31. 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).
32. Which state government has announced one per cent reservation for orphans in education and government jobs in December 2025?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced one per cent reservation for orphans in education and government jobs. He called the decision a “historic milestone” and a step towards social justice and equal opportunity. The policy was first introduced during his earlier term in 2018. The initiative is guided by Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s vision of equal access for all sections of society.
33. Which state has become first to achieve 100% digitisation of voter lists under Special Intensive Revision 2026 (SIR-2026)?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Rajasthan became the first state to achieve 100% digitisation of voter lists under Special Intensive Revision 2026 (SIR-2026). More than 97% voter mapping completed; only 3% voters need document verification during claims and objections. This equals about 30 voters per polling booth needing extra checks. Success credited to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), supervisors and district officials. Digitisation made the process more transparent, improved booth-wise voter management, and reduced repeated document submission by voters.
34. Project Mausam is a cultural-diplomacy and maritime heritage initiative launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Tourism
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Culture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Culture]
Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India organised a national workshop on Project Mausam titled “Islands at the Crossroads of Maritime Networks within Indian Ocean Region.” Project Mausam is a cultural-diplomacy and maritime heritage initiative launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Culture. It explores the Indian Ocean world, documenting cultural, commercial, and religious interactions through archaeological and historical research. The project identifies 39 Indian Ocean countries for study and potential UNESCO World Heritage inscription. It promotes research on maritime routes via international seminars and a multidisciplinary approach.
35. Which state government has recently imposed a complete ban on physical and mental punishment in schools?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Maharashtra government has imposed a complete ban on physical and mental punishment in schools, reinforcing Section 17 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. A new government resolution makes it clear that teachers, headmasters, and temporary or contractual staff cannot punish students under any circumstances. The order also prohibits verbal abuse, taunting, offensive language, and any behaviour causing psychological distress or inferiority among students. Discrimination based on academic performance, caste, religion, gender, language, disability, or socio-economic background will be treated as a punishable offence. Teachers are barred from non-academic communication with students through personal messages or social media.
36. Which state government approved the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act in December 2025?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Jharkhand approved the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2025 with Governor Santosh Gangwar’s assent. The Act provides a formal welfare and social security system for gig and platform workers. It covers delivery, transport and on-demand service workers. A Gig Workers’ Welfare Board will handle registration, identity cards and welfare schemes. The Act mandates minimum wages, medical insurance and social security benefits for workers. Aggregators violating provisions may face penalties up to ₹10 lakh. Jharkhand becomes one of the first states to regulate the gig economy through a dedicated law.
37. Recently, where was the ‘Rashtriya Prerna Sthal’ inaugurated in Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Lucknow
[B] Varanasi
[C] Gorakhpur
[D] Ayodhya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lucknow]
Notes:
The Prime Minister inaugurated Rashtriya Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It is a national memorial dedicated to the life, ideas, and values of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The complex is located on the banks of the Gomti River and spread over 65 acres. The lotus-shaped museum covers 98,000 square feet with five galleries and 12 interpretation walls showing the lives and ideas of the leaders.
38. The National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 (NFAP-2025) is released by which organization?
[A] Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[C] Ministry of Communications
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Communications]
Notes:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, released the National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 (NFAP-2025). NFAP-2025 is a key policy governing the management and allocation of radio-frequency spectrum in India. It allocates spectrum to various radio-communication services in the frequency range 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz. The plan serves as a reference for spectrum managers, wireless operators, and telecom equipment manufacturers. National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 (NFAP-2025) identifies the 6425–7125 MHz band for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), boosting mid-band spectrum for 5G, 5G Advanced, and future 6G networks.
39. The Salal Hydroelectric Project is located on which river?
[A] Ravi
[B] Jhelum
[C] Chenab
[D] Indus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chenab]
Notes:
The Union Minister directed sediment removal at the Salal Power Project in Jammu and Kashmir to maximise water use amid the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan being kept in abeyance. Salal is a 690 Megawatt (MW) run-of-the-river hydroelectric project on the Chenab River in Reasi district. It is owned by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). It was India’s first hydropower project under the Indus Waters Treaty regime in Kashmir. The dam is 130 metres high at 1627 feet above mean sea level. Jammu and Kashmir gets 12.5 percent power, while the rest goes to the Northern Grid supplying multiple northern states.
40. Which city officially declared a waterborne disease outbreak as an epidemic after several deaths in the Bhagirathpura area?
[A] Bhopal
[B] Indore
[C] Satna
[D] Gwalior
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indore]
Notes:
Indore declared a waterborne disease outbreak as an epidemic after reported fatalities in Bhagirathpura, marking a serious public health emergency. The declaration prompted immediate emergency containment and response measures. Special teams from central and state agencies were deployed to identify the source of contamination. Experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI) assisted in the investigation. Authorities are examining whether pipeline leaks caused single or multiple contamination points, emphasizing the need for infrastructure safety.