Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At the CSC Diwas event on 16 July 2025, free AI training was announced for how many individuals, with priority for Village Level Entrepreneurs?
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Correct answer: B — 10 lakh
PIB (MeitY): among the key announcements was free AI training for 10 lakh individuals, with priority for all VLEs.
As stated at the CSC Diwas event in July 2025, the number of Common Service Centres has grown from about 83,000 in 2014 to nearly:
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Correct answer: D — 5.5 lakh
PIB (MeitY): MoS Jitin Prasada said there were only 83,000 CSC centres in 2014, and the number has grown to nearly 5.5 lakh.
The CCEA on 16 July 2025 allowed NLC India Limited to invest how much in its subsidiary NLC India Renewables Limited, exempt from Navratna investment guidelines?
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Correct answer: B — ₹7,000 crore
PIB (CCEA): the exemption enables NLCIL to invest Rs 7,000 crore in its wholly owned subsidiary NIRL. (₹7,500 crore and ₹20,000 crore relate to NTPC's delegation approved the same day.)
The NLCIL investment approved on 16 July 2025 was also exempted from which ceiling stipulated by the Department of Public Enterprises for CPSE investment in JVs and subsidiaries?
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Correct answer: C — 30% of net worth
PIB (CCEA): the investment is further exempted from the 30% net worth ceiling stipulated by DPE for overall investment by CPSEs in JVs and subsidiaries.
Akash Prime, which destroyed two high-speed unmanned aerial targets on 16 July 2025, is the upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System for which service?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Army
PIB (MoD): Akash Prime is the upgraded variant of the Akash Weapon System for the Indian Army.
Akash Prime, tested in Ladakh on 16 July 2025, is customised to operate at altitudes above:
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Correct answer: D — 4,500 metres
PIB (MoD): the weapon system is customised to operate in altitude above 4,500 metres and has an indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker.
Consider the following statements about the Akash Prime trial of 16 July 2025: 1. It was conducted as part of the First of Production Model firing trial. 2. Akash Prime uses an imported infrared seeker. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoD): the trials were done as part of the First of Production Model firing trial, so 1 is correct; Akash Prime has an indigenously developed Radio Frequency seeker, so 2 is wrong.
On NAMASTE Day, 16 July 2025, which helpline number was launched for waste pickers in Lucknow?
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Correct answer: A — 14473
PIB (MoSJE): MoS B L Verma inaugurated the helpline (14473) for waste pickers in Lucknow.
The NAMASTE scheme, whose day was observed on 16 July 2025, is implemented by which body and for what period?
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Correct answer: A — NSKFDC; FY 2023-24 to 2025-26
PIB (MoSJE): the scheme is being implemented by the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) for three years from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 with a budget of Rs 349.73 crore.
According to the IIA study reported in July 2025, the great geomagnetic storm that began on 10 May 2024 and caused auroras over Ladakh was linked to a sequence of how many coronal mass ejections?
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Correct answer: D — Six
PIB (DST): the great geomagnetic storm that started on 10 May 2024 was linked to a rare sequence of six different CMEs erupting in succession.
Consider the following statements about the IIA study on the May 2024 solar storm: 1. The team found that the CMEs initially release heat but later absorb and hold onto it during their journey. 2. The rare chain of solar blasts was reported from IIA's Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle, Ladakh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (DST): initially the CMEs release heat but then enter a state where they absorb and hold onto it; the six interacting solar blasts were reported from IIA's Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, Ladakh. Both are correct.
The enhanced delegation granted to NTPC by the CCEA on 16 July 2025 for renewable energy investment raised the limit to:
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Correct answer: A — ₹20,000 crore
PIB (CCEA): NTPC's investment in NGEL and onward in NREL and other JVs/subsidiaries was allowed beyond the earlier approved limit of Rs 7,500 crore up to Rs 20,000 crore.
NTPC's enhanced investment delegation approved in July 2025 is aimed at achieving how much renewable energy capacity by 2032?
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Correct answer: B — 60 GW
PIB (CCEA): the delegation is for RE capacity addition to achieve 60 GW renewable energy capacity by 2032. (32 GW by 2047 is NLCIL's target.)
Consider the following statements about the workshop inaugurated by CDS General Anil Chauhan on 16 July 2025: 1. It was held at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, on indigenisation of critical components in UAVs and counter-UAS. 2. The CDS called for a counter-UAS grid integrating radars, sensors, jammers and directed energy weapons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MoD): the CDS inaugurated the Workshop and Exhibition on Indigenisation of Critical Components in UAV and C-UAS at Manekshaw Centre, and detailed the need for a counter-UAS grid integrating radars, sensors, jammers and directed energy weapons. Both are correct.
Which foundation day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was celebrated on 16 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 97th
PIB (MoA&FW): Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the 97th Foundation Day celebration of ICAR at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
Around what time (IST) did the Axiom-4 Dragon carrying Shubhanshu Shukla splash down on 15 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Shortly after 3 PM IST
ISRO: splashdown occurred on July 15, 2025 at approximately 15:03 hrs IST; NASA: 5:31 a.m. EDT (= 15:01 IST); PIB (DoS): shortly after 3 PM IST.
Where did the Axiom-4 crew capsule splash down on 15 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California
ISRO and NASA: the Dragon splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
What was the name of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that brought the Axiom-4 crew back to Earth?
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Correct answer: B — Grace
PIB (DoS): Shukla returned to Earth in the SpaceX Dragon capsule 'Grace', which splashed down off the coast of San Diego.
Consider the following statements about the Axiom-4 mission: 1. Shubhanshu Shukla flew as the mission commander. 2. Shukla completed seven ISRO-led microgravity experiments aboard the ISS. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (Cabinet) and PIB (DoS): Shukla was Mission Pilot and Peggy Whitson was mission commander, so 1 is wrong; ISRO: Shukla completed a suite of seven microgravity experiments, so 2 is correct.
According to ISRO, after undocking from the ISS the Axiom-4 Dragon flew in Earth orbit for about how long before splashdown, and how many orbits did ISRO say the mission covered?
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Correct answer: D — About 22 hours 30 minutes; ~282 orbits
ISRO: after an Earth-orbiting free flight lasting nearly 22 hours and 30 minutes, the Dragon splashed down; ISRO titled the mission 'a saga of ~12 million kilometers and ~282 orbits aboard ISS'.
The ADEETIE scheme for energy efficiency in MSMEs was launched on 15 July 2025 at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Panipat, Haryana
PIB (Ministry of Power): the ADEETIE scheme was launched at a national roll-out event at Arya (P.G.) College, Panipat, Haryana.
The ADEETIE scheme, with an outlay of ₹1,000 crore, is being implemented by which body?
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Correct answer: C — Bureau of Energy Efficiency
PIB (Ministry of Power): the ADEETIE scheme, with a budgetary outlay of ₹1,000 crore, is an initiative of the Ministry of Power and is being implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
Under the ADEETIE scheme, what interest subvention is provided on loans for energy-efficiency projects?
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Correct answer: D — 5% for micro and small enterprises; 3% for medium enterprises
PIB (Ministry of Power): the scheme envisages interest subvention of 5% for Micro and Small Enterprises and 3% for Medium Enterprises on loans.
Who received the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 from President Droupadi Murmu at Cuttack on 15 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President presented the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan at Cuttack.
Adikabi Sarala Das, whose birth anniversary was celebrated in Cuttack on 15 July 2025, is credited by the President with composing which work?
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Correct answer: D — Mahabharata
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President said Adikabi Sarala Das enriched Indian literature by composing the Mahabharata.
Consider the following statements about President Murmu's programmes in Cuttack on 15 July 2025: 1. At the Ravenshaw University convocation, she laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of three buildings of Ravenshaw Girls' High School. 2. The literary award 'Sarala Samman' was presented to Bijaya Nayak. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of three buildings of Ravenshaw Girls' High School, and congratulated Bijaya Nayak, who received the 'Sarala Samman'. Both are correct.
On World Youth Skills Day 2025 (15 July), the Ministry of Skill Development launched a week-long celebration marking how many years of the Skill India Mission?
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Correct answer: B — 10 years
PIB (MSDE): Jayant Chaudhary launched the week-long celebration of the 10-year milestone of the Skill India Mission on World Youth Skills Day.
As stated by the Skill Development Ministry in July 2025, how many youth have been trained under PMKVY over the past decade?
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Correct answer: A — Over 1.64 crore
PIB (MSDE): schemes like PMKVY have trained over 1.64 crore youth, while more than 14,500 ITIs have been supported through reforms.
The week-long celebration of 10 years of the Skill India Mission, launched on 15 July 2025, was to culminate on 22 July 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in which event?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat SkillNxt 2025
PIB (MSDE): the celebrations will culminate in the 'Bharat SkillNxt 2025' event on July 22 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The 4-terminal silicon/CdTe-perovskite tandem solar cell developed by IIT Bombay-incubated startup ART-PV India, highlighted in July 2025, has a conversion efficiency of:
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Correct answer: B — 29.8%
PIB (MNRE): ART-PV India has developed a 4-terminal Silicon/CdTe-Perovskite tandem solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 29.8%.
Consider the following statements about the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE): 1. It was launched at IIT Bombay in 2010 with funding from MNRE. 2. MNRE has provided over ₹200 crore to NCPRE over the last 15 years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (MNRE): NCPRE was launched at IIT Bombay in 2010 with MNRE funding, and MNRE has provided over Rs 200 crore funding to NCPRE over the last 15 years. Both are correct.
As per the PLFS monthly bulletin for June 2025, the unemployment rate (CWS) for persons aged 15 years and above was:
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Correct answer: D — 5.6%
PIB (MoSPI): the unemployment rate in CWS among persons aged 15 and above remained the same at 5.6% in May 2025 and June 2025.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS bulletin for June 2025: 1. The Labour Force Participation Rate (CWS, 15+) declined from May 2025 to June 2025. 2. LFPR in urban areas was higher than in rural areas in June 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoSPI): LFPR was 54.2% in June against 54.8% in May, so 1 is correct; rural LFPR was 56.1% and urban 50.4%, so 2 is wrong.
As per the PLFS bulletin for June 2025, the overall Worker Population Ratio (CWS, 15+) at the country level was:
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Correct answer: A — 51.2%
PIB (MoSPI): the overall WPR at the country level was 51.2% in June 2025 against 51.7% in May; 53.3% was rural WPR and 46.8% urban WPR.
India's combined merchandise and services exports for April–June 2025 were estimated at:
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Correct answer: D — US$ 210.31 billion
PIB (Commerce): cumulative exports during April–June 2025 are estimated at US$ 210.31 billion, compared to US$ 198.52 billion in April–June 2024. (US$ 112.17 billion was merchandise only.)
Which merchandise export category recorded the sharpest growth (46.93%) in June 2025, according to the Commerce Ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Electronic Goods
PIB (Commerce): electronic goods exports increased by 46.93% from US$ 2.82 billion in June 2024 to US$ 4.15 billion in June 2025; pharma rose 5.95%, engineering 1.35%, marine 13.33%.
Consider the following statements about India's trade data released on 15 July 2025: 1. Merchandise exports for April–June 2025 grew faster than combined merchandise and services exports. 2. India's overall trade deficit (merchandise + services) in June 2025 narrowed compared to June 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
PIB (Commerce): merchandise exports grew 1.92% against 5.94% for combined exports, so 1 is wrong; the June trade balance was –US$ 3.51 billion against –US$ 7.30 billion in June 2024, so 2 is correct.
India held the 2nd Joint Working Group meeting on agriculture cooperation on 15 July 2025 with which country?
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Correct answer: C — Argentina
PIB (MoA&FW): the 2nd JWG meeting on Agriculture between India and Argentina was held, co-chaired by Devesh Chaturvedi and Argentina's Sergio Iraeta.
NITI Aayog's Third Regional Consultative Meeting on 'Ease of Doing Research & Development', held on 14–15 July 2025, took place at:
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Correct answer: B — IIT Jammu
PIB (NITI Aayog): the Third Regional Consultative Meeting on 'Ease of Doing R&D' was held on 14–15 July 2025 at IIT Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir.
Consider the following statements about the Union Health Ministry's clarification of 15 July 2025: 1. The ministry's advisory asks for display of Oil and Sugar Boards at workplaces as a behavioural nudge. 2. The advisory directs vendors to put warning labels on samosa, jalebi and laddoo. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (MoHFW): the advisory is about displaying Oil and Sugar Boards in workplaces as a behavioural nudge, so 1 is correct; it does not direct warning labels on food products sold by vendors, so 2 is wrong.
Who was appointed Governor of Haryana by the President on 14 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ashim Kumar Ghosh
President's Secretariat communique (14 July 2025): Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh appointed as Governor of Haryana.
Consider the following statements about the appointments announced on 14 July 2025: 1. Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju was appointed Governor of Goa. 2. Kavinder Gupta was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. 3. The President accepted the resignation of B. D. Mishra as Governor of Haryana. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: B. D. Mishra resigned as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, not as Governor of Haryana.
Kavinder Gupta was appointed on 14 July 2025 as Lieutenant Governor of which Union Territory?
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Correct answer: C — Ladakh
President's Secretariat communique: Shri Kavinder Gupta appointed as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
Which Article of the Constitution provides that the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal?
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Correct answer: D — Article 155
Article 155: 'The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.'
India reached 50% non-fossil share in installed power capacity by 30 June 2025. How far ahead of the target year was this, according to MNRE?
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Correct answer: D — Five years
MNRE: achieving 50% non-fossil fuel capacity five years ahead of the 2030 target.
Consider the following statements about India's installed electricity capacity as on 30 June 2025: 1. Total installed capacity was 484.82 GW. 2. Renewable energy (excluding large hydro) accounted for 184.62 GW. 3. Nuclear capacity exceeded 20 GW. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: nuclear capacity was 8.78 GW (1.81%).
According to the MNRE release of 14 July 2025, India is moving towards what non-fossil capacity goal by 2030?
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Correct answer: A — 500 GW
MNRE: 'As the country moves toward the goal of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070'.
ADIDOC, launched on 14 July 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: A — Carbon fibre foot prosthesis
MoD: DRDO and AIIMS Bibinagar unveiled ADIDOC, an indigenously developed optimised carbon foot prosthesis.
Which DRDO laboratory co-developed the ADIDOC foot prosthesis with AIIMS Bibinagar?
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Correct answer: D — DRDL
MoD: ADIDOC was developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), DRDO, with AIIMS Bibinagar.
Up to what load has the ADIDOC prosthesis been tested, and what is its stated cost?
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Correct answer: B — Up to 125 kg; under ₹20,000
MoD: ADIDOC has been tested for loads up to 125 kg and costs under ₹20,000; imported equivalents cost about ₹2 lakh.
According to ISRO, at what time (IST) did the Axiom-4 Crew Dragon undock from the ISS on 14 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 16:45 IST
ISRO: 'On July 14, 2025 (16:45 hrs IST), Crew Dragon spacecraft ... successfully undocked from International Space Station.'
After undocking on 14 July 2025, where was the Axiom-4 Crew Dragon expected to splash down, according to ISRO?
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Correct answer: C — Near the coast of California, USA
ISRO: the Crew Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down near the coast of California, USA, on July 15, 2025 at 15:00 hrs (IST).
What was India's year-on-year headline CPI inflation for June 2025, as released by MoSPI on 14 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2.10%
MoSPI: year-on-year inflation rate based on All India CPI for June 2025 is 2.10%.
Consider the following statements about CPI data for June 2025: 1. Headline inflation was the lowest since January 2019. 2. All-India food inflation (CFPI) was negative at -1.06%. 3. The CPI series uses 2012 as the base year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct as per MoSPI: 2.10% was the lowest year-on-year inflation since January 2019, CFPI was -1.06%, and the base is 2012=100.
By how many basis points did headline CPI inflation in June 2025 fall compared with May 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 72 basis points
MoSPI: headline inflation in June 2025 was 72 basis points lower than May 2025 (205 bps was the fall in food inflation).
The first section of the bullet train's 21 km undersea tunnel, announced on 14 July 2025, opened between which two places?
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Correct answer: C — Ghansoli and Shilphata
Ministry of Railways: first section of 21 km undersea tunnel of the bullet train project opens between Ghansoli and Shilphata in Maharashtra.
Which generation of Shinkansen trains has Japan agreed to introduce on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project, simultaneously with Japan?
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Correct answer: A — E10
Ministry of Railways: Japan currently runs E5 trains; the next generation is E10, which will be introduced simultaneously in India and Japan.
As per the Ministry of Railways update of 14 July 2025, how many of the 12 stations of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor are completed?
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Correct answer: D — 5
Ministry of Railways: out of 12 stations, 5 are completed and 3 more are reaching completion stage.
What was India's annual WPI inflation rate (provisional) for June 2025?
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Correct answer: C — -0.13%
Commerce Ministry: annual rate of inflation based on all-India WPI is -0.13% (provisional) for June 2025.
What is the base year of the Wholesale Price Index series used for the June 2025 data?
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Correct answer: A — 2011-12
Commerce Ministry release title: Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of June, 2025 (Base Year: 2011-12). CPI uses base 2012.
Vibhu Bakhru was appointed on 14 July 2025 as Chief Justice of which High Court?
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Correct answer: D — Karnataka High Court
Law Ministry communique: Vibhu Bakhru, Judge (Delhi), appointed Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.
Consider the following statements regarding Article 217 of the Constitution: 1. Every Judge of a High Court is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. 2. A permanent High Court Judge holds office until the age of sixty-five years. 3. To qualify, an advocate must have practised in a High Court for at least seven years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Article 217(1) sets the retirement age at sixty-two years (not 65), and Article 217(2)(b) requires at least ten years as an advocate of a High Court (not seven).
Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh was transferred on 14 July 2025 from the Tripura High Court to which High Court?
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Correct answer: C — Telangana High Court
Law Ministry communique: Aparesh Kumar Singh transferred from Tripura to Telangana as Chief Justice.
President Droupadi Murmu attended which convocation of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on 14 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Fifth
President's Secretariat: the President graced the 5th convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on 14 July 2025.
Veteran marathon runner Fauja Singh died on 14 July 2025 after a hit-and-run incident in his native village in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Jalandhar
The Hindu and The Indian Express: Fauja Singh was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road in his native village Beas in Jalandhar district, Punjab.
Coal India's first fully women-operated dispensary, inaugurated on 14 July 2025, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Bilaspur
Ministry of Coal: Vasant Vihar Dispensary at SECL headquarters, Bilaspur, is Coal India's first fully women-operated dispensary.
Under the long-term agreements signed on 13 July 2025, how much DAP will Saudi Arabia's Maaden supply to Indian companies per annum from 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — 3.1 million metric tonnes
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers: overall enhanced 3.1 million MT of DAP per annum for five years from 2025-26. (1.9 MMT was India's 2024-25 import from Saudi Arabia.)
Which Saudi company signed long-term DAP supply agreements with IPL, KRIBHCO and CIL during J.P. Nadda's visit in July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Maaden
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers: the two Ministers witnessed the signing of Long-Term Agreements between Maaden and Indian companies IPL, KRIBHCO and CIL.
Consider the following statements about J.P. Nadda's July 2025 visit to Saudi Arabia: 1. The DAP supply agreements run for five years from 2025-26 and can be extended by five more years by mutual consent. 2. A joint team led by India's Secretary (Fertilizer) and Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister for Mining Affairs was set up. 3. India's DAP imports from Saudi Arabia fell in 2024-25 compared with the previous year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: imports rose about 17%, from 1.6 million MT to 1.9 million MT in 2024-25.
During his July 2025 visit, J.P. Nadda toured Maaden's phosphate production facilities at which Saudi location?
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Correct answer: D — Ras Al Khair
Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers: on 12 July, Nadda and the delegation visited Maaden facilities at Ras Al Khair and toured the phosphate production plant.