspired by the Namami Gange Programme for river conservation. A five-year plan worth ₹188.25 crore has been submitted to the Chief Minister of Kerala and may be revised based on studies by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). Vembanad Lake is the longest lake in India and the largest in Kerala, stretching about 96.5 kilometres. It spreads across Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts, covering around 2,033 square kilometres. The lake is known by names like Vembanad Kayal, Punnamada Lake, and Kochi Lake in different regions. It receives water from six rivers, including Meenachil, Achankovil, Pamba, and Manimala, and drains into the Arabian Sea.
5. Who has been appointed as the chairman of National Security Advisory Board (NSAB)?
[A] Brajesh Mishra
[B] J. N. Dixit
[C] Maheshwar Rao
[D] Alok Joshi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Alok Joshi]
Notes:
The government has revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) after the Pahalgam terror attack, appointing former intelligence chief Alok Joshi as chairman. National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) is an advisory body under the National Security Council (NSC) structure. It is chaired by the Prime Minister, supported by the National Security Advisor (NSA) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). Established in 1998 after the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, it institutionalized India’s national security framework. The NSAB provides non-partisan strategic inputs on national security issues but is not a decision-making body. It reports to the NSCS and includes experts from various sectors.
6. Which state is the host of 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG)?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG) will take place on June 9-10 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The theme of the two-day conference is ‘Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation.’ It will include six plenary sessions and six breakout sessions. The event is jointly organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Andhra Pradesh’s collaboration. The conference will discuss strategies to enhance public service quality and promote “minimum government, maximum governance.” National e-Gov Awards (NAeG) 2025 will be conferred, and notable leaders will participate, including Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister.
7. Which village in Jharkhand has become the first to be completely relocated from the core area of the Palamu Tiger Reserve?
[A] Burha
[B] Jaigir
[C] Latehar
[D] Betla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jaigir]
Notes:
Years of efforts by Jharkhand forest officials have succeeded with Jaigir becoming the first village to be fully relocated outside the core area of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). Palamu Tiger Reserve is located in the western part of the Chotanagpur plateau and spreads across Latehar and Garhwa districts in Jharkhand. It covers a total area of 1,014 square kilometers, with 414 square kilometers as core and 600 square kilometers as buffer. It was among the first nine reserves established under ‘Project Tiger’, a conservation program launched in 1973 by the Government of India.
8. Which sector does the “Orange Economy” primarily refer to?
[A] Agriculture and horticulture sectors
[B] Digital and AI industries
[C] Creativity and cultural industries
[D] Renewable energy sectors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Creativity and cultural industries]
Notes:
At the recent World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s growing Orange Economy driven by content, creativity and culture. The Orange Economy, also called the creative economy, covers sectors that are based on cultural and creative ideas. As per the United Nations Economic Network, it focuses on using creative assets to boost economic growth and development. It combines economic, cultural and social factors while linking with technology, intellectual property and tourism. It includes industries based on individual talent, skill and innovation that can generate jobs, income and cultural value.
9. Which organization is responsible for implementation of the Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Rail Link Project?
[A] Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
[D] Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)]
Notes:
Tunnel No. 8 (T-8) is set to become India’s longest railway tunnel at 14.57 km, overtaking Tunnel No. 50 (T-50), which is 12.77 km long on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link. It is part of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link Project in Uttarakhand. T-8 is a twin tunnel located on the Devprayag–Janasu stretch of this 125-km rail line. The Rishikesh–Karnaprayag Broad Gauge Rail Link Project is being implemented by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways.
10. Mount Makalu, that was recently seen in news, lies on the border between which two regions?
[A] India and Nepal
[B] Nepal and Tibet
[C] India and Bhutan
[D] Bhutan and China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal and Tibet]
Notes:
The Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) recently scaled Mt. Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world. Mt. Makalu stands at 8,485 meters above sea level and is located in the Mahalangur range of the Nepal Himalayas on the Nepal-Tibet border. It lies 23 kilometers southeast of Mount Everest and is part of the Makalu Barun National Park. The mountain is famous for its pyramid-like shape with sharp ridges and includes two subsidiary peaks, Makalu I and Makalu II.