31. Which ministry launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) to fast-track the cleanup of dumpsites across urban India?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Jal Shakti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
In November 2025, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) during the National Urban Conclave 2025 in New Delhi. DRAP is a year-long, mission-mode initiative to fast-track the cleanup of dumpsites across urban India. The programme aims to achieve the national goal of “Lakshya Zero Dumpsites” by September 2026. Currently, 1,428 sites are under remediation, with 80% of legacy waste concentrated in 214 sites across 202 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). DRAP will target about 8.8 crore metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste at these locations.
32. Which state has become the first in India to launch a large-scale genome sequencing project focused on tribal communities?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
In November 2025, Gujarat announced 2025 as “Tribal Pride Year” to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote tribal heritage through Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and sustainable development. Gujarat became India’s first state to launch a large-scale genome sequencing project focused on tribal communities. Led by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) under the Genome India initiative, it studies genetic disorders caused by limited diversity and endogamy. It targets diseases like sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency through early diagnosis and precision medicine.
33. Which state’s Pollution Control Board has conducted India’s first Plastic Waste Brand Audit–2025?
[A] Punjab
[B] Haryana
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Punjab]
Notes:
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has conducted India’s first Plastic Waste Brand Audit–2025 to tackle plastic pollution. The audit was carried out in six cities — Mohali, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, and Bathinda. It aimed to identify companies producing the most plastic waste in Punjab. 14 major companies, including 4 multinational firms, were found responsible for about 59% of non-recyclable (hard-to-recycle) plastic waste. PPCB analysed 11,810 plastic packets from different brands to determine waste contribution.
34. Which state has become the first in India to implement the “Easy Registry” system to make land registration simple, fast and transparent?
[A] Punjab
[B] Gujarat
[C] Haryana
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Punjab]
Notes:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched the “Easy Registry” system to make land registration simple, fast and transparent. Punjab became the first state in India to introduce this facility to reduce corruption in property registration. Property registration, earlier slow and complex, is now fully digitised and time-bound. Any sub-registrar office in a district can now register property located anywhere in the same district. Citizens can draft sale deeds online or at Sewa Kendras by paying a fee of ₹500. Under the “Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar” scheme, citizens can call 1076 for doorstep service.
35. Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, which formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal, was named by which country?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Yemen
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yemen]
Notes:
Cyclone Ditwah has formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and is moving towards Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry. Ditwah is the third cyclone in the Bay of Bengal after the October-November monsoon season. The name “Ditwah”, suggested by Yemen, means “lagoon”, referring to Detwah Lagoon on Socotra Island, highlighting Yemen’s coastal and maritime heritage.
36. The Bonda Tribe is primarily found in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Members of the Bonda tribe in Malkangiri, Odisha, will shift from thatched huts to permanent pucca houses under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN). Bondas live mainly in Khairaput block, Odisha and are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They are among the oldest tribes of India with Austroasiatic origin. They are divided into Upper Bondas (hilly areas) and Lower Bondas (border regions).
37. Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign has been launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[D] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development launches a 100-day intensive awareness campaign for a Child Marriage Free Bharat at Vigyan Bhawan. The campaign marks one year of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat initiative. The initiative was started on 27 November 2024 by Ministry of Women and Child Development. The campaign runs from 27 November 2025 to 8 March 2026 with the aim of mobilising citizens, institutions, and community leaders against child marriage.
38. Which state earned a Guinness World Record for installing the highest number of solar agriculture pumps in one month?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) set a world record by installing 45,911 solar agricultural pumps in one month. The achievement was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records at Auric City ground. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that this milestone strengthens Maharashtra’s leadership in off-grid solar pump deployment under PM-Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) and Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana (MTSKPY). The initiative ensures irrigation security, increases farmer productivity and incomes, and reduces dependence on conventional energy sources. Maharashtra is now No. 1 in India for solar agriculture pump deployment.
39. What is the name of the operation under which the DRI dismantled the clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra?
[A] Operation Clean Sweep
[B] Operation Hinterland Brew
[C] Operation Green Shield
[D] Operation Silent Strike
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Operation Hinterland Brew]
Notes:
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra during Operation Hinterland Brew. The operation led to the seizure of 128 kg of Mephedrone, valued at approximately ₹192 crore, along with 245 kg of precursor chemicals, raw materials, and a complete processing setup. With this operation, the DRI has dismantled five clandestine drug manufacturing facilities in 2025, highlighting its intelligence-driven vigilance, operational excellence, and commitment to the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The operation reinforces efforts to protect citizens from narcotic and psychotropic substances and strengthen law enforcement against illicit drug networks.
40. Which ministry introduced the APAAR ID system?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[B] Ministry of Skill Development
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
The Orissa High Court directed state and central education authorities to amend the consent form used for generating APAAR IDs. The court mandated inclusion of a clear and explicit opt-out option for students and parents. The direction reinforces the principle of informed and voluntary consent in student data collection. APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It was introduced by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is part of the “One Nation, One Student ID” initiative under NEP 2020.