Asia Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Whom did External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar call on during his visit to Singapore on 13 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — President Tharman Shanmugaratnam
MEA: during the visit, EAM called on President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam and met DPM Gan Kim Yong and FM Vivian Balakrishnan.
The inaugural meeting of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), whose outcomes were reviewed during Jaishankar's July 2025 visit, was held in:
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Correct answer: A — New Delhi, September 2022
MEA bilateral brief: the inaugural meeting of the ISMR took place on 17 September 2022 in New Delhi.
After Singapore, Jaishankar's 13–15 July 2025 tour took him to which city for the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' meeting?
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Correct answer: C — Tianjin
MEA (12 July 2025): EAM will visit China to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting being held in Tianjin.
A goods train carrying diesel caught fire on 13 July 2025 near which railway station in Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: B — Tiruvallur
PTI (The Tribune, ThePrint) and The New Indian Express: the goods train caught fire while exiting Tiruvallur railway station.
How many wagons were gutted in the Tiruvallur goods train fire of 13 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 18
Southern Railway (via PTI) and The New Indian Express: 18 wagons were gutted; 30 unaffected wagons and the locomotive were detached.
To whom did Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan write, as announced on 13 July 2025, seeking a campaign against fake fertilizers?
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Correct answer: B — Chief Ministers of all States and UTs
Agriculture Ministry: the Union Minister wrote to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories.
The sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilizers is prohibited under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, which is issued under which Act?
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Correct answer: D — Essential Commodities Act, 1955
Agriculture Ministry: sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilizers is prohibited under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Consider the following directions issued to States in the Agriculture Minister's letter (July 2025): 1. Forced tagging of nano-fertilizers or bio-stimulants with conventional fertilizers should be stopped immediately. 2. All sales of nano-fertilizers should be banned. 3. States should procure fertilizers directly from manufacturers abroad. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is in the letter. The letter asks States to stop forced tagging, not to ban nano-fertilizers, and says nothing about direct procurement abroad.
Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who died on 13 July 2025, was primarily associated with which film industry?
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Correct answer: C — Telugu
The Hindu, NDTV, The Tribune: veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at 83.
Kota Srinivasa Rao served as a BJP MLA from 1999 to 2004 from which constituency?
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Correct answer: D — Vijayawada East
NDTV and The Tribune: he served as BJP MLA from the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency from 1999 to 2004.
Which civilian honour had Kota Srinivasa Rao received?
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Correct answer: A — Padma Shri
The Tribune and The New Indian Express: Kota Srinivasa Rao was a recipient of the Padma Shri.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the 31st edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle on 13 July 2025 from which city?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhinagar
MoYAS: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya led a group of over 500 participants in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
What was the message of the Fit India Sundays on Cycle drive held on 13 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Fitness Ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz
MoYAS: the pan-India cycling drive reinforced the message of 'Fitness Ki Dose, Aadha Ghanta Roz'.
According to ISRO, in which ISS module was the Axiom-4 crew's farewell ceremony on 13 July 2025 marked with commemorative patches and final photographs?
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Correct answer: C — Harmony
ISRO: Expedition 73 crew and mission control teams marked the occasion with commemorative mission patches and final photographs in the Harmony module.
The final round of the 'Mann Ki Baat Talent Hunt Season 5', inaugurated on 13 July 2025, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Thiruvananthapuram
MoYAS: MoS Raksha Nikhil Khadse inaugurated the final round at Jyothis Central School, Kazhakkoottam, Thiruvananthapuram.
Which former Foreign Secretary was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President in July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Harsh Vardhan Shringla
The Hindu and Indian Express: former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was among the four nominated to the Rajya Sabha (MHA notification, 12 July 2025).
Consider the following statements regarding nominated members of the Rajya Sabha: 1. The President nominates twelve members under Article 80(1)(a). 2. Nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service. 3. The four persons nominated in July 2025 filled seats newly created by Parliament. 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 per Article 80(1)(a) and 80(3). Statement 3 is wrong: the notification says the nominations fill vacancies caused by the retirement of nominated members.
Under which Article of the Constitution did the President nominate four members to the Rajya Sabha in July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Article 80
MHA notification: 'In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 ... read with clause (3) of that article'.
Ujjwal Nikam, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in July 2025, is known as the Special Public Prosecutor in which case?
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Correct answer: A — 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case
The Hindu and Indian Express: Ujjwal Nikam is the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.
According to the AAIB preliminary report on AI171, what happened to both engines' fuel cutoff switches immediately after the aircraft reached 180 knots?
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Correct answer: B — They moved from RUN to CUTOFF one after another, one second apart
AAIB preliminary report: immediately after 180 knots IAS at about 08:08:42 UTC, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF one after another with a time gap of 01 sec.
Air India flight AI171, which crashed at Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025, was bound for which airport?
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Correct answer: D — London Gatwick
AAIB preliminary report: the aircraft was operating Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to Gatwick; intended landing place London Gatwick Airport (EGKK).
Consider the following statements about the AAIB preliminary report on AI171: 1. Fuel samples taken from the bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were found satisfactory at the DGCA lab. 2. The report issued immediate recommended actions to all B787-8 operators. 3. Significant bird activity was observed in the vicinity of the flight path. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The report says there are no recommended actions at this stage to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B operators and manufacturers, and that no significant bird activity was observed.
The AAIB preliminary report on AI171 states that it was prepared in accordance with which Annex to the Convention on International Civil Aviation?
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Correct answer: C — Annex 13
AAIB preliminary report foreword: prepared in accordance with Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation; the initial notification was also sent as per ICAO Annex 13.
Which agency represented the State of Design and Manufacture in the AI171 investigation, according to the AAIB preliminary report?
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Correct answer: A — National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), USA
AAIB preliminary report: the initial notification was sent to the NTSB, USA, which represented the State of Design & Manufacture; NTSB appointed an Accredited Representative with advisers from Boeing, GE and the FAA.
In how many railway coaches did the Railway Minister approve installation of CCTV cameras on 12 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — All 74,000 coaches
Ministry of Railways: the Minister gave the go-ahead to install CCTV cameras in all 74,000 coaches and 15,000 locos.
Consider the following statements about the Railways' CCTV plan (July 2025): 1. Cameras will be installed inside berths and seating bays for full coverage. 2. Each locomotive will have 6 CCTV cameras. 3. Successful trials were done in locomotives and coaches of the Northern Railway. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 2 and 3 only
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is wrong: to preserve privacy, cameras will be installed in the common movement area near the doors.
How many dome-type CCTV cameras will each railway coach have under the plan approved in July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 4
Ministry of Railways: each railway coach will be covered with 4 dome-type CCTV cameras, 2 in each entrance way.
How many appointment letters did PM Narendra Modi distribute at the Rozgar Mela on 12 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — More than 51,000
PMO: the Prime Minister distributed more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly appointed youth via videoconferencing.
Which edition of the Rozgar Mela was held on 12 July 2025, and at how many locations?
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Correct answer: C — 16th; 47 locations
PMO background: the 16th Rozgar Mela will be held at 47 locations across the country.
At the Rozgar Mela on 12 July 2025, the PM said approximately what budget has been allocated for the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1 lakh crore
PMO: 'Recently, the government has approved a new scheme called the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme. For this, the government has allocated a budget of approximately ₹1 lakh crore.'
What is the title of the WHO technical brief, highlighted by the Ayush Ministry on 12 July 2025, that featured India's Ayush innovations?
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Correct answer: C — Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine
Ministry of Ayush: WHO has released a technical brief titled 'Mapping the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Traditional Medicine'.
According to the WHO brief cited by the Ayush Ministry in July 2025, India was the first country to launch which of the following?
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Correct answer: A — Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
Ministry of Ayush release headline: 'India first country to launch a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library: WHO'.
What size of India's Ayush market does the WHO brief note, as per the Ayush Ministry (July 2025)?
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Correct answer: D — US$43.4 billion
Ministry of Ayush: 'Ayush Sector Fuels Economic Growth: WHO Notes India's US$43.4 Billion Market'.
From which date will beneficiary registration under Poshan 2.0 use biometric authentication, as announced at the Kevadia zonal meeting on 12 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1 August
Ministry of WCD: from 1st August the beneficiary registration will be done using biometric authentication.
Which of the following States did NOT take part in the WCD Ministry's zonal meeting at Kevadia on 12 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Karnataka
Ministry of WCD: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Goa participated; Karnataka was not listed.
The 'Workshop on Breed Development in India', chaired by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on 12 July 2025, was held in which city?
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Correct answer: A — Lucknow
Ministry of FAHD: the workshop was held on 12 July 2025 at Indira Gandhi Convention Centre, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
The 20,000 sq ft Skill Development Centre at AURIC, Maharashtra, endorsed in July 2025, is to be set up in partnership with which body?
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Correct answer: D — CII
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: a 20,000 sq ft Skill Development Centre will be established at AURIC in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the 4th convocation of the Indian Institute of Information Technology on 12 July 2025 in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Kota
Vice President's Secretariat: Shri Dhankhar addressed the 4th Convocation Ceremony of IIIT Kota in Rajasthan as Chief Guest.
As of 12 July 2025, what share of Bihar's electors had submitted enumeration forms in the Special Intensive Revision, according to the ECI?
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Correct answer: B — 80.11%
ECI: as of 6 PM on 12 July, collection crossed 6,32,59,497 or 80.11%.
With the inscription of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' on 11 July 2025, how many World Heritage properties does India have?
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Correct answer: A — 44
UNESCO and Ministry of Culture: the inscription made it India's 44th World Heritage property.
Which component of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' is located in Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: C — Gingee Fort
Ministry of Culture and UNESCO: 11 forts are in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
Consider the following statements about the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India': 1. They were inscribed at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris. 2. They were inscribed under criteria (iv) and (vi). 3. The property comprises 12 forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra. 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 UNESCO Decision 47 COM 8B.16 and the Ministry of Culture.
Which of the following forts in the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' is classified as an island fort?
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Correct answer: B — Khanderi
Ministry of Culture: Khanderi, Suvarnadurg and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are island forts; Raigad is a hill fort, Panhala a hill-plateau fort and Pratapgad a hill-forest fort.
Which UNESCO advisory body sent a mission to review the sites of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' before the inscription?
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Correct answer: A — ICOMOS
Ministry of Culture: the 18-month process involved technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a visit of ICOMOS's mission to review the sites.
From which aircraft was the Astra BVRAAM with an indigenous RF seeker flight-tested on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Su-30 Mk-I
MoD: DRDO and IAF flight-tested Astra with indigenous RF seeker from the Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of Odisha.
What was the key indigenous component validated in the Astra flight-tests of 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Radio Frequency (RF) seeker
MoD: the tests validated Astra equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker designed and developed by DRDO.
What is the range of the Astra BVRAAM, as stated by the Ministry of Defence in July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Exceeding 100 km
MoD: Astra BVRAAM has a range exceeding 100 km.
The flight data of the Astra tests on 11 July 2025 was captured by range tracking instruments of which facility?
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Correct answer: A — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
MoD: the performance was validated through flight data captured by range tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
At the Yamuna rejuvenation review on 11 July 2025, Amit Shah directed that STP capacity for the Yamuna be raised to what level by 2028?
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Correct answer: D — 1,500 MGD
MHA: the Home Minister directed to increase the capacity of STPs for the Yamuna to 1,500 MGD by 2028.
Which body was the Delhi Government asked to work with to manage waste from dairies and cow shelters, at the Yamuna review of 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
MHA: the Delhi government should work with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to manage waste generated from dairies and cow shelters.
Treated water from which Delhi sewage treatment plant is to be released downstream of the Yamuna, as directed on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Okhla
MHA: treated water from Okhla should be released into the downstream of Yamuna to improve the water quality of the river.
Under the DoT's Sanchar Mitra Scheme, who serve as 'Sanchar Mitras'?
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Correct answer: C — Student volunteers acting as digital ambassadors
DoT: Sanchar Mitras are student volunteers who act as digital ambassadors to lead digital literacy and telecom awareness.
In the first outreach programme of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme on 11 July 2025, the Assam LSA partnered with how many engineering colleges?
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Correct answer: A — 18
DoT: in the first outreach programme, Assam LSA partnered with 18 prominent engineering colleges across the state.
What is the maximum incentive per vehicle under the e-truck scheme launched under PM E-DRIVE on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ₹9.6 lakh
Ministry of Heavy Industries: the incentive depends on GVW, with the maximum set at ₹9.6 lakh per vehicle.
Approximately how many electric trucks is the PM E-DRIVE e-truck scheme expected to support?
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Correct answer: A — 5,600
Ministry of Heavy Industries: the scheme is expected to support the deployment of approximately 5,600 e-trucks across the country.
Consider the following statements about the e-truck incentive scheme (July 2025): 1. N2 category covers trucks with GVW above 3.5 tonnes and up to 12 tonnes. 2. N3 category covers trucks with GVW above 12 tonnes and up to 55 tonnes. 3. The battery must carry a warranty of three years or 3 lakh km. 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 as per the CMVR categories cited by the Ministry. Statement 3 is wrong: the battery warranty must be five years or 5 lakh km, whichever is earlier.
The meeting on boosting cotton productivity chaired by Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 11 July 2025 was held at which institute?
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Correct answer: D — ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore
Agriculture Ministry: the meeting was convened at the ICAR–Sugarcane Breeding Institute in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Which Union Minister of Textiles took part in the cotton productivity meeting in Coimbatore on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Giriraj Singh
Agriculture Ministry: Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh was present.
What is the title of the whitepaper on quantum-safe cybersecurity launched by MeitY on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness
MeitY: MeitY, CERT-In and SISA jointly launched a whitepaper titled 'Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness'.
Along with MeitY, which two entities jointly launched the 'Transitioning to Quantum Cyber Readiness' whitepaper?
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Correct answer: B — CERT-In and SISA
MeitY: the Ministry, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and cybersecurity firm SISA jointly launched the whitepaper.
At which Jaipur institute did Jayant Chaudhary inaugurate a Skill Centre on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (CCS NIAM)
MSDE: Shri Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated a Skill Centre at Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (CCS NIAM), Jaipur.
Under which operation did the DRI seize about ₹35 crore worth of Chinese firecrackers, as announced on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Operation Fire Trail
Ministry of Finance: DRI, in an operation codenamed 'Operation Fire Trail', seized Chinese firecrackers valued at about ₹35 crore.
To which harbour was the disabled US yacht 'Sea Angel' towed by the Indian Coast Guard on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Campbell Bay
Ministry of Defence: on the morning of July 11, 2025, the yacht was towed and escorted to Campbell Bay harbour.
When and where is Semicon India 2025 scheduled, as announced by MeitY on 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 2–4 September 2025, Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi
MeitY: Semicon India 2025 will be held from 2nd to 4th September 2025 at Yashobhoomi (IICC), New Delhi.
Where was the 27th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council held on 10 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ranchi
MHA: Amit Shah chaired the 27th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Eastern Zonal Council comprises Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. 2. Zonal Councils were established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. 3. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of all five Zonal Councils. 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 the MHA release: the Council comprises the four states; the five Zonal Councils were set up under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956; and the Union Home Minister chairs them.
According to Amit Shah at the Eastern Zonal Council meeting of July 2025, what share of issues discussed at Zonal Council meetings had been resolved?
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Correct answer: C — About 83%
MHA: of 1,580 issues discussed, 1,287 (about 83%) had been resolved.
Who serves as the Vice-Chairman of a Zonal Council?
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Correct answer: B — The Chief Minister of one of the member States, by rotation
MHA: the Chief Minister of one State from the member States is the Vice-Chairman by rotation; the Union Home Minister is the Chairman.
Which body organised the 27th meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council along with the Government of Jharkhand?
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Correct answer: A — Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA: the meeting was organised by the Inter State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Government of Jharkhand.
The Aadi Karmayogi mission of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs aims to build a cadre of how many tribal change leaders?
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Correct answer: C — 20 lakh
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: the initiative aims to build a dynamic cadre of 20 lakh tribal grassroots functionaries and village-level change leaders.
Where was the first Regional Process Lab of the Aadi Karmayogi mission launched on 10 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Bengaluru
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: the first RPL was hosted in Bengaluru.
Consider the following about the first Aadi Karmayogi Regional Process Lab (July 2025): 1. It was launched on Guru Purnima. 2. It trains State Master Trainers from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. 3. It is run by the Ministry of Rural Development. 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: Aadi Karmayogi is a mission of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.