KPSC (Karnataka) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which former head of state made his first appearance before the International Criminal Court on 14 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Rodrigo Duterte
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared before ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I on 14 March 2025.
Of which crime is Rodrigo Duterte suspected in the ICC case?
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Correct answer: B — Crime against humanity of murder
The ICC says Duterte is suspected of the crime against humanity of murder, allegedly committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019.
Consider the following statements about Rodrigo Duterte's first appearance before the ICC: 1. He appeared in person in the courtroom in The Hague. 2. The Chamber provisionally scheduled the confirmation of charges hearing for 23 September 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: he took part by video link from the ICC Detention Centre, as authorised by the Chamber. Statement 2 is correct; the hearing was later postponed.
The sharp $15.27 billion rise in India's forex reserves in the week ended 7 March 2025 was attributed mainly to what?
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Correct answer: A — An RBI $10 billion dollar-rupee buy-sell swap
The rise was attributed mainly to the RBI's $10 billion buy-sell forex swap of 28 February 2025, in which it bought dollars against rupees to inject liquidity.
On which date did ISRO successfully undock the SpaDeX satellites?
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Correct answer: D — 13 March 2025
ISRO undocked the SpaDeX satellites at about 09:20 IST on 13 March 2025; they had been docked on 16 January 2025.
In what orbit did the SpaDeX undocking take place on 13 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 460 km circular orbit, 45° inclination
ISRO said the undocking took place in a 460 km circular orbit with 45-degree inclination.
Which of the following was NOT among the ground stations that monitored the SpaDeX undocking?
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Correct answer: A — Port Blair
ISRO said the operations were monitored from ground stations at Bengaluru, Lucknow and Mauritius.
Consider the following statements about ISRO's SpaDeX undocking: 1. It succeeded only on the second attempt after an aborted try on 10 March 2025. 2. With it, ISRO said it had demonstrated all capabilities required for rendezvous, docking and undocking in a circular orbit. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: ISRO undocked the satellites in the very first attempt on 13 March; 10–25 March was only the feasible window. Statement 2 is correct.
What does the draft NCAAFS 2025 released by the Sports Ministry in March 2025 deal with?
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Correct answer: B — Age fraud in sports
NCAAFS stands for National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports; the 2025 draft was released for comments on 13 March 2025.
Under the draft NCAAFS 2025, what is the penalty for an athlete's first age-fraud violation?
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Correct answer: D — Two-year ban and forfeiture of titles and medals
A first violation brings a two-year ban from all competitions and forfeiture of titles or medals; a second brings a lifetime ban and legal proceedings.
Consider the following statements about the draft National Code Against Age Fraud in Sports 2025: 1. Medical age determination will use the TW3 method, MRI scans and physical and dental examination. 2. It is the first such code in India, as no national framework on age fraud existed earlier. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the draft revises the existing framework after almost 15 years.
Up to which year did Budget 2025 extend procurement of tur, urad and masur equal to 100% of state production?
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Correct answer: C — 2028-29
Budget 2025 announced 100% procurement of tur, urad and masur through central nodal agencies for four more years, up to 2028-29.
How much tur (arhar) did the Centre approve for procurement under PM-AASHA's Price Support Scheme for Kharif 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — 13.22 LMT
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved 13.22 LMT of tur; 9.40 LMT was for masur, and 1.31 LMT was the quantity procured by 11 March.
Bongosagar is a bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
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Correct answer: D — Bangladesh
Bongosagar is the India–Bangladesh naval exercise; the 2025 edition was held in the Bay of Bengal.
Which Indian Navy ship took part in exercise Bongosagar 2025?
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Correct answer: A — INS Ranvir
INS Ranvir represented the Indian Navy, with BNS Abu Ubaidah from the Bangladesh Navy.
Consider the following statements about exercise Bongosagar 2025: 1. It was held along with an India–Bangladesh Navy Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT). 2. It included Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) cross-boarding drills. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Defence Ministry: Bongosagar 2025 was conducted with the IN–BN CORPAT, and drills included VBSS cross-boarding, surface firing and underway replenishment.
What was the theme of World Kidney Day 2025, observed on 13 March?
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Correct answer: A — Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health
The 2025 theme was 'Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health', revisiting the focus from 20 years earlier.
PB-SHABD, whose free access was extended till March 2026, is a service of which organisation?
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Correct answer: D — Prasar Bharati
PB-SHABD (Prasar Bharati–Shared Audio-Visuals for Broadcast and Dissemination) is Prasar Bharati's shared news feed, launched in March 2024.
To what level did India and Mauritius elevate their relationship on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Enhanced Strategic Partnership
The two Prime Ministers elevated ties to an 'Enhanced Strategic Partnership' during PM Modi's State Visit to Mauritius.
In which country did PM Modi unveil Vision MAHASAGAR for the Global South in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Mauritius
PM Modi unveiled Vision MAHASAGAR in Mauritius on 12 March 2025 — the same country where he had unveiled Vision SAGAR in 2015.
Where in Mauritius is the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Public Service and Innovation, inaugurated on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Réduit
PM Modi and PM Ramgoolam jointly inaugurated the institute at Réduit; it was built with an Indian grant of US$4.74 million.
Which of the following did India announce support for during PM Modi's March 2025 visit to Mauritius?
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Correct answer: D — A new Parliament building
PM Modi announced India's support for a new Parliament building in Mauritius and Phase II of High Impact Community Development Projects.
Consider the following outcomes of PM Modi's visit to Mauritius in March 2025: 1. An agreement between the RBI and the Bank of Mauritius on a framework for using local currencies (INR or MUR) in cross-border transactions. 2. Handover of a navigational chart of St Brandon prepared after a hydrographic survey by an Indian naval ship. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are in the official List of Outcomes: the RBI–Bank of Mauritius local-currency framework, and the handover of the St Brandon navigational chart.
Which country conferred its highest civilian award on PM Narendra Modi on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Mauritius
Mauritius conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) on PM Modi at its National Day celebrations.
What is the name of the Mauritian award conferred on PM Modi in March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
PM Modi received the GCSK — Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean — the highest civilian award of Mauritius.
Who conferred the GCSK award on PM Modi at the Mauritius National Day celebrations of 2025?
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Correct answer: B — President Dharambeer Gokhool
Mauritian President Dharambeer Gokhool conferred the GCSK on PM Modi on 12 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's role at Mauritius's National Day in 2025: 1. It was the first time he was Chief Guest at the Mauritius National Day. 2. He is the first Indian leader to receive the GCSK. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Modi was also Chief Guest at the National Day in 2015, when he unveiled Vision SAGAR. Statement 2 is correct as per the PMO.
What was India's CPI-based retail inflation for February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 3.61%
MoSPI put February 2025 retail inflation at 3.61% (provisional), the lowest since July 2024.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at the all-India level in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Coconut oil
Coconut oil had the highest inflation at 54.48%, followed by coconut (41.61%), gold (35.56%), silver (30.89%) and onion (30.42%).
Consider the following statements about CPI data for February 2025: 1. Food inflation fell to its lowest level since May 2023. 2. Urban headline inflation was higher than rural headline inflation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: food inflation was 3.75%, the lowest since May 2023. Statement 2 is wrong: urban inflation (3.32%) was lower than rural (3.79%).
On the sidelines of which session did India and UN Women co-host a Ministerial Roundtable on women's empowerment in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
The roundtable was held on 12 March 2025 at UN Headquarters, New York, alongside the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The India–UN Women roundtables of March 2025 focused on implementing how many critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform for Action?
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Correct answer: C — 12
The roundtables discussed strategies to implement the 12 critical areas of concern in the Beijing Platform for Action.
'Ashwini', for which a ₹2,906 crore contract was signed in March 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: D — Low-level transportable radar
Ashwini is a Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) to be supplied by BEL to the Indian Air Force.
With which company did the Defence Ministry sign the ₹2,906 crore Ashwini radar contract?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Electronics Limited
The contract was signed with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad, on 12 March 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Ashwini LLTR: 1. It is an active electronically scanned phased-array radar developed by DRDO's Electronics & Radar Development Establishment. 2. It is designed to track only high-speed fighter aircraft, not drones or helicopters. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the radar can track targets from high-speed fighters to slow-moving UAVs and helicopters.
Which Bill did the Lok Sabha pass on 12 March 2025, completing its passage through Parliament?
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Correct answer: A — Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
The Lok Sabha passed the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 on 12 March 2025; the Rajya Sabha had passed it on 3 December 2024.
What single permit does the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 introduce in place of multiple licences?
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Correct answer: B — Petroleum lease
The Bill introduces a single 'petroleum lease', replacing the need for multiple licences for different activities and hydrocarbons.
Consider the following statements about the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024: 1. It was first passed by the Lok Sabha and later by the Rajya Sabha. 2. It raises the penalty for violations to ₹25 lakh, with up to ₹10 lakh per day for continuing violations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Rajya Sabha passed it first, on 3 December 2024, and the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2025. Statement 2 is correct.
What was India's IIP growth rate for January 2025 as per the Quick Estimates?
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Correct answer: C — 5.0%
IIP grew 5.0% in January 2025; 3.2% was December 2024, 4.4% mining and 5.5% manufacturing.
Which use-based category contracted in the IIP for January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Consumer non-durables
Consumer non-durables fell 0.2% in January 2025, while capital goods grew 7.8% and consumer durables 7.2%.
With which country did India hold its first Joint Working Group meeting on Agriculture on 12 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Chile
India and Chile held their first JWG meeting on Agriculture virtually on 12 March 2025, with Chile represented by ODEPA.
Up to which generation of people of Indian origin in Mauritius did PM Modi announce OCI card eligibility on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Seventh
PM Modi announced a special carve-out for Mauritius under which OCI cards can be made available to the seventh generation of people of Indian origin.
Who was the President of Mauritius whom PM Modi called on at the State House on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Dharambeer Gokhool
PM Modi called on President Dharambeer Gokhool at the State House and handed OCI cards to him and First Lady Brinda Gokhool.
At which place in Mauritius did PM Modi pay homage at the Samadhis of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and Sir Anerood Jugnauth on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Pamplemousses
The wreath-laying was at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, Pamplemousses, where the two leaders also planted a sapling under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's engagements in Mauritius on 11 March 2025: 1. He addressed the Indian community at the Trianon Convention Centre along with PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam. 2. He visited an Ayurveda Garden at the State House set up in collaboration with the Government of India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the community event was at the Trianon Convention Centre with PM Ramgoolam, and Modi visited the Ayurveda Garden at the State House, established with Indian collaboration.
Which town was named the world's most polluted metropolitan area in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?
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Correct answer: B — Byrnihat
Byrnihat, on the Assam–Meghalaya border, topped the list with an annual average PM2.5 of 128.2 µg/m³.
What was India's rank among the most polluted countries in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Fifth
India ranked fifth at 50.6 µg/m³, improving from third in 2023.
Which country was ranked the most polluted in IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Chad
Chad topped the list at 91.8 µg/m³, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the DR Congo and India.
Consider the following statements about IQAir's World Air Quality Report 2024: 1. India's annual average PM2.5 concentration was more than ten times the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³. 2. New Delhi was the most polluted capital city. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: India averaged 50.6 µg/m³ against the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³, and New Delhi remained the world's most polluted capital.
With which institution did the Department of Posts sign an MoU on 11 March 2025 for the technology architecture of a Digital Address DPI?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru
The MoU was signed with the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) of IISc, Bengaluru.
The Department of Posts' Digital Address initiative aims to establish which concept in India?
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Correct answer: D — Address as a Service (AaaS)
Under the 'Digital Address Code' initiative, the department aims to establish 'Address as a Service' (AaaS) through a standardised, geo-coded addressing system.
In which city did US and Ukrainian officials hold talks on 11 March 2025 that led to Ukraine accepting a 30-day ceasefire proposal?
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Correct answer: A — Jeddah
The talks were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
What was the length of the interim ceasefire that Ukraine expressed readiness to accept at the Jeddah talks of March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 30 days
The joint statement refers to an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, extendable by mutual agreement.
Consider the following statements about the US–Ukraine joint statement issued in Jeddah on 11 March 2025: 1. The ceasefire was to take effect immediately regardless of Russia's response. 2. The US agreed to lift its pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the ceasefire was subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by Russia. Statement 2 is correct.
Which train was hijacked by Baloch militants in Pakistan on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Jaffar Express
The Quetta–Peshawar Jaffar Express was hijacked in the Bolan Pass area of Balochistan.
Which group claimed responsibility for the Jaffar Express hijacking of March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Balochistan Liberation Army
The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana crossed which milestone of rooftop solar installations in March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 10 lakh
The MNRE said 10.09 lakh installations had been completed as of 10 March 2025.
Which two Union Territories were reported in March 2025 to have achieved 100% of their government-building rooftop solar targets under PM Surya Ghar?
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Correct answer: A — Chandigarh and Daman & Diu
The MNRE said Chandigarh and Daman & Diu had achieved 100% of their government-building rooftop solar targets.
PM-YUVA 3.0, launched on 11 March 2025, mentors authors below what age?
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Correct answer: B — 30 years
PM-YUVA 3.0 trains young and budding authors below 30 years of age.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three themes of PM-YUVA 3.0?
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Correct answer: A — Unsung Heroes of the Freedom Movement
The three themes are the Indian Diaspora in Nation Building, the Indian Knowledge System, and Makers of Modern India (1950–2025).
Consider the following statements about PM-YUVA 3.0: 1. A total of 50 authors are to be selected, of whom 20 are for the Indian Knowledge System theme. 2. The selection contest is conducted through the MyGov portal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: 50 authors are selected — 10 for the Diaspora theme, 20 for Indian Knowledge System and 20 for Makers of Modern India — through an all-India contest on MyGov.
By how much did India's coal imports fall in April–December 2024 compared with the same period of 2023-24?
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Correct answer: C — 8.4%
Coal imports fell 8.4% to 183.42 MT from 200.19 MT, saving about $5.43 billion in foreign exchange.
By what date did the Election Commission of India, on 11 March 2025, ask political parties to send suggestions on unresolved issues at the ERO, DEO or CEO level?
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Correct answer: C — 30 April 2025
The ECI invited suggestions from all national and state parties by 30 April 2025.
What was India's overall tele-density at the end of December 2024, as per data released on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 84.45%
Overall tele-density was 84.45%; 131.50% was the urban figure and 58.22% the rural one.
Which renewable energy company's acquisition by ONGC NTPC Green Private Limited did the CCI approve on 11 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Ayana Renewable Power
The CCI approved the acquisition of 100% of Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited by ONGC NTPC Green, a JV of ONGC Green and NTPC Green Energy.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi, whose appointment as a Supreme Court judge was notified on 10 March 2025, was a judge of which High Court?
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Correct answer: D — Calcutta High Court
Justice Bagchi was a judge of the Calcutta High Court, where he was appointed on 27 June 2011.
Under which provision of the Constitution did the President appoint Justice Joymalya Bagchi as a Supreme Court judge?
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Correct answer: D — Article 124(2)
The 10 March 2025 notification cites clause (2) of Article 124, under which the President appoints Supreme Court judges.
Who was the last Chief Justice of India from the Calcutta High Court before Justice Joymalya Bagchi's elevation, as noted by the Collegium in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Justice Altamas Kabir
The Collegium noted that no CJI had come from the Calcutta High Court since Justice Altamas Kabir retired on 18 July 2013.
With Justice Joymalya Bagchi's appointment, the Supreme Court's working strength became 33 against a sanctioned strength of:
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Correct answer: C — 34
The sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court is 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.
Consider the following statements about Justice Joymalya Bagchi's elevation in March 2025: 1. He was first in the combined all-India seniority of High Court judges. 2. By seniority, he is in line to serve as Chief Justice of India from May 2031 until 2 October 2031. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Collegium said he stood 11th in the combined all-India seniority, and cited regional representation. Statement 2 is correct.
Which House of Parliament passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, on 10 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, on 10 March 2025; the Rajya Sabha passed it later.
How many sections did the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, which the 2025 Bill replaces, have?
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Correct answer: B — Three
The government described the 1856 Act as a brief three-section law governing the transfer of rights and confirmation of shipment.
Consider the following statements about the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025: 1. It substantially changes the rights and liabilities of carriers under the 1856 Act. 2. It empowers the Central Government to issue directions for implementing the law. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Bill simplifies language and reorganises provisions without altering their substance. Statement 2 is correct, along with a new repeal-and-saving clause.
According to C.R. Patil on 10 March 2025, how many rainwater harvesting structures were built in Navsari within 24 hours during the PM's Women's Day visit?
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Correct answer: C — 1,100
Patil said 1,100 rainwater harvesting structures were created in Navsari within 24 hours through community participation.
Consider the following statements about the Atal Bhujal Yojana: 1. It is a central sector scheme for community-led groundwater management, half of whose ₹6,000-crore outlay comes from a World Bank loan. 2. It covers all states that have over-exploited groundwater blocks. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the scheme covers seven states — Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh — in 80 districts.