Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many coal mines were successfully auctioned in the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions, as announced on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Twelve
Twelve mines (eight fully explored and four partially explored) were auctioned.
What was the average revenue share achieved in the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions (results announced March 2025)?
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Correct answer: C — 36.27%
The auctions achieved an average revenue share of 36.27%.
In the 11th round of commercial coal mine auctions, the Banai & Bhalumunda mines, won by Jindal Power, are in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh
Banai & Bhalumunda in Chhattisgarh, with a peak rated capacity of 12 MTPA, went to Jindal Power at a 48% final offer.
Genome sequencing of how many Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates was announced as completed on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 10,000
Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the completion of genome sequencing of 10,000 isolates; the programme's target is over 32,000.
The sequencing of 10,000 TB bacterium genomes, announced in March 2025, is part of which programme?
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Correct answer: B — Dare2eraD TB
The work is part of the Dare2eraD TB (Data Driven Research to Eradicate TB) programme launched on 24 March 2022.
Which three bodies lead the Indian Tuberculosis Genomic Surveillance (InTGS) Consortium, as described on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — DBT, CSIR and ICMR
The InTGS Consortium is spearheaded by the Department of Biotechnology, CSIR and ICMR, with major clinical institutions.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the silver jubilee of which state legislative assembly on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh
She attended the silver jubilee function of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly in Raipur.
Which rule of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly did President Murmu praise at its silver jubilee on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Automatic suspension of members who enter the well of the House
She praised the rule of automatic suspension of members who enter the well during proceedings, noting that marshals were never used in 25 years.
To which country was the first consignment of GI-tagged Dalle Khursani from Sikkim exported, as announced by APEDA on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Solomon Islands
APEDA facilitated the first export of GI-tagged Dalle Khursani from Sikkim to the Solomon Islands, a 200 kg consignment of dried chillies.
Dalle Khursani, the GI-tagged chilli exported from Sikkim in March 2025, is also known by which name?
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Correct answer: B — Fire Ball Chilli
Dalle Khursani is also called Fire Ball Chilli. It is registered on the GI Registry under application no. 636, with its certificate dated 14 September 2021.
In which district of Odisha did President Droupadi Murmu offer prayers at the Lord Nilamadhab Temple on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Nayagarh
The President travelled from Bhubaneswar to Nayagarh, where she visited the Lord Nilamadhab Temple.
Where did the Indian Army hold the eye surgical camp for ex-servicemen that concluded on 24 March 2025 with over 350 cataract surgeries?
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Correct answer: A — 158 Base Hospital, Bagdogra
The camp was held at 158 Base Hospital, Bagdogra, West Bengal, from 20 to 24 March 2025.
Which stage of the Graded Response Action Plan was invoked across the NCR on 24 March 2025, when Delhi's AQI was 206?
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Correct answer: D — Stage I
With Delhi's AQI at 206 ('Poor', 201–300), CAQM invoked all 27 actions under Stage I of GRAP across the NCR.
How many new establishments were registered under the ESI Scheme in January 2025, as per ESIC's payroll data released on 24 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 27,805
27,805 new establishments were registered in January 2025, along with 18.19 lakh new employees.
For which date did Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney call a snap general election on 23 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 28 April 2025
Carney called the election for 28 April 2025; it had not been due until October.
Who dissolved Canada's 44th Parliament on 23 March 2025 on the advice of Prime Minister Mark Carney?
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Correct answer: B — Governor General Mary Simon
Governor General Mary Simon approved Carney's advice and issued proclamations dissolving Parliament and ordering election writs.
How many seats in Canada's House of Commons were up for election in the vote called on 23 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 343
AP reported that the 37-day campaign was for 343 seats in the House of Commons.
What was the theme of World Meteorological Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Closing the Early Warning Gap Together
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025 was 'Closing the Early Warning Gap Together'.
By when does the UN's Early Warnings for All initiative, the focus of World Meteorological Day 2025, aim to cover everyone with early warning systems?
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Correct answer: D — End of 2027
Early Warnings for All seeks to ensure everyone, everywhere is covered by early warning systems by the end of 2027.
Consider the following statements about World Meteorological Day: 1. It commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the WMO on 23 March 1950. 2. In 2025, the WMO marked its 50th anniversary. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The day marks the WMO Convention coming into force on 23 March 1950. 2025 was the WMO's 75th anniversary, not its 50th.
Consider the following statements about the UN's Early Warnings for All initiative, the focus of World Meteorological Day 2025: 1. It was announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on World Meteorological Day, 23 March 2022. 2. As of 2024, 108 countries reported some capacity for multi-hazard early warning systems, more than double the 52 countries in 2015. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The WMO President's statement says Guterres announced the commitment on World Meteorological Day, 23 March 2022, and WMO reported that as of 2024, 108 countries had some multi-hazard early warning capacity, more than double the 52 in 2015.
How many electric buses has the Centre approved for Odisha under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, as noted at Manohar Lal's review in Bhubaneswar on 23 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 400
PIB (23 Mar 2025): the Central Government has approved the deployment of 400 electric buses for Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Sewa Scheme.
At the power sector review with Manohar Lal on 23 March 2025, how much operational coal-based thermal power capacity did the Odisha Government say the State has?
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Correct answer: D — 20 GW
PIB (23 Mar 2025): the State Government informed that Odisha currently has 20 GW of operational coal-based thermal power capacity, with an additional 10 GW in the pipeline.
Manohar Lal called for developing four Odisha urban centres as growth hubs on 23 March 2025. Which of the following was NOT one of them?
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Correct answer: C — Rourkela
PIB (23 Mar 2025): the Minister emphasised developing Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri and Khordha as growth hubs; Rourkela was not named, so Rourkela is NOT one of them.
Where was the keel of the Indian Navy's second and third Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels laid on 23 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
The keel laying was held at Yeoman Marine Services Pvt Ltd, Ratnagiri, where GSL is fabricating the main hull blocks.
What is the approximate tonnage of the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels whose keels were laid on 23 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 3,000 tonnes
The NGOPVs have an approximate tonnage of 3,000 tonnes.
When did the Ministry of Defence sign the contracts for the 11 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Navy?
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Correct answer: A — 30 March 2023
The contracts with GSL and GRSE were concluded on 30 March 2023.
Consider the following statements about the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (Yard 1281 and 1282) whose keels were laid on 23 March 2025: 1. Their main hull blocks are being fabricated at the premises of a private firm in Ratnagiri as part of Goa Shipyard Ltd's build strategy. 2. They are being built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders for the Indian Coast Guard. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB says the main hull blocks of Yard 1281 and 1282 are fabricated at Yeoman Marine Services Pvt Ltd, Ratnagiri, as part of GSL's build strategy. These are Indian Navy vessels built by GSL (lead) and GRSE, not Coast Guard vessels from Mazagon Dock.
Pasala Krishna Bharathi, the Gandhian who died on 23 March 2025, was the daughter of freedom fighters from which district?
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Correct answer: B — West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
She was the daughter of freedom fighters Pasala Krishna Murthy and Anja Lakshmi of West Godavari district.
Why were the parents of Gandhian Pasala Krishna Bharathi (died March 2025) imprisoned when she was born in jail in 1932?
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Correct answer: C — For hoisting the national flag at the Bhimavaram sub-collector's office
Her parents were jailed for hoisting the Indian flag at the Bhimavaram sub-collector's office, and she was born in jail.
Whose birth anniversary did Prime Minister Narendra Modi mark on 23 March 2025, the same day as Shaheed Diwas?
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Correct answer: D — Dr Ram Manohar Lohia
On 23 March 2025 the PM paid tributes to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia on his birth anniversary, alongside Shaheed Diwas tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 45th Rabi All India Oilseeds Seminar on 23 March 2025 in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Agra
PIB (23 Mar 2025): Om Birla addressed the 45th Rabi All India Oilseeds Seminar, organised by the UP Oil Millers Association in Agra.
In which city did Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya lead the 'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' drive on 23 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Lucknow
Mandaviya led more than 500 riders in Lucknow, in a drive organised by SAI's Netaji Subhas Regional Centre.
Who constituted the three-member committee on 22 March 2025 to inquire into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma?
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Correct answer: D — The Chief Justice of India
The Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, constituted the in-house committee, as stated in the Supreme Court's press release of 22 March 2025.
Which of the following was NOT a member of the in-house committee constituted on 22 March 2025 to inquire into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma?
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Correct answer: D — Justice D.K. Upadhyaya
The members were Justices Sheel Nagu, G.S. Sandhawalia and Anu Sivaraman. Justice D.K. Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, had submitted the preliminary report.
What interim step did the Supreme Court announce on 22 March 2025 regarding Justice Yashwant Varma?
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Correct answer: A — The Delhi High Court Chief Justice was asked not to assign him any judicial work
The press release said the Delhi High Court Chief Justice had been asked, for the time being, not to assign any judicial work to Justice Varma.
Consider the following statements: 1. The in-house committee constituted on 22 March 2025 to inquire into allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma had two High Court Chief Justices and one High Court judge. 2. A High Court judge can be removed from office only in the manner provided in Article 124(4) for a Supreme Court judge, as applied by Article 217(1)(b). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The committee had two Chief Justices (Punjab & Haryana and Himachal Pradesh High Courts) and one judge (Karnataka High Court). Under Article 217(1)(b), a High Court judge may be removed by the President in the manner provided in Article 124(4) for removal of a Supreme Court judge.
What was the UN theme for World Water Day 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Glacier Preservation
UN-Water set 'Glacier Preservation' as the theme of World Water Day 2025.
Where was Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025 launched on World Water Day 2025, the first time the campaign was launched outside Delhi?
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Correct answer: B — Panchkula, Haryana
The sixth edition was launched at Panchkula, Haryana, the first time it was launched outside Delhi.
How many focus districts did Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain 2025 give special emphasis to?
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Correct answer: B — 148
The nationwide virtual launch placed special emphasis on 148 focus districts.
Consider the following statements: 1. The UN General Assembly designated 22 March as World Water Day in 1993. 2. The UN declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The UN fact sheet says the General Assembly designated 22 March as World Water Day in 1993. The UN also declared 2025 the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation, which is why the 2025 theme was 'Glacier Preservation'.
From which date did the Centre withdraw the 20% export duty on onions, as notified on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2025
The notification issued on 22 March 2025 made the onion export duty nil with effect from 1 April 2025.
Since when had the 20% export duty on onions, withdrawn in March 2025, been in force?
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Correct answer: C — 13 September 2024
The 20% duty had been in place from 13 September 2024. Exports were prohibited earlier, from 8 December 2023 to 3 May 2024.
What was the estimated rabi onion production for 2025, cited when the onion export duty was withdrawn in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 227 lakh tonnes
Rabi production was estimated at 227 lakh metric tonnes, over 18% higher than 192 LMT the previous year.
Consider the following statements about the withdrawal of the onion export duty in March 2025: 1. It was done through a notification issued under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962. 2. The notification was issued by the Department of Commerce. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Notification No. 19/2025-Customs was issued by the Department of Revenue (Ministry of Finance) under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act, 1962, on the communication of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
Which two aircraft carriers took part in the India–France naval exercise Varuna 2025?
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Correct answer: D — INS Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle
Varuna 2025 saw the joint participation of INS Vikrant and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle.
Which edition of the India–France naval exercise Varuna was held from 19 to 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 23rd
Varuna 2025 was the 23rd edition of the exercise.
In Varuna 2025, mock air combat was conducted between which aircraft?
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Correct answer: A — Rafale-M and MiG-29K
Air defence drills included mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and the Indian MiG-29K.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Varuna: 1. It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France that has been held since 2001. 2. An Indian Scorpene-class submarine took part in the 2025 edition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Official releases say Varuna has been a cornerstone of India–France naval cooperation since its inception in 2001, and the 2025 edition included an Indian Scorpene-class submarine.
With its MoU of 22 March 2025, the Delhi Legislative Assembly became which legislature to sign up for the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)?
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Correct answer: C — 28th
Delhi became the 28th legislature to sign an MoU with the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs for NeVA.
On which cloud infrastructure is the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), adopted by the Delhi Assembly in March 2025, hosted?
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Correct answer: D — MeghRaj 2.0
The NeVA platform is hosted on MeghRaj 2.0, India's government cloud infrastructure.
How many new NABL-accredited food testing labs will the Ministry of Food Processing Industries support in 2025-26, as announced on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 100
Ravneet Singh Bittu announced financial support for 100 new NABL-accredited food testing laboratories in 2025-26.
Under which scheme has the Ministry of Food Processing Industries sanctioned 205 food testing laboratory projects, as stated in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
The labs are part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, which allocated ₹503.47 crore for 205 laboratory projects.
Who was elected Chairman of INTACH on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ashok Singh Thakur
Ashok Singh Thakur was elected INTACH Chairman for three years at the AGM on 22 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about INTACH, whose new Chairman was elected in March 2025: 1. It was formally constituted on 27 January 1984. 2. It is a statutory body set up under an Act of Parliament. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
INTACH was formally constituted on 27 January 1984. It is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, not a statutory body.
How many websites/URLs of offshore online money gaming entities had DGGI blocked, as stated on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 357
DGGI said 357 websites/URLs of illegal or non-compliant offshore online money gaming entities had been blocked; about 700 entities were under its scanner.
Under which provision were offshore online money gaming websites blocked in coordination with MeitY, as reported by DGGI in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Section 69 of the IT Act, 2000
The 357 websites/URLs were blocked in coordination with MeitY under Section 69 of the IT Act, 2000.
Who was Player of the Match in the IPL 2025 opener between KKR and RCB on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Krunal Pandya
Krunal Pandya was Player of the Match for figures of 3 for 29 as RCB won by seven wickets.
Who captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their win in the IPL 2025 opener on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Rajat Patidar
The Rajat Patidar-led RCB beat KKR by seven wickets at Eden Gardens.
What is the name of the second Project 1135.6 frigate launched by Goa Shipyard Ltd on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Tavasya
GSL launched 'Tavasya' (Yard 1259), the second Project 1135.6 frigate built by it, on 22 March 2025.
What is the displacement of the frigate 'Tavasya' launched by Goa Shipyard Ltd in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Over 3,800 tonnes
Tavasya has a displacement exceeding 3,800 tonnes.
At the launch of 'Tavasya' in March 2025, what defence exports target by 2029 was cited by the Raksha Rajya Mantri?
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Correct answer: D — ₹50,000 crore
Sanjay Seth cited the Ministry of Defence's vision of ₹50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.
Noklak, which Raksha Khadse visited on 22 March 2025 as the first Union Minister to go there, is known as the 'Frontier District' of which state?
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Correct answer: C — Nagaland
Noklak lies in Nagaland's easternmost region and is known as the 'Frontier District'.
In how many regional languages, besides Hindi and English, are central recruitment exams now held, as stated by Dr Jitendra Singh on 22 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 13
Dr Jitendra Singh said recruitment exams, limited to Hindi and English before 2014, are now conducted in 13 regional languages.
According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2025, released on 21 March 2025, what was the size of India's bioeconomy in 2024?
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Correct answer: B — $165.7 billion
IBER 2025 put India's bioeconomy at $165.7 billion in 2024, up from $10 billion in 2014.
What share of India's GDP did the bioeconomy contribute, as per the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 4.25%
IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy contributes 4.25% to India's GDP.
What is 'BioSaarthi', launched by Dr Jitendra Singh on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — A global mentorship initiative for biotech startups
BioSaarthi is a six-month cohort-based global mentorship initiative for biotech startups, engaging overseas experts, especially from the Indian diaspora.
How many biotech startups does India have, as cited at the release of the India Bioeconomy Report 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Over 10,075
The Minister said biotech startups have grown from about 50 a decade ago to over 10,075.
Consider the following statements about the India Bioeconomy Report 2025: 1. India's bioeconomy surpassed the target of $150 billion set for 2025. 2. The bioeconomy grew at a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
IBER 2025 says the bioeconomy reached $165.7 billion in 2024, surpassing the $150 billion target for 2025, with a CAGR of 17.9% over the past four years.
Justice Harish Tandon was appointed Chief Justice of which High Court on 21 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Orissa High Court
Justice Harish Tandon, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, was appointed Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court.
Before his appointment as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court in March 2025, Justice Harish Tandon was a judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: B — Calcutta High Court
The Law Ministry's communiqué described him as a judge of the Calcutta High Court.
Consider the following statements in the context of the appointment of Justice Harish Tandon as Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court: 1. Judges of High Courts, including Chief Justices, are appointed by the President under Article 217(1). 2. The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the Governor of the State concerned. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The appointment was made by the President under Article 217(1), which covers every High Court judge including the Chief Justice. The Governor is consulted but does not appoint.