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

Question 6

The traditional dance of which state sets a New Guinness World Record, recently?

Accepted Answer

Aprogramme organized at Mon (Nagaland) during the Aoleang Monyu festival (usually held between 1st April to 3rd April every year) around 5000 Konyak Naga women in their traditional attire attempted to set a Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Traditional Konyak Dance'. The festival is celebrated for the arrival of Spring and for a good upcoming harvest. The theme of the Aoleang Monyu festival aka Mini Hornbill festival was 'Empowering women for cultural heritage'. Konyak Union in coordination with other organisations of the tribe, namely, Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) and Konyak Students' Union (KSU) organized the event.

Question 7

Which state assembly passed a new act which allowed Shops & Businesses to remain open 24x7?

Accepted Answer

'Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019' passed by Gujarat Assembly which came into force from May 1, 2019. The Act will allow the shops and other businesses in the state to operate 24x7. The Act was passed by Gujarat Assembly earlier in February 2019. The Act replaced the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, 1948 which prevented shops and other businesses from operating between 12 to 6 a.m. Now shops and other commercial entities which employ more than 10 workers will have to get registered one-time only with no need for renewal and if they employ less than 10 workers then there will be no need of registration. Under this new act, workers will get twice the regular salary for working. Previously, it was one-and-a-half-time.

Question 8

How many states have joined in a pan-India network of single emergency helpline number '112'?

Accepted Answer

To get immediate assistance to the people who are in trouble, Union territories and 20 states have joined in a pan-India network of single emergency helpline number '112',which is implemented by central government's Nirbhaya Fund( 2012 Delhi gangrape case). Police (100),women(1090) and fire(10A) helpline numbers are amalgamated in this and is similar to '911' in US. Kerala, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Gujarat,Telangana,Lakshadweep,Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu,Jammu and Kashmir are the joined states ad UTs. When a person activate the panic button on the mobile,it will trigger an emergency call to 112.Emergency response Centre (ERC) can recieve panic call via voice call to 112,the '112' mobile app or email requests on state ERSS website.A long press of the '5' or '9' key will activate the panic call in normal case.

Question 9

Recently 'rain-loving' snake is discovered in which of the following Indian state?

Accepted Answer

A group of researchers have unearthed a new 'rain loving' snake species from Mizoram in North-east India. The researchers have named the specie "Smithophis Atemporalis". The species is reported to be a non-venomous kind and strictly aquatic. The maximum recorded size of the new species is about 655 mm or 2.5 feet. The discovery is a result of more than six years of collaboration between scientists from leading Indian and international institutes.

Question 10

Which state unveils state's new 5-year industrial policy, recently?

Accepted Answer

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled the state's new 5-year industrial policy emphasising on high-technology and employment generating businesses. The policy which will be effective from 1st of April this year aims to attract investments worth 10 lakh crore rupees. The rate of conversion of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) into actual investments was far higher in Maharashtra than the national average. The national average of converting Memorandums of Understanding into actual investments, after a period of one year from the agreements being inked, could be pegged at 30-35 per cent. Maharashtra's average is more than 45 per cent and Magnetic Maharashtra and Make in India in the industrial sector, it has been more than 70 per cent. Mr Fadnavis Maharashtra has always been a leader in the industry sector adding that in the last 4-4.5 years, the state has regained its numero uno position. Minister for Industries and Mining Subhash Desai said new Industrial Policy aims create nearly 40 lakh jobs by 2023-24.

Question 11

Cafe Scientifique a public science initiative was launched in which state?

Accepted Answer

A group of science experts of the Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology will launch 'Cafe Scientifique' in Kerala. Cafe Scientifique, the first such initiative in the State, aims to promote science among the public in an interesting way. Cafe Scientifique is a grassroots public science initiative based on the French Cafe Philosophique model.

Question 12

What state CM launched Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana for anganwadi children?

Accepted Answer

Mukhyamantri Anchal Amrit Yojana was launched in Dehradun by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. The scheme aims to provide 100 ml milk twice a week, free of cost, to 2.5 lakh children at 20,000 Anganwadi kendras of Uttarakhand. Flavoured, sweet, skimmed milk powder will be provided to these children.

Question 13

Recently, Kummanam Rajasekharan has step down from his position. He was the Governor of;

Accepted Answer

Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan has stepped down from his post. Governor of Assam, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, has been given temporary charge of the Aizawl Raj Bhavan. Mr. Rajasekharan, who was former State president of the BJP in Kerala, had been sworn in as Governor of Mizoram in May 2018.

Question 14

Which state disaster management authority has been honoured with the coveted SKOCH award 2018?

Accepted Answer

The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has been honoured with the coveted SKOCH award for 2018 for its remarkable achievements in the field of disaster management at the 56th SKOTCH Summit at New Delhi on February 25, 2019. The Skoch award covers the best efforts in the areas of finance, governance, banking, disaster management, technology, economics and inclusive growth. The OSDMA received an Order-of-merit in the Gold category for constructing 879 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters that played a key role in saving human lives during Cyclone Phailin in 2013. It also bagged an 'Order-of-merit' in the silver category for constructing disaster resilient houses for about 17,000 Phailin affected families by relocating them to safer places. The 'Order-of-merit' Bronze was given to the OSDMA for its Early Warning Dissemination System for different hydro-meteorological disasters across the coastline of Odisha which will benefit 1,205 villages in 22 blocks of six coastal districts.

Question 15

Which scheme of the West Bengal government has won the 2019 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) award in Capacity Building category?

Accepted Answer

The 'Utkarsh Bangla' scheme of the West Bengal government has won the prestigious 2019 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) award of the United Nations. The scheme aims to create a pool of skilled candidates industry ready. Out of 1062 nominations in 18 categories from all over the world, Utkarsh Bangla emerged No 1 in the Capacity Building category to win this prestigious award of WSIS. Earlier, in 2017, the West Bengal government had received another UN award for its 'Kanyashree' project, a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at promoting education among girls. WSIS Prizes is an international contest to create an effective mechanism to evaluate and recognise individuals, governments and private bodies for outstanding success in implementing development oriented strategies that leverage the power of ICTs as an enabler of the development.

Question 16

For which state the government will set a multi-disciplinary terror monitoring group against terror financing and terror-related activities?

Accepted Answer

A multi-disciplinary terror monitoring group (MDTMG) has been set up by the Government to ensure synergized and collective action against terror financing and terror-related activities in Jammu and Kashmir. his group will have representatives from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Intelligence Bureau, CBI, NIA, and Income Tax Department. Also, It will take action against hardcore sympathizers among government employees, including teachers, who are providing support to terror activities and investigate the network of various channels being used to fund terror and terror-related activities and take coordinated action to stop the flow of such funds.

Question 17

AIIB approved USD 455 Million loan for this state Road Project.

Accepted Answer

A loan agreement of USD 455 million was signed between the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Government of India for financing the Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads Project, which will connect 3,300 habitations with a population of more than 250, and benefit around 2 million people in New Delhi. The objective of the Project is to improve road transport connectivity in previously unserved communities by providing all weather rural roads in all 13 Districts of Andhra Pradesh. It is the third project in Andhra Pradesh signed by the AIIB after two projects in Power Sector and Water Sector.

Question 18

Which state has been identified as the most vulnerable to climate change according to the study by various IITs and IIS Bengaluru?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) decided to commission a study to assess the climate risks faced by States in India, following an assessment of the global warming risks faced by 12 Himalayan States, discussed at last year's U.N. climate change conference in Poland, that found States such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand vulnerable to climate change. On a scale ranging 0-1, 1 indicating the highest possible level of vulnerability, at the top of the scale were Assam with a score of 0.72 and Mizoram at 0.71, whereas Sikkim, with an index score of 0.42 was relatively less vulnerable.The scores of other states are Jammu & Kashmir (0.6B), Manipur (0.59), Meghalaya and West Bengal (both 0.58), Nagaland (0.57), Himachal Pradesh and Tripura (0.51 both), Arunachal Pradesh (0.47) and Uttarakhand (0.45).

Question 19

West Bengal celebrated Bengali New Year on 15th April. It is known as;

Accepted Answer

Bengali New Year also known as Pahela Baishakh was celebrated in West Bengal and among Bengali communities in Assam, Tripura and also in Bangladesh. The festival usually falls on 14 April every year which marks the first day of the initial month of Baishakh of the Bengali solar calendar. The 7th century King Shashanka of ancient Bengal started this Bengali era which was estimated to be in 594 AD in Gregorian calendar and it was later modified by Mughal emperor Akbar for the purpose of tax collection. On this day, the Bengali business community opens new books of accounts known as Halkhata to mark the beginning of the new accounting year. In 2016, UNESCO declared this festival as "cultural heritage of humanity".

Question 20

Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Indore?

Accepted Answer

Karnataka defeated Maharashtra to win their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. With the win, Karnataka set a record of most number of wins in a row by an Indian domestic team as they won 14 T20 matches to lift the coveted T20 trophy.

State Questions