Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Sania Mirza.

In News

• Vaishnavi Adkar made history by becoming the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2009 to reach the singles final at an ITF W100 tennis event.

Key Points

• Adkar reached the final of the ITF Women’s W100 Bengaluru Open in February 2026.
• She became the first Indian woman in 17 years to reach an ITF W100 singles final.
• The last Indian woman to achieve this feat was Sania Mirza in 2009.
• This milestone highlights a significant achievement for Indian women’s tennis on the international circuit.

Additional Information

• Sania Mirza
• One of India’s most successful tennis players and former world No. 1 in doubles.
• Achieved numerous singles and doubles titles and was a trailblazer for Indian women’s tennis.
• Reached the final of high-level ITF and WTA events, setting benchmarks for future generations.
• ITF Women’s W100 Events
• Part of the International Tennis Federation’s professional women’s circuit with $100,000 prize money level.
• Offers significant ranking points and competition just below top WTA tiers.
• Vaishnavi Adkar
• A 21-year-old Indian tennis player from Pune who made a historic run to the W100 final.
• Her performance boosted her global ranking and spotlighted Indian women’s tennis$.

The correct answer is Manali and Keylong.

Key Points

• Atal Tunnel, named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, is a highway tunnel.
• It has been built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh.
• It has officially been certified by World Book of Records, as the 'World's Longest Highway Tunnel above 10,000 Feet'.

Additional Information

• Manali is a high-altitude Himalayan resort town in India’s northern Himachal Pradesh .
• Kyelang is a town and the administrative centre of the Lahaul and Spiti districts in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
• Shimla is the capital of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
• Kalka is a town in the Panchkula district of Haryana.
• Leh is the joint capital and largest city of Ladakh.
• Ladakh is a region administered by India as a union territory which constitutes a part of the larger Kashmir region.

The correct answer is Glycerol.

Key Points

• Dynamite is an explosive material primarily composed of nitroglycerin, which is stabilized with an absorbent substance like diatomaceous earth or sawdust.
• Glycerol is a key raw material in the production of nitroglycerin. Through a chemical reaction called nitration, glycerol reacts with concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid to form nitroglycerin.
• Nitroglycerin is a highly volatile and sensitive compound, but its explosive power is harnessed in dynamite by stabilizing it with inert materials.
• The invention of dynamite by Alfred Nobel in 1867 revolutionized the mining and construction industries by providing a safe way to handle and use nitroglycerin.
• Other substances like ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, and glycol are not used in the preparation of dynamite, as they do not contribute to the formation of nitroglycerin.

Additional Information

• Glycerol:
• It is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid commonly used in the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries.
• In the production of explosives, glycerol is nitrated to produce nitroglycerin, a key explosive compound.
• Glycerol can be derived from natural sources like animal fats and vegetable oils or synthesized from petrochemical sources.
• Nitroglycerin:
• It is a highly sensitive liquid explosive used in the production of dynamite and other explosives.
• In its pure form, nitroglycerin is unstable and can detonate from shock or heat, but stabilizers like diatomaceous earth make it safer to handle.
• Aside from explosives, nitroglycerin is also used in medicine to treat heart conditions like angina pectoris.
• Dynamite:
• Invented by Alfred Nobel in 1867, dynamite is a safer alternative to pure nitroglycerin.
• It consists of nitroglycerin absorbed in an inert material, reducing its sensitivity to shock and friction.
• Dynamite has been widely used in mining, construction, and demolition industries.
• Other Options:
• Ethyl Alcohol: Commonly known as ethanol, this compound is used in alcoholic beverages, solvents, and fuel but is not used in dynamite production.
• Methyl Alcohol: Also known as methanol, it is used as a solvent, antifreeze, and fuel but is not involved in nitroglycerin or dynamite production.
• Glycol: A compound often used in antifreeze and hydraulic fluids, it has no role in dynamite production.

Important Points

• Alfred Nobel: The Swedish chemist and inventor of dynamite, Nobel was awarded numerous patents for his innovations and established the Nobel Prizes with his fortune.
• Stabilization of Nitroglycerin: The use of diatomaceous earth or clay in dynamite reduces the sensitivity of nitroglycerin, making it safer to store and handle.
• Applications of Dynamite: Dynamite is widely used in construction for tunneling, demolishing structures, and mining operations.
• Safety Concerns: Despite its stabilization, dynamite remains a hazardous material and requires careful handling and storage to prevent accidental detonation.

The correct answer is 23.

In News

• Indian Army emerged as the undisputed champion of the 2026 edition of KIWG.

Key Points

• The Indian Army won a total of 23 medals, including 9 Gold, 6 Silver, and 8 Bronze.
• They finished well ahead of the second-placed Himachal Pradesh, which had 14 medals in total.
• The Army's dominance was most evident in Gulmarg, where they won 8 out of their 9 gold medals in snow disciplines.
• The 2026 games saw participation from over 900 athletes, reflecting a steady increase in winter sports interest in India.

Additional Information

• Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG)
• A part of the larger Khelo India initiative aimed at promoting a sporting culture and identifying talent at the grassroots level.
• Leh Phase
• Focused on Ice Hockey and Ice Skating (both speed skating and figure skating).
• Gulmarg Phase
• Focused on high-altitude snow sports including Alpine and Nordic skiing.

CONCEPT:

First Aid for Chemical Burns

• When acid splashes on the skin, it can cause chemical burns, which may lead to severe tissue damage if not treated immediately.
• The primary goal is to neutralize the acid's effect by diluting it and removing it from the skin as quickly as possible.
• Water is universally effective as a first aid measure to flush out the acid and minimize damage.

EXPLANATION:

• If acid splashes on the skin, the correct immediate action is to:
• Wash the affected area immediately with plenty of water.
• This helps to:
• Dilute the acid and reduce its concentration.
• Flush away the chemical from the skin surface to prevent further penetration and damage.

Key Points

• Wiping it with tissue (e.g., dry materials) can spread the acid and worsen the damage.
• Ignoring it allows the acid to continue burning the skin, which can lead to severe injuries.
• Applying oil is not recommended because it does not neutralize the acid and can trap the chemical against the skin.

Therefore, the correct immediate action is to wash the affected area with plenty of water.

The correct answer is India Semiconductor Mission 2.0.

In News

• The Union Budget 2026-27 announced the launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities.

Key Points

• India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 aims to produce semiconductor equipment and materials domestically.
• The mission focuses on designing full-stack Indian intellectual property in semiconductors.
• It seeks to fortify semiconductor supply chains to reduce import dependence.
• Industry-led research and training centres will be established to develop advanced technology and skilled workforce.

Additional Information

• Semiconductor Supply Chain
• It includes design, manufacturing, packaging, testing and distribution of semiconductor chips.
• A resilient supply chain is critical for electronics, defence, automobiles and digital infrastructure.
• Full-Stack Indian IP
• Refers to end-to-end ownership of semiconductor design and technology.
• It reduces reliance on foreign intellectual property and enhances technological sovereignty.
• Industry-led Research
• Research initiatives driven by industry participation to ensure practical and market-ready innovations.
• Helps align skill development with actual industry requirements.
• Strategic Importance of Semiconductors
• Semiconductors are essential for modern electronics, communication systems and emerging technologies.
• Domestic capability enhances national security and economic resilience.

The correct answer is Rajkishore Parhi.

Key Points

• The Sahitya Akademi announced the prestigious Bal Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2025 in June 2025, recognizing outstanding contributions to children's literature across multiple Indian languages.
• Rajkishore Parhi was named the winner in the Odia language category for his notable work titled "Kete Phula Phutichhi". Hence, the correct answer is Rajkishore Parhi.
• The book "Kete Phula Phutichhi" is a creative collection of children's poetry designed to engage young readers with rhythmic verses and imaginative themes.
• The selection was made by a three-member jury following a rigorous evaluation process of books published between 2019 and 2023.
• The award ceremony includes the presentation of a copper plaque and a financial prize of Rs. 50,000 to the author for their literary excellence.

Additional Information

• Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar:
• This annual award was instituted in 2010 to promote and honor high-quality literature specifically written for children.
• It covers works in 24 languages, including those listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, along with English and Rajasthani.
• Other Winners of 2025:
• Mayur Khavdu: Won the award for the Gujarati language for the book "Gharu".
• Fagu Baskey: Recognized in the Santali category for the work "Sabaid".
• Subrat Senapati: While a prominent figure in literary circles, he was a nominee/contemporary in the selection process for Odia literature.
• Significance of the Award:
• The Sahitya Akademi aims to encourage authors to produce original and creative content in regional languages to preserve cultural heritage.
• The awards are traditionally announced alongside the Yuva Puraskar, which targets authors under the age of 35.

Important Points

• Selection Criteria: A book is eligible only if it is an original work by an Indian author and published for the first time during the five years preceding the award year.
• Odia Literature: The state of Odisha has a rich tradition of children's literature, and the win for Rajkishore Parhi marks another milestone in the global recognition of Odia poetry.
• Institution Profile: The Sahitya Akademi was inaugurated on March 12, 1954, and functions as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Award Impact: Winning the Bal Sahitya Puraskar often leads to the translation of the work into other Indian languages, broadening the reach of the author's message to children nationwide.

The Correct answer is javelin throw.

Key Points

• Neeraj Chopra made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by winning the gold medal in the javelin throw event.
• This victory marked India's first-ever athletics gold medal at the Olympics, showcasing Chopra's exceptional talent and dedication.
• His winning throw was an impressive 87.58 meters, securing his place at the top of the podium.
• The achievement was celebrated across India and brought attention to the sport of javelin throw in the country.
• Neeraj Chopra's victory is a source of inspiration for young athletes and has significantly contributed to the growth of athletics in India.

 Additional Information

• Hammer Throw
• The hammer throw is an athletics throwing event where the objective is to throw a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and grip as far as possible.
• It is one of the four throwing events in track and field, alongside discus, javelin, and shot put.
• Discus Throw
• In the discus throw, athletes attempt to throw a heavy disc, known as a discus, as far as they can into a designated sector.
• The discus throw is an ancient sport, depicted in many ancient Greek sculptures and writings.
• Shot Put
• The shot put is a track and field event involving "putting" (pushing rather than throwing) a heavy spherical object called a shot as far as possible.
• The shot put has roots in Scottish Highland games and has been a modern Olympic sport since 1896 for men and 1948 for women.

The correct answer is Uttar Pradesh

In News

• The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) has completed 11 years of driving financial inclusion and micro-enterprise growth in India as of April 2026.

Key Points

• According to the performance metrics for FY 2024-25, Uttar Pradesh emerged as the leading state in terms of credit outreach, recording the highest loan disbursement at ₹58,111 crore.
• The state of Bihar followed in the second position with a disbursement of ₹54,064 crore.
• Maharashtra ranked third among all states, recording a total disbursement of ₹50,762 crore during the same period.
• These figures highlight the significant role of the scheme in strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship and local economies in these regions.

Additional Information

• Launch Date: PMMY was launched on 8 April 2015 with the vision of "Funding the Unfunded".
• Loan Categories: The scheme offers collateral-free loans in four categories: Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (above ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh), Tarun (above ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh), and Tarun Plus (above ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh).
• Total Disbursement: As of 27 March 2026, the scheme has disbursed loans worth ₹40.07 lakh crore across 57 crore+ accounts.
• Women Empowerment: Women borrowers accounted for 59.81% of the total number of loan accounts in FY 2024-25.

Important Points

• MUDRA Ltd. reported its highest-ever profit of over ₹827 crore in FY 2024-2025.
• The Tarun Plus category was introduced in 2024 to support borrowers who have successfully repaid previous Tarun loans and seek higher expansion up to ₹20 lakh.
• The JanSamarth portal provides digital access to 14 credit-linked government schemes, including PMMY, enhancing transparency and ease of access.

The correct answer is To provide interest subvention and collateral support to strengthen MSME exports.

In News

• NIRYAT PROTSAHAN, a sub-scheme under the Export Promotion Mission, aims to strengthen MSME exports by providing interest subvention and collateral support on export credit.

Key Points

• Provides interest subvention of 2.75% on pre- and post-shipment export credit to reduce cost of credit and ease working-capital constraints.
• Additional incentives offered for exports to under-represented or emerging markets.
• Collateral support is provided in partnership with CGTMSE: guarantee coverage up to 85% for Micro & Small exporters and 65% for Medium exporters.
• Maximum outstanding guaranteed exposure is ₹10 crore per exporter per financial year, applicable only for exports in the notified positive list at HS six-digit level.

Additional Information

• Scheme Objective
• Reduce cost of credit for MSME exporters.
• Ease working capital constraints to promote higher export activity.
• Interest Subvention
• Base interest subvention of 2.75% on eligible export credit.
• Additional incentives for exports to emerging or under-represented markets.
• Collateral Support
• Provided through CGTMSE partnership for risk mitigation.
• Guarantee coverage: up to 85% for Micro & Small enterprises; up to 65% for Medium enterprises.
• Maximum exposure per exporter: ₹10 crore per financial year.
• Eligibility & Scope
• Applicable only for exports listed in the notified positive list at HS six-digit level.
• Focused on MSME sector to boost competitiveness in global markets.