1. Which state recently launched the 5th phase of Mission Shakti to strengthen women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the fifth phase of Mission Shakti on 22nd September 2025, coinciding with Sharadiya Navratri, for 30 days. The campaign focuses on women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance with strong interdepartmental coordination. 44,177 women police personnel will cover 57,000 gram panchayats and 14,000 urban wards to spread awareness of rights and schemes. Pink Booths in municipal corporations and Anti-Romeo squads will be strengthened for safety. The UP model of Mission Shakti has been recognized nationally for replication in other states.
2. Which state is the first to use the redesigned EVM ballot papers with colour photographs of candidates?
[A] Bihar
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Gujarat
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) unveiled a new design for Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) ballot papers for better clarity and voter convenience. The new design will be first used in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. For the first time, ballot papers will carry coloured photographs of candidates. Larger serial numbers in bold, international Indian numerals with font size 30 will improve readability. Names of candidates and NOTA will appear in uniform font type and size.
3. Which railway station has been renamed as Ahilyanagar to honour Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar in Maharashtra?
[A] Daund railway station
[B] Ahmednagar railway station
[C] Manmad railway station
[D] Solapur railway station
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ahmednagar railway station]
Notes:
The Ahmednagar railway station of Pune division in Maharashtra has been renamed as Ahilyanagar to honour Lokmata Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. The change was approved by the Union Home Ministry after a Maharashtra Government proposal. The renaming aligns the station’s name with the district, which was officially renamed Ahilyanagar earlier this year. Central Railway confirmed the update on 16th September 2025. The station code ANG will remain unchanged.
4. Which state won the Best State Award under the ‘Mera Resham – Mera Abhiman’ programme of the Central Silk Board?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh won the Best State Award under the ‘Mera Resham – Mera Abhiman’ programme. The programme is initiated by the Central Silk Board (CSB), Government of India, to support silk farmers and reelers. The award was presented on 20 September 2025 during the 76th Central Silk Board Foundation Day in Bengaluru. Awareness programmes conducted in Sri Sathya Sai, Chittoor, Annamayya, Anantapur, Prakasam, and Kakinada districts increased cocoon production and encouraged mulberry cultivation. Andhra Pradesh previously won the Best Tableau Award during Independence Day 2025.
5. The Sujalam Bharat Summit is a national initiative led by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture
[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[C] Ministry of Environment
[D] Ministry of Tourism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Jal Shakti]
Notes:
The Central Water Commission (CWC) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti organised a virtual workshop on “Technology for Efficient Water Management” in the Sujalam Bharat Summit 2025. The Sujalam Bharat Summit is a national initiative led by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and coordinated by NITI Aayog. It focuses on water management, sanitation, and sustainable practices. The summit aims to bring grassroots perspectives into national policy-making in line with the Prime Minister’s vision.
6. What is the name of the passenger vessel that completed its maiden voyage to Barren Island in October 2025?
[A] Samudra
[B] Sindhu
[C] Sagarika
[D] Varuna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sindhu]
Notes:
Recently, passenger vessel ‘Sindhu’ completed its maiden voyage to Barren Island, the only active volcano in the Indian subcontinent. The trip was flagged off by Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar on October 24, 2025, from Haddo Wharf, Port Blair. Barren Island lies about 140 km from Port Blair, located at the junction of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates. The ship, carrying 500 passengers including 125 school students, returned safely on October 25, 2025. The Union Territory Administration will operate two such trips every month to boost tourism. The voyage offered breathtaking views of the volcanic glow, sunrise, and Andaman Sea, marking a historic step in the islands’ tourism development.
7. Which state has become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
On Kerala Piravi Day (November 1, 2025), Kerala declared eradication of extreme poverty, becoming India’s first state to achieve this milestone. The success came under the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) launched in 2021 by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. The Local Self-Government Department acted as the nodal agency, with 4 lakh trained personnel including officials, volunteers, and elected representatives. 59,000 families were confirmed as extremely poor after verification based on income, health, housing, and food security.
8. The Katkari Tribe is primarily found in which states?
[A] Maharashtra and Gujarat
[B] Kerala and Tamil Nadu
[C] Bihar and Jharkhand
[D] Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra and Gujarat]
Notes:
The Shramjeevi Organisation will hold a two-day protest with silent fasts and symbolic lamps to highlight the plight of the Katkari Tribe. The protest demands land rights, unpaid wages, and dignity for this marginalised community. The Katkari Tribe is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) found mainly in Pune, Raigad, and Thane districts of Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat. Traditionally, they were forest dwellers known for making Katha (Catechu) from the Khair tree (Acacia catechu).
9. What was the name of the operation launched by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in November 2025 to bust the synthetic drug factory in Gujarat?
[A] Operation Black Wave
[B] Operation Silent Valley
[C] Operation Blue Smoke
[D] Operation White Cauldron
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Operation White Cauldron]
Notes:
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a secret drug factory in Valsad, Gujarat under “Operation White Cauldron.” The factory was producing Alprazolam, a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The raid on 4th November 2025 led to the seizure of Alprazolam worth ₹22 crore. This is DRI’s fourth such bust in 2025 under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.
10. Which northeastern state government approved the ‘Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025’ in November 2025?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Tripura
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
The Assam Cabinet approved ‘The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025’ to ban the practice of polygamy in the state. The Bill prohibits marriage if a person already has a living spouse, is not legally separated, or divorce is not finalized. Exceptions may apply to areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. It will be tabled in the Assembly on November 25, 2025 for passage. A special fund will be created to support women victims of polygamy.