Current Affairs Quiz — 21 May 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
INSV Kaundinya, inducted into the Indian Navy in May 2025, is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in:
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Correct answer: A — The paintings of the Ajanta Caves
INSV Kaundinya is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of the Ajanta Caves.
Where was the ancient stitched ship formally inducted and named INSV Kaundinya on 21 May 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Naval Base, Karwar
The induction ceremony was held at Naval Base, Karwar.
Who was the chief guest at the induction of INSV Kaundinya into the Indian Navy on 21 May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided as chief guest; the project was funded by the Ministry of Culture.
Consider the following statements about INSV Kaundinya: 1. Its hull planks were stitched using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin by artisans from Kerala. 2. Its design was validated through hydrodynamic model testing at IIT Madras. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Defence release.
In which district was CPI (Maoist) general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju neutralised by security forces on 21 May 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh
The operation took place in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the Narayanpur operation of 21 May 2025: 1. 27 Maoists were neutralised in the operation. 2. According to MHA, it was the first time in three decades that a general secretary-ranked Maoist leader was neutralised. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Which platform did India invite BRICS nations to contribute to at the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting in May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub
India invited all BRICS nations to contribute to and benefit from the BRICS Startup Knowledge Hub, launched by India under the BRICS Start-Up Forum.
As highlighted by India at the 9th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting, what share of India's total exports in 2023–24 came from MSMEs?
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Correct answer: D — 45.73%
India said MSMEs contributed 45.73% of the country's total exports in 2023–24.
The iGOT Karmayogi platform, which crossed 1 crore registered users in May 2025, is operated and managed by:
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Correct answer: A — Karmayogi Bharat
iGOT Karmayogi is operated and managed by Karmayogi Bharat.
Consider the following statements about iGOT Karmayogi (May 2025): 1. The platform had about 3 lakh users onboarded up to January 2023. 2. A majority of its registered users are from central government ministries and departments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: over 60% of registered users are from States and UTs.
The 'Financial Fraud Risk Indicator' (FRI) introduced by DoT in May 2025 classifies mobile numbers into which risk categories?
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Correct answer: C — Medium, High and Very High
FRI classifies a mobile number as associated with Medium, High or Very High risk of financial fraud.
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator is an output of a tool developed under which DoT platform?
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Correct answer: A — Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
FRI comes from a multi-dimensional analytical tool developed as part of DoT's Digital Intelligence Platform.
India assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) for 2025–26 at its 67th Governing Body Meeting held in:
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Correct answer: B — Jakarta
The 67th Governing Body Meeting was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 20 to 22 May 2025.
Through which body under DPIIT do Indian professionals participate in APO capacity-building programmes?
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Correct answer: C — National Productivity Council
Over 100 Indian professionals take part in APO programmes each year through the National Productivity Council under DPIIT.
At Bihar's first International Buyer-Seller Meet in Patna (May 2025), an MoU was signed with which UAE-based group to extend the shelf life and exports of Bihar's litchis?
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Correct answer: A — Lulu Group
The MoU was between APEDA, the Government of Bihar and UAE-based Lulu Group.
Consider the following statements about the International Buyer-Seller Meet held in Patna (May 2025): 1. It was the first such meet held in Bihar. 2. It was organised by the Ministry of Commerce through the Spices Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it was organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries with the Bihar Government, APEDA and TPCI.
Consider the following statements about the 15th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting (May 2025): 1. It was held under the BRICS Presidency of Brazil. 2. India will assume the BRICS Presidency in 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Brazil held the presidency, and India prepares to assume it in 2026.
Which of the following was NOT one of the three annexures to the Joint Declaration endorsed at the 15th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting?
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Correct answer: D — BRICS Framework on Critical Minerals Supply Chains
The three annexures were on WTO reform, Data Economy Governance, and Trade and Sustainable Development.
The national workshop to finalise the Detailed Action Plan for Aravalli Landscape Restoration was held in May 2025 at:
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Correct answer: B — Udaipur
The workshop was inaugurated by Bhupender Yadav at Udaipur, Rajasthan on 21 May 2025.
The May 2025 national workshop on Aravalli landscape restoration was organised by MoEFCC together with:
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Correct answer: D — Rajasthan Forest Department
The workshop was organised by MoEFCC and the Rajasthan Forest Department.
The 63rd Executive Committee of the National Mission for Clean Ganga approved a sewage management project worth ₹126.41 crore for which city?
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Correct answer: C — Agra
The ₹126.41-crore sewage management project is for Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
The ₹126.41-crore Agra sewage management project approved by NMCG's 63rd Executive Committee is based on which model?
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Correct answer: D — Design-Build-Operate-Transfer
The project is based on the Design-Build-Operate-Transfer model.
As per EPFO's provisional payroll data, how many net members were added in March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 14.58 lakh
EPFO added 14.58 lakh net members in March 2025; 7.54 lakh were new subscribers. (16.33 lakh is ESIC's March figure.)
In EPFO's March 2025 payroll data, what share of new subscribers belonged to the 18–25 age group?
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Correct answer: B — 58.94%
4.45 lakh new subscribers aged 18–25 made up 58.94% of all new subscribers.
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat, which introduced CIPET-certified compostable PBAT bags as an alternative to single-use plastic (May 2025), is in which State?
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Correct answer: B — Tripura
Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat is in Tripura; the bags decompose within 180 days.
Within how many days do the CIPET-certified PBAT compostable bags introduced by Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat decompose?
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Correct answer: D — 180 days
The bags decompose within 180 days.