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161. The TDP-led NDA alliance's 2024 victory in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly was by how many of the 175 seats?
- A. 135
- B. 120
- C. 151
- D. 164
Answer: 164
Explanation: The TDP alone won 135, the Jana Sena 21 and the BJP 8; the YSRCP was reduced to 11. N. Chandrababu Naidu took oath as CM on 12 June 2024.
162. In the February 2025 Delhi Assembly election, the BJP won how many of the 70 seats, ending AAP's rule?
- A. 40
- B. 52
- C. 36
- D. 48
Answer: 48
Explanation: The BJP won 48 and AAP 22; Arvind Kejriwal lost the New Delhi seat to Parvesh Verma, and the BJP returned to power after 26-27 years.
163. In the Jharkhand Assembly election of November 2024, the JMM-led alliance won how many of the 81 seats, with the JMM itself winning 34?
- A. 41
- B. 56
- C. 47
- D. 61
Answer: 56
Explanation: The INDIA bloc alliance won 56 seats and Hemant Soren was sworn in as Chief Minister for the fourth time on 28 November 2024.
164. In the 2024 Haryana Assembly election, the BJP secured a historic third consecutive term by winning how many of the 90 seats?
- A. 40
- B. 52
- C. 48
- D. 55
Answer: 48
Explanation: The BJP won 48 seats against Congress's 37, and Nayab Singh Saini continued as Chief Minister.
165. Mukesh Dalal of the BJP was declared elected unopposed in the 2024 Lok Sabha election from which constituency?
- A. Vadodara
- B. Surat
- C. Gandhinagar
- D. Rajkot
Answer: Surat
Explanation: Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani's nomination was rejected and the remaining candidates withdrew, making Dalal the first BJP candidate elected unopposed to the Lok Sabha in 2024, before polling.
166. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Shankar Lalwani of the BJP won Indore by a record margin of about:
- A. 6.5 lakh votes
- B. 10.1 lakh votes
- C. 8.9 lakh votes
- D. 11.75 lakh votes
Answer: 11.75 lakh votes
Explanation: Lalwani's margin of 11,75,092 votes was the highest in Lok Sabha history, helped by Congress candidate Akshay Kanti Bam withdrawing his nomination and an NOTA campaign.
167. Which player won the Wimbledon 2025 men's singles title, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final?
- A. Jannik Sinner
- B. Alexander Zverev
- C. Daniil Medvedev
- D. Novak Djokovic
Answer: Jannik Sinner
Explanation: Sinner won his first Wimbledon title, becoming the first Italian to win the men's singles title there.
168. Argentina won Copa America 2024 by beating which team 1-0 after extra time in the final at Miami?
- A. Brazil
- B. Uruguay
- C. Colombia
- D. Ecuador
Answer: Colombia
Explanation: Lautaro Martinez scored in the 112th minute; Argentina became the outright record 16-time Copa America champions.
169. Spain won UEFA Euro 2024 by defeating England in the Berlin final by:
- A. 1-0
- B. 2-1
- C. 3-1
- D. 2-0
Answer: 2-1
Explanation: Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner in the 86th minute, giving Spain a record fourth European title.
170. Which team won the Women's Football World Cup 2023, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand?
- A. USA
- B. England
- C. Spain
- D. Sweden
Answer: Spain
Explanation: Spain beat England 1-0 in the Sydney final with a goal from Olga Carmona, its first title; the US had won in 2015 and 2019.
171. The 2024 ICC U-19 Men's World Cup in South Africa was won by:
- A. Pakistan
- B. South Africa
- C. Australia
- D. India
Answer: Australia
Explanation: Australia beat India by 79 runs in the final at Benoni; it was their fourth U-19 title.
172. India won the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in February 2025 at Kuala Lumpur, defeating:
- A. England
- B. South Africa
- C. Australia
- D. Bangladesh
Answer: South Africa
Explanation: India, captained by Niki Prasad, retained the title won in the inaugural 2023 edition in South Africa; Gongadi Trisha was Player of the Tournament.
173. Which team won the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE, winning its first title in the format?
- A. South Africa
- B. New Zealand
- C. Australia
- D. England
Answer: New Zealand
Explanation: New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs in Dubai; Australia had won the previous six editions.
174. The FIFA World Cup 2034 was awarded in December 2024 to:
- A. Australia
- B. Morocco
- C. Saudi Arabia
- D. Qatar
Answer: Saudi Arabia
Explanation: Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder; the 2030 edition goes to Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with opening matches in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay.
175. The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (February-March 2024) was held in:
- A. Geneva
- B. Nairobi
- C. Abu Dhabi
- D. Buenos Aires
Answer: Abu Dhabi
Explanation: MC13 in Abu Dhabi extended the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions until MC14, scheduled for Cameroon in 2026.
176. In July 2023, Iran became a full member of the SCO; which country became the organisation's tenth member at the 2024 Astana summit?
- A. Armenia
- B. Belarus
- C. Mongolia
- D. Turkey
Answer: Belarus
Explanation: Belarus joined the SCO at the Astana summit in July 2024; India was chair in 2022-23.
177. The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, which came into force in 2023, reduced the number of Schedules of the 1972 Act from six to:
- A. Five
- B. Four
- C. Three
- D. Two
Answer: Four
Explanation: The amendment also implemented CITES obligations through a new Schedule IV for scheduled specimens, and regulated elephant transfers.
178. The Green Credit Programme, notified in October 2023, is a market-based mechanism to incentivise:
- A. Export of carbon offsets to Europe
- B. Mandatory emission cuts by thermal plants
- C. Voluntary environmental actions such as tree plantation and water conservation
- D. Import of electric vehicles
Answer: Voluntary environmental actions such as tree plantation and water conservation
Explanation: The programme, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, is administered by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
179. NVS-01, launched on GSLV-F12 on 29 May 2023, is the first satellite of the second generation of:
- A. NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)
- B. GAGAN
- C. GSAT-Defence series
- D. RISAT
Answer: NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)
Explanation: NVS-01 carries an indigenous atomic clock and adds the L1 band for civilian-device compatibility.
180. ISRO's SSLV-D3 launch of 16 August 2024 placed which satellite in orbit and declared the SSLV development phase complete?
- A. EOS-09
- B. EOS-08
- C. INSAT-3DS
- D. NVS-02
Answer: EOS-08
Explanation: SSLV, meant for launching small satellites on demand, then transferred to industry (HAL) for production; EOS-09 on PSLV-C61 failed in May 2025.
181. India celebrates 23 August as National Space Day, first observed in 2024, to mark:
- A. The Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander's soft landing near the lunar south pole
- B. Launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008
- C. Launch of Aryabhata in 1975
- D. Mars Orbiter Mission's orbit insertion
Answer: The Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander's soft landing near the lunar south pole
Explanation: The Government declared 23 August as National Space Day after the 2023 landing; the point of landing was named Shiv Shakti Point.
182. The 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', launched on 15 November 2023, was designed to:
- A. Reach beneficiaries of flagship schemes and saturate coverage across villages
- B. Promote the use of Hindi in government offices
- C. Raise funds for the Ram Mandir
- D. Conduct the national census door to door
Answer: Reach beneficiaries of flagship schemes and saturate coverage across villages
Explanation: The yatra used IEC vans to enrol people in schemes like PM Ujjwala, PM-Kisan and Ayushman Bharat; it began on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
183. Which of the following did the 56th GST Council meeting (September 2025) NOT do?
- A. Introduce a 40% rate for sin and luxury goods
- B. Introduce a new 28% slab for luxury goods
- C. Exempt individual life and health insurance premiums
- D. Merge slabs into 5% and 18% standard rates
Answer: Introduce a new 28% slab for luxury goods
Explanation: The 28% slab was abolished, not introduced; the rationalised structure (effective 22 September 2025) has 5%, 18% and a special 40% rate.
184. The Reserve Bank's unified digital platform piloted in August 2023 to speed up loan processing is called:
- A. Open Credit Enablement Network
- B. Unified Lending Interface (ULI)
- C. Digital Rupee Wallet
- D. Account Aggregator Hub
Answer: Unified Lending Interface (ULI)
Explanation: ULI, dubbed 'UPI for credit', allows frictionless sharing of land-record and other data for loans; the RBI's e-rupee retail pilot began in December 2022.
185. The Dharali cloudburst and flash flood of 5 August 2025 struck which district of Uttarakhand?
- A. Rudraprayag
- B. Chamoli
- C. Uttarkashi
- D. Pithoragarh
Answer: Uttarkashi
Explanation: The Kheer Ganga stream flooded Dharali village on the Gangotri route, burying parts of the settlement.
186. The 'Operation Sadbhav' relief effort in September 2024, delivered to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, followed which natural disaster?
- A. Hurricane Beryl
- B. Cyclone Mocha
- C. Storm Daniel
- D. Typhoon Yagi
Answer: Typhoon Yagi
Explanation: India supplied HADR assistance by air and sea under Operation Sadbhav after Typhoon Yagi; Mocha (May 2023) hit Myanmar and Bangladesh.
187. Which Indian space-related first was achieved by the Skyroot-built Vikram-S rocket in November 2022, widely cited in 2023-25 discussions of private space launches?
- A. First privately built Indian rocket launched to space
- B. First Indian lunar probe by a private firm
- C. First Indian crewed suborbital flight
- D. First reusable Indian rocket landing
Answer: First privately built Indian rocket launched to space
Explanation: Vikram-S, launched from Sriharikota under IN-SPACe authorisation, was a sub-orbital demonstrator; Agnikul's Agnibaan SOrTeD followed in May 2024.
188. In October 2024, the UK announced it would hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to:
- A. Sri Lanka
- B. Mauritius
- C. Maldives
- D. Seychelles
Answer: Mauritius
Explanation: The deal keeps the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia under a long-term lease; India had backed Mauritius's claim.
189. China began construction in July 2025 of a mega hydropower project on the lower reaches of which river, raising downstream concerns for India?
- A. Sutlej
- B. Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra)
- C. Indus
- D. Teesta
Answer: Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra)
Explanation: The project near the Great Bend in Medog, Tibet, is expected to be the world's largest hydropower facility; India is planning the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh as a counter.
190. Katchatheevu island, which became a political issue in 2024, was ceded to Sri Lanka under agreements of:
- A. 1987 between Rajiv Gandhi and J. R. Jayewardene
- B. 1965 between Lal Bahadur Shastri and Dudley Senanayake
- C. 1954 between Nehru and John Kotelawala
- D. 1974 and 1976 between Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Answer: 1974 and 1976 between Indira Gandhi and Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Explanation: The island in the Palk Strait lies between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka; the 1974 maritime agreement and the 1976 exchange of letters settled fishing rights.
191. At the 70th National Film Awards (for 2022), the Best Feature Film award went to:
- A. Gulmohar (Hindi)
- B. Kantara (Kannada)
- C. Ponniyin Selvan: I (Tamil)
- D. Aattam (Malayalam)
Answer: Aattam (Malayalam)
Explanation: Rishab Shetty won Best Actor for Kantara, while Nithya Menen (Thiruchitrambalam) and Manasi Parekh (Kutch Express) shared Best Actress.
192. After the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, the Centre formed a high-level committee on the NTA's functioning headed by:
- A. K. Radhakrishnan, former ISRO Chairman
- B. K. Kasturirangan
- C. Anil Sahasrabudhe
- D. Ramesh Chand
Answer: K. Radhakrishnan, former ISRO Chairman
Explanation: The Radhakrishnan committee recommended reforms to the National Testing Agency, such as limiting its role to entrance exams and strengthening security.
193. After the August 2024 rape-murder of a trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata, the Supreme Court constituted:
- A. A Special Investigation Team under the CBI Director
- B. A National Task Force on safety of medical professionals
- C. A National Medical Tribunal
- D. A Commission of Inquiry under Article 317
Answer: A National Task Force on safety of medical professionals
Explanation: The Court took suo motu cognisance and set up the National Task Force; in January 2025 the Sealdah court sentenced convict Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment.
194. The Hathras stampede of 2 July 2024, which killed 121 people, occurred at a gathering of:
- A. A railway recruitment exam centre
- B. A football match
- C. A religious satsang
- D. A political rally
Answer: A religious satsang
Explanation: The tragedy occurred at a satsang by Surajpal Singh 'Bhole Baba' in Phulrai village, Sikandra Rao, Uttar Pradesh.
195. The June 2024 collision in which a goods train rammed the Kanchanjunga Express occurred near Rangapani station in which State?
- A. Assam
- B. Odisha
- C. Bihar
- D. West Bengal
Answer: West Bengal
Explanation: The 17 June 2024 accident near New Jalpaiguri in Darjeeling district killed about 10 people and was attributed to signal-passing by the goods train.
196. The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on the night of 15 February 2025, which killed 18 people, occurred amid crowds heading to:
- A. Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh
- B. Haridwar for Kanwar Yatra
- C. Varanasi for Dev Deepawali
- D. Ayodhya for Ram Navami
Answer: Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh
Explanation: The crush took place on the foot-overbridge and platforms 14-15 as passengers rushed for Prayagraj-bound trains; it prompted crowd-management reviews by the Railway Board.
197. The Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in men's hockey, in which India beat China 1-0 in the final, was held in:
- A. Jakarta, Indonesia
- B. Muscat, Oman
- C. Dhaka, Bangladesh
- D. Hulunbuir, China
Answer: Hulunbuir, China
Explanation: India won the title for a record fifth time, with Jugraj Singh scoring the lone goal.
198. Which team won the Women's Premier League (WPL) inaugural season in March 2023, beating Delhi Capitals in the final?
- A. UP Warriorz
- B. Gujarat Giants
- C. Mumbai Indians
- D. Royal Challengers Bangalore
Answer: Mumbai Indians
Explanation: Harmanpreet Kaur's Mumbai Indians won by 7 wickets; RCB won WPL 2024 under Smriti Mandhana.
199. The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan), approved in September 2024, aims to cover tribal-majority villages and is named after:
- A. Tantia Bhil
- B. Alluri Sitarama Raju
- C. Birsa Munda
- D. Rani Durgavati
Answer: Birsa Munda
Explanation: Birsa Munda, known as 'Dharti Aaba', led the Ulgulan movement; his birth anniversary, 15 November, is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
200. The National Quantum Mission, approved by the Cabinet in April 2023, runs from 2023-24 to 2030-31 with an outlay of:
- A. Rs 19,744 crore
- B. Rs 2,000 crore
- C. Rs 10,372 crore
- D. Rs 6,003 crore
Answer: Rs 6,003 crore
Explanation: The mission aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits within eight years; Rs 19,744 crore is the Green Hydrogen Mission and Rs 10,372 crore the IndiaAI Mission.
201. India's first indigenous semiconductor chip for commercial use was targeted by which Union Government vision/mission, with a Rs 76,000 crore outlay approved in December 2021?
- A. National Quantum Mission
- B. Make in India 3.0
- C. Digital India Bhashini
- D. India Semiconductor Mission
Answer: India Semiconductor Mission
Explanation: The ISM, under the Digital India Corporation, runs the PLI programme for semiconductor fabs and displays; the National Quantum Mission (April 2023) has an outlay of Rs 6,003 crore.
202. Osmanabad district of Maharashtra was renamed as:
- A. Dharashiv
- B. Ahilyanagar
- C. Shivneri
- D. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Answer: Dharashiv
Explanation: Osmanabad became Dharashiv and Aurangabad Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after Centre's approval in February 2023; Ahmednagar was later renamed Ahilyanagar.
203. The cybercrime scam in which fraudsters pose as law-enforcement officials and keep victims on video calls, flagged by the PM in October 2024, is called:
- A. Juice jacking
- B. Digital arrest
- C. SIM swap
- D. Phishing kit
Answer: Digital arrest
Explanation: Citizens are advised to dial the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or use the cybercrime.gov.in portal; no agency conducts 'digital arrests'.
204. Operation Mahadev (July 2025) in the Dachigam forest area of Jammu & Kashmir targeted:
- A. Illegal miners
- B. Maoist cadres
- C. Terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack
- D. Cross-border drug smugglers
Answer: Terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack
Explanation: Security forces killed the three terrorists, including the alleged mastermind Suleiman Shah, on 28 July 2025.
205. Basavaraju, the CPI (Maoist) general secretary killed in an encounter in May 2025, was operating in the forests of:
- A. Abujhmarh, Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh)
- B. Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)
- C. Saranda (Jharkhand)
- D. Malkangiri (Odisha)
Answer: Abujhmarh, Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh)
Explanation: He was the highest-ranking Maoist leader killed by security forces; the Centre has set a March 2026 deadline to end Left-Wing Extremism.
206. According to the Gujarat Forest Department's May 2025 census, the Asiatic lion population in Gujarat is about:
- A. 891
- B. 1,100
- C. 523
- D. 674
Answer: 891
Explanation: The 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation counted 891 lions, up from 674 in 2020; Gir National Park is their only natural habitat.
207. In October 2024, the Union Cabinet granted 'Classical Language' status to which set of languages, taking the total to 11?
- A. Marathi, Konkani, Bodo, Assamese and Bengali
- B. Maithili, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Gujarati
- C. Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Nepali and Bengali
- D. Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali
Answer: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali
Explanation: Earlier classical languages: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia (six).
208. In July 2024, the Durbar Hall at Rashtrapati Bhavan was renamed:
- A. Swatantrata Sabha
- B. Kartavya Bhavan
- C. Ganatantra Mandap
- D. Ashok Mandap
Answer: Ganatantra Mandap
Explanation: The Ashok Hall was simultaneously renamed Ashok Mandap; the Durbar Hall hosts ceremonial events such as oath-taking and awards.
209. Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was renamed in September 2024 as:
- A. Netaji Nagar
- B. Sri Vijaya Puram
- C. Kalapani Puram
- D. Swaraj Dweep Nagar
Answer: Sri Vijaya Puram
Explanation: The Home Ministry said the name reflects the colonial legacy being shed and the islands' role in the freedom struggle; Havelock and Neil islands were renamed Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep in 2018.
210. The Konkan Railway's entire route of about 741 km completed which milestone in January 2023?
- A. Doubling of the entire line
- B. Conversion to standard gauge
- C. Installation of Kavach on all sections
- D. 100% electrification
Answer: 100% electrification
Explanation: Konkan Railway, running from Roha to Thokur, completed full electrification, helping the Railways' goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.
211. Indian Railways' Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat services, started in June 2025, run on which new rail link?
- A. Pir Panjal Heritage Link
- B. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link
- C. Jammu-Pathankot Link
- D. Kashmir-Ladakh Rail Link
Answer: Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link
Explanation: The USBRL project finally connected the Kashmir Valley to the national rail network, including the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, with the Banihal tunnel T-50 being among the longest.
212. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, being built with Japanese Shinkansen technology, is about how long?
- A. 650 km
- B. 730 km
- C. 508 km
- D. 320 km
Answer: 508 km
Explanation: The 508 km corridor has 12 stations and an underwater tunnel segment beneath Thane Creek; the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is implementing it.
213. India's first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (originally Vande Metro) service was inaugurated on 16 September 2024 between:
- A. Delhi and Meerut
- B. Ahmedabad and Bhuj
- C. Mumbai and Pune
- D. Chennai and Bengaluru
Answer: Ahmedabad and Bhuj
Explanation: The 359 km intercity-type service between Ahmedabad and Bhuj is distinct from the NCRTC's Namo Bharat RRTS in the Delhi region.
214. The Amrit Bharat Express trains, first flagged off on 30 December 2023, are characterised by:
- A. Double-decker bi-level coaches
- B. Distributed-power EMU sets with no locomotive
- C. Non-AC LHB push-pull design with locomotives at both ends
- D. Fully air-conditioned chair cars with automatic doors
Answer: Non-AC LHB push-pull design with locomotives at both ends
Explanation: The first services were Darbhanga-Anand Vihar Terminal and Malda Town-SMVT Bengaluru; they offer affordable non-AC sleeper and general travel with Vande Bharat-like push-pull technology.
215. The deadly flood in the Libyan city of Derna in September 2023 followed the collapse of dams during:
- A. Hurricane Ian
- B. Cyclone Freddy
- C. Storm Daniel
- D. Typhoon Doksuri
Answer: Storm Daniel
Explanation: Mediterranean cyclone Storm Daniel broke two dams upstream of Derna, killing thousands.
216. The Noto Peninsula earthquake of 1 January 2024 struck which country?
- A. Japan
- B. Philippines
- C. Indonesia
- D. Taiwan
Answer: Japan
Explanation: The magnitude 7.5 quake hit Ishikawa Prefecture on Honshu; Taiwan's Hualien quake followed in April 2024.
217. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 was notable as the first calendar year in which the global mean temperature exceeded pre-industrial levels by more than:
- A. 0.5 degrees Celsius
- B. 1.5 degrees Celsius
- C. 1.0 degrees Celsius
- D. 2.0 degrees Celsius
Answer: 1.5 degrees Celsius
Explanation: 2024 surpassed 2023 as the warmest year on record at about 1.6 degrees C above pre-industrial; the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degrees C goal refers to long-term averages.
218. The July 2024 ICJ advisory opinion on Israel's presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory held that the occupation is:
- A. Unlawful and should end as rapidly as possible
- B. Temporary and lawful until peace talks
- C. Lawful on grounds of self-defence
- D. Outside the Court's jurisdiction
Answer: Unlawful and should end as rapidly as possible
Explanation: The ICJ, the UN's principal judicial organ at The Hague, also found Israel's settlement policy to violate international law.
219. The Sudan conflict that began on 15 April 2023 is fought between the Sudanese Armed Forces led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the:
- A. Sudan People's Liberation Army
- B. Wagner Group
- C. Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
- D. Janjaweed Liberation Army led by Musa Hilal
Answer: Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo
Explanation: Dagalo, known as Hemedti, commands the RSF; the war created one of the world's largest displacement crises.
220. The Alliance of Sahel States, formed in September 2023, comprises Mali, Burkina Faso and:
- A. Niger
- B. Mauritania
- C. Chad
- D. Senegal
Answer: Niger
Explanation: All three military-ruled states announced their exit from ECOWAS, which took effect in January 2025; Niger's coup occurred in July 2023 ousting Mohamed Bazoum.
221. Russia in July 2025 became the first country to formally recognise which government?
- A. Taliban government of Afghanistan
- B. Government of Taiwan
- C. Interim government of Syria
- D. Rapid Support Forces government in Sudan
Answer: Taliban government of Afghanistan
Explanation: Moscow accepted the credentials of the Taliban's ambassador in July 2025, after removing the group from its terror list in April 2025.
222. Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025 by which Bangladeshi tribunal?
- A. Supreme Court Appellate Division
- B. International Crimes Tribunal
- C. Anti-Corruption Tribunal
- D. High Court Special Bench
Answer: International Crimes Tribunal
Explanation: The ICT-BD found her guilty of crimes against humanity linked to the suppression of the July 2024 uprising; she has been in India since August 2024.
223. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group who led a short-lived mutiny in June 2023, died in:
- A. An assassination in Minsk
- B. A prison hospital in 2024
- C. A plane crash on 23 August 2023
- D. A car bomb in Moscow
Answer: A plane crash on 23 August 2023
Explanation: His private jet crashed in the Tver region two months after the mutiny.
224. Which two leaders held the Alaska summit at Anchorage on 15 August 2025?
- A. Joe Biden and Xi Jinping
- B. Narendra Modi and Donald Trump
- C. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
- D. Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Answer: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
Explanation: The Trump-Putin summit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson discussed ending the Russia-Ukraine war but ended without a ceasefire deal.
225. On 3 December 2024, which East Asian president declared martial law, reversed within hours by the National Assembly?
- A. Fumio Kishida of Japan
- B. Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia
- C. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines
- D. Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea
Answer: Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea
Explanation: Yoon was impeached and removed from office in April 2025; Lee Jae-myung won the June 2025 snap election.
226. Lai Ching-te, who won Taiwan's presidential election in January 2024, belongs to which party?
- A. Taiwan People's Party
- B. New Power Party
- C. Kuomintang
- D. Democratic Progressive Party
Answer: Democratic Progressive Party
Explanation: Lai succeeded Tsai Ing-wen, giving the DPP an unprecedented third consecutive presidential term.
227. Javier Milei, who took office as President of Argentina on 10 December 2023, is best described as:
- A. A centrist trade unionist
- B. A libertarian economist who campaigned with a chainsaw
- C. A former military general
- D. A socialist academic
Answer: A libertarian economist who campaigned with a chainsaw
Explanation: Milei, an outsider libertarian, defeated Sergio Massa in the November 2023 run-off and began deep austerity reforms.
228. Mark Carney became Prime Minister of Canada in March 2025, succeeding Justin Trudeau. He had earlier served as Governor of the Bank of Canada and of:
- A. Bank of England
- B. Federal Reserve
- C. Reserve Bank of Australia
- D. European Central Bank
Answer: Bank of England
Explanation: Carney led the Bank of Canada (2008-13) and the Bank of England (2013-20), and led the Liberals to victory in the April 2025 election.
229. Which leader became Chancellor of Germany on 6 May 2025 after the CDU/CSU won the February 2025 election?
- A. Markus Soder
- B. Armin Laschet
- C. Olaf Scholz
- D. Friedrich Merz
Answer: Friedrich Merz
Explanation: Merz succeeded Olaf Scholz, whose coalition collapsed in November 2024; the AfD finished second in the election.
230. Annalena Baerbock was elected President of the 80th UN General Assembly in June 2025. She is a former Foreign Minister of:
- A. France
- B. Austria
- C. Germany
- D. Netherlands
Answer: Germany
Explanation: Baerbock, a Green politician, was Germany's foreign minister from 2021 to 2025; the 79th UNGA presidency was held by Cameroon's Philemon Yang.
231. Ajay Banga, who became the 14th President of the World Bank in June 2023, was previously the head of:
- A. Visa
- B. Citibank
- C. PepsiCo
- D. Mastercard
Answer: Mastercard
Explanation: Banga, born in Pune, was nominated by the US and succeeded David Malpass; he was earlier CEO of Mastercard.
232. The India-China patrolling arrangement announced on 21 October 2024 covered the friction points of:
- A. Galwan and Pangong Tso
- B. Depsang Plains and Demchok
- C. Chushul and Rezang La
- D. Doklam and Yangtse
Answer: Depsang Plains and Demchok
Explanation: The agreement restored patrolling at Depsang and Demchok, and was followed by a Modi-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the Kazan BRICS summit.
233. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose June 2023 killing triggered a diplomatic row between India and Canada, was shot dead in:
- A. Brampton, Ontario
- B. Calgary, Alberta
- C. Surrey, British Columbia
- D. Montreal, Quebec
Answer: Surrey, British Columbia
Explanation: Then-PM Justin Trudeau alleged in September 2023 'potential' Indian government links, which India rejected; both countries expelled diplomats in October 2024.
234. The US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan on 22 June 2025 were codenamed:
- A. Operation Enduring Freedom
- B. Operation Rising Lion
- C. Operation Midnight Hammer
- D. Operation Desert Storm
Answer: Operation Midnight Hammer
Explanation: Israel's own campaign launched on 13 June 2025 was Operation Rising Lion; India evacuated its nationals from Iran under Operation Sindhu.
235. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024, which group led the offensive that toppled the Syrian government?
- A. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led by Ahmed al-Sharaa
- B. Hezbollah
- C. Syrian Democratic Forces led by Mazloum Abdi
- D. Free Syrian Army led by Riad al-Asaad
Answer: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led by Ahmed al-Sharaa
Explanation: Assad fled to Russia; HTS, whose leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) became interim president, captured Damascus after a 12-day offensive.
236. Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack on Israel was codenamed by the group as:
- A. Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
- B. Operation Iron Swords
- C. Operation Cast Lead
- D. Operation Protective Edge
Answer: Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
Explanation: 'Iron Swords' was Israel's name for its military response; 'Cast Lead' (2008-09) and 'Protective Edge' (2014) were earlier Gaza operations.
237. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and:
- A. Itamar Ben-Gvir
- B. Yoav Gallant, then Israel's Defence Minister
- C. Isaac Herzog
- D. Ismail Haniyeh
Answer: Yoav Gallant, then Israel's Defence Minister
Explanation: The ICC, seated at The Hague under the Rome Statute, also issued a warrant for Hamas commander Mohammed Deif; it had issued one for Vladimir Putin in March 2023.
238. Which long-awaited scheme launched on 15 September 2023 in Kanchipuram by the Tamil Nadu government provides monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to women heads of families?
- A. Mahalakshmi Scheme
- B. Ladli Behna Yojana
- C. Amma Two-Wheeler Scheme
- D. Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai
Answer: Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai
Explanation: The scheme was launched on the birth anniversary of C. N. Annadurai; Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna and Telangana's Mahalakshmi are different schemes.
239. Sensex crossed the 80,000 mark for the first time on:
- A. 11 December 2023
- B. 3 July 2024
- C. 9 June 2024
- D. 24 September 2024
Answer: 3 July 2024
Explanation: The BSE Sensex first closed above 70,000 on 11 December 2023 and breached 80,000 intraday on 3 July 2024.
240. The first section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, from Dausa to Sohna, was opened by the PM in February 2023. The expressway will be India's:
- A. Longest expressway at about 1,386 km
- B. Highest expressway above sea level
- C. First 12-lane expressway
- D. First fully elevated expressway
Answer: Longest expressway at about 1,386 km
Explanation: The 1,386 km corridor passes through Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
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