51. Vidyanjali initiative was launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Cooperation
[D] Ministry of Education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
The Minister of State for Education informed that in West Bengal only 52 government schools out of over 82,000 have been onboarded under Vidyanjali initiative. Around 2,000 students from West Bengal are registered as volunteers under the scheme. Limited participation has affected students’ access to full benefits of the initiative. Vidyanjali is a Ministry of Education programme to strengthen schools through community and private sector participation. It connects schools with volunteers like professionals, retired teachers, Indian diaspora, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and companies.
52. Where was Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility inaugurated?
[A] Assam
[B] Nagaland
[C] Manipur
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emergency Landing Facility on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh district, Assam. It is the first such facility in Northeast India, built in coordination with the Indian Air Force for emergency landing of military and civil aircraft. It enhances strategic, defense, and disaster-response capabilities in the region.
53. Mission Basundhara 3.0, under which land pattas were distributed to over one lakh beneficiaries, was recently launched by which state government?
[A] Assam
[B] Manipur
[C] Mizoram
[D] Tripura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched distribution of land pattas under Mission Basundhara 3.0 for over one lakh indigenous landless families and public institutions. The programme was inaugurated at Deuri Beel, Dhemaji district with digital pattas and allotment letters handed to beneficiaries. Mission Basundhara 1.0 resolved conversion and record correction issues for 5.82 lakh families. Mission Basundhara 2.0 granted land rights to indigenous people on government land, benefiting 2.29 lakh families from SC, ST, and OBC communities. Mission Basundhara 4.0 and 5.0 will address remaining land issues, reclassification and settlement of non-tribal forest villagers.
54. India’s first fully operational ‘Ring Metro’ was inaugurated in which city?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Delhi
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Delhi]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two new Delhi Metro corridors, including India’s first fully operational ‘Ring Metro’, improving public transport in the capital. The first corridor, Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur on the Pink Line, is 12.3 km long with eight elevated stations and forms part of the Majlis Park–Shiv Vihar Pink Line, extending it to 71.56 km. The second corridor, Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park on the Magenta Line, is 9.9 km long with seven elevated stations, raising the line length to 49 km; parts reach 28.36 metres height, among the highest in Delhi Metro.
55. The Anavaran Deforestation Alert System is operated by which organisation?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] Forest Survey of India
[C] National Remote Sensing Centre
[D] Wildlife Institute of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Forest Survey of India]
Notes:
Recently, the Forest Survey of India (FSI) stopped sharing alerts from the Anavaran Deforestation Alert System with states regarding forest loss. The Anavaran Deforestation Alert System is operated by Forest Survey of India (FSI). The Anavaran portal started in 2024 to monitor deforestation using satellite technology. It used satellite data and Machine Learning (ML) to detect forest cover loss and send location-based alerts every 15 days for field inspection. The system runs on Google Earth Engine (GEE) for large-scale geospatial data analysis. It uses Sentinel‑2 images and integrates Sentinel‑1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for monitoring during cloudy or monsoon periods.
56. The National Leprosy Eradication Programme is implemented under which umbrella mission?
[A] National Health Mission
[B] Ayushman Bharat
[C] Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Health Mission]
Notes:
The Government informed Rajya Sabha about the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP). It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). The main aim is early detection and complete treatment of leprosy to control the disease. Goal is to make India leprosy-free by stopping transmission, removing stigma and ensuring dignified care. The programme provides free prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services through public health facilities. It supports States and Union Territories with technical and financial assistance for detection, confirmation, treatment and disability prevention.
57. The National Shipping Board (NSB) works under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Transport
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]
Notes:
The government held a high-level interaction with the National Shipping Board (NSB) to address emerging challenges in India’s shipping sector amid evolving global geopolitical dynamics. The NSB is India’s apex advisory body on shipping and maritime matters, constituted under Section 23 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. It functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and advises the central government on shipping policies and maritime development. The chairperson of the NSB is appointed by the Central Government.
58. The ‘Desh ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan’ was launched by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[B] Ministry of Ayush
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Ayush]
Notes:
The Ministry of Ayush launched the “Desh ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” campaign to create awareness about ‘Prakriti’ in Ayurveda. The campaign aimed to assess individuals’ Prakriti for a positive approach towards their health. Assessment was conducted via a mobile application developed with guidance from Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), a unit of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), following Ayurveda principles. More than 1,40,69,556 Indian citizens aged 18+ have undergone Prakriti assessment with the support of 1,85,704 volunteers including students, teachers, practitioners, and medical officers.
59. The Floating LiDAR Buoy System has been developed by which institute?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[C] National Institute of Ocean Technology
[D] Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Institute of Ocean Technology]
Notes:
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) tested an indigenously developed Floating LiDAR Buoy System off Muttom coast, Tamil Nadu. It is a high-tech ocean instrument that measures wind conditions using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. The system combines a floating buoy with laser-based sensors to study atmospheric conditions over the sea. It emits laser pulses that reflect from air particles, and the returned signals are analysed to measure wind speed, direction, and patterns. It can capture detailed wind data up to 300 metres above sea level, which is better than traditional instruments.
60. Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative has been launched by which organization?
[A] Indian Coast Guard
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[D] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Navy]
Notes:
The Indian Navy has commenced the second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative from 16 March 2026, reinforcing India’s commitment to maritime security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. The initiative follows India’s assumption of the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in February 2026 and includes participation from 16 member nations. IOS SAGAR is part of India’s broader vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and aligns with the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions) framework. It aims to enhance maritime partnerships, improve interoperability, and strengthen regional security cooperation.