Q1. Which city has been declared a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ for its rich Awadhi culinary heritage?

• A) Hyderabad
• B) Lucknow
• C) Jaipur
• D) Varanasi

Correct Answer: B) Lucknow

Explanation: Lucknow was officially declared a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Uzbekistan, recognizing its rich Awadhi cuisine and cultural heritage.

Q2. Kerala recently declared itself free from extreme poverty under which initiative?

• A) Mission Zero Poverty
• B) EPEP
• C) SDG-1 Action Plan
• D) Kerala Development Mission

Correct Answer: B) EPEP (Extreme Poverty Eradication Project)

Explanation: Kerala became the first Indian state to declare itself free from extreme poverty under the EPEP initiative launched in 2021, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Q3. When will COP30 be held and where?

• A) 6th to 21st November 2025, Belem, Brazil
• B) 1st to 15th December 2025, Paris, France
• C) 10th to 25th October 2025, Dubai, UAE
• D) 5th to 20th November 2025, New York, USA

Correct Answer: A) 6th to 21st November 2025, Belem, Brazil

Explanation: COP30, the 30th UN Climate Change Conference, is scheduled to take place from 6th to 21st November 2025 in Belem, Brazil, with a focus on forest and biodiversity conservation.

Q4. What was India’s GST collection in October 2025?

• A) ₹1.89 lakh crore
• B) ₹2.01 lakh crore
• C) ₹1.96 lakh crore
• D) ₹1.85 lakh crore

Correct Answer: C) ₹1.96 lakh crore

Explanation: India’s GST collections rose 6% year-on-year in October 2025 to ₹1.96 lakh crore, marking the 10th consecutive month of revenues above ₹1.8 lakh crore.

Q5. What was the total UPI transaction value recorded in October 2025?

• A) ₹24.32 lakh crore
• B) ₹27.28 lakh crore
• C) ₹25.10 lakh crore
• D) ₹23.49 lakh crore

Correct Answer: B) ₹27.28 lakh crore

Explanation: UPI transactions reached a record ₹27.28 lakh crore in October 2025 with 20.7 billion transactions, showing the strength of digital payments during the festive season.

Q6. Which state received a USD 460 million ADB loan to promote solar-powered irrigation?

• A) Gujarat
• B) Maharashtra
• C) Madhya Pradesh
• D) Rajasthan

Correct Answer: B) Maharashtra

Explanation: The Asian Development Bank approved a USD 460 million loan for Maharashtra to modernize rural power infrastructure and promote solar-powered irrigation under its Power Sector Vision 2030.

Q7. Which Indian diplomat has been appointed as the Ambassador Designate to the UAE?

• A) Vinay Mohan Kwatra
• B) Dr. Deepak Mittal
• C) Harsh Vardhan Shringla
• D) Taranjit Singh Sandhu

Correct Answer: B) Dr. Deepak Mittal

Explanation: Dr. Deepak Mittal, a 1998-batch IFS officer, has assumed charge as India’s Ambassador Designate to the UAE, bringing over two decades of diplomatic experience.

Q8. Which Indian company partnered with US-based GA-ASI to manufacture MALE drones in India?

• A) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
• B) Bharat Electronics Limited
• C) Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
• D) Tata Advanced Systems

Correct Answer: C) Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Explanation: L&T partnered with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to manufacture Medium Altitude Long Endurance drones under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Q9. AXISCADES Technologies signed an MoU with which French company to develop laser-based counter-drone systems?

• A) Dassault Aviation
• B) Thales Group
• C) Cilas S.A.
• D) MBDA

Correct Answer: C) Cilas S.A.

Explanation: AXISCADES Technologies Limited partnered with France’s Cilas S.A. to co-develop laser-based counter-drone systems for the Indian Armed Forces.

Q10. World Sandwich Day is observed annually on which date?

• A) 2nd November
• B) 3rd November
• C) 4th November
• D) 5th November

Correct Answer: B) 3rd November

Explanation: World Sandwich Day is celebrated on 3rd November each year to honor John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who is credited with inventing the sandwich.

Q11. Former Indian hockey goalkeeper Manuel Frederick, who passed away recently, won which Olympic medal?

• A) Gold, 1968 Mexico
• B) Silver, 1976 Montreal
• C) Bronze, 1972 Munich
• D) Silver, 1974 Amstelveen

Correct Answer: C) Bronze, 1972 Munich

Explanation: Manuel Frederick, a former Indian hockey goalkeeper from Kerala, won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics and was later honored with the Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.

Q12. City Union Bank secured $50 million funding from which organization to promote green financing for MSMEs?

• A) World Bank
• B) International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• C) Asian Development Bank (ADB)
• D) IMF

Correct Answer: B) International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Explanation: City Union Bank received $50 million from IFC, a World Bank Group member, to support MSMEs in adopting green and energy-efficient solutions, aiding India’s low-carbon transition.