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481. The Paris AI Action Summit of February 2025 was co-chaired by France and:
- A. India
- B. United Kingdom
- C. South Korea
- D. Japan
Answer: India
Explanation: PM Modi co-chaired with President Macron; India announced it would host the next AI summit (AI Impact Summit, February 2026, New Delhi).
482. 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025. How many forts does the nomination cover?
- A. 20
- B. 5
- C. 8
- D. 12
Answer: 12
Explanation: The 12 forts include Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Panhala, Shivneri, Sindhudurg, Suvarnadurg, Lohgad, Salher, Khanderi (Maharashtra) and Gingee (Tamil Nadu).
483. COP30 in November 2025 was held in which city?
- A. Sao Paulo
- B. Belem
- C. Rio de Janeiro
- D. Brasilia
Answer: Belem
Explanation: COP30 was held in Belem, a gateway city of the Brazilian Amazon.
484. The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance adopted at COP29 (Baku, 2024) set a target of at least:
- A. USD 300 billion per year by 2035
- B. USD 500 billion per year by 2040
- C. USD 100 billion per year by 2030
- D. USD 1.3 trillion per year by 2035
Answer: USD 300 billion per year by 2035
Explanation: COP29 set USD 300 billion annually by 2035 from developed countries, with a wider 'Baku to Belem Roadmap' to USD 1.3 trillion; India objected that the sum was too low.
485. COP28 (Dubai, 2023) was historic because its outcome text for the first time called for:
- A. A legally binding methane treaty
- B. Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems
- C. Banning coal by 2030
- D. A binding global carbon tax
Answer: Transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems
Explanation: The UAE Consensus called for 'transitioning away from fossil fuels', tripling renewable capacity by 2030 and operationalised the Loss and Damage Fund on day one.
486. Which country became the 10th full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation at the July 2024 Astana summit?
- A. Armenia
- B. Turkey
- C. Belarus
- D. Mongolia
Answer: Belarus
Explanation: Belarus joined in 2024; Iran had become the ninth member in July 2023 at the India-chaired virtual summit.
487. The 16th BRICS summit (October 2024) was held at:
- A. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- B. Sochi, Russia
- C. Kazan, Russia
- D. Johannesburg, South Africa
Answer: Kazan, Russia
Explanation: Kazan hosted the 16th summit on 22-24 October 2024, the first with the expanded membership; the 17th was at Rio de Janeiro in July 2025.
488. The BRICS 2023 Johannesburg summit invited six countries to join. Which of the following was NOT among those six?
- A. Indonesia
- B. Argentina
- C. Iran
- D. Ethiopia
Answer: Indonesia
Explanation: The six were Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE; Argentina later declined, and Indonesia became a full member only in January 2025.
489. Which country succeeded India as G20 president from 1 December 2023?
- A. Indonesia
- B. United States
- C. South Africa
- D. Brazil
Answer: Brazil
Explanation: Brazil held the 2024 presidency (Rio summit, November 2024), followed by South Africa in 2025 (Johannesburg, the first G20 summit in Africa) and the US in 2026.
490. The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) was launched by India during:
- A. SCO Summit 2023
- B. UNGA 2024
- C. COP27, November 2022
- D. G20 Summit, September 2023
Answer: G20 Summit, September 2023
Explanation: GBA was launched on 9 September 2023 at the G20 with the US and Brazil as co-founders to promote sustainable biofuels.
491. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was announced on the sidelines of which event?
- A. BRICS summit in Kazan, 2024
- B. Quad summit in Tokyo
- C. COP28 in Dubai
- D. G20 summit in New Delhi, 2023
Answer: G20 summit in New Delhi, 2023
Explanation: IMEC, a rail-and-shipping corridor linking India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe, was announced on 9 September 2023 by India, the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, EU, France, Germany and Italy.
492. At the G20 New Delhi summit (9-10 September 2023), which grouping was admitted as a permanent member?
- A. Gulf Cooperation Council
- B. European Free Trade Association
- C. ASEAN
- D. African Union
Answer: African Union
Explanation: The African Union joined as the 21st member of the G20, a proposal India had championed; the venue was Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan.
493. General Upendra Dwivedi took over as Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2024. His predecessor was:
- A. Gen Bipin Rawat
- B. Gen Manoj Pande
- C. Gen Anil Chauhan
- D. Gen M. M. Naravane
Answer: Gen Manoj Pande
Explanation: Gen Manoj Pande (29th COAS) retired after a one-month extension; Gen Dwivedi became the 30th COAS and Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi became Navy chief on 30 April 2024.
494. The Indian Air Force's new chief who assumed office on 30 September 2024 is:
- A. ACM V. R. Chaudhari
- B. ACM R. K. S. Bhadauria
- C. ACM Sandeep Singh
- D. ACM Amar Preet Singh
Answer: ACM Amar Preet Singh
Explanation: ACM Amar Preet Singh succeeded ACM V R Chaudhari as the 28th Chief of the Air Staff.
495. Which defence acquisition did India sign with France on 28 April 2025 for the Navy?
- A. 26 Rafale Marine fighters
- B. 36 Mirage-2000-5
- C. 6 Scorpene submarines
- D. 12 NH90 helicopters
Answer: 26 Rafale Marine fighters
Explanation: The ~Rs 63,000 crore deal covers 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat Rafale M jets for INS Vikrant.
496. Agni-Prime, tested on 25 September 2025, was launched from a:
- A. Rail-based mobile launcher
- B. Submarine tube
- C. Ship deck
- D. Aircraft pod
Answer: Rail-based mobile launcher
Explanation: India's first rail-based canisterised launcher test of Agni-Prime (range about 2,000 km) made it among few nations with such a capability.
497. Exercise Bharat Shakti of March 2024 at Pokhran was unusual because it showcased:
- A. A joint exercise with Russia
- B. Space warfare simulation
- C. A nuclear command drill
- D. Indigenous tri-service firepower and equipment
Answer: Indigenous tri-service firepower and equipment
Explanation: Bharat Shakti, witnessed by PM Modi, was a tri-service firepower demonstration featuring only indigenous systems like Pinaka, Dhanush, ATAGS and Prachand.
498. Malabar naval exercise 2024 was hosted at which Indian port city?
- A. Mumbai
- B. Kochi
- C. Goa
- D. Visakhapatnam
Answer: Visakhapatnam
Explanation: Malabar 2024 took place off Visakhapatnam in October 2024 among India, the US, Japan and Australia; the 2023 edition was in Sydney.
499. The first multinational air exercise hosted by India, Tarang Shakti, was held in 2024 at:
- A. Jamnagar and Bhuj
- B. Sulur and Jodhpur
- C. Pune and Nagpur
- D. Agra and Gwalior
Answer: Sulur and Jodhpur
Explanation: Tarang Shakti 2024 (Aug-Sept) was staged from Sulur (Tamil Nadu) and Jodhpur (Rajasthan) with participants including France, Germany, Spain, UK, UAE and the US.
500. Operation Sindhu (June 2025) evacuated Indians primarily from which country amid a regional war?
- A. Iran
- B. Iraq
- C. Lebanon
- D. Yemen
Answer: Iran
Explanation: Operation Sindhu moved Indian students and others out of Iran (via Armenia and Turkmenistan) during the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict.
501. Operation Dost (February 2023) was India's disaster assistance to:
- A. Turkey and Syria
- B. Morocco and Libya
- C. Afghanistan and Iran
- D. Nepal and Bhutan
Answer: Turkey and Syria
Explanation: After the 6 February 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquakes (M7.8), NDRF teams and medical aid were sent to Turkey and Syria under Operation Dost.
502. Operation Brahma (March 2025) was India's humanitarian relief to which country struck by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake?
- A. Afghanistan
- B. Turkey
- C. Nepal
- D. Myanmar
Answer: Myanmar
Explanation: The 28 March 2025 Mandalay-region earthquake in Myanmar led India to send NDRF teams, field hospital and relief under Operation Brahma.
503. Operation Ajay (October 2023) was launched to bring back Indian citizens from:
- A. Iran
- B. Lebanon
- C. Israel
- D. Turkey
Answer: Israel
Explanation: Operation Ajay evacuated Indians from Israel after the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.
504. Operation Kaveri (April 2023) was India's evacuation operation for nationals from:
- A. Ukraine
- B. Libya
- C. Sudan
- D. Afghanistan
Answer: Sudan
Explanation: Operation Kaveri rescued Indians from Sudan amid fighting between the army and Rapid Support Forces, routing them via Port Sudan to Jeddah.
505. Which two officers delivered the media briefings on Operation Sindoor?
- A. Maj Gen Shalini Singh and Cdr Prerna Deosthalee
- B. Col Neha Verma and Flt Lt Shivangi Singh
- C. Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
- D. Lt Col Anita Rao and Sqn Ldr Avani Sharma
Answer: Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Explanation: Along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Col Sofiya Qureshi (Army Signal Corps) and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh (IAF helicopter pilot) briefed the press.
506. Following the Pahalgam attack, India placed which treaty 'in abeyance' on 23 April 2025?
- A. Simla Agreement 1972
- B. Kartarpur Corridor agreement 2019
- C. Tashkent Declaration 1966
- D. Indus Waters Treaty 1960
Answer: Indus Waters Treaty 1960
Explanation: The Cabinet Committee on Security put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, closed the Attari Integrated Check Post and cut the Pakistani High Commission strength.
507. The Operation Sindoor launched on 7 May 2025 was a response to which event?
- A. Red Fort blast of 2025
- B. Pulwama attack of 2019
- C. Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025
- D. Uri attack of 2016
Answer: Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025
Explanation: After 26 civilians were killed at Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, India struck nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and PoK, including Bahawalpur and Muridke; a ceasefire followed on 10 May.
508. INS Tamal, commissioned on 1 July 2025, is notable as:
- A. The first stealth frigate built in Kolkata
- B. The last warship India inducted that was built abroad
- C. India's first indigenous aircraft carrier
- D. The first submarine with air-independent propulsion
Answer: The last warship India inducted that was built abroad
Explanation: INS Tamal, a Talwar-class stealth frigate built at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, is expected to be the last major foreign-built warship of the Indian Navy.
509. On 15 January 2025 the Prime Minister commissioned three Navy platforms together at Mumbai. Which set is correct?
- A. INS Tamal, INS Tushil, INS Mormugao
- B. INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, INS Vaghsheer
- C. INS Visakhapatnam, INS Arighaat, INS Sindhu
- D. INS Vikrant, INS Imphal, INS Kalvari
Answer: INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, INS Vaghsheer
Explanation: INS Surat (Project 15B destroyer), INS Nilgiri (Project 17A frigate) and INS Vaghsheer (sixth Kalvari-class Project 75 submarine) were commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
510. INS Arighaat, commissioned on 29 August 2024, is India's:
- A. First P-75I submarine
- B. Aircraft-carrier escort destroyer
- C. Third SSBN of the Arihant class
- D. Second SSBN of the Arihant class
Answer: Second SSBN of the Arihant class
Explanation: INS Arighaat (S3) is the second nuclear ballistic missile submarine after INS Arihant; INS Aridhaman (S4) was the third, expected to be commissioned later.
511. In November 2024 DRDO flight-tested a Long-Range Hypersonic Missile with an approximate range of 1,500 km. Its launch point was:
- A. Kolkata coast
- B. Pokhran
- C. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island
- D. Chandipur ITR
Answer: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island
Explanation: The ship-launched land-attack hypersonic missile test (16 November 2024) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island made India among a handful of nations with such capability.
512. Mission Divyastra, announced by DRDO on 11 March 2024, was the first flight test of:
- A. Agni-5 with MIRV technology
- B. Sagarika K-4
- C. Prithvi-II with a hypersonic glider
- D. Pralay with a nuclear warhead
Answer: Agni-5 with MIRV technology
Explanation: Agni-5 carried multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRV), tested from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha; Dr Shamila Devi was the programme director.
513. India's National Space Day, observed on 23 August, commemorates:
- A. Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing
- B. First SLV flight
- C. Mangalyaan orbit insertion
- D. Aryabhata's launch
Answer: Chandrayaan-3 Moon landing
Explanation: The government declared 23 August as National Space Day after the 2023 landing; the first was observed in 2024 with the theme 'Touching Lives While Touching the Moon'.
514. The 'Pragyan' rover of Chandrayaan-3 confirmed the presence of which element near the lunar south pole using its APXS?
- A. Uranium
- B. Sulphur
- C. Helium-3
- D. Lithium
Answer: Sulphur
Explanation: Pragyan's Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer and LIBS detected sulphur, plus aluminium, calcium, iron, chromium and titanium, in the regolith near Shiv Shakti Point.
515. ISRO's Reusable Launch Vehicle LEX-02 'Pushpak' autonomous landing experiment, which dropped it from a helicopter, was conducted at:
- A. Pokhran Range
- B. Balasore, Odisha
- C. Sriharikota
- D. Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range, Karnataka
Answer: Chitradurga Aeronautical Test Range, Karnataka
Explanation: RLV-LEX-01 (April 2023), LEX-02 (March 2024) and LEX-03 (June 2024) were carried out at the Chitradurga ATR with an IAF Chinook releasing the vehicle.
516. NVS-01, launched on 29 May 2023 by GSLV-F12, is the first of the satellites for:
- A. NavIC second-generation constellation
- B. Cartosat-4 series
- C. GAGAN second phase
- D. RISAT-2C series
Answer: NavIC second-generation constellation
Explanation: NVS-01 carries L1, L5 and S-band navigation payloads and an indigenous atomic clock, extending NavIC services including to the civil L1 band.
517. The LVM3-M3 mission of 26 March 2023 launched how many OneWeb satellites?
- A. 36
- B. 72
- C. 18
- D. 24
Answer: 36
Explanation: LVM3-M3 carried 36 OneWeb broadband satellites for NSIL's commercial contract; an earlier LVM3-M2 (October 2022) had carried 36 as well, totalling 72.
518. The PSLV-C61 mission carrying EOS-09, launched on 18 May 2025, ended in:
- A. Launch abort on pad
- B. Partial success with wrong inclination
- C. Failure due to a third-stage chamber-pressure drop
- D. Full success
Answer: Failure due to a third-stage chamber-pressure drop
Explanation: A drop in chamber pressure in the third (solid motor) stage meant EOS-09 was not placed in orbit; it was PSLV's second failure in recent years after C39 in 2017.
519. The Cabinet in September 2024 also approved which interplanetary mission?
- A. Asteroid sample return
- B. Jupiter flyby mission
- C. Mercury lander mission
- D. Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan)
Answer: Venus Orbiter Mission (Shukrayaan)
Explanation: The Venus Orbiter Mission was approved with about Rs 1,236 crore for launch by March 2028; Chandrayaan-4 (sample return) was approved alongside.
520. In September 2024 the Union Cabinet approved the first module of which planned Indian space asset (target 2028)?
- A. Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1)
- B. Chandrayaan-5 sample return
- C. Mangalyaan-2 orbiter
- D. Gaganyaan-X telescope
Answer: Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1)
Explanation: The Cabinet approved the Gaganyaan programme's expansion to build BAS-1; India targets a full station by 2035 and a crewed Moon landing by 2040.
521. Agnikul Cosmos' Agnibaan SOrTeD, flown on 30 May 2024, was notable because it used:
- A. An air-launched design
- B. A solid-fuel first stage
- C. A single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine
- D. A hydrogen-fuelled scramjet
Answer: A single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine
Explanation: Launched from India's first private launchpad at Sriharikota, it used the Agnilet engine, claimed as the world's first single-piece 3D-printed semi-cryogenic engine flight.
522. INSAT-3DS, a meteorological satellite, was launched on 17 February 2024 by:
- A. LVM3-M2
- B. GSLV-F14
- C. PSLV-C58
- D. SSLV-D2
Answer: GSLV-F14
Explanation: GSLV-F14 placed INSAT-3DS in geosynchronous transfer orbit; it was the 16th flight of GSLV.
523. The PSLV-C59 mission of 5 December 2024 launched which ESA satellite pair for artificial solar eclipses?
- A. Biomass
- B. Euclid
- C. Sentinel-6
- D. Proba-3
Answer: Proba-3
Explanation: Proba-3 consists of two spacecraft flying in formation to create an artificial total solar eclipse for studying the Sun's corona.
524. NISAR, launched on 30 July 2025 from Sriharikota, is a joint Earth-observation mission of ISRO and:
- A. JAXA
- B. NASA
- C. CNES
- D. ESA
Answer: NASA
Explanation: NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) carries L-band and S-band radars and was launched by GSLV-F16 into a sun-synchronous orbit.
525. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station aboard which private mission in 2025?
- A. Inspiration4
- B. Crew-10
- C. Axiom Mission 4
- D. Polaris Dawn
Answer: Axiom Mission 4
Explanation: Shukla piloted Ax-4 (launched 25 June 2025, docked 26 June) and returned on 15 July 2025; he was the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984).
526. Who took over as ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, in January 2025, succeeding S. Somanath?
- A. M. Annadurai
- B. K. Sivan
- C. V. Narayanan
- D. Unnikrishnan Nair
Answer: V. Narayanan
Explanation: V. Narayanan, a cryogenic propulsion expert and former LPSC director, became ISRO's 11th chairman on 14 January 2025.
527. Which was ISRO's 100th launch from Sriharikota, carried out on 29 January 2025?
- A. LVM3-M5
- B. GSLV-F15 with NVS-02
- C. SSLV-D4
- D. PSLV-C60
Answer: GSLV-F15 with NVS-02
Explanation: GSLV-F15 carried the navigation satellite NVS-02 for NavIC; it was the 100th launch from Sriharikota, the first under chairman V. Narayanan.
528. ISRO's SpaDeX mission launched on 30 December 2024 demonstrated:
- A. Reusable booster recovery
- B. Air-launched satellite deployment
- C. Soft landing on Mars
- D. In-orbit docking and undocking of two satellites
Answer: In-orbit docking and undocking of two satellites
Explanation: SpaDeX (PSLV-C60) used chaser and target satellites; docking was achieved on 16 January 2025, making India the fourth country with docking capability after USA, Russia and China.
529. The Gaganyaan TV-D1 test flight of 21 October 2023 primarily validated which system?
- A. Cryogenic upper stage
- B. Re-entry heat shield only
- C. Orbital docking mechanism
- D. Crew Escape System
Answer: Crew Escape System
Explanation: TV-D1 tested the abort mechanism: the Crew Escape System separated the Crew Module at about 17 km, which splashed down in the Bay of Bengal.
530. Which four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan were announced by the Prime Minister at VSSC on 27 February 2024?
- A. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, Shubhanshu Shukla
- B. Rakesh Sharma, Ravish Malhotra, Nair, Shukla
- C. Abhilash Tomy, Ajit Krishnan, Nair, Kapil
- D. Anil Menon, Sunita Williams, Nair, Shukla
Answer: Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, Shubhanshu Shukla
Explanation: All four are Indian Air Force test pilots (group captains); Shubhanshu Shukla later flew on Axiom-4 in 2025.
531. XPoSat, launched on 1 January 2024, is India's first dedicated mission to study:
- A. Atmospheric methane
- B. Ocean colour
- C. X-ray polarisation of cosmic sources
- D. Solar coronal mass ejections
Answer: X-ray polarisation of cosmic sources
Explanation: XPoSat (PSLV-C58) studies polarisation of X-rays from bright cosmic sources such as black holes and neutron stars; it carries POLIX and XSPECT payloads.
532. Aditya-L1, India's first solar observatory mission, was launched on 2 September 2023 by which rocket?
- A. PSLV-C57
- B. PSLV-C55
- C. LVM3-M3
- D. GSLV-F12
Answer: PSLV-C57
Explanation: Aditya-L1 was launched by PSLV-C57 and was inserted into a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L1 on 6 January 2024.
533. The Chandrayaan-3 lander touchdown site, named by the Prime Minister on 26 August 2023, is called:
- A. Jawahar Point
- B. Vikram Point
- C. Tiranga Point
- D. Shiv Shakti Point
Answer: Shiv Shakti Point
Explanation: PM Modi named the Vikram lander's touchdown site Shiv Shakti Point; Chandrayaan-2's crash site was named Tiranga Point. 23 August is observed as National Space Day.
534. Under Article 350B of the Constitution, who appoints the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities, and to whom are his reports on safeguards for linguistic minorities submitted?
- A. Appointed by the Governors of the States; his reports go to the State Legislatures
- B. Appointed by the Chief Justice of India; his reports go to the Supreme Court
- C. Appointed by the President; his reports go to the President, who lays them before each House of Parliament and sends them to the State Governments concerned
- D. Appointed by the Union Home Minister; his reports go to the Committee of Parliament on Official Language
Answer: Appointed by the President; his reports go to the President, who lays them before each House of Parliament and sends them to the State Governments concerned
Explanation: Article 350B, inserted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities appointed by the President. He investigates matters relating to the safeguards provided for linguistic minorities and reports to the President, who causes the reports to be laid before each House of Parliament and sent to the Governments of the States concerned.
535. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) was set up in:
- A. 2001
- B. 1986
- C. 1950
- D. 1970
Answer: 1970
Explanation: BPR&D was established in 1970 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
536. The National Crime Records Bureau functions under which Union Ministry?
- A. Home Affairs
- B. Defence
- C. Personnel, Public Grievances
- D. Law and Justice
Answer: Home Affairs
Explanation: NCRB, set up in 1986, functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
537. Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), observed since 2014, is on:
- A. 2 October
- B. 11 November
- C. 31 October
- D. 26 January
Answer: 31 October
Explanation: It marks Sardar Patel's birth anniversary (31 October 1875).
538. Armed Forces Flag Day in India is observed on:
- A. 16 December
- B. 15 January
- C. 7 December
- D. 26 July
Answer: 7 December
Explanation: Flag Day (7 December) raises funds for the welfare of armed forces personnel and veterans.
539. National Mathematics Day (22 December), declared in 2012, honours:
- A. Bhaskaracharya
- B. Srinivasa Ramanujan
- C. Harish-Chandra
- D. Aryabhata
Answer: Srinivasa Ramanujan
Explanation: It marks Ramanujan's birth anniversary (1887).
540. National Press Day (16 November) is linked to the functioning of which body?
- A. Registrar of Newspapers
- B. Press Council of India
- C. Press Trust of India
- D. Prasar Bharati
Answer: Press Council of India
Explanation: The Press Council of India began functioning on 16 November 1966.
541. Which Operation of the Indian Navy in 1971 involved missile boat attacks on Karachi harbour?
- A. Operation Trident
- B. Operation Cactus
- C. Operation Python
- D. Operation Talwar
Answer: Operation Trident
Explanation: Operation Trident was 4-5 December 1971; Python followed on 8-9 December.
542. The first Indian to be appointed Chief of the Naval Staff (as Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy) in 1958 was:
- A. Admiral S.M. Nanda
- B. Admiral A.K. Chatterji
- C. Vice Admiral R.D. Katari
- D. Admiral Bhagwat
Answer: Vice Admiral R.D. Katari
Explanation: R.D. Katari took over from Vice Admiral Stephen Carlill in April 1958.
543. In which year was the Border Security Force's counterpart, the Sashastra Seema Bal, originally raised as the Special Service Bureau?
- A. 1963
- B. 1985
- C. 1971
- D. 1950
Answer: 1963
Explanation: The Special Service Bureau was set up in 1963 after the Sino-Indian War and renamed SSB in 2001.
544. Parakram Diwas is observed in India on 23 January to mark the birth anniversary of:
- A. Subhas Chandra Bose
- B. Bhagat Singh
- C. Rani Lakshmibai
- D. Lal Bahadur Shastri
Answer: Subhas Chandra Bose
Explanation: The Government declared 23 January as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to honour Netaji's 125th birth anniversary.
545. The RPF Raising Day (foundation day) is observed annually on:
- A. 20 September
- B. 15 August
- C. 1 December
- D. 27 July
Answer: 20 September
Explanation: The Railway Protection Force Act was passed in 1957; RPF Raising Day is 20 September.
546. The Vibrant Villages Programme (announced in 2023) focuses on development of villages along which border?
- A. Southern coastline
- B. Western border with Pakistan
- C. Northern border with China
- D. Eastern border with Bangladesh
Answer: Northern border with China
Explanation: VVP targets border villages along the northern border; VVP-II covers other borders.
547. Under the National Food Security Act, 2013, eligible persons get how many kg of foodgrain per person per month?
- A. 3 kg
- B. 10 kg
- C. 7 kg
- D. 5 kg
Answer: 5 kg
Explanation: The Act covers up to 75% rural and 50% urban population; AAY households get 35 kg per household.
548. The e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) platform was launched on:
- A. 19 February 2015
- B. 25 September 2014
- C. 1 July 2015
- D. 14 April 2016
Answer: 14 April 2016
Explanation: e-NAM was launched on Ambedkar Jayanti, 14 April 2016, under SFAC.
549. The Stand-Up India scheme (2016) provides bank loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to:
- A. Street vendors
- B. Small farmers
- C. SC/ST and women entrepreneurs
- D. Unemployed graduates
Answer: SC/ST and women entrepreneurs
Explanation: Each bank branch is to support at least one SC/ST and one woman borrower for a greenfield enterprise.
550. Under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, an account can be opened for a girl child below what age?
- A. 5 years
- B. 18 years
- C. 10 years
- D. 14 years
Answer: 10 years
Explanation: Accounts may be opened for girls below 10 years; maximum deposit is ₹1.5 lakh per year.
551. National Space Day (23 August) was declared to commemorate:
- A. Chandrayaan-3's Moon landing
- B. Mangalyaan's orbit insertion
- C. Birth of Vikram Sarabhai
- D. Aryabhata's launch
Answer: Chandrayaan-3's Moon landing
Explanation: It marks the 23 August 2023 soft landing of Chandrayaan-3.
552. Which organisation is the single-window agency to authorise and promote private space activities in India, established in 2020?
- A. SAC
- B. IN-SPACe
- C. NSIL
- D. Antrix
Answer: IN-SPACe
Explanation: IN-SPACe is the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre.
553. India's first privately developed rocket, Vikram-S, launched in November 2022, was built by:
- A. Skyroot Aerospace
- B. Pixxel
- C. Agnikul Cosmos
- D. Bellatrix
Answer: Skyroot Aerospace
Explanation: Skyroot's Vikram-S ('Prarambh') flew from Sriharikota on 18 November 2022.
554. Which was India's first dedicated X-ray polarimetry space mission, launched on 1 January 2024?
- A. Astrosat
- B. XPoSat
- C. NISAR
- D. Aditya-L1
Answer: XPoSat
Explanation: XPoSat was launched on PSLV-C58.
555. India conducted its anti-satellite test 'Mission Shakti' on 27 March 2019, making it which number among nations with ASAT capability?
- A. Second
- B. Fifth
- C. Fourth
- D. Third
Answer: Fourth
Explanation: After the US, Russia and China, India became the fourth.
556. The indigenously built Light Combat Helicopter 'Prachand' was formally inducted into the IAF in October 2022 at:
- A. Ambala
- B. Pune
- C. Jodhpur
- D. Hindon
Answer: Jodhpur
Explanation: The induction ceremony was held at Jodhpur on 3 October 2022; HAL manufactures it.
557. Operation Dost (2023) was India's relief mission to which country?
- A. Sri Lanka
- B. Myanmar
- C. Turkey and Syria
- D. Nepal
Answer: Turkey and Syria
Explanation: It supplied aid and NDRF teams after the February 2023 earthquake.
558. Operation Ganga (2022) was India's evacuation of its citizens from:
- A. Sudan
- B. Yemen
- C. Afghanistan
- D. Ukraine
Answer: Ukraine
Explanation: Operation Ganga evacuated Indians, mainly students, from Ukraine in 2022; Operation Kaveri (2023) was for Sudan.
559. Operation Talwar and Operation Safed Sagar during Kargil 1999 were conducted by which respective forces?
- A. Navy and Air Force
- B. Army and Navy
- C. Air Force and Army
- D. Navy and Army
Answer: Navy and Air Force
Explanation: Talwar was the Navy's, Safed Sagar the IAF's; the Army's was Operation Vijay.
560. Operation Parakram (2001-02) was India's military mobilisation after:
- A. The Mumbai attacks of 2008
- B. The Kandahar hijack
- C. The Parliament attack of December 2001
- D. The Kargil conflict
Answer: The Parliament attack of December 2001
Explanation: It followed the 13 December 2001 attack on Parliament.
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