Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2025 of 27th May 2025. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2025 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) According to the latest(May 2025) information, India has recently surpassed which country to become the world's fourth-largest economy?

(a) United States

(b) China

(c) Germany

(d) Japan

(e) United Kingdom

2) The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has made it mandatory for Resolution Professionals (RPs) to inform which authority if a personal guarantor fails to submit a repayment plan?

(a) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

(b) Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)

(c) National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)

(d) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

(e) Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT)

3) SEBI aims to align Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) for regulatory consistency. With which specific market instruments does SEBI intend to align them?

(a) Corporate Bonds

(b) Debentures

(c) Preference Shares

(d) Derivatives

(e) Equities

4) The Supreme Court issued a significant order on May 2, 2025, concerning Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL). What was the primary directive of this order regarding BPSL?

(a) Approved JSW Steel's resolution plan

(b) Directed a merger of BPSL with JSW Steel

(c) Directed the liquidation of BPSL

(d) Ordered a complete restructuring of BPSL's debt

(e) Appointed a new board of directors for BPSL

5) What is the targeted coal production of Coal India Limited (CIL) for FY26, and what share of the total coal output does it represent?

(a) 900 million tonnes; 78.25%

(b) 850 million tonnes; 74.55%

(c) 875 million tonnes; 76.06%

(d) 870 million tonnes; 77.53%

(e) 880 million tonnes; 75.50%

6) On March 12, US President Donald Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium. What is the duration of the US’s pause period for reciprocal tariffs with India? 

(a) 60 days

(b) 30 days

(c) 90 days

(d) 120 days

(e) 45 days

7) Who represented India at the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting held in Brasília, Brazil?

(a) Shri Arjun Munda

(b) Shri Dharmendra Pradhan

(c) Shri G. Kishan Reddy

(d) Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

(e) Shri Anurag Thakur

8) As of May 2025, What is the annual cashless health insurance cover provided under the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY)? 

(a) ₹2 lakh

(b) ₹5 lakh

(c) ₹3 lakh

(d) ₹7.5 lakh

(e) ₹10 lakh

9) The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a new train service connecting Agartala (Tripura) and Guwahati (Assam), as announced by MP Biplab Kumar Deb.What key national policy does the Agartala–Guwahati rail service support? 

(a) Make in India

(b) Act East Policy

(c) National Logistics Policy

(d) Digital India

(e) Start-up India

10) In May 2025, Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated two advanced research facilities—Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan.Which unique climate visualization technology is available at the Polar Bhavan? 

(a) Virtual Reality Globe

(b) Science On Sphere 3D

(c) Interactive Climate Wall

(d) Holographic Climate Model

(e) Augmented Reality Dome

11) The Government of India has introduced the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS), created by IITM Pune. Which supercomputer powers the Bharat Forecasting System developed by IITM Pune? 

(a) Param Shivay

(b) Arka

(c) Pratyush

(d) PACE

(e) Mihir

12) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, presided over a crucial meeting to accelerate the rollout of electric buses under the PM e-Drive Scheme. Which states are major focus areas for the PM e-Drive Scheme implementation? 

(a) Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat

(b) Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab

(c) West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand

(d) Rajasthan, Haryana, UP, MP

(e) Goa, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura

13) How do India and Pakistan view each other in terms of security threats, according to strategic assessments?

(a) India sees Pakistan as its primary adversary, while Pakistan sees India as an ancillary threat.

(b) Pakistan sees China as an existential threat, while India prioritizes Pakistan as the main concern.

(c) Pakistan considers India an existential threat, while India sees China as its primary adversary and Pakistan as a secondary security issue.

(d) Both India and Pakistan consider each other as equal threats, prioritizing mutual nuclear deterrence.

(e) India and Pakistan now focus equally on economic cooperation, with military threats being secondary.

14) How much has the Uttar Pradesh government allocated for 62 infrastructure projects, including ring roads, bypasses, and flyovers, in FY 2025–26?

(a) ₹5,000 crore

(b) ₹7,200 crore

(c) ₹4,850 crore

(d) ₹6,124 crore

(e) ₹6,500 crore

15) The Liberian container ship MSC ELSA 3 (IMO NO. 9123221) sank near the Kochi coast around May 25, 2025, following flooding. How many crew members were rescued from MSC ELSA 3 after it sank? 

(a) 18

(b) 21

(c) 30

(d) 27

(e) 24

16) In May 2025, who is the Vice President serving with Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa in his second term? 

(a) Luisa González

(b) María José Pinto

(c) Dina Boluarte

(d) Rafael Correa

(e) Gustavo Petro

17) What is the key objective of the MoU signed between the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO)?

(a) To establish new AYUSH colleges across Europe

(b) To export Indian traditional medicines through WHO channels

(c) To train WHO doctors in Indian classical languages

(d) To develop a Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI), integrating AYUSH systems into a global framework

(e) To create a joint vaccine development program for tropical diseases

18) During the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, six East African countries—Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).Which disease classification does kala-azar fall under as per the MoU context? 

(a) Cardiovascular diseases

(b) Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

(c) Respiratory diseases

(d) Genetic disorders

(e) Autoimmune diseases

19) Which state allocated the highest percentage of its total expenditure to capital assets in FY25? 

(a) Punjab

(b) Madhya Pradesh

(c) Gujarat

(d) Haryana

(e) Odisha

20) Recently in May 2025, Who finished second at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix? 

(a) Charles Leclerc

(b) Oscar Piastri

(c) Max Verstappen

(d) Lando Norris

(e) Sergio Perez

Answers :

1) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.

NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam stated India is expected to displace Germany from the third rank within the next 2.5 to 3 years.

Detailed Explanation:

India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.

NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam stated India is expected to displace Germany from the third rank within the next 2.5 to 3 years.

India is currently a 4 trillion dollar economy according to IMF data.

Only the United States, China, and Germany have larger economies than India.

The IMF report confirms India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

India is the only major economy expected to maintain over 6% growth in the next two years.

India’s GDP was 2.1 trillion dollars in 2015 and has more than doubled to 4.3 trillion dollars as of now.

The IMF projects India’s GDP to reach 5.5 trillion dollars by 2028, overtaking Germany to become the third-largest economy.

Germany is expected to have zero growth in 2025 and only 0.9% growth in 2026 due to impacts from the global trade war.

The GDP projections for 2025:

United States:5 trillion dollars (world’s largest economy)

China:2 trillion dollars (second largest)

India: 4+ trillion dollars (fourth largest, rising to third soon)

2) Answer:C

Short Explanation:

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has made it mandatory for Resolution Professionals (RPs) to inform the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) if a personal guarantor fails to submit a repayment plan.

Detailed Explanation:

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has made it mandatory for Resolution Professionals (RPs) to inform the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) if a personal guarantor fails to submit a repayment plan.

The new rule is codified as Regulation 17B and aims to increase accountability of personal guarantors and prevent delay in the insolvency process.

Under the rule, if no repayment plan is submitted under Section 105 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the RP must:

File an application with creditors’ approval before the NCLT,

Intimate non-submission, and

Seek appropriate directions.

This regulation addresses a critical gap in the earlier IBC framework where no clear directive existed for non-submission of repayment plans, often stalling the resolution process.

Personal guarantors are a distinct category under the IBC.

Their insolvency can be resolved independently but in coordination with the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).

The NCLT may now issue time-bound directions or consider bankruptcy proceedings against personal guarantors.

The 2021 Supreme Court judgment upheld the validity of bringing personal guarantors under IBC, allowing creditors to initiate insolvency proceedings even if the corporate debtor’s resolution is ongoing or completed.

The framework for personal guarantors came into effect in December 2019.

A major amendment in 2024 introduced Regulation 17A, which presumed a repayment plan would be submitted and required RPs to present it in the creditors’ meeting.

According to latest data (March 2025), 1,194 CIRPs that yielded resolution plans took an average of 597 days, which is more than double the extended 270-day deadline under the IBC.

3) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) board is next scheduled to meet on June 18 to approve a slew of measures aimed at taking forward the theme of ease of doing business and optimisation regulations for market intermediaries and different segments.

Align Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) with equities for regulatory consistency.

Detailed Explanation:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) board is next scheduled to meet on June 18 to approve a slew of measures aimed at taking forward the theme of ease of doing business and optimisation regulations for market intermediaries and different segments.

Agenda Highlights:

Streamline and ease Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs) by simplifying documentation and removing extra paperwork.

Align Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) with equities for regulatory consistency.

Ease compliance requirements for Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), including allowing co-investment options via separate vehicles.

Provide flexibility for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) investing only in government bonds by simplifying registration.

Additional Regulatory Changes:

Possible doubling of investment limits into REITs and InvITs through mutual funds.

Allow equity investments and use of liquid mutual fund units by Investment Advisors (IAs) and Research Analysts (RAs) with increased deposit thresholds.

Extension of relaxation on physical document delivery for listed debt issuers.

Separate carve-out for voluntary delisting related to public sector offerings.

Clearing Corporations (CCs):

Finalisation of rules to ensure independence of clearing corporations.

Proposals include diversification of ownership by diluting stock exchange holdings through ‘offer for sale’

Setting minimum and maximum shareholding thresholds for stock exchanges in CCs.

Address issues like public interest directors, default waterfall mechanisms, and settlement guarantee funds.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs):

Revisiting stricter norms due to rising cases of fund misuse and fraudulent disclosures.

Possible measures:

Increasing promoter lock-in period

Mandating higher operating profits

Enhancing disclosures

Tightening fund utilisation tracking

These proposals revive earlier suggestions left out in previous SME regulations.

4) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

JSW Steel, as a standalone company, has not availed any tax benefits from the acquisition of Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL), which continues to operate as an independent entity.

The Supreme Court’s order on May 2, 2025, directed the liquidation of BPSL, rejecting JSW Steel’s resolution plan for BPSL.

Detailed Explanation:

JSW Steel, as a standalone company, has not availed any tax benefits from the acquisition of Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd (BPSL), which continues to operate as an independent entity.

The Supreme Court’s order on May 2, 2025, directed the liquidation of BPSL, rejecting JSW Steel’s resolution plan for BPSL.

The Court ordered the refund of amounts paid to creditors and equity contributions, as per a prior order dated March 6, 2020.

No tax impact on JSW Steel due to the BPSL transaction; no additional equity infusion or loans were extended to BPSL after acquisition.

BPSL’s capital expenditure was funded entirely through its internal accruals.

Despite the legal setback, BPSL’s production and sales remain unaffected, with JSW Steel retaining control of assets.

BPSL’s crude steel production for FY25 was 3.54 million tons per annum (mtpa), up 11% YoY; Q4 FY25 production was approximately 1 million tons, up 20% YoY.

BPSL’s steel sales increased by 12% to 3.31 mt.

Revenue declined to ₹21,440 crore in FY25.

Operating EBITDA declined YoY to ₹2,212 crore (from ₹2,765 crore in FY24).

Profit after tax (PAT) dropped by over 60% YoY to ₹260 crore (from ₹674 crore in FY24).

BPSL is undergoing product mix improvement, expected to bring its EBITDA per tonne near parity with JSW Steel in upcoming quarters.

JSW Steel’s FY26 outlook remains optimistic, with projected consolidated production of 30.5 million tons and sales of 29.2 million tons, supported by strong domestic demand and operational efficiencies.

5) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India’s coal production for FY26 is targeted at 1.15 billion tonnes (bt), with Coal India Limited (CIL) expected to lead, contributing over three-fourths (76.06%) of the total output.

CIL’s target for FY26 is 875 million tonnes (mt), higher than its 74.55% share in FY25 but lower than 77.53% in FY24.

In FY25, 13 mines with a capacity of 83 mtpa were operationalised.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s coal production for FY26 is targeted at 1.15 billion tonnes (bt), with Coal India Limited (CIL) expected to lead, contributing over three-fourths (76.06%) of the total output.

CIL’s target for FY26 is 875 million tonnes (mt), higher than its 74.55% share in FY25 but lower than 77.53% in FY24.

The share of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in FY26 is set at 6.17% (72 mt), which is a decline compared to 6.59% (69.01 mt) in FY25 and 7.01% (70.02 mt) in FY24.

Captive and commercial mines are expected to contribute 17.68% (203.30 mt) of coal production in FY26, lower than their 18.86% share in FY24 and 15.45% production (154.16 mt) in FY24.

The Ministry of Coal’s target for FY26 aims for an almost 10% year-on-year increase in coal production from the provisional FY25 figure of 1,047.68 mt.

The Ministry plans to open 100 new mines to create an additional production capacity of 500 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by FY47 to meet the goal of coal on-demand supply to industries.

In FY25, 13 mines with a capacity of 83 mtpa were operationalised.

For FY26, the Ministry plans to operationalise more than 20 mining blocks with a total capacity of 80 mtpa, including PSU, captive, and commercial mines.

India achieved a record coal production of 1,047.68 mt and dispatch of 1,025.25 mt in FY25 (provisional data).

6) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

US tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminium imports were imposed by US President Donald Trump on March 12.

US. India faced 25% tariffs, but a 90-day tariff pausewas announced shortly after to expedite trade deals.

Detailed Explanation:

US tariffs of 25% on steel and aluminium imports were imposed by US President Donald Trump on March 12.

These tariffs could impact Indian exports worth $7.6 billion annually.

The US and India are in talks to strike a deal within the ongoing 90-day pause period on US reciprocal tariffs.

The Trump administration does not need Congressional approval to roll back these tariffs, so this can be done immediately if agreed.

Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal visited Washington DC to discuss an early trade deal and push for removal of the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium.

The US has already scrapped steel and aluminium tariffs for the UK and EU under early deals, making continued tariffs on India appear discriminatory.

India has informed the WTO about its intention to impose retaliatory tariffs if the US does not roll back the steel and aluminium tariffs.

On April 2, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on countries with trade surpluses with the US. India faced 25% tariffs, but a 90-day tariff pause was announced shortly after to expedite trade deals.

Despite the pause, a 10% aluminium tariff on India continues.

The US has submitted to India a draft list of 150 items (including agricultural goods, automobiles, aviation parts, IT, and pharma) for potential tariff reduction in the first tranche of the Indo-US trade deal, expected to conclude by September–October.

7) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

India will be represented by Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting, in Brasília, Brazil.

The gathering of culture heads from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa aims to deepen cultural cooperation and launch joint initiatives.

India’s Priorities:

Highlighting heritage conservation and people-to-people exchange

Detailed Explanation:

India will be represented by Union Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the BRICS Culture Ministers’ Meeting, in Brasília, Brazil.

The gathering of culture heads from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa aims to deepen cultural cooperation and launch joint initiatives.

Leadership: Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, will lead India’s delegation.

Focus Areas:

Strengthening institutional collaboration among BRICS cultural bodies

Developing joint cultural projects to preserve and promote cultural diversity

India’s Priorities:

Highlighting heritage conservation and people-to-people exchanges

Showcasing recent cultural diplomacy initiatives

Spheres of Cooperation: Exploration of partnerships in performing and visual arts, literature, heritage management, and creative industries

Bilateral Engagements: Scheduled one-on-one meetings with BRICS counterparts to discuss exchange programs and collaborative festivals

Outcome Goals:

Build resilient cultural frameworks

Encourage intercultural dialogue

Foster an inclusive global cultural order under the BRICS platform

8) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY), launched in October 2024, provides every Indian citizen aged 70 and above with a cashless health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year.

Detailed Explanation:

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana (AVVY), launched in October 2024, provides every Indian citizen aged 70 and above with a cashless health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per year.

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Card (AVVC) entitles beneficiaries to free treatment at 30,000 + empanelled hospitals, including 13,000 + private facilities, across 1,961 procedures in 27 specialties.

Universal Eligibility:

Applies to all Indians aged 70 years or above, irrespective of income, pre-existing conditions, or prior insurance.

No medical tests, waiting periods, or income ceilings.

Coverage Benefits:

₹5 lakh cashless cover per year for hospitalization, surgery, and treatment (heart, cancer, kidney, bone-joint, etc.).

Day 1 cover for pre-existing ailments.

Top-up benefit: Existing PM-JAY beneficiaries receive an additional ₹5 lakh under AVVY.

Choice of plan: Must select either AVVY or any existing private/government policy per policy year.

Registration Process:

Download & Open the Ayushman Bharat App.

Login as Beneficiary/Operator → enter mobile, captcha, select ID method.

OTP Verification → Aadhaar-based e-KYC if not auto-found.

Self-Declaration of personal details → mobile re-verification.

Fill PIN code, social category, family details → download AVVC upon approval.

9) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Railways has approved a new train service between Agartala (Tripura) and Guwahati (Assam), as announced by MP Biplab Kumar Deb.

This development aligns with the Centre’s ongoing focus on strengthening infrastructure in the Northeast region.

Connectivity Milestone: Supports improved intra-Northeast transportation, a priority under the “Act East” policy

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Railways has approved a new train service between Agartala (Tripura) and Guwahati (Assam), as announced by MP Biplab Kumar Deb.

This development aligns with the Centre’s ongoing focus on strengthening infrastructure in the Northeast region.

Approval Date: May 19, 2025 (as per letter from Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to MP Biplab Kumar Deb)

Route: Agartala–Guwahati (Narangi)

Purpose: Meets a long-standing public demand for direct rail connectivity between the capital cities of Tripura and Assam

Connectivity Milestone: Supports improved intra-Northeast transportation, a priority under the “Act East” policy

In February 2025, Tripura received its first electric locomotive, marking a push toward modernization and sustainable rail travel

Previously, diesel-to-electric engine transitions occurred at Badarpur (Assam) due to lack of electrification in Tripura

Meghalaya was the first Northeastern state to introduce electric train services in early 2023

10) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated two advanced research facilities—Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan—at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa during its Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Facilities: Cutting-edge laboratories; 55 scientist accommodations; Science On Sphere 3D climate visualization; future Polar & Ocean Museum

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated two advanced research facilities—Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan—at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa during its Silver Jubilee celebrations.

These hubs significantly upgrade India’s capacity for climate science, ocean geopolitics, and polar exploration, supporting goals under the Blue Economy and Viksit Bharat@2047

Polar Bhavan

Area & Cost: 11,378 sq m built at ₹55 crore

Facilities: Cutting-edge laboratories; 55 scientist accommodations; Science On Sphere 3D climate visualization; future Polar & Ocean Museum

Sagar Bhavan

Area & Cost: 1,772 sq m built at ₹13 crore

Facilities: Ultra-low temperature labs (–30 °C ice-core storage); Class 1000 clean-room for trace-metal/isotope analysis; +4 °C sample preservation; 29 specialized research rooms

Strategic Relevance

Enhances India’s role in global ocean governance and climate change surveillance

Bolsters scientific collaboration in Arctic, Antarctic, and Blue Economy initiatives

Policy & Legal Framework

Governed by the Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 and Arctic Policy, 2022

Ensures compliance with international obligations for polar missions

India’s Polar Presence

Antarctic Stations: Maitri, Bharati

Arctic Station: Himadri

Himalayan Station: Himansh

Recent Expeditions: Canadian Arctic, Greenland, Central Arctic Ocean

11) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Government of India launched the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS), developed by IITM Pune and powered by the Arka supercomputer, delivering ultra-localized forecasts at a 6 km × 6 km grid resolution—the finest in the world.

Detailed Explanation:

The Government of India launched the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS), developed by IITM Pune and powered by the Arka supercomputer, delivering ultra-localized forecasts at a 6 km × 6 km grid resolution—the finest in the world.

Unprecedented Grid Resolution: Forecasts at 6 km × 6 km, improving upon the previous 12 km models to enable fine-scale predictions.

Arka Supercomputer Capabilities:

11.77 petaflops processing speed

33 PB storage

Data assimilation in 4 hours (versus 10 hours previously)

Nowcasting Feature: Provides two-hour localized updates by integrating data from 40 Doppler Weather Radars (scalable to 100).

Geographical Coverage: Effective across 30° N to 30° S latitudes, encompassing the entire Indian mainland (8.4° N–37.6° N).

Global Context: Surpasses European, U.S., and U.K. models (9–14 km resolution), positioning India at the forefront of high-resolution meteorology.

12) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, chaired a key meeting to expedite the deployment of electric buses under the PM e-Drive Scheme—a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing urban public transport and reducing carbon emissions in India.

Strong Centre–State coordination with focus states including Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, and Gujarat

Detailed Explanation:

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, chaired a key meeting to expedite the deployment of electric buses under the PM e-Drive Scheme—a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing urban public transport and reducing carbon emissions in India.

Electric Bus Allocation in Current Phase:

Bengaluru: 4,500 buses

Hyderabad: 2,000 buses

Delhi: 2,800 buses

Ahmedabad: 1,000 buses

Surat: 600 buses

Scheme Overview:

Total target: 14,028 electric buses across India

Duration: April 2024 to March 2026

Financial outlay: ₹10,900 crore

One of the world’s largest initiatives for electrifying public transport

Strong Centre–State coordination with focus states including Telangana, Karnataka, Delhi, and Gujarat

13) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Pakistan regards India as an “existential threat”, while India views China as its “primary adversary” and Pakistan as an “ancillary security problem”.

Pakistan focuses on advancing its nuclear arsenal to offset India’s conventional military superiority.

Detailed Explanation:

Pakistan regards India as an “existential threat”, while India views China as its “primary adversary” and Pakistan as an “ancillary security problem”.

Pakistan focuses on advancing its nuclear arsenal to offset India’s conventional military superiority.

Modernisation of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons is a top priority, alongside ongoing counter-terrorism operations and cross-border skirmishes.

Despite losing 2,500+ lives to militancy in 2024, Pakistan continues to invest heavily in military and nuclear modernisation.

Pakistan has moved nuclear warheads to new storage facilities in Kirana Hills to improve security after targeted Indian strikes on terrorist launchpads.

India prioritises deterring China and strengthening its position in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on:

Bolstering domestic defence industry

Deepening regional partnerships via platforms like Quad, BRICS, and ASEAN

Maintaining reliance on Russian-origin arms systems

Pakistan’s close alliances with China and Iran include:

Deepening military cooperation with China, especially in missile and space programs

Joint border patrols and intelligence-sharing with Iran

Participation in SCO’s Peace Mission counterterror exercise (Nov 2024)

Taliban and Iran remain potential security and diplomatic challenges for Pakistan, especially in the western tribal regions.

Pakistan plans to allocate 2,000 MW of electricity for bitcoin mining and AI data centres as part of efforts to:

Monetize surplus electricity

Boost the economy and attract foreign investments

Create high-tech jobs

A World Bank study finds that the General Sales Tax (GST) is the largest contributor to rising poverty and inequality in Pakistan.

The GST disproportionately burdens poor households (60% of their pre-tax income) while the richest 10% benefit more post-tax.

14) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved an investment of ₹6,124 crore for the construction of 62 projects—including ring roads, bypasses, and flyovers—across high-density and heavy-traffic regions in the 2025–26 financial year.

Detailed Explanation:

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved an investment of ₹6,124 crore for the construction of 62 projects—including ring roads, bypasses, and flyovers—across high-density and heavy-traffic regions in the 2025–26 financial year.

Scope of Projects:

62 bypasses and ring roads prioritized in urban areas with population over 1 lakh

Excludes municipalities and councils already served by National Highways Authority of India

Investment Allocation:

Total outlay: ₹6,124 crore

Focus on traffic decongestion and improved connectivity

Priority Criteria:

Regions with high vehicular movement

Industrial parks under development assessed on freight connectivity

Implementation:

Public Works Department (PWD) to execute state-level projects

National Highways Authority of India responsible for bypasses/ring roads in NH-connected areas.

15) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 (IMO NO. 9123221) sank off the Kochi coast around May 25, 2025 due to flooding.

All 24 crew members were rescued: 21 by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and 3 by Indian Navy’s INS Sujata.

Detailed Explanation:

Liberian container vessel MSC ELSA 3 (IMO NO. 9123221) sank off the Kochi coast around May 25, 2025 due to flooding.

All 24 crew members were rescued: 21 by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and 3 by Indian Navy’s INS Sujata.

The vessel was carrying 640 containers, including:

13 containers with hazardous cargo

12 containers with calcium carbide

84.44 MT of diesel and 367.1 MT of furnace oil

Given the sensitive marine ecosystem along Kerala’s coast, ICG has activated full pollution response preparedness.

ICG aircraft with oil spill detection systems are conducting aerial surveillance; ICG ship Saksham with pollution response equipment remains deployed.

So far, no oil spill has been reported from the incident.

The emergency started on May 24, when MSC ELSA 3, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, developed a 26-degree starboard list about 38 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.

The vessel lost stability, prompting a distress call to ICG’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kochi.

An ICG Dornier aircraft was deployed for aerial surveillance, spotting two liferafts with survivors.

ICG patrol ships and merchant vessels MV Han Yi and MSC Silver 2 were diverted to assist under global Search and Rescue protocols.

By late evening on May 24, 21 crew members from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the Philippines were rescued.

Three senior crew remained onboard to assist with salvage, but the vessel capsized on May 25, 2025.

The last 3 crew members abandoned ship and were rescued by INS Sujata.

16) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Daniel Noboa, aged 37, was officially sworn in for his second four-year term as Ecuador’s president; term lasts until May 2029.

Noboa’s Vice President is María José Pinto.

Noboa is known for fighting against a surge in armed group violence, corruption, drug trafficking, and violent crime in Ecuador.

Detailed Explanation:

Daniel Noboa, aged 37, was officially sworn in for his second four-year term as Ecuador’s president; term lasts until May 2029.

Noboa’s Vice President is María José Pinto.

Noboa is known for fighting against a surge in armed group violence, corruption, drug trafficking, and violent crime in Ecuador.

He pledged to implement reforms and lay a solid foundation for job creation and investment, focusing on cooperation with the private sector.

The inauguration ceremony took place in Quito and was attended by notable figures like Robert Kennedy (US Health Secretary), Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.

Noboa was first elected in November 2023 at age 35 with little political experience, unexpectedly entering the race to complete the term of Guillermo Lasso, who resigned amid impeachment threats.

Noboa was re-elected on April 13, 2025, defeating Luisa González, a left-wing candidate who alleged electoral fraud; these claims were rejected by Ecuador’s electoral authority and observers.

González’s party, Citizen Revolution, led by former president Rafael Correa, boycotted the inauguration.

The biggest challenges for Noboa are high violence rates and unemployment.

Noboa’s party, National Democratic Action, holds a majority in Congress through alliances, which is crucial for passing legislation like the urgent crime-fighting bill.

Ecuador is among the most dangerous countries in the region, with approximately 8,000 violent deaths by end 2024, and crime increasing in 2025.

Only 33% of Ecuadorians had full-time jobs by late 2024; the majority work in the informal economy.

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization signed an MoU to develop a Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI)—complementing ICD-11—thereby bringing Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani therapies into a globally standardized framework.

Announced by PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat, this initiative is backed by a $3 million Indian contribution.

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization signed an MoU to develop a Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI)—complementing ICD-11—thereby bringing Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani therapies into a globally standardized framework.

Announced by PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat, this initiative is backed by a $3 million Indian contribution.

Dedicated ICHI Module: Formal inclusion of Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, Unani regimens, and Siddha procedures in the WHO’s intervention classification.

Global Standardization: Aligns traditional therapies with ICD-11, ensuring international recognition of Ayush interventions.

Benefits for Healthcare Systems:

Transparent billing and fair pricing for Ayush services.

Integration of Ayush in health insurance coverages.

Improved clinical documentation, hospital management, and research capabilities.

Enhanced global accessibility to evidence-based traditional treatments.

Vision for Ayush: Advances India’s goal of embedding its rich traditional wisdom into mainstream, policy-recognized healthcare worldwide.

18) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

During the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, six East African countries—Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at eliminating kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis).

The agreement was signed at a WHO-African Union side event, marking a major step in combating this neglected tropical disease (NTD) in the region.

Detailed Explanation:

During the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, six East African countries—Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan—signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at eliminating kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis).

The agreement was signed at a WHO-African Union side event, marking a major step in combating this neglected tropical disease (NTD) in the region.

Kala-azar remains a significant health threat, with East Africa accounting for over 70% of global cases.

The MoU fosters cross-border coordination, increased investment, and improved surveillance to eliminate the disease.

MoU Details and Signatories

Signed by: Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.

Supported by WHO, African Union, and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

Objectives:

Scale up investments and access to treatments.

Enhance cross-border disease surveillance.

Strengthen public health coordination.

Major Commitments

Region-specific strategies for kala-azar control.

Development and innovation in oral treatments and drug delivery methods.

Strengthening platforms like the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR).

Collaboration with other African countries (e.g., Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania) for broader NTD management.

Progress & Key Facts

Neglected Tropical Diseases affect over 600 million people in Africa.

56 countries have eliminated at least one NTD by 2025.

Recent successful eliminations include Mauritania, Chad, Guinea, and Niger (2024–25).

Countries like Togo have eliminated 4 NTDs; India, Benin, and Ghana have each eliminated 3.

About Kala-Azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis)

Caused by Leishmania parasites, transmitted via sandfly bites.

Symptoms: Prolonged fever, fatigue, weight loss, and enlargement of liver and spleen.

Fatal if untreated.

19) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

In FY25, Gujarat allocated 25% of its total expenditure to capital assets—the highest among major states—while Punjab devoted just 5.4%, underscoring stark contrasts in fiscal focus on infrastructure and long-term investments.

Detailed Explanation:

In FY25, Gujarat allocated 25% of its total expenditure to capital assets—the highest among major states—while Punjab devoted just 5.4%, underscoring stark contrasts in fiscal focus on infrastructure and long-term investments.

Gujarat:

25% of total expenditure on capex (Centre’s share stood at 21.6% of total expenditure).

Benefited from interest-free central loans, reflecting a strong infrastructure push.

Madhya Pradesh & Odisha:

Each invested 22.2% of their budgets in capital assets, ranking just below Gujarat.

Assam & Uttar Pradesh:

Also reported high capex ratios, demonstrating broad commitment to infrastructure among Eastern and Northern states.

Punjab:

5.4% capex allocation, the lowest among major states.

Spent 18% of its budget on interest payments, driven by outstanding liabilities at 46.6% of GSDP.

Haryana:

Allocated 7.8% to capital expenditure, remaining one of the laggards.

Alternative Funding Models:

States like Kerala leverage off-budget vehicles (e.g., KIIFB) to undertake capital projects without straining the fiscal deficit.

20) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Lando Norris achieved a dream victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 25, 2025, converting pole position into McLaren’s first Monaco win since 2008.

Charles Leclerc finished second, Oscar Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth, with all top four drivers maintaining their starting positions throughout a race defined by strategy over overtaking.

Detailed Explanation:

Lando Norris achieved a dream victory at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 25, 2025, converting pole position into McLaren’s first Monaco win since 2008.

Charles Leclerc finished second, Oscar Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth, with all top four drivers maintaining their starting positions throughout a race defined by strategy over overtaking.

Pole-to-Win: Norris led from lights out, managing two mandatory pit stops without relinquishing his position.

McLaren Milestone: First Monaco triumph since Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 victory; Norris’s second win of the season (also won in Australia).

Podium Order:

1st: Lando Norris (McLaren)

2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

3rd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

4th: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Championship Implications: Norris’s win cuts Piastri’s F1 championship lead to three points, intensifying the title fight.

Strategic Race: The introduction of two pit stops failed to disrupt the processional nature of Monaco; drivers gambled on safety car interventions that never materialized.