1. Ayushman Bharat Diwas is observed annually on which day?
[A] April 29
[B] April 30
[C] May 1
[D] May 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 30]
Notes:
Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated every year on April 30 to honour the achievements of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). PM-JAY is a government health insurance scheme that offers up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization care. The scheme targets over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families in India who cannot afford expensive medical treatment. It provides cashless and paperless treatment at any accredited hospital across India. On Ayushman Bharat Diwas, events are held nationwide to spread awareness and celebrate the scheme’s impact. The day also recognises the efforts of frontline workers and healthcare professionals involved in delivering quality services to beneficiaries.
2. Which state has joined India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor with Madhya Pradesh in May 2025?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Rajasthan has joined India’s first inter-state cheetah conservation corridor with Madhya Pradesh. This wildlife corridor is designed to connect protected areas in both states, allowing reintroduced cheetahs to roam safely across a vast ecosystem. The corridor covers 17,000 square kilometers, with 10,500 square kilometers in Madhya Pradesh and 6,500 square kilometers in Rajasthan. Key locations include Palpur Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, which will serve as cheetah habitats. Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, along with several districts like Kota and Sawai Madhopur, has been identified as a cheetah habitat.
3. Which badminton players received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in May 2025?
[A] P.V. Sindhu and Saina Nehwal
[B] Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
[C] Kidambi Srikanth and Lakshya Sen
[D] Sameer Verma and Parupalli Kashyap
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty]
Notes:
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty recently received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for their outstanding achievements in badminton. The pair reached the No. 1 rank in the Badminton World Federation rankings in 2023 and won the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou. The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award was originally established as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1991–92 and renamed in 2021. It is India’s highest sporting honour, given for the most exceptional performance by a sportsperson over the last four years. Only performances in recognized international events are eligible for consideration. The award includes a ₹25 lakh cash prize, a medal, and a certificate of honour, with typically one award given each year.
4. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently found 11 Satavahana-era inscriptions in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Karnataka
[C] Telangana
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Telangana]
Notes:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently found 11 Satavahana-era inscriptions in the Gundaram Forest of Telangana’s Peddapalli district. Two inscriptions mention the Chutu dynasty and a Satavahana prince named Kumāra Hakusiri. These inscriptions are written in early Brahmi script and show religious and political symbols. The Satavahana dynasty was founded by Simuka after the Mauryan Empire, around mid-1st century BCE. The word “Satavahana” in Prakrit means “driven by seven,” symbolizing the chariot of the Sun God. Their main regions were Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. They ruled from capitals like Pratishthana (Paithan) and Amaravati.
5. What is the name of initiative launched by Ministry of Home Affairs to eradicate Naxalism and Maoist ideology?
[A] Operation Prahar
[B] Operation Kagar
[C] Operation Shakti
[D] Operation Vijay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Operation Kagar]
Notes:
Operation Kagar has successfully encircled the last remaining Naxal strongholds in the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border regions. Operation Kagar was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs to eliminate Maoist insurgents and dismantle the political ideology of Maoism. The operation combines military action, surveillance technology, and development outreach to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). The campaign has reduced Naxal-affected districts from 106 in 2015 to just 6 in 2025. In 2024, 287 Naxals were neutralized, with over 150 already in 2025.
6. Which institution released the report on ‘Enhancing MSMEs Competitiveness in India’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog, along with the Institute for Competitiveness (IFC), released a report titled ‘Enhancing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Competitiveness in India’. The report highlights reforms needed in credit access, skill development, innovation, and market linkages to boost MSMEs. Using firm-level data and Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it suggests ways to integrate MSMEs into global value chains. Focus sectors include textiles, chemicals, automotive, and food processing. Credit access improved between 2020 and 2024, yet only 19% demand was met formally by 2021, with ₹80 lakh crore unmet. The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) expanded but still needs redesign for wider impact.
7. Which institute has developed a 3D computational model to study thermoregulation in space?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
[B] Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
[C] Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
[D] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)]
Notes:
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) have developed a 3D computational model to study thermoregulation in space. It shows that microgravity consistently increases human core body temperature, which is important for long-duration space missions. Microgravity is a condition of near-weightlessness experienced when objects are in free fall around Earth, not the absence of gravity. In microgravity, normal body functions like heat regulation are altered due to changes in blood flow and metabolism. The IIST model includes sweating, shivering, clothing, and organ heat to simulate real human conditions in space.
8. Teak (Tectona grandis) is primarily grown in which type of forest?
[A] Tropical rainforest
[B] Moist deciduous forest
[C] Tropical evergreen forest
[D] Coniferous forests
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moist deciduous forest]
Notes:
Tissue-cultured teak is being promoted in India as a high-yield, fast-return solution to enhance timber cultivation and trade, sparking discussions on its economic and ecological impact. Teak (Tectona grandis) is renowned for its strength, durability, and resistance to pests and water, earning it the title “king of timbers.” It is a valuable tropical hardwood used in shipbuilding, furniture, and flooring. India holds 35% of the world’s planted teak forests, with Asia contributing over 95% of global teak resources. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have the largest areas of native teak forests, according to the FAO Global Teak Resources and Market Assessment 2022. Teak is native to South and Southeast Asia and grows mainly in moist deciduous forests.
9. Which Indian Naval Ship (INS) participated in the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise conducted in Maldives from May 4 to 10, 2025?
[A] INS Sumitra
[B] INS Vikramaditya
[C] INS Sharda
[D] INS Trikand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [INS Sharda]
Notes:
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sharda arrived at Maafilaafushi Atoll in the Maldives for a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise from May 4 to 10, 2025. The exercise is being held in partnership with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). It aims to improve coordination in disaster response, search and rescue, medical aid, and joint drills. This initiative strengthens the India-Maldives defence partnership. It aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth across Regions. The exercise includes training and outreach to enhance regional preparedness.
10. Where is the headquarters of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) located?
[A] Rabat, Morocco
[B] Cairo, Egypt
[C] Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
[D] Tehran, Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jeddah, Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
In a recent statement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed concern over the rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urged both sides to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations, with 57 member countries across four continents. It was founded on 25 September 1969 in Rabat, Morocco, following the arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The OIC works to protect Islamic values and the sovereignty and independence of its member states. It also aims to promote peace, security, and cooperation in political, economic, and social matters. The OIC acts as the unified voice of the Muslim world on global issues. Its headquarters is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its official languages are Arabic, English, and French.