Question 1

Current affairs (Zoology discovery): India's new species of reddish-brown pit viper was recently discovered in which state?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Topic: Discovery of a new reddish-brown pit viper species in India. Concept/Approach The species was reported from Northeast India, specifically Arunachal Pradesh, by herpetologists documenting new vipers in the Eastern Himalayas. Elimination Other listed states have rich biodiversity, but the widely reported find location is Arunachal Pradesh. Final Answer Arunachal Pradesh

Question 2

Elections & accessibility in India: Which state introduced braille-enabled ballot papers at all polling booths?  Choose the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Given data Question on inclusive voting measures: braille-enabled ballot papers across all polling booths. Concept/Approach Among Indian states, Tamil Nadu is noted for rolling out braille-enabled ballot papers/EVM aids statewide to support visually impaired voters. Verification/Context This aligns with reports of accessibility initiatives during recent elections. Final Answer Tamil Nadu

Question 3

Current affairs (environment & botany): Identify the Indian state where bamboo rice reappeared after four decades.  Bamboo rice (seeds produced after gregarious bamboo flowering) was reported to have shown up again after about 40 years.  Choose the …

Accepted Answer

Given data Topic: Reappearance of bamboo rice after roughly four decades. Task: Identify the state where this was reported. Concept/Approach Bamboo rice appears when certain bamboo species undergo rare, synchronous (gregarious) flowering events, often every few decades. News reports highlighted its return after ~40 years from forest regions in Odisha, where local communities collected the seeds. Elimination Rajasthan has limited native bamboo presence; Kerala and Tamil Nadu have frequent bamboo produce but the widely reported 'after four decades' reappearance was associated with Odisha. Common pitfalls Confusing general bamboo availability in Southern states with the specific 'after four decades' headline tied to Odisha. Final Answer Odisha

Question 4

Education & health MoU (India): NIOS under the Ministry of Human Resource Development signed an MoU with which state's National Health Mission (Public Health Department)?  Identify the correct state whose NHM/Public Health Department partnered with …

Accepted Answer

Given data Institution: National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), under the erstwhile MHRD. Counterpart: A state government's National Health Mission of the Public Health Department. Concept/Approach The phrase 'Public Health Department' as the administrative home of the NHM is characteristic of Maharashtra. The MoU referenced collaborations for training/certification through open schooling modalities. Option check Maharashtra aligns with the reported agreement wording; the other states typically reference Health & Family Welfare Departments rather than a 'Public Health Department' in the MoU phrasing given. Final Answer Maharashtra

Question 5

Economy & infrastructure (ADB loan): Government of India and ADB signed a US$26 million loan agreement for an urban project—identify the state.  Loan amount: $26 million (USD) Context: Urban infrastructure/water-supply project additional financing. …

Accepted Answer

Given data Loan partner: Asian Development Bank (ADB). Amount: US$26 million. Purpose: Urban project (additional financing for urban infrastructure). Concept/Approach ADB has supported Northeast urban infrastructure through the Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Program. The relatively small ticket size (US$26 million) matches an additional financing tranche reported for Assam, especially for water supply and urban services in cities such as Guwahati and Dibrugarh. Elimination Other states' recent ADB urban loans have typically been larger and differently titled; the US$26 million figure aligns with Assam's additional financing. Final Answer Assam

State Questions