NATIONAL AFFAIRS — Pensions, Gender Budgeting, Hydrogen Buses, HPC, Coaching Panel
1. Which scheme’s subscribers received clarified eligibility for Old Pension Scheme (OPS) benefits in June 2025?
a) NPS
b) GPF
c) UPS (Unified Pension Scheme)
d) APY
e) EPS-95
Answer: c
2. As per DoPPW’s memo, UPS subscribers become entitled to OPS benefits under which rules pair?
a) CCS (Pension) 1972 & CCS (Leave) 1972
b) CCS (Payment of Gratuity under NPS) Rules, 2021 & CCS (Extraordinary Pension) Rules, 2023
c) GPF Rules, 1960 & CCS (Commutation) 1981
d) FR&SR Part V & CCS (Conduct) 1964
e) CCS (Medical) 1944 & CCS (Pension) 1972
Answer: b
3. Under the revised instructions, a UPS subscriber is assured OPS benefits specifically when the employee:
a) Resigns voluntarily with 5 years’ service
b) Seeks VRS after 15 years’ service
c) Dies in service or is discharged due to invalidation/disablement
d) Completes 3 years’ probation
e) Is transferred to PSUs on deputation
Answer: c
4. Minimum pension upon superannuation for UPS subscribers with ≥10 years’ service is fixed at:
a) Rs 7,500/month
b) Rs 8,000/month
c) Rs 9,000/month
d) Rs 10,000/month
e) Rs 12,000/month
Answer: d
5. The memo notes a gratuity figure for UPS pensioners in case of death in service. It is closest to:
a) Rs 10 lakh
b) Rs 15 lakh
c) Rs 20 lakh
d) Rs 25 lakh
e) Rs 30 lakh
Answer: d
6. The 1st National Consultation on Gender Budgeting (June 2025) was hosted by MoWCD at:
a) Yashobhoomi Convention Centre
b) India International Centre
c) Vigyan Bhawan
d) Manekshaw Centre
e) Sushma Swaraj Bhawan
Answer: c
7. Since which fiscal year has Gender Budgeting been a core element of India’s strategy per the Minister’s remarks?
a) 2001–02
b) 2003–04
c) 2005–06
d) 2007–08
e) 2010–11
Answer: c
8. GoI’s Gender Budget outlay for FY26 was announced as Rs 4.49 lakh crore—this is about what % higher than the previous year?
a) 22%
b) 28%
c) 33%
d) 37%
e) 45%
Answer: d
9. Over 11 years, gender budget allocations increased roughly by a factor of:
a) 2×
b) 3×
c) 4.5×
d) 6×
e) 7.5×
Answer: c
10. The new ‘Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub’ portal will primarily serve:
a) Private CSR foundations only
b) Media houses
c) Central/State ministries and stakeholders for policy briefs, best practices, and gender-disaggregated data
d) Only Parliament Committees
e) Only NITI Aayog & Finance Ministry
Answer: c
11. India’s first-ever commercial deployment of hydrogen buses began with how many buses in Leh?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 5
d) 6
e) 8
Answer: c
12. The Leh hydrogen buses were handed over by NTPC to which local entity?
a) Ladakh Transport Dept. (direct)
b) LAHDC
c) State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO)
d) Union Territory Administration’s Tourism Directorate
e) BRO
Answer: c
13. Approximate range per 25 kg H₂ refill for the Leh hydrogen buses is:
a) 150 km
b) 220 km
c) 300 km
d) 380 km
e) 450 km
Answer: c
14. The refuelling station supporting the Leh hydrogen buses is powered by a solar plant of:
a) 1.0 MW
b) 1.7 MW
c) 2.5 MW
d) 5.0 MW
e) 10 MW
Answer: b
15. The project’s claimed annual CO₂ reduction is ~350 MT; its oxygen contribution (pure O₂) is around:
a) 100 MT
b) 175 MT
c) 230 MT
d) 300 MT
e) 425 MT
Answer: c
16. The world’s first hydrogen fuelling station at ~11,562 ft above MSL was launched by NTPC in:
a) Aug 2024
b) Sep 2024
c) Oct 2024
d) Nov 2024
e) Jan 2025
Answer: d
17. ICMR’s first HPC facility ‘Nakshatra’ is hosted at:
a) ICMR-NIRT, Chennai
b) ICMR-NICED, Kolkata
c) ICMR-NARI, Pune
d) ICMR-NIV, Pune
e) ICMR-NIMS, Hyderabad
Answer: d
18. ‘Nakshatra’ HPC includes roughly how many compute cores and storage?
a) 512 cores; 500 TB
b) ~700 cores; 1 PB
c) ~900 cores; 2 PB
d) ~1200 cores; 500 TB
e) ~256 cores; 250 TB
Answer: b
19. With Nakshatra, genomic analysis TATs reduce from weeks to roughly:
a) 6–8 days
b) 72–96 hours
c) 24–48 hours
d) 12–18 hours
e) <12 hours
Answer: c
20. The DHE high-level committee on coaching dependence will be led by:
a) K. Sanjay Murthy
b) Anil Sahasrabudhe
c) Vineet Joshi
d) Subhas Sarkar
e) Krishna Kant Tripathi
Answer: c
21. The committee explicitly covers fairness/effectiveness of which exams in school-system context?
a) NET, GATE, CAT
b) JEE, NEET, UPSC
c) CLAT, NIFT, NID
d) NDA, CDS, AFCAT
e) NTA-CUET only
Answer: b
22. As per MoE’s 2024 guidelines, coaching centres may not enrol students below:
a) 14 years
b) 15 years
c) 16 years
d) 17 years
e) 18 years
Answer: c
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS — Energy Transition, QS Rankings, Hunger Hotspots
23. In WEF’s ETI 2025, India ranks:
a) 63
b) 68
c) 71
d) 74
e) 79
Answer: c
24. Which top-three ETI 2025 order is correct?
a) Finland, Sweden, Denmark
b) Sweden, Finland, Denmark
c) Denmark, Sweden, Finland
d) Sweden, Denmark, Finland
e) Switzerland, Finland, Sweden
Answer: b
25. Among large economies, which country reached its highest-ever ETI rank (12th) in 2025?
a) Japan
b) South Korea
c) China
d) Germany
e) UK
Answer: c
26. ETI 2025 identifies fastest gains through clean-energy adoption notably in:
a) Norway & Spain
b) Latvia & UAE
c) Ireland & Qatar
d) Austria & Oman
e) Chile & Bahrain
Answer: b
27. The lowest-ranked ETI country cited is:
a) Yemen
b) Democratic Republic of the Congo
c) South Sudan
d) Niger
e) Afghanistan
Answer: b
28. In QS World University Rankings 2026, India’s top-ranked university is:
a) IIT-Bombay
b) IISc Bangalore
c) IIT-Madras
d) IIT-Delhi
e) Delhi University
Answer: d
29. IIT-Delhi’s rank progression reached 123rd in 2026. Two-cycle improvement over 2024 equals:
a) 40 places
b) 55 places
c) 70 places
d) 85 places
e) 90 places
Answer: c
30. Globally, QS 2026 #1 is:
a) Stanford
b) Oxford
c) Cambridge
d) MIT
e) ETH Zurich
Answer: d
31. India’s representation in QS 2026 increased to:
a) 46 universities
b) 54 universities (incl. 12 IITs)
c) 58 universities
d) 60 universities
e) 65 universities
Answer: b
32. According to QS 2026, among Indian institutions in the top 200 are:
a) IIT-D, IIT-K, IIT-Roorkee
b) IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay, IIT-Madras
c) IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Guwahati, IIT-BHU
d) IISc, IIT-D, IIT-ISM Dhanbad
e) IIT-Indore, IIT-Hyderabad, IIT-Ropar
Answer: b
33. FAO-WFP “Hunger Hotspots” (Jun–Oct 2025): highest concern group includes:
a) Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, Mali
b) Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria, Nigeria, DRC
c) Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic, Myanmar
d) CAR, Niger, Benin, Togo, Liberia
e) Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Tunisia, Morocco
Answer: a
34. Primary drivers across hotspots per the report include all except:
a) Armed violence
b) Economic shocks
c) Climate hazards
d) High global tourism demand
e) Conflict escalations
Answer: d
BANKING & FINANCE — State-wise Health Policy; FDI; GDP; TCS–CEB
35. Bajaj Allianz’s new health product customises policies by:
a) Disease only
b) Age bands only
c) State/UT (25 states & 5 UTs)
d) Income slabs
e) City tiers only
Answer: c
36. Under the product, “AapKe Liye” and “Mee Kosam” naming conventions correspond to:
a) North-East & Kerala
b) Hindi-speaking states; AP & Telangana
c) Tamil Nadu; Karnataka
d) Punjab; Rajasthan
e) Odisha; West Bengal
Answer: b
37. Sum insured options range roughly between:
a) 2–10 lakh
b) 5–20 lakh
c) 10–50 lakh
d) 25–75 lakh
e) 50 lakh–1 crore
Answer: b
38. Which is not listed as an add-on/benefit in the product?
a) Unlimited Sum Insured Reinstatement
b) Super Cumulative Bonus up to 200%
c) Accidental Death Cover
d) Guaranteed claim approval in 30 minutes
e) Wellness step-count renewal discounts
Answer: d
39. UNCTAD WIR 2025 showed India’s 2024 FDI inflows at:
a) USD 25.1 bn
b) USD 27.6 bn
c) USD 28.1 bn
d) USD 30.0 bn
e) USD 32.5 bn
Answer: b
40. India’s rank for FDI inflows in 2024 improved to:
a) 12th
b) 13th
c) 14th
d) 15th
e) 16th
Answer: d
41. India’s 2024 ranking for FDI outflows moved to:
a) 20th
b) 18th
c) 17th
d) 22nd
e) 23rd
Answer: b
42. India’s 2024 greenfield project announcements numbered ~1,080, placing it at:
a) 6th
b) 5th
c) 4th
d) 3rd
e) 2nd
Answer: c
43. ICRA’s FY26 real GDP growth projection is:
a) 5.8%
b) 6.2%
c) 6.5%
d) 6.8%
e) 7.0%
Answer: b
44. ICRA projects FY26 fiscal deficit at:
a) 4.9% of GDP
b) 4.4% of GDP
c) 4.2% of GDP
d) 4.0% of GDP
e) 3.8% of GDP
Answer: b
45. ICRA’s FY26 CAD projection is:
a) 0.8–1.0% of GDP
b) 1.2–1.3% of GDP
c) 1.5–1.7% of GDP
d) 2.0–2.2% of GDP
e) 2.5–3.0% of GDP
Answer: b
46. TCS’s solution chosen by the Council of Europe Development Bank is:
a) TCS Quartz™
b) TCS Optumera™
c) TCS BaNCS™ for Reconciliations
d) TCS Ignio™
e) TCS HOBS™
Answer: c
47. The TCS–CEB solution supports standards including:
a) ISO 8583
b) PCI-DSS
c) SWIFT/ISO 20022
d) XBRL only
e) SEPA-only
Answer: c
APPOINTMENTS
48. Skechers’ new brand ambassador for India (June 2025) is:
a) Ranveer Singh
b) Kartik Aaryan
c) Ayushmann Khurrana
d) Sidharth Malhotra
e) Vicky Kaushal
Answer: b
49. Skechers will feature the ambassador in which footwear line’s campaign?
a) Arch Fit
b) Max Cushioning
c) Hands Free Slip-ins® (Heel Pillow® tech)
d) GOwalk 6
e) D’Lites
Answer: c
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
50. UGRO Capital’s acquisition target is:
a) Five Star Business Finance
b) Profectus Capital Pvt. Ltd.
c) Vivriti Capital
d) Northern Arc Capital
e) Aavas Financiers
Answer: b
51. UGRO will acquire Profectus Capital from which investor group?
a) Warburg Pincus
b) TPG
c) Actis (Mauritius entities)
d) KKR
e) Carlyle
Answer: c
52. Deal value for UGRO–Profectus is approximately:
a) Rs 1,100 crore
b) Rs 1,250 crore
c) Rs 1,400 crore
d) Rs 1,550 crore
e) Rs 1,800 crore
Answer: c
53. JFSL acquired SBI’s residual stake in JPBL valued at about:
a) Rs 80 crore
b) Rs 95 crore
c) Rs 104.54 crore
d) Rs 125 crore
e) Rs 150 crore
Answer: c
54. Post-acquisition, JPBL becomes a:
a) Joint venture with SBI
b) Wholly owned subsidiary of JFSL
c) Subsidiary of Reliance Retail
d) Controlled by JioBlackRock AM
e) Fintech affiliate under RBI sandbox
Answer: b
55. The RBI nod for JFSL’s purchase of SBI’s stake in JPBL was given on:
a) Feb 4, 2025
b) Apr 4, 2025
c) May 4, 2025
d) Jun 4, 2025
e) Mar 4, 2025
Answer: b
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
56. Honda R&D’s reusable rocket test achieved a landing within how close to target?
a) 1.5 m
b) 90 cm
c) 37 cm
d) 15 cm
e) 5.0 m
Answer: c
57. The experimental Honda rocket’s approximate length and diameter were:
a) 5.0 m; 60 cm
b) 6.3 m; 85 cm
c) 7.5 m; 1.2 m
d) 9.0 m; 1.5 m
e) 4.0 m; 50 cm
Answer: b
58. Peak altitude in Honda’s test reached about:
a) 180 m
b) 220 m
c) 271.4 m
d) 325.5 m
e) 500 m
Answer: c
59. Honda targets suborbital flight capability by:
a) 2027
b) 2028
c) 2029
d) 2030
e) 2032
Answer: c
BOOKS & AUTHORS
60. “Varalaru Koorum Tamil Nattu Kaasugal” (2-vol.) was authored by:
a) M.K. Stalin & Udhayanidhi Stalin
b) Thangam Thennarasu & Arumuga Sitharaman
c) Jayalalithaa & Panneerselvam
d) Ko. Anbazhagan & K. Shanmugam
e) C. Rajagopalachari & S. Radhakrishnan
Answer: b
61. The book focuses most on:
a) Medieval sculptures
b) Palm-leaf manuscripts
c) Ancient coins of Tamil landscape (2,000+ years)
d) Temple architecture only
e) Sangam poetry alone
Answer: c
62. The book was published by the:
a) TN Textbook Corp.
b) Dept. of Information & Public Relations (TN)
c) TN Academy of Sciences
d) University of Madras
e) Roja Muthiah Library
Answer: b
IMPORTANT DAYS
63. World Refugee Day is observed annually on:
a) June 18
b) June 19
c) June 20
d) June 21
e) June 22
Answer: c
64. The 2025 theme for World Refugee Day is:
a) Refugees: Right to Work
b) Homes Away from Home
c) Solidarity with Refugees
d) Health for All
e) Pathways to Education
Answer: c
65. Which UN body leads World Refugee Day observance?
a) UNDP
b) UNICEF
c) UNHCR
d) UNESCO
e) WFP
Answer: c
STATE NEWS — Rhino Conservation (UP)
66. UP approved funds to set up which new rhino rehabilitation areas in Dudhwa NP?
a) RRA-1 & RRA-2
b) RRA-3 & RRA-4
c) RRA-4 & RRA-5
d) RRA-6 & RRA-7
e) None; only expand RRA-2
Answer: b
67. Total approved amount for the new Dudhwa RRAs equals:
a) Rs 1.2 crore
b) Rs 1.5 crore
c) Rs 2.0 crore
d) Rs 3.0 crore
e) Rs 5.0 crore
Answer: b
68. The current one-horned rhino population in Dudhwa cited is closest to:
a) ~25
b) ~50
c) ~75
d) ~100
e) ~150
Answer: b
69. Largest portion of the UP allocation was earmarked for:
a) Medicines & chemicals
b) Major construction works
c) Monitoring devices, machinery, installations
d) Minor infrastructure
e) Maintenance of habitats, water bodies, vegetation
Answer: e
70. The rhino project belongs to which ecological landscape?
a) Vindhyas
b) Bundelkhand
c) Terai
d) Chambal ravines
e) Aravallis
Answer: c
CROSS-CHECK / DETAIL TRAPS
71. The UPS–OPS memo was issued by which ministry?
a) Ministry of Finance
b) Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
c) Ministry of Labour & Employment
d) Ministry of Home Affairs
e) NITI Aayog
Answer: b
72. NTPC’s stated installed capacity in the note is “over 81 ___”. Which unit completes it as given?
a) GW
b) kW
c) MW
d) TWh
e) PJ
Answer: c (Trick: unusually small unit—exact text says “over 81 MW”)
73. Nakshatra HPC supports which workflow set?
a) CFD, GIS, Agent-based sim
b) NGS, transcriptomics, metagenomics, phylogenetics, structural bioinformatics
c) Only proteomics
d) Only cryo-EM pipelines
e) EHR de-identification only
Answer: b
74. The DHE panel’s monthly reporting is to:
a) PMO
b) NITI Aayog
c) UGC
d) MoE
e) NTA
Answer: d
75. ETI 2025 top-10 include all except:
a) Sweden
b) Finland
c) Denmark
d) Austria
e) India
Answer: e
76. QS 2026 places IIT-D alongside which US institute at similar rank?
a) Caltech
b) Carnegie Mellon
c) Georgia Institute of Technology
d) University of Michigan
e) UCLA
Answer: c
77. FAO–WFP report lists which group as “very high concern” (not “highest concern”)?
a) Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, Mali
b) Yemen, DRC, Myanmar, Nigeria
c) Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic
d) Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya
e) Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco
Answer: b
78. Bajaj Allianz wellness incentive requires step counts maintained over:
a) 3 months
b) 6 months
c) 9 months
d) 12 months
e) Only during fasting months
Answer: c
79. UNCTAD WIR 2025 says global FDI flows totalled ~USD 1.5 tn, but without pass-through they:
a) Grew 4%
b) Declined ~11%
c) Were flat
d) Rose 8%
e) Fell 20%
Answer: b
80. ICRA expects which component to “outperform” in FY26 external sector?
a) Merchandise exports
b) Services exports
c) Gold imports
d) Crude imports
e) Remittances
Answer: b
81. TCS BaNCS for Reconciliations offers which set of automations?
a) Only manual journal approvals
b) File loading, PDF extraction, unmatched entry resolution
c) Only SWIFT message validation
d) Only RTGS/NEFT reconciliations
e) Only AML screening
Answer: b
82. The Skechers ambassador cohort listed includes which sport not typically paired with footwear endorsements?
a) Cricket
b) Football
c) Basketball
d) Pickleball
e) Tennis
Answer: d
83. In the UGRO–Profectus deal, Profectus is especially strong in secured lending to:
a) Renewable energy SMEs
b) Small businesses incl. education sector
c) Shipping & logistics
d) Pharma R&D
e) Real estate developers
Answer: b
84. JFSL’s other ecosystem offerings highlighted exclude:
a) Banking
b) Insurance
c) Broking
d) Telecom services
e) Asset management JV
Answer: d
85. Honda’s test site is in which Japanese prefecture?
a) Aichi
b) Hokkaido
c) Ibaraki
d) Kagoshima
e) Fukuoka
Answer: b
86. The “space town” note refers to:
a) Obihiro City
b) Sapporo City
c) Taiki Town
d) Tomakomai
e) Hakodate
Answer: c
87. The coin-history book was released by which TN dignitaries?
a) Governor & Chief Secretary
b) Speaker & Finance Minister
c) CM M.K. Stalin & Dy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin
d) CM & Education Minister
e) Dy CM & Chief Secy only
Answer: c
88. World Refugee Day was designated by UNGA resolution:
a) A/RES/50/195
b) A/RES/55/76
c) A/RES/60/1
d) A/RES/64/292
e) A/RES/70/1
Answer: b
89. UNHCR’s head (as listed) is:
a) António Guterres
b) Michelle Bachelet
c) Filippo Grandi
d) Achim Steiner
e) Tedros Adhanom
Answer: c
90. Dudhwa NP is located in which district as cited?
a) Bahraich
b) Pilibhit
c) Lakhimpur Kheri
d) Shravasti
e) Bareilly
Answer: c
91. Among fund allocations for Dudhwa rhino project, which is the smallest line item?
a) Minor infrastructure (Rs 3 lakh)
b) Medicines & chemicals (Rs 7 lakh)
c) Monitoring/machinery/installations (Rs 7 lakh)
d) Major construction (Rs 4.8 lakh)
e) Habitat maintenance (Rs 1.27 crore)
Answer: a
92. The Leh hydrogen mobility station sits roughly at which elevation (ft)?
a) 9,500
b) 10,250
c) 11,562
d) 12,300
e) 13,200
Answer: c
93. Nakshatra HPC was developed under which national mission?
a) PM-Ayushman Bharat Yojana (health insurance)
b) National Supercomputing Mission
c) PM-ABHIM (Health Infrastructure Mission)
d) PMGKY
e) Make in India (Electronics)
Answer: c
94. The DHE committee’s scope includes reviewing which problematic practice in schooling?
a) National Credit Framework
b) ‘Dummy schools’ encouraging full-time coaching
c) Mid-day meal audits
d) Single-board policy
e) ICT lab procurement
Answer: b
95. ETI 2025 top countries excluding which of the following?
a) Austria
b) Germany
c) Netherlands
d) Portugal
e) India
Answer: e
96. Approximate flight duration of Honda’s rocket test was:
a) 23.1 s
b) 44.7 s
c) 56.6 s
d) 61.2 s
e) 75.0 s
Answer: c
97. In QS 2026, India is the 4th most represented country behind:
a) USA, UK, Japan
b) USA, UK, Mainland China
c) USA, Germany, France
d) UK, Germany, Australia
e) USA, China, Japan
Answer: b
98. The Bajaj Allianz product’s “Super Cumulative Bonus” goes up to:
a) 100%
b) 150%
c) 200%
d) 250%
e) 300%
Answer: c
99. UNCTAD ranks which country as leading in both FDI inflows and outflows?
a) China
b) Germany
c) USA
d) UK
e) Japan
Answer: c
100. ICRA expects rural demand to be supported primarily by:
a) Kharif procurement only
b) Rabi cash flows & above-normal reservoir levels
c) Higher MSP alone
d) Non-farm wages only
e) Export subsidies
Answer: b