Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Project 75

In News

• The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated three frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer to the nation on their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

Key Points

• INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine of the P75 Scorpene Project.
• The P75 Scorpene Project represents India’s growing expertise in submarine construction.

Additional Information

• Project 75

• The Scorpene-class submarines under Project 75 are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines designed for the Indian Navy. They are being built as part of India's efforts to modernise its submarine fleet and enhance its naval defence capabilities.

• INS Vaghsheer

• INS Vagsheer (S26) is the sixth submarine of the first batch of six Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy.

• It is a diesel-electric attack submarine based on the Scorpène class, designed by French naval defence and energy group Naval Group and manufactured by Mazagon Dock Limited, an Indian shipyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The commissioning commanding officer of Vagsheer is Commander Vineet Sharma.

The correct answer is Finland.

Key Points

• Finland is famously known as the 'Land of the Thousand Lakes' because it is home to approximately 188,000 lakes.
• The country’s landscape is dominated by water bodies and forests, with lakes covering about 10% of its total area.
• These lakes are primarily the result of glacial activity during the last Ice Age, which carved out the land and created depressions that later filled with water.
• Some of the most famous lakes in Finland are Lake Saimaa (the largest lake in Finland and the fourth largest in Europe), Lake Päijänne, and Lake Inari.
• In addition to their beauty, these lakes are vital for transportation, fishing, and tourism, and they contribute significantly to Finland's economy.
• Finland’s unique geography and its lakes play a crucial role in influencing its climate, culture, and recreational activities.
• The abundance of lakes also contributes to Finland’s high rank in environmental sustainability and quality of life indices.

Additional Information

• Denmark
• Denmark is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe, known for its flat terrain and coastal areas.
• It is characterized by its islands (over 400) rather than lakes, making it distinct from Finland.
• Denmark is famous for its Viking history and cultural heritage, not for its lakes.
• The Netherlands
• The Netherlands is known as the 'Land of Canals' due to its extensive system of waterways and dikes.
• The country is renowned for its efforts in water management and not for natural lakes.
• It is also famous for its tulip fields, windmills, and cycling infrastructure.
• Poland
• Poland is located in Central Europe and is known for its diverse geography, including mountains, plains, and rivers.
• Although Poland has lakes (e.g., Masurian Lake District), it does not have as many as Finland and is not referred to as the 'Land of the Thousand Lakes.'
• Poland is more recognized for its historic cities like Kraków and Warsaw and its cultural heritage.

The correct answer is Transactional calls to customers.

In News

• RBI directs banks to use '1600xx' numbering series for transactional calls and '140xx' for promotional calls to prevent financial fraud.

Key Points

• The '1600xx' numbering series is designated for transactional calls, while '140xx' is for promotional calls.
• The RBI's directive aims to prevent financial frauds that often occur through voice calls and SMS.
• The directive also mandates banks and financial entities to monitor and clean their customer databases using the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL).
• The compliance deadline for all regulated entities is set for March 31, 2025.

Additional Information

• Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL)
• Developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
• Used to monitor and clean customer databases of regulated entities to prevent misuse of disconnected numbers.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
• Responsible for regulating telecom services in India.
• Issued the guidelines on commercial communication through voice calls and SMS to ensure consumer protection.

The correct answer is LPG subsidy transfer in consumer's account.

Key Points

• PAHAL Scheme
• 'PAHAL' is the acronym for 'Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh'.
• The scheme was launched on June 01, 2013, as Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy.
• The scheme was launched by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 291 districts.
• On 15 November 2014, the scheme was modified and renamed as PaHal; and was relaunched in 54 districts. The modified scheme removed the necessity of having an Aadhar number with the consumer.
• The scheme was extended nationwide on 1 January 2015.
• The scheme helped the consumers as they directly received the subsidy of the LPG cylinders bought at market price, in their bank accounts.
• The scheme covers approximately 10 crore LPG consumers has been acknowledged as the world's largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records.
• Objective - The scheme aims to reduce corruption by eliminating duplication or bogus LPG connections and their diversion.

The correct answer is Swami Vivekananda.

In News

• National Youth Day is observed annually on 12^th January to honor the ideals and vision of Swami Vivekananda.
• The day recognizes Swami Vivekananda’s belief in the potential and dynamism of the youth as the nation's resource.

Key Points

• The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 was held on January 11-12 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Youth, comprising 40% of India’s population, are recognized as the most dynamic resource of the nation.

Additional Information

• About Swami Vivekananda:
• Born on 12 January 1863, Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual leader and philosopher.
• He introduced Indian philosophies like Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.
• Significance of National Youth Day:
• Aims to inspire young Indians to follow Swami Vivekananda’s teachings of self-reliance, education, and spirituality.

The correct answer is in 2001.

Key Points

• The Golden Quadrilateral (GQ) project was launched in 2001.
• This project was aimed at constructing a vast network of highways to connect major industrial, agricultural, and cultural centers of India.
• The project was initiated under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• The total length of the Golden Quadrilateral is approximately 5,846 kilometers.
• It connects four major cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Additional Information

• National Highways Development Project (NHDP)
• The Golden Quadrilateral is a part of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP).
• NHDP was the largest highway project in India at the time of its launch.
• It aimed to upgrade, rehabilitate, and widen major highways to international standards.
• Major Benefits
• Enhanced connectivity and reduced travel time between major cities.
• Boosted economic development by facilitating smoother transportation of goods and services.
• Significantly improved road infrastructure and safety.
• Funding and Execution
• The project was funded through fuel taxes, tolls, and loans from international agencies.
• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was responsible for the project's execution.
• Completion and Impact
• The project was completed in 2012.
• It has had a profound impact on India's road transportation sector, setting a benchmark for future highway projects.

The Correct Answer is Option 2

Key Points

• Mango Shower → Karnataka Coastal Areas
• These are pre-monsoon showers that help in the ripening of mangoes in Karnataka and Kerala.
• Blossom Shower → Kerala
• These showers occur in Kerala during April-May, helping in the flowering of coffee plants.
• Norwesters → West Bengal
• Also known as Kalbaisakhi, these are violent thunderstorms in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Bangladesh.
• Loo → Punjab to Bihar
• Loo is a hot, dry wind that blows in North India, particularly in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, during summer.
• Correct Answer: Option 2) A - 3, B - 2, C - 4, D - 1

The correct answer is Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Key Points

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
• Launch
• India’s largest Skill Certification Scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) - was launched on 15^th July 2015 (World Youth Skills Day).
• Aim
• To encourage and promote skill development in the country by providing free short-duration skill training and incentivizing this by providing monetary rewards to youth for skill certification.
• Implementation
• PMKVY is implemented by the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) under the guidance of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• ​Features:
• It envisages training of eight lakh candidates over a scheme period of 2020-2021 with an outlay of Rs. 948.90 crore.
• The 729 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), impaneled non-PMKK training centers and more than 200 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under Skill India will be rolling out PMKVY 3.0 training to build a robust pool of skilled professionals.
• It will be more trainee- and learner-centric. The focus is on bridging the demand-supply gap by promoting skill development in areas of new-age and Industry 4.0 job roles.
• It will be a propagator of vocational education at an early level for youth to capitalize on industry-linked opportunities.
• The National Educational Policy 2020 also puts focus on vocational training for holistic growth and increased employability.

The correct answer is Football

Key Points

• The term 'banana kick' is associated with the sport of Football.
• A banana kick is a type of kick that curves or bends in the air, typically used in free kicks and corner kicks.
• This technique is often used to navigate around defensive walls or to place the ball into the goal from a challenging angle.
• Famous footballers known for their banana kicks include legends like David Beckham and Roberto Carlos.

Additional Information

• The physics behind a banana kick involves imparting spin to the ball, resulting in a curved trajectory due to the Magnus effect.
• Mastering the banana kick requires significant skill, practice, and an understanding of ball dynamics.
• This technique adds a strategic element to the game, allowing players to create scoring opportunities from set pieces.

The correct answer is Kirana Gharana.

Key Points

• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi became the most popular artist of Kirana Gharana.
• He was one of the best vocalists in the Hindustani classical style from Karnataka, India.
• He is well-known for both his popular interpretations of religious music and the khayal style of singing.
• He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship in 1998.
• In 2009, he was bestowed with India's highest civilian accolade, the Bharat Ratna.
• Kirana Gharana is one of the oldest Gharanas of Indian classical music, which originated in the town of Kirana near Delhi.
• The Kirana Gharana is famous for its melodious style and is known for its emphasis on the 'gayaki ang' or the vocal style of singing.

Additional Information

• Gwalior Gharana is known for its Dhrupad style of singing.
• This style is characterized by a slow and rhythmic rendition of the composition.
• Mewati Gharana is known for its unique blend of classical and folk music.
• It is famous for its 'bol-banav' or the art of improvising lyrics on the spot.
• Patiala Gharana is known for its powerful and energetic style of singing.
• It is famous for its use of 'tans' or fast-paced improvisations.