51. Where was the foundation stone for India’s first Public–Private Partnership (PPP) medical college laid?
[A] Bihar
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
In December 2025, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and MP Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav laid foundation stones for India’s first Public–Private Partnership (PPP) medical colleges in tribal districts Dhar and Betul, Madhya Pradesh. These colleges are part of four planned PPP-based medical colleges in MP: Dhar, Betul, Katni, and Panna, linked to district hospitals to strengthen healthcare services. Under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) PPP model, the state provides land and administrative oversight, while private partners construct and manage academic and clinical infrastructure.
52. According to recent Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) report, which state recorded the highest peak nitrate concentration in groundwater in India?
[A] Odisha
[B] Karnataka
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Over 20 percent of groundwater samples collected in Delhi in 2023 had nitrate levels exceeding the permissible limit of 45 mg/l, according to a submission by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). In some locations in Delhi, nitrate concentrations reached as high as 994 mg/l, which is more than 22 times the safe drinking water limit. Nitrate contamination poses serious environmental and public health risks, particularly causing methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome” in infants. Delhi ranked fifth among states and Union Territories in terms of peak nitrate concentration, while Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest nitrate level in the country at 2,296.36 mg/l.
53. Which state has become the first in India to establish a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) research institution?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
Gujarat Government led by Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel approved the Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organization (IAIRO) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar. Gujarat became the first state in India to establish a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) research institution under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. IAIRO will start operations on 1 January 2026 as a non-profit under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. It will follow a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model via State Government, Central Government and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
54. India’s first government hospital-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) clinic was inaugurated in which city?
[A] Bengaluru, Karnataka
[B] Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
[C] Mumbai, Maharashtra
[D] Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Recently, India’s first government hospital-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) clinic was inaugurated at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida. The AI clinic is part of the GIMS Centre for Medical Innovation to provide AI-driven healthcare directly to doctors and patients. It aims to allow healthcare startups to develop, test, and validate AI solutions in real-world clinical settings. The initiative was attended by over 100 experts, including international specialists and policymakers. The clinic will focus on medical imaging, clinical decision support systems, and data-driven healthcare services.
55. Which state has the highest number of dedicated social media monitoring cells as of 2024?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Bihar
[C] Assam
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar]
Notes:
Over the past five years, police across India have expanded social media monitoring to track evolving crime trends. Dedicated social media monitoring cells increased from 262 in 28 States and 8 Union Territories in 2020 to 365 by 2024. Bihar (52), Maharashtra (50), Punjab (48), West Bengal (38), and Assam (37) have the highest number of cells. Cyber Crime police stations rose from 376 in 2020 to 624 in 2024. Drones in police forces increased to 1,147 in 2024 from 1,010 in 2023. India has 5,92,839 vacant police posts out of a sanctioned strength of 27,55,274.
56. Who chaired the 9th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) held in New Delhi?
[A] Union Home Minister
[B] Prime Minister
[C] Defence Minister
[D] External Affairs Minister
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Union Home Minister]
Notes:
Recently, the Union Home Minister chaired the 9th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) was established in 2016 to improve coordination between States and the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was further strengthened in 2019 through a four-tier coordination system. The main purpose of NCORD is to address the drug menace in a holistic and coordinated manner. It enhances cooperation, communication, and intelligence sharing among law enforcement and drug control agencies.
57. Karuna Abhiyan is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation campaign launched by which state government?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Haryana
[C] Punjab
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
Gujarat Chief Minister reviewed rescue operations under Karuna Abhiyan-2026 during the Uttarayan festival after a surge in bird injuries caused by kite strings. Karuna Abhiyan is a state-wide wildlife rescue and rehabilitation campaign launched in 2017 to protect birds and animals injured during festivals, especially kite-flying. 700+ veterinarians, 8,600+ volunteers, 1,000+ centres across Gujarat during high-risk periods. More than 1.12 lakh animals and birds rescued since 2017; India’s first state-driven festival-linked wildlife protection campaign; serves as a national benchmark.
58. Which state has declared Bacillus subtilis as its State Microbe in January 2026?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala has officially declared Bacillus subtilis as its State Microbe, highlighting its scientific and ecological importance. Bacillus subtilis is a beneficial (probiotic) bacterium naturally found in the human gut and in fermented foods. It is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming bacterium and a facultative aerobe. The bacterium is commonly found in soil and vegetation and grows best at 25–35°C.
59. The Model Youth Gram Sabha is jointly organized by which ministries?
[A] Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Panchayati Raj
[D] Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is organizing a National Award Ceremony for Model Youth Gram Sabha winners. Model Youth Gram Sabha is a simulated Gram Sabha forum for school students inspired by the Model United Nations (UN). It aims to strengthen Janbhagidari (people’s participation) and participatory local governance among youth. Model Youth Gram Sabha is an initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
60. Which state government has launched India’s first Menopause Clinics to support women’s health?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra has launched India’s first dedicated menopause clinics in government hospitals and urban health facilities. The clinics provide medical consultation, mental health counselling, bone, heart and hormonal screening, medicines, and guidance at a single location. Menopause is a critical phase often accompanied by physical changes, hormonal imbalance, mental stress, sleep disorders, bone problems, and depression. The initiative addresses the long-felt need for specialised support for women during menopause.