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91. Benami transactions was recently seen in news at which protected area in Madhya Pradesh?
[A] Karera Wildlife Sanctuary
[B] Ratapani Wildlife Sanchuary
[C] Pench Tiger Reserve
[D] Satpura Tiger Reserve
Correct Answer: C [Pench Tiger Reserve]
Notes:
In recent years, Madhya Pradesh has experienced an increase in Benami transactions, particularly within its tiger reserves. The Benami Prohibition Unit (BPU) of the Income Tax Department has identified and seized properties associated with these illicit transactions in the Pench Tiger Reserve, an area renowned for its biodiversity and tourism appeal. Benami transactions refer to the practice of acquiring property in another person’s name to obscure the actual ownership. Such activities are deemed illegal under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act of 2016. The individuals who ultimately benefit from the property are referred to as beneficial owners, while those who hold the property nominally are known as Benamidars. The Pench Tiger Reserve spans both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, encompassing approximately 1,179.63 km² within Madhya Pradesh. It is celebrated for its diverse wildlife and serves as a prominent tourist attraction, famously associated with “The Jungle Book.”
92. Which organization has recently revised India’s economic growth forecast for FY25, reducing it to 6.5%?
[A] World Bank
[B] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[C] World Economic Forum (WEF)
[D] Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Correct Answer: B [International Monetary Fund (IMF)]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has updated its economic growth forecast for India for the fiscal year 2025, lowering it to 6.5% from previous estimates. Nevertheless, the IMF has maintained a consistent growth outlook for the fiscal year 2026. This adjustment is indicative of prevailing challenges, such as global economic uncertainties and domestic inflationary pressures, which could influence India’s growth path. This revision occurs amid the nation’s ongoing recovery from the pandemic, with the IMF highlighting inflation, a slowdown in investment, and geopolitical risks as significant elements that may hinder economic progress.
93. Which bank has recently received RBI approval to open 20 new branches across major cities?
[A] HSBC India
[B] Deutsche Bank
[C] Citibank
[D] BNP Paribas
Correct Answer: A [HSBC India]
Notes:
HSBC India has obtained authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to open 20 new branches in significant urban centers, representing the most substantial expansion permitted to a foreign bank by the RBI in over ten years. The branches will be established in the following cities: Amritsar, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Faridabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Mysuru, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Patna, Rajkot, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Vadodara, and Vishakhapatnam. These locations have been selected due to their increasing concentrations of wealth, providing additional access points for affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth clients with both domestic and international banking and wealth management requirements.
94. According to Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), what is India’s projected economic growth rate in FY 2025-26?
[A] 8%
[B] 7%
[C] 6%
[D] 5%
Correct Answer: B [7%]
Notes:
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) projects a 7% growth in India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fiscal year 2025-26, primarily fueled by an increase in private investments and job creation. A recent nationwide survey conducted by CII indicates that 75% of participants perceive the existing economic environment as conducive to private investment. Furthermore, 70% of the companies surveyed intend to make investments in FY’26, suggesting a likely rise in private sector engagement in the upcoming quarters.
95. According to Moody’s, what is India’s projected economic growth rate in fiscal year ending March 2025?
[A] 5%
[B] 6%
[C] 7%
[D] 8%
Correct Answer: C [7%]
Notes:
Moody’s Ratings Agency announced on January 20, 2025, a reduction in India’s economic growth projection to 7% for the fiscal year concluding in March 2025, a decrease from the 8.2% growth observed in the preceding fiscal year. This adjustment is reflective of a wider deceleration in both global and domestic economic conditions.
96. Which Indian corporation Limited has recently signed an agreement with Japan’s JBIC for Renewable Energy projects in India?
[A] Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC)
[B] Aditya Birla Finance Ltd
[C] L & T Finance Ltd
[D] Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI)
Correct Answer: A [Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC)]
Notes:
Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) has entered into a loan agreement totaling JPY 120 billion with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Under this agreement, JBIC will provide JPY 72 billion, with the balance being financed by commercial banks. The initiative supports India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emission and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
97. Recently, researchers identified a new plant species named Stellaria bengalensis in Kalimpong district of which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Nagaland
[C] West Bengal
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
Recently, a new plant species, Stellaria bengalensis, has been identified in the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, contributing to the region’s biodiversity and highlighting the ongoing exploration of India’s flora. This species is indigenous to Kalimpong and flourishes at elevations ranging from 2,245 to 2,450 meters on muddy slopes. The discovery was made by Arya S. from PSG College of Arts and Science and Harsh Singh from North-Eastern Hill University. Their research findings were published in the journal Phytotaxa. Stellaria bengalensis represents the second species of Stellaria identified in India this year.
98. Which city of Palestine faces hypothermia crisis amid ongoing conflict recently?
[A] Gaza
[B] Ramallah
[C] Al-Bireh
[D] East Jerusalem
Correct Answer: A [Gaza]
Notes:
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deteriorated markedly due to severe cold weather conditions. In just one week, six infants have sadly succumbed to hypothermia. Ongoing conflict has drastically restricted access to essential winter aid and medical services. To date, over 45,500 lives have been lost, predominantly among women and children. The 2.3 million inhabitants, many of whom are displaced, are facing dire challenges, including a lack of adequate food and water supplies.
99. The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) reports that as of 2023, how many districts have unsafe nitrate levels?
[A] 410
[B] 420
[C] 430
[D] 440
Correct Answer: D [440]
Notes:
India is currently grappling with the challenge of groundwater contamination, predominantly attributed to high levels of nitrates. According to the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), the number of districts with unsafe nitrate concentrations has escalated to 440 in 2023, a significant increase from 359 in 2017. This upward trend presents serious health hazards, particularly for children, and exacerbates environmental toxicity. The statistics reveal that around 56% of districts in India surpass the permissible nitrate thresholds, largely as a result of the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers in agricultural practices. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) gathered a total of 15,239 groundwater samples from various locations throughout India. Of these samples, approximately 19.8% exhibited nitrate concentrations exceeding the acceptable threshold of 45 mg per liter. This figure represents a modest decline from the 21.6% observed in 2017. The rising number of districts with contaminated groundwater raises significant concerns about the safety of this vital resource.
100. India’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 declined by _________ per cent compared to 2019.
[A] 7.93
[B] 5.5
[C] 6.7
[D] 8.88
Correct Answer: A [7.93]
Notes:
India has achieved notable advancements in the reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, emissions saw a reduction of 7.93% compared to the levels recorded in 2019. This decrease is integral to India’s comprehensive strategy aimed at dissociating economic growth from carbon emissions. The nation has set an ambitious target to lower the emission intensity of its GDP by 45% by the year 2030. Furthermore, India intends to derive 50% of its electric power generation capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
