Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is 1^st.

In News

• India ranks 1^st globally in AI skill penetration per Stanford AI Index 2024, leading also in women's AI skills.

Key Points

• India tops AI skill penetration with a score 2.8 in the Stanford AI Index 2024, ahead of USA (2.2) and Germany (1.9).
• India leads women's AI skill penetration with score 1.7, surpassing USA (1.2) and Israel (0.9), promoting gender inclusion.
• IndiaAI Mission (Rs 10,300 crore over 5 years) by MeitY provides 18,693 GPUs computing capacity (9x DeepSeek).
• Three AI Centres of Excellence established: healthcare (IIT Delhi-AIIMS), agriculture (IIT Ropar), and sustainable cities (IIT Kanpur).
• Fourth CoE for education announced in Budget FY26 with Rs 500 crore outlay for sectoral AI applications.
• BHASHINI enables language translation, BharatGen multimodal LLM, and Sarvam-1 supports 10 Indian languages.
• India represents 16% global AI talent, among the top 5 fastest-growing AI talent hubs worldwide.

Additional Information

• IndiaAI Mission aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, establishing global AI leadership.
• GPU marketplace offers subsidised access at Rs 100/hour vs global USD 2.5-3 rates.
• Five semiconductor plants under construction strengthen AI hardware ecosystem domestically.
• AI economy projected to grow at 25-35% CAGR reaching USD 28.8 billion by 2025.

The correct answer is Rs 370.

In News

• In March 2025, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) revised the MGNREGA daily wage rate from Rs 349 to Rs 370 per person for Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26).

Key Points

• MGNREGA wages have been increased to Rs 370 per day for FY26.
• The previous wage was Rs 349 per day.
• The revised wage is effective from April 1, 2025, the beginning of Financial Year 2025–26.
• The notification was issued by MoRD under sub-section (1) of Section 6 of MNREGA, 2005.

Additional Information

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
• Enacted in 2005 to guarantee 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to rural households.
• Provides employment opportunities through unskilled manual work.
• Wage Revision
• Wages are revised annually by the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Based on Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL).
• Implementation
• Effective from April 1, 2025, marking the start of FY26.
• Aims to support rural livelihoods and boost rural consumption.

The correct answer is MuleHunter.AI.

In News

• RBIH launched MuleHunter.AI, an AI/ML model for detecting and mitigating mule accounts in financial frauds.

Key Points

• MuleHunter.AI surpasses traditional rule-based systems using machine learning for precision and speed in detection.
• It processes transaction data and account details to predict mule accounts and track illicit fund flows accurately.
• The model was developed by analysing 19 distinct mule account activity patterns in collaboration with multiple banks.
• Pilot testing with two public sector banks demonstrated significantly improved detection rates and effectiveness.
• Banks are encouraged to collaborate with RBIH to expand MuleHunter.AI across the financial ecosystem.
• It enhances cybersecurity and cyber fraud prevention through advanced transaction monitoring capabilities.
• The tool represents a transformative step towards a safer and more resilient financial ecosystem.

Additional Information

• Mule accounts are used to launder illicit cybercrime proceeds through unsuspecting individuals.
• RBIH fosters fintech innovation and regulatory technology solutions for financial inclusion.
• AI/ML significantly reduces false positives compared to traditional fraud detection systems.
• Regulator-bank-fintech collaboration strengthens the digital payments security framework.
• Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
• Established in - 2022
• HQ - Bengaluru

The correct answer is Rs 1 crore.

In News

• RBI proposed Rs 1 crore as the bulk deposit limit for Local Area Banks in June 2024 draft regulations.

Key Points

• RBI's draft regulations define bulk deposits for Local Area Banks as single-term deposits of Rs 1 crore or above with a maturity of one year.
• The revision aligns LABs' regulatory framework with commercial banks to maintain financial stability.
• Bulk deposits attract higher interest rates but carry greater liquidity risk management requirements.
• Local Area Banks operate in specific geographic regions serving underserved banking areas.
• The definition harmonisation facilitates uniform interest rate disclosure and customer protection.
• It enhances LABs' deposit mobilisation capabilities while ensuring prudential liquidity norms compliance.
• Stakeholder comments were invited to refine the final regulatory framework before implementation.

Additional Information

• Local Area Banks follow a hybrid commercial-cooperative model for specific regions exclusively.
• Bulk deposits are reported separately for liquidity coverage ratio calculations.
• RBI periodically reviews deposit classification thresholds based on market dynamics.
• Interest rate caps on bulk deposits prevent unhealthy competition and ensure stability.
• RBI
• Established in - 1935
• HQ - Mumbai
• Governor - Sanjay Malhotra

The correct answer is Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.

In News

• PM VIKAS was launched as an integrated scheme titled ‘Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan’ by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Key Points

• PM VIKAS expands to Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan, emphasising the preservation and advancement of the cultural ‘virasat’ (heritage) of minority communities.
• The scheme integrates five earlier schemes of the Ministry of Minority Affairs into a single umbrella for better convergence and implementation.
• Its focus is on skilling, economic empowerment, education support, and infrastructure for artisans and individuals from notified minority communities.
• The scheme aims to upgrade traditional arts and crafts through design, technology, credit support, and market linkages.
• It also seeks to enhance employability by providing training aligned with industry requirements and local livelihood opportunities.
• Target beneficiaries include minorities engaged in traditional occupations, small businesses, and skill-based livelihoods.
• Consolidation under PM VIKAS is intended to reduce overlap, improve monitoring, and ensure better outcomes at the ground level.

Additional Information

• Notified minority communities are Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains.
• Earlier standalone schemes covered skill development, education, and infrastructure separately for minorities.
• PM VIKAS aligns with the broader agenda of inclusive growth and social justice.
• The scheme is implemented through state governments, training partners, and community-based institutions.

The correct answer is Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In News

• The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank signed a USD 350 million policy-based loan in December 2024 under the SMILE programme.

Key Points

• The USD 350 million loan from ADB supports the SMILE programme aimed at improving logistics efficiency and lowering logistics costs in India.
• It is a policy-based loan, meaning disbursement is linked to reform actions rather than specific investment projects.
• The programme focuses on multimodal connectivity, including better integration of road, rail, inland waterways, and ports.
• It aligns with India’s National Logistics Policy, which aims to enhance the country’s Logistics Performance Index ranking.
• Reforms supported include regulatory simplification, digital platforms for cargo movement, and improved freight planning.
• The programme seeks to promote greener logistics by encouraging modal shift to more energy-efficient transport options.
• Improved logistics are expected to boost exports, reduce supply-chain bottlenecks, and support manufacturing growth.

Additional Information

• Policy-based loans typically support structural reforms and institutional strengthening.
• The Gati Shakti National Master Plan provides an integrated platform for infrastructure planning and logistics corridors.
• Efficient logistics can significantly reduce the overall cost of doing business in the economy.
• Asian Development Bank
• Established in - 1966
• HQ - Manila, Philippines

The correct answer is Medium Term and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD).

In News

• The Government of India has discontinued the Medium Term and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) components of the Gold Monetisation Scheme from 26 March 2025.

Key Points

• Under the decision, no fresh gold deposits are accepted under the Medium Term and Long Term Government Deposit (MLTGD) component of GMS from 26 March 2025.
• Any gold tendered at Collection and Purity Testing Centres, GMS mobilising agents, or designated bank branches under MLTGD is not to be accepted after this date.
• Existing MLTGD accounts will, however, continue till their original maturity and will be redeemed as per earlier terms.
• The renewal of MLTGD deposits has also been stopped with effect from 26 March 2025.
• Earlier in 2025, the central government had also discontinued the Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) scheme, indicating a broader rationalisation of gold schemes.
• The move follows a review of scheme utilisation and evolving gold market dynamics.
• Short Term Bank Deposit (STBD) under GMS continues, with interest rates decided by banks and tenures of 1–3 years.

Additional Information

• GMS was launched in 2015 to mobilise idle gold held by households and institutions and reduce gold imports.
• The scheme replaced the earlier Gold Deposit Scheme, 1999.
• Eligible depositors include resident individuals, HUFs, trusts, companies, and government entities.
• Minimum deposit under GMS is 10 grams of raw gold (bars, coins, jewellery excluding stones and other metals), with no maximum limit.

The correct answer is 1 and 2 only.

In News

• On April 5, 2025, the Government of India marked 9 years of successful implementation of the Stand-Up India Scheme, launched on April 5, 2016.

Key Points

• The Stand-Up India Scheme was launched on April 5, 2016 and completed 9 years on April 5, 2025.
• It aims to promote grassroots entrepreneurship with a focus on economic empowerment and job creation.
• The scheme provides bank loans ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 100 lakh to a minimum of one SC/ST and one woman borrower per Scheduled Commercial Bank (SCB) branch.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Only individuals above the age of 18 years are eligible under the scheme, not below 18.

Additional Information

• Stand-Up India Scheme
• Launched by the Government of India on April 5, 2016.
• Focuses on promoting entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women communities.
• Offers institutional credit from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 100 lakh for setting up new enterprises.
• Nodal Agency
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
• Implements the scheme under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF).
• Eligibility Criteria
• Only SC/ST or women entrepreneurs.
• Must be above 18 years of age.
• Applies to new businesses only (greenfield projects).

The correct answer is United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In News

• The UAE is the largest destination for Indian blue-collar workers, especially in construction, services, and infrastructure sectors.

Key Points

• The UAE hosts the highest number of Indian blue-collar migrant workers among GCC countries.
• Large projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates create demand for construction, maintenance, and service workers from India.
• Geographical proximity and strong economic links make the UAE a preferred destination for Indian workers.
• The e-Migrate portal regulates Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers for safe migration to the Gulf countries.
• Remittances from Indian workers in the UAE significantly contribute to household incomes in several Indian states.
• Bilateral agreements between India and UAE also cover labour protection and welfare measures.
• The Indian community forms one of the largest expatriate groups in the UAE.

Additional Information

• Blue-collar jobs typically include manual and semi-skilled work in construction, manufacturing, and services.
• India has over 8 million expatriates in GCC countries.
• The Indian Community Welfare Fund supports distressed Indian nationals abroad.
• Remittances from Gulf countries are a key component of India’s private transfer receipts in the balance of payments.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

In News

• Andhra Pradesh is the leading state in palm oil production under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm.

Key Points

• Andhra Pradesh accounts for the highest share of palm oil production in India, with extensive plantations in districts like East Godavari and West Godavari.
• The state’s favourable tropical climate and irrigation facilities support high-yield oil palm cultivation.
• Under the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm, the Centre and states are incentivising the expansion of oil palm plantations.
• Palm oil has the highest oil yield per hectare among major oil crops, improving land-use efficiency.
• Increasing domestic palm oil output is critical to reducing India’s heavy dependence on imported edible oils.
• The government provides viability gap funding and ensures assured pricing mechanisms to support farmers.
• Processing units and Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) are being promoted to strengthen the value chain.

Additional Information

• India is one of the largest importers and consumers of palm oil globally.
• The National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm was launched to expand oil palm area and processing capacity.
• Sustainable cultivation practices are encouraged to minimise environmental impact.
• Oil palm is a perennial crop with a productive life spanning over two decades.