1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared which year as the “Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation”?
[A] 2024
[B] 2025
[C] 2026
[D] 2027
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2026]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 2026 as the “Year of ASEAN-India Maritime Cooperation” during the 22nd ASEAN Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The decision highlights growing collaboration in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), maritime security, and the blue economy. The summit’s theme was “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, aligning with India’s focus on digital inclusion, food security, and resilient supply chains. ASEAN remains the main pillar of India’s Act East Policy, advancing shared goals under ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and Viksit Bharat 2047.
2. The Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone for the Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) in which state?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Gujarat
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam’s (ASHVINI) Mahi Banswara Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) in Banswara, Rajasthan. The project has an investment of approximately ₹42,000 crore and will be one of India’s largest nuclear plants, supplying reliable base-load energy. The project comprises four indigenous 700 megawatt (MW) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), also called IPHWR 700, designed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). It is part of India’s “fleet mode” initiative with ten identical 700 MW reactors being built nationwide for cost efficiency and faster deployment.
3. Who presided over the Indian National Congress session held at Lucknow in 1936 and later became the first Prime Minister of India?
[A] Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
[B] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
[C] Govind Ballabh Pant
[D] Purushottam Das Tandon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru]
Notes:
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the president of the 1936 INC Lucknow session and became India’s first Prime Minister.
4. Consider the following pairs:
- Mangal Pandey : Refused to use greased cartridges
- Jawaharlal Nehru : First Prime Minister of Independent India
- Ram Prasad Bismil : Leader of the Kakori Conspiracy
- Asaf Ali : First Indian Ambassador to the USA
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1 and 4
[B] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] Only 2 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:All four pairs are correctly matched:
- Mangal Pandey is known for refusing to use greased cartridges, sparking the 1857 Revolt.
- Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of Independent India.
- Ram Prasad Bismil led the Kakori Conspiracy against the British.
- Asaf Ali was India's first Ambassador to the USA.
Thus, option 2 is correct.
5. Consider the following statements regarding Lal Bahadur Shastri and his contributions:
- Lal Bahadur Shastri gave the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ during the Indo-Pak war of 1965.
- The slogan was intended to highlight the importance of both soldiers and farmers in ensuring the nation’s security and prosperity.
- The slogan was specifically aimed at encouraging farmers to join the Indian army.
- He served as India’s Prime Minister before Indira Gandhi.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 4
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[D] Only 1 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 and 4]
Notes:
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct: 1—Shastri gave the slogan during the Indo-Pak war; 2—The slogan underscores the role of both soldiers and farmers. 4—He served as PM before Indira Gandhi. Statement 3 is incorrect, as the slogan was not intended to encourage farmers to join the military, but to value their contributions.
6. Which former UP Chief Minister became Deputy Prime Minister of India?
[A] Atal Bihari Vajpayee
[B] Dr. Sampurnanand
[C] Chandra Bhanu Gupta
[D] Charan Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Charan Singh]
Notes:
Charan Singh was Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and served as India’s Deputy Prime Minister in 1979 before becoming Prime Minister. No other UP Chief Minister has held the Deputy PM post. He was an influential political leader noted for his agrarian reforms.
7. Consider the following statements regarding India's Five-Year Plans during the Nehruvian era:
- Sectoral allocations were made for agriculture, industry, and power.
- Emphasis was placed on heavy industries and infrastructure development.
- The Planning Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister, was the central planning authority.
- Laissez-faire principles were adopted to promote dominance of private enterprise.
Which of the above statements correctly characterize the Five-Year Plans of 1950s?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] 1, 2 and 4
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct: India's Five-Year Plans under Nehru included sectoral allocations, prioritization of heavy industry and infrastructure, and centralized planning by the Planning Commission led by the Prime Minister. Statement 4 is incorrect as these plans favored strong state intervention, not laissez-faire or private dominance.
8. Consider the following statements regarding the Rolling Plans (1978–1980):
- They were introduced by the Janata government after abolishing the Fifth Plan in 1978.
- Unlike fixed Five-Year Plans, their targets were revised each year.
- The approach ensured long-term stability in India's planning process.
- This system ended in 1980 when Indira Gandhi returned as Prime Minister.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2, and 4
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2, 3, and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1, 2, and 4]
Notes:
The Rolling Plans were introduced by the Janata government replacing the Fifth Plan in 1978, and targets were revised yearly. The system was ended in 1980 when Indira Gandhi returned to power. However, this approach led to planning instability, not long-term stability. Thus, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct; statement 3 is incorrect.
9. The Prime Minister of India presented two BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes to which country in July 2025?
[A] Nepal
[B] Maldives
[C] Bhutan
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maldives]
Notes:
Prime Minister of India gifted two BHISHM cubes to Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Maldives’ 60th Independence Day. This was a major step in healthcare diplomacy and regional cooperation. BHISHM stands for Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita & Maitri. It is developed under National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the cubes are compact, portable, and self-contained. Each cube includes essential medicines, trauma care, surgical tools, and AI systems. It can handle 200 emergency cases, including trauma and minor surgeries.
10. Consider the following statements:
- The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was established in 1954 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Homi Bhabha.
- Homi Bhabha is often referred to as the father of the Indian nuclear program.
- The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research was established to advance nuclear research in India.
- The DAE is administratively under the Prime Minister of India.
Which of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] 2, 3 and 4
[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[D] Only 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:All four statements are correct:
- The DAE was indeed established in 1954 in Mumbai under the guidance of Nehru and Homi Bhabha.
- Bhabha is regarded as the father of India's nuclear programme.
- He founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research for nuclear research.
- The DAE reports directly to India's Prime Minister for strategic oversight.
