Answer: B
Soln:
New Development Bank
● The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by the BRICS countries in 2015 with
headquarters in Shanghai, China. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● It was established with the objective of financing infrastructure and sustainable
development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing
countries.Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● In 2018, the NDB received observer status in the UN General Assembly.
● The Bank’s membership is open to members of the United Nations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Contingency Reserve Arrangement
● Established in 2015, the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) provides support
through liquidity and precautionary instruments in response to actual or potential short-
term Balance of Payments pressures.
Soln:
New Development Bank
● The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by the BRICS countries in 2015 with
headquarters in Shanghai, China. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● It was established with the objective of financing infrastructure and sustainable
development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies and developing
countries.Hence, statement 1 is correct.
● In 2018, the NDB received observer status in the UN General Assembly.
● The Bank’s membership is open to members of the United Nations. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
Contingency Reserve Arrangement
● Established in 2015, the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) provides support
through liquidity and precautionary instruments in response to actual or potential short-
term Balance of Payments pressures.
3. Al Udeid Military base, located in Qatar, is a nerve centre of military operations of a particular
country in the Middle East region. Identify the country.
country in the Middle East region. Identify the country.
choose the correct answer
Anonymous Quiz
10%
A. United Kingdom
10%
B. China
13%
C. Russia
66%
D. United States of America
Answer: D
Soln:
● Iran launched a missile attack at the US military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar in retaliation for the American strikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
● Al-Udeid is the US military’s crown jewel in the Middle East.
● The 29-year-old self-sufficient base houses 10,000 troops from multiple countries, and is
the nerve centre of US operations in the region.
Soln:
● Iran launched a missile attack at the US military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar in retaliation for the American strikes on its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
● Al-Udeid is the US military’s crown jewel in the Middle East.
● The 29-year-old self-sufficient base houses 10,000 troops from multiple countries, and is
the nerve centre of US operations in the region.
4. Consider the following statements about Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index).
1. It was launched by the NITI Aayog.
2. The index captures information on various aspects of financial inclusion in a single value.
3. The index comprises two broad parameters, access and usage, having equal weightage.
1. It was launched by the NITI Aayog.
2. The index captures information on various aspects of financial inclusion in a single value.
3. The index comprises two broad parameters, access and usage, having equal weightage.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
13%
A. 1 only
45%
B. 2 only
16%
C. 3 only
26%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Soln:
RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index:
● The Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) was launched by the Reserve Bank of India in
2021 to track the process of ensuring access to financial services, timely and adequate
credit for vulnerable and low-income groups at an affordable cost. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● The Fi-Index is a comprehensive index, incorporating details of banking, investment,
insurance, postal, as well as the pension sector in consultation with government and
respective sector regulators.
● The FI-Index comprises three broad parameters — access (35%), usage (45%), and
quality (20%) — with each of these consisting of various dimensions, which are computed
based on a number of indicators. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The index captures information on various aspects of financial inclusion in a single value
ranging between 0 and 100, where 0 represents complete financial exclusion and 100
indicates full financial inclusion. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The FI-Index has been constructed without any ‘base year’ and as such it reflects
cumulative efforts of all stakeholders over the years towards financial inclusion.
● The Index is published annually in July every year.
● The Reserve Bank's FI-Index rose to 64.2 in March 2024, showing growth across all
parameters.
● The improvement in FI-Index is mainly contributed by usage dimension, reflecting
deepening of financial inclusion.
Soln:
RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index:
● The Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) was launched by the Reserve Bank of India in
2021 to track the process of ensuring access to financial services, timely and adequate
credit for vulnerable and low-income groups at an affordable cost. Hence, statement 1 is
incorrect.
● The Fi-Index is a comprehensive index, incorporating details of banking, investment,
insurance, postal, as well as the pension sector in consultation with government and
respective sector regulators.
● The FI-Index comprises three broad parameters — access (35%), usage (45%), and
quality (20%) — with each of these consisting of various dimensions, which are computed
based on a number of indicators. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
● The index captures information on various aspects of financial inclusion in a single value
ranging between 0 and 100, where 0 represents complete financial exclusion and 100
indicates full financial inclusion. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
● The FI-Index has been constructed without any ‘base year’ and as such it reflects
cumulative efforts of all stakeholders over the years towards financial inclusion.
● The Index is published annually in July every year.
● The Reserve Bank's FI-Index rose to 64.2 in March 2024, showing growth across all
parameters.
● The improvement in FI-Index is mainly contributed by usage dimension, reflecting
deepening of financial inclusion.
1. Cities Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, recently seen in news, are located in which of the following
countries?
countries?
Answer: B
Soln:
● Fordow has Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear site used for uranium enrichment, which
is built deep beneath a mountain. Hence, option B is correct.
● Natanz has the largest uranium enrichment facility in Iran.
● Isfahan has Iran's largest nuclear research site, which was targeted by Israel 2 times
since the crisis began on June 13, 2025.
Soln:
● Fordow has Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear site used for uranium enrichment, which
is built deep beneath a mountain. Hence, option B is correct.
● Natanz has the largest uranium enrichment facility in Iran.
● Isfahan has Iran's largest nuclear research site, which was targeted by Israel 2 times
since the crisis began on June 13, 2025.
2. With reference to mangrove forests, consider the following statements.
1. Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
2. They are characterized by halophytic trees, shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters.
3. In India, mangroves are found along the eastern coast only.
1. Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
2. They are characterized by halophytic trees, shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters.
3. In India, mangroves are found along the eastern coast only.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
70%
A. 1 and 2 only
9%
B. 2 only
11%
C. 1 and 3 only
9%
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands found in tropical and
subtropical regions.
● Mangroves belong primarily to the families Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae,
Combretaceae, and Arecaceae.
● Statement 2 is correct: They are characterized by halophytic (salt loving) trees, shrubs
and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters.
● These wetlands are often found in estuaries, where fresh water meets salt water.
Significance of mangroves
● A wide diversity of plants and animals are found in mangrove swamps. Since these
estuarine swamps are constantly replenished with nutrients transported by fresh water
runoff from the land and flushed by the ebb and flow of the tides, they support a bursting
population of bacteria and other decomposers and filter feeders.
● Because mangroves create dense foliage and close proximity of trees, they protect
shorelines from damaging winds and waves. A series of studies in the early 2000s
discovered that mangroves with an average height of 6-10 metres could shorten a cyclone’s
waves by 60%.
● Their protective role has been widely recognized especially after the devastating Tsunami
of 2004.
● Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, and help prevent erosion by stabilising
sediments with their tangled root systems.
● Mangroves also have a big impact on climate. Mangroves are powerhouses when it comes
to carbon storage. Studies indicate that mangroves can sequester greater amounts of
carbon than other trees in the peat soil beneath. They store this carbon for thousands of
years.
● The intricate root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other
organisms seeking food and shelter from predators.
● Many people living in and around mangroves depend on them for their livelihood. The
trees are a source of wood for construction and fuel. The ecosystem provides local
fishermen with a rich supply of fish, crabs and shellfish. The ecosystem also supports
tourism.
Distribution:
● Mangroves can be found in more than 120 countries and territories in the tropical and
subtropical regions of the world. The largest extent of mangroves is found in Asia (42%)
followed by Africa (20%), North and Central America (15%), Oceania (12%) and South
America (11%).
● In India, the deltas of the Ganges, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and the Cauvery rivers
contain mangrove forests.
● The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove region in the world and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans from the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the
Baleswar River in Bangladesh.
● Statement 3 is incorrect: Gulf of Kachchh harbours one of the major mangrove
formations of India. Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu has a vast expanse of water covered with mangrove forests. It is home to many aquatic bird species.
● The backwaters in Kerala also have a high density of mangrove forest.
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands found in tropical and
subtropical regions.
● Mangroves belong primarily to the families Rhizophoraceae, Acanthaceae, Lythraceae,
Combretaceae, and Arecaceae.
● Statement 2 is correct: They are characterized by halophytic (salt loving) trees, shrubs
and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal waters.
● These wetlands are often found in estuaries, where fresh water meets salt water.
Significance of mangroves
● A wide diversity of plants and animals are found in mangrove swamps. Since these
estuarine swamps are constantly replenished with nutrients transported by fresh water
runoff from the land and flushed by the ebb and flow of the tides, they support a bursting
population of bacteria and other decomposers and filter feeders.
● Because mangroves create dense foliage and close proximity of trees, they protect
shorelines from damaging winds and waves. A series of studies in the early 2000s
discovered that mangroves with an average height of 6-10 metres could shorten a cyclone’s
waves by 60%.
● Their protective role has been widely recognized especially after the devastating Tsunami
of 2004.
● Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, and help prevent erosion by stabilising
sediments with their tangled root systems.
● Mangroves also have a big impact on climate. Mangroves are powerhouses when it comes
to carbon storage. Studies indicate that mangroves can sequester greater amounts of
carbon than other trees in the peat soil beneath. They store this carbon for thousands of
years.
● The intricate root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other
organisms seeking food and shelter from predators.
● Many people living in and around mangroves depend on them for their livelihood. The
trees are a source of wood for construction and fuel. The ecosystem provides local
fishermen with a rich supply of fish, crabs and shellfish. The ecosystem also supports
tourism.
Distribution:
● Mangroves can be found in more than 120 countries and territories in the tropical and
subtropical regions of the world. The largest extent of mangroves is found in Asia (42%)
followed by Africa (20%), North and Central America (15%), Oceania (12%) and South
America (11%).
● In India, the deltas of the Ganges, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and the Cauvery rivers
contain mangrove forests.
● The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove region in the world and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans from the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the
Baleswar River in Bangladesh.
● Statement 3 is incorrect: Gulf of Kachchh harbours one of the major mangrove
formations of India. Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu has a vast expanse of water covered with mangrove forests. It is home to many aquatic bird species.
● The backwaters in Kerala also have a high density of mangrove forest.
3. Consider the following statements about the Food Corporation of India (FCI)
1) It is a statutory corporation under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
2) Maintaining a satisfactory level of operational and buffer stocks of foodgrains to ensure national food security is one of its objectives.
1) It is a statutory corporation under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
2) Maintaining a satisfactory level of operational and buffer stocks of foodgrains to ensure national food security is one of its objectives.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Anonymous Quiz
7%
A. 1 only
19%
B. 2 only
74%
C. Both 1 and 2
1%
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a statutory corporation
under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution.
● It was setup in 1965 under the Food Corporation’s Act 1964 to fulfill following objectives
of the Food Policy:
○ Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the farmers,
○ Distribution of foodgrains throughout the country for public distribution system
and
○ Statement 2 is correct: Maintaining satisfactory level of operational and buffer
stocks of foodgrains to ensure national food security.
● FCI's foremost priority is to ensure food security for the nation by effectively managing the
procurement, storage, and distribution of essential commodities, thereby providing a
reliable and sufficient food supply to meet the needs of the population.
Explanation
● Statement 1 is correct: The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is a statutory corporation
under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution.
● It was setup in 1965 under the Food Corporation’s Act 1964 to fulfill following objectives
of the Food Policy:
○ Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the farmers,
○ Distribution of foodgrains throughout the country for public distribution system
and
○ Statement 2 is correct: Maintaining satisfactory level of operational and buffer
stocks of foodgrains to ensure national food security.
● FCI's foremost priority is to ensure food security for the nation by effectively managing the
procurement, storage, and distribution of essential commodities, thereby providing a
reliable and sufficient food supply to meet the needs of the population.
4. Which of the following statements about the Sangeet Natak Akademi is incorrect?
Answer: D
Explanation
● Sangeet Natak Akademi is the apex body in the field of performing arts in India. It is an
autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture.
● The Akademi was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast
intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and
drama.
● The management of the Akademi vests in its General Council.
● The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five
years.
● Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards
● The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on
practising artists.
● Akademi Awards may be conferred on eminent practitioners, gurus and scholars of
music, dance and theatre for sustained individual achievement of high professional order.
○ The Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952.
● The Akademi also confers Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) on eminent artists and scholars
of music, dance and drama. It is considered as the highest honour given to an eminent
artist in the field of performing arts for his/her exceptional contribution to his/her
performing art form.
○ The Fellowship of the Akademi is a most prestigious and rare honour, which is
restricted to 40 at any given time.
○ The first Fellow of the Akademi was elected in 1954.
● The award of Akademi Fellow carries a prize money of Rs 3 lakh, while the Akademi award
carries a prize money of Rs 1 lakh, besides a 'tamrapatra' (inscriptions on copper plates)
and 'angavastram' (a traditional shoulder cloth).
Explanation
● Sangeet Natak Akademi is the apex body in the field of performing arts in India. It is an
autonomous body of the Ministry of Culture.
● The Akademi was set up in 1953 for the preservation and promotion of the vast
intangible heritage of India’s diverse culture expressed in forms of music, dance and
drama.
● The management of the Akademi vests in its General Council.
● The Chairman of the Akademi is appointed by the President of India for a term of five
years.
● Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards
● The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on
practising artists.
● Akademi Awards may be conferred on eminent practitioners, gurus and scholars of
music, dance and theatre for sustained individual achievement of high professional order.
○ The Akademi Awards have been conferred since 1952.
● The Akademi also confers Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) on eminent artists and scholars
of music, dance and drama. It is considered as the highest honour given to an eminent
artist in the field of performing arts for his/her exceptional contribution to his/her
performing art form.
○ The Fellowship of the Akademi is a most prestigious and rare honour, which is
restricted to 40 at any given time.
○ The first Fellow of the Akademi was elected in 1954.
● The award of Akademi Fellow carries a prize money of Rs 3 lakh, while the Akademi award
carries a prize money of Rs 1 lakh, besides a 'tamrapatra' (inscriptions on copper plates)
and 'angavastram' (a traditional shoulder cloth).
5. The purpose of the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is to