1. Recently, where was the international conference on ‘Exploring the Life and Living Legacy of Guru Padmasambhava’ held?
[A] Indore, Madhya Pradesh
[B] Ayodhya, UP
[C] Nalanda, Bihar
[D] Kutch, Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nalanda, Bihar]
Notes:
The International Buddhist Confederation and Nava Nalanda Mahavihara hosted a two-day conference in Nalanda, Bihar, on Guru Padmasambhava’s life and legacy. Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, lived in the 8th century in India and is a highly respected figure in Buddhism. He is recognized as a founding father of Tibetan Buddhism and arrived in Tibet in 749 A.D. He spread Buddha’s teachings across the Himalayan regions including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet. A Tantrist and Yogācāra sect member, he taught at Nalanda and is associated with a blend of Yogic, Tantric practices, and cultural elements such as art, music, and folklore.
2. Which state government recently approved a ‘New Digital Policy’ to regulate content, encourage influencers, and promote government initiatives?
[A] Bihar
[B] Haryana
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a new social media policy to regulate content on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Social media influencers can earn up to ₹8 lakh per month by promoting government schemes. The policy aims to create job opportunities for residents within the state and those living elsewhere. Platforms are divided into four categories based on followers for payouts. Maximum monthly payouts range from ₹2 lakh to ₹8 lakh depending on the platform and content type. A digital agency named ‘V-Form’ will manage government advertisements. The policy includes guidelines for handling objectionable content, targeting anti-national, anti-social, fake news, or inflammatory posts.
3. eShram Portal, recently seen in the news, was launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Labour and Employment]
Notes:
The Ministry of Labour & Employment launched the eShram portal on 26th August 2021. In just three years, over 30 crore unorganised workers registered on eShram, showing rapid adoption. The portal aims to be a “One-Stop-Solution” for unorganised workers, integrating with other platforms. This integration was highlighted in the 2024-25 Budget speech to improve access to social security schemes. eShram will help unorganised workers access schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, AB-PMJAY, and others. A two-way integration with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is also underway to enhance service accessibility.
4. Recently, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh inaugurated three-day Armed Forces Festival in which city?
[A] Kanpur
[B] Varanasi
[C] Lucknow
[D] Ayodhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Lucknow]
Notes:
The three-day Armed Forces Festival began at Surya Khel Parisar in Lucknow Cantonment with much enthusiasm. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festival. He praised the Indian Armed Forces as unparalleled globally, recognized even by India’s enemies. He highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s leading role in national defense efforts. The Defense Corridor in Uttar Pradesh provides significant employment opportunities for youth. Over 8,000 people attended the festival, enjoying a display of the latest military equipment. The exhibition showcased tanks, helicopters, artillery guns, and more, highlighting India’s technological advancements. The T-90 tank was a notable exhibit.
5. Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is organizing a five-day residential Management Development Programme (MDP) with which institution?
[A] IIM Ahmedabad
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIM Amritsar
[D] IIT Kanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIM Amritsar]
Notes:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and IIM Amritsar conducted a five-day Management Development Programme. The program ran from 2nd to 6th September 2024. It included Elected Representatives and Functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions from ten states. Participants came from Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The aim was to strengthen leadership, management, and governance skills. The initiative focused on improving local governance and enhancing Panchayat services. The program supported the vision of a developed India.
6. Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced the construction of Vedic-3D museum in which city?
[A] Kanpur
[B] Ayodhya
[C] Varanasi
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Varanasi]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government announced a Vedic-3D museum at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi. The museum will focus on Indian astrology, astronomy, and Vedic literature, showcasing the evolution of Vedic traditions like the 16 Sanskars, 64 arts, and 18 Vidya Sthans. It will display rare manuscripts preserved in Saraswati Bhawan, including “Raas Panchadhyayi,” Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, and Durgasaptashati, adorned with gold artistry. The museum aims to revive ‘Shastrartha’ (spiritual discourse) and deepen knowledge in Vedic literature.
7. Project Strawberry, which was seen in the news, is related to which field?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Artificial Intelligence
[C] Finance
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Artificial Intelligence]
Notes:
OpenAI is preparing to release its most advanced AI model, potentially part of ChatGPT-5, known as Project Strawberry. This model is expected to greatly enhance AI’s reasoning, math, and programming skills, bringing OpenAI closer to developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Project Strawberry can generate high-quality synthetic data to address gaps in real-world data and improve training accuracy. AGI refers to AI with capabilities comparable to the human brain.
Synthetic data is artificial data created by algorithms to replicate real-world data patterns and characteristics.
8. Recently, where was the first Joint Commanders’ Conference (JCC) held?
[A] Gandhinagar
[B] Lucknow
[C] Bhopal
[D] Patna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lucknow]
Notes:
The first Joint Commanders’ Conference held in Lucknow with the theme ‘Sashakt and Surakshit Bharat: Transforming Armed Forces’. The focus is on preparing India’s military for the changing operational environment. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are leading the event. General Chauhan reviewed the security situation and stressed the importance of jointness and future integration for modern warfare.
9. What are “Globba tyrnaensis and Globba janakiae”, recently seen in news?
[A] New species of medicinal herbs
[B] New species of plants from the ginger family
[C] Rare species of cactus
[D] Newly discovered species of frogs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New species of plants from the ginger family]
Notes:
Two new ginger species, Globba tyrnaensis and Globba janakiae, were discovered in Meghalaya’s Double Decker Living Root Bridge area. These plants, called “dancing girls” for their flower movement, belong to the Globba genus of ornamental plants in the ginger family. Globba tyrnaensis was found in Tyrna village at 731 meters elevation and also near Thangkharang Park. It has orange flowers, large anthers, and produces bulbils for propagation. Globba janakiae, with fewer than 10 individuals, has unique heart-shaped labellum and is critically endangered. It honors botanist EK Janaki Ammal.
10. According to recent report, which country has secured the top spot as biggest plastic polluter in the world?
[A] Russia
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
A study published in Nature reveals India is the world’s largest plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 million tonnes annually.
Plastic emissions are defined as materials moving from a controlled to an uncontrolled state in the environment. India’s plastic pollution accounts for about 20% of global emissions. India generates around 0.12 kilograms of plastic waste per capita per day. Global plastic waste emissions were 52.1 million tonnes in 2020. Nigeria and Indonesia are the second and third largest polluters, with 3.5 and 3.4 million tonnes, respectively. High-income countries have higher waste rates but better collection and disposal systems.