Search Previous Year Questions

• Famous festivals of Tamil Nadu are Pongal and Puthandu.
• Ugadi is celebrated as New Year in Andhra Pradesh
• Other famous festivals celebrated in Andhra Pradesh are Sankranthi and Rottela Panduga.
• Famous festivals of Karnataka are Kanakadasa Jayanti and Karaga.
• Famous festivals of Kerala are Onam and Pooram.

The Correct answer is Vithya Ramraj.

Key Points

• Vithya Ramraj is an Indian 400m hurdler who came into the spotlight after equalling PT Usha’s 41-year-old national record of 55.42 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles.
• She matched this record during the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, later winning a bronze medal in the final.
• At the Federation Cup 2025 in Kochi, she clocked 56.04 seconds to comfortably win, though it was slower than her best mark.
• Vithya has also qualified for the Asian Athletics Championships in both the 400m flat and 400m hurdles, underlining her versatility.
• Her long-term aim is to compete at the global level against champions like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who holds the Olympic gold record at 50.65 seconds.
• Despite the national record chase, Vithya emphasizes that her focus is not on breaking Usha’s record but on achieving international standards at events like the World Championships and Diamond League.
• Hailing from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and the daughter of a tempo driver, she has risen through determination and hard work despite limited financial support.
• She also represented India at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 4x400m relay, showing her prominence in Indian athletics.

 Additional Information

• PT Usha
• Known as the “Payyoli Express”, she is one of India’s most legendary athletes.
• She set the national record of 55.42 seconds in the 400m hurdles during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
• She missed an Olympic medal narrowly, finishing fourth in that race.
• The record stood for over four decades, making it one of the longest-standing national records in Indian athletics.

The correct answer is Sai Sudharsan.

In News

• Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan was the leading run-scorer in IPL 2025, securing the Orange Cap with 759 runs in 15 matches.

Key Points

• Runs Scored: Sai Sudharsan scored 759 runs in 15 matches with an average of 54.21 and a strike rate of 156.17.
• Orange Cap Leaderboard: He is followed by Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli.
• Consistency: Sudharsan hit 1 century and 6 half-centuries, showcasing consistent performance throughout the season.
• Team Representation: Sai Sudharsan represents Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025.

Additional Information

• Orange Cap: Awarded to the highest run-scorer in an IPL season.
• IPL 2025: The 18^th edition of IPL featured 10 teams and multiple top-performing players.
• Impact: Sudharsan’s performance played a crucial role in Gujarat Titans’ campaign during IPL 2025.

Important Points of IPL 2025

• Winner: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
• Runner Up: Punjab Kings
• Most Valuable Player: Suryakumar Yadav (MI) – 717 runs, avg 65, SR 168
• Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna (GT) – 25 wickets
• Emerging Player: Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 759 runs
• Super Striker: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (RR) – 206.6 SR
• Most Sixes: Nicholas Pooran (LSG) – 40 sixes
• Most Fours: Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 88 fours
• Most Dot Balls: Mohammed Siraj (GT) – 151 dot balls
• Catch of the Season: Kamindu Mendis (SRH) vs Dewald Brevis
• Fairplay Award: Chennai Super Kings
• Fantasy King: Sai Sudharsan (GT) – 1495 points

The correct answer is Sonu Sood.

Key Points

• Sonu Sood's autobiography 'I am no Messiah' is out now; Rajkumar and Aparshakti congratulate the actor.
• Sonu Sood, who has worked towards helping the needy during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has inspired and won the hearts of many.
• The book will be co-authored by Meena Iyer.

Additional Information

• Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian former international cricketer who captained the Indian national team.
• He is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket.
• Paramahansa Yogananda was an Indian Hindu monk, yogi and guru who introduced millions to the teachings of meditation and Kriya Yoga through his organization.
• Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was an Indian aerospace scientist and statesman who served as the 11^th President of India from 2002 to 2007.
• He was born and raised in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu and studied physics and aerospace engineering.

The correct answer is option 2.

In News

• The India-Bangladesh Naval Exercise Bongo Sagar 2025 was conducted in the Bay of Bengal to enhance maritime security cooperation.

Key Points

• What is Exercise Bongo Sagar?
• It is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Bangladesh.
• Designed to enhance interoperability and operational expertise through complex maritime operations.
• It was first held in 2019, and 2025 marks its fifth edition.
• Part of India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.
• Exercise Highlights:
• Surface firing, tactical maneuvers, and underway replenishment.
• Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS) operations and cross-boarding exercises.
• Communication drills and professional quizzes for officers.
• Strategic Importance:
• Strengthens maritime coordination and information sharing.
• Improves both navies’ ability to conduct coordinated responses to emerging threats at sea.
• Enhances regional security and supports India’s maritime diplomacy with neighboring countries.
• Hence, option 2 is correct.

Additional Information

• India and Bangladesh Naval Cooperation:
• The two navies also conduct the Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) to enhance maritime domain awareness.
• Both nations collaborate on counter-piracy, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations in the Indian Ocean Region.
• SAGAR Initiative:
• India’s vision for regional maritime security.
• Aims to ensure safe, secure, and stable seas through cooperative engagements with maritime neighbors.

The correct answer is Paris, France

Key Points

• The headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, commonly known as UNESCO, is located in Paris, France.
• It has been based in Paris since its establishment in 1945.
• While the other cities given as options - New York, USA; Rome, Italy; and Geneva, Switzerland - do host important UN offices or organizations, the UNESCO's main headquarters are not located in these cities but in Paris.
• This is in line with UNESCO's direct tie to France's long-standing tradition of international diplomacy.

The correct answer is Jharkhand.

Key Points

• Paika:
• Paika is a Sadani Nagpuri martial folk dance from the Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh (Chhota Nagpur plateaus region).
• It also known as Painki and Paiki.
• Participants in the dance wear dhotis, which are turbans adorned with peacock feathers.
• They dance to the sounds of Nagara, Dhak, Shehnai, and Narsingh musical instruments while holding a sword in their right hand and a shield in their left.
• Paik served as foot soilders throughout the medieval period. It displays bravery and is carried out by guys.
• It is done at events like weddings.
• The main performers are Rautia, who were soldiers in Chotanagpur during the Nagvanshi dynasty. In the districts of Khunti and Mayurbhanj, some Munda tribe members also perform it.
• Other Dances of Jharkhand:
• Chhau
• Khadia
• Kadsa
• Nagpuri
• Birhor
• Mundari
• Santhali
• Hunta
• Karam
• Barao
• Jhenna Jhumur
• Domkach
• Ghoda Naach

Additional Information

• The folk dances of Maharastra, Tamil Nadu and Haryana are listed below:

• 8 important Classical Dance forms of India:

The Correct answer is Sachin Tendulkar.

Key Points

• Sachin Tendulkar, also known as the “Master Blaster”, received the prestigious Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
• This award is the highest honour conferred by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to recognize a player’s exceptional contribution to Indian cricket.
• Tendulkar had an illustrious career spanning over two decades (1989–2013), making him one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket.
• He is the only cricketer to have scored 100 international centuries and the first to score a double century in ODIs.
• Tendulkar played a key role in India’s 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victory, fulfilling his long-cherished dream.
• He holds records for the most runs in Tests and ODIs, cementing his place as an icon in world cricket.
• The award named after Col. C. K. Nayudu, India’s first Test cricket captain, is a mark of respect for Tendulkar’s immense achievements, discipline, and impact on the sport.

 Additional Information

• Kapil Dev
• Former Indian all-rounder and captain who led India to its first ICC Cricket World Cup victory in 1983.
• Known for his fast bowling and aggressive batting style, he is considered one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history.
• He has written his autobiography titled “Straight from the Heart.”

The correct answer is Maharashtra.

Key Points

• Lavani is a famous folk dance form of Maharashtra State.
• Lavani is a combination of traditional song and dance, which is particularly performed to the beats of the Dholki, a percussion instrument.
• Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm.
• Lavani has contributed substantially to the development of Marathi folk theatre.
• In Maharashtra and southern Madhya Pradesh, it is performed by female performers wearing nine-yard-long sarees.
• The songs are sung in a quick tempo.
• The lavani dance originated in Maharashtra in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.
• Lavani dancers were patronized by Maratha Lords and Kings.
• Lavani dance was generally performed by Dhangars or Shepherd living in Solapur, Maharashtra
• Traditionally, this genre of folk dance deals with different and varied subject matters such as society, religion, and politics.
• The songs in 'Lavani' are mostly erotic in sentiment and the dialogues tend to be pungent in socio-political satire.
• Originally, it was used as a form of entertainment and morale booster to the tired soldiers.

The correct answer is Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the second phase of Ladli Laxmi Scheme 2.0 in November 2022.
• The Ladli Laxmi Scheme is a welfare scheme for the girl child.
• It aims to provide financial assistance to families for the education and marriage of their daughters.
• The scheme was first launched in Madhya Pradesh in 2007 and has since been expanded and improved over the years.

Additional Information

• Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar are also states in India that have implemented similar schemes for the welfare of the girl child.
• Uttar Pradesh has the Kanya Sumangala Yojana, Andhra Pradesh has the Amma Vodi scheme, and Bihar has the Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana.
• The Ladli Laxmi Scheme in Madhya Pradesh provides financial assistance to families in the form of a fixed deposit that matures when the girl turns 18.
• The amount of the deposit varies depending on the income of the family and the age of the girl.