51. Which state government has introduced chess in school and college curricula in October 2025?
[A] Goa
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Goa]
Notes:
Chief Minister of Goa, Dr Pramod Sawant, announced that chess has been introduced in school and college curricula. The initiative aims to help students build confidence and develop strategic thinking skills. He spoke at the launch of the FIDE World Cup logo in Goa. The event has boosted tourism in the state. It has strengthened Goa’s global image as a destination for sports and culture. The FIDE World Cup has provided positive momentum to Goa’s economy. The move reflects the state’s focus on education, skill development, and international sports promotion.
52. Which state government has launched India’s first “Women’s Wellness on Wheels (WWW)” initiative?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
In November 2025, Tamil Nadu (TN) launched India’s first “Women’s Wellness on Wheels (WWW)” initiative. The ₹41 crore project aims to enhance women’s health through mobile medical units for early cancer detection. 38 mobile units will operate across all districts, offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings, focusing on rural and semi-urban women. The state also began free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls aged 14 and below to prevent cervical cancer. Vaccinations are provided through schools, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and private hospitals via Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) with a ₹36 crore budget.
53. What is the DRISHTI system recently developed by the Indian Railways?
[A] AI-based Freight Wagon Locking Monitoring System
[B] Train scheduling software
[C] Ticket booking app
[D] Passenger safety alarm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [AI-based Freight Wagon Locking Monitoring System]
Notes:
Indian Railways is planning to install a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Locking Monitoring System called DRISHTI. DRISHTI stands for an AI-based Freight Wagon Locking Monitoring System. It is developed jointly by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG TIDF). The system detects unlocked or tampered freight wagon doors in real time to enhance safety and security. It uses AI-powered cameras, sensors, computer vision, and machine learning to monitor door positions.
54. What was the name of the joint crackdown operation launched against the Nigerian drug cartel in November 2025?
[A] Operation Eagle Force
[B] Operation Chanakya
[C] Operation Black Net
[D] Operation Clean Sweep
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Operation Eagle Force]
Notes:
A major Nigerian drug cartel running a nationwide drug supply and money-laundering network was dismantled in a joint operation called Operation Eagle Force. The operation was carried out by Eagle Force Telangana, the Narcotics Control Bureau, the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Noida Police. Raids were conducted at 20 locations in Delhi, Noida, Gwalior and Visakhapatnam. The probe began from Cyberabad drug cases and traced orders to a Nigeria-based handler called “Nick”, supplying drugs to over 2,000 users and peddlers across India.
55. Sanchar Saathi is developed by which organisation?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Department of Telecommunications (DoT)]
Notes:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new or imported mobile phones in India to improve digital safety. It is developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as a security and awareness platform for mobile users in India. Sanchar Saathi is a security and awareness platform available as a mobile app and web portal for public use. It helps users manage digital identity, report fraud, and protect mobile devices from cyber risks.
56. Recently, which state declared the Cho La and Dok La passes open for tourists under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sikkim]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Sikkim has declared Cho La and Dok La passes, located in the border areas of Sikkim, open for tourists. This has been done under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Tourism. The initiative aims to promote border tourism, improve infrastructure, and support livelihoods in remote border villages. It focuses on boosting connectivity, tourism, and socio-economic development in border regions. The initiative offers virtual tours, historical stories, and interactive content on key battlefields.
57. The Joint Initiative for Village Advancement (JIVA) program was launched by which organization?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[B] National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
[C] Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)]
Notes:
In Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, farmer-led natural farming is reducing crop loss, soil degradation and distress migration. The change is driven through the Joint Initiative for Village Advancement (JIVA) programme. JIVA was launched by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). It is implemented under NABARD’s existing watershed and wadi programmes. The programme promotes agroecology principles for long-term farming sustainability. It focuses on improving soil health, crop resilience and farm incomes. JIVA aims to strengthen existing social and natural capital in villages. It encourages farmers to shift gradually towards natural farming practices.
58. Which state has become the first in India to constitute its 8th State Pay Commission?
[A] Bihar
[B] Assam
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
Assam became the first Indian state to constitute its 8th State Pay Commission before the 7th Pay Commission ends on 1 January 2026. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Former Chief Secretary Subhas Das has been appointed as the head of the new Pay Commission. The move comes even before the Union Government’s 8th Central Pay Commission has started work. The 8th Pay Commission will revise salaries, allowances, and pensions of state government employees. Early constitution shows Assam’s intent to speed up the pay revision process. State employees and pensioners may get quicker clarity on future pay and pension benefits.
59. HPCL commissioned the world’s first and largest Liquid Conversion–Maximum (LC-Max) Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at which place?
[A] Mumbai, Maharashtra
[B] Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
[C] Paradip, Odisha
[D] Kochi, Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
On January 5, 2026, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) commissioned the world’s first and largest Liquid Conversion–Maximum (LC-Max) Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at Visakhapatnam Refinery in Andhra Pradesh. It was developed under the Visakh Refinery Modernization Project (VRMP) with an investment of ₹31,407 crore. Refinery capacity increased from 8.33 to 15 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA). The residue hydrocracking unit of 3.55 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) converts about 93% low-value residue into high-value fuels.
60. What is the primary objective of the PRAGATI platform?
[A] Provide financial assistance to States
[B] Conduct parliamentary discussions
[C] Draft new government policies
[D] Monitor and review key government programmes and resolve grievances
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Monitor and review key government programmes and resolve grievances]
Notes:
PRAGATI, the Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, recently completed its 50th meeting. PRAGATI is an integrated and interactive system to resolve public grievances and monitor key Central and State Government projects. It promotes electronic transparency and electronic accountability through real-time interaction among stakeholders. The platform was launched on 25 March 2015. It was designed in-house by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) with support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC). It enables the Prime Minister to directly review projects with live data and visual evidence. The platform integrates digital data management, video conferencing, and geospatial technology.