[1]. The Ministry of Heavy Industries recently received 20 bids under a scheme to promote domestic manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs). With reference to the scheme, consider the following statements:

1. The scheme aims to establish 6,000 MTPA of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in India.
2. The capacity will be distributed among five beneficiaries selected through global competitive bidding.
3. Each selected beneficiary can establish a maximum capacity of 2,000 MTPA.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[2]. The Himachal Pradesh government recently imposed a widow and orphan cess of 60 paise per litre on petrol and high-speed diesel. With reference to cess in India, consider the following statements:

1. A cess is imposed for a specific, predetermined purpose.
2. Cess revenues form part of the divisible pool of taxes shared between the Centre and States.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[3]. The Perseid meteor shower, which peaked around 12 August 2026, is associated with which comet?

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[4]. SraVaani, recently launched by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is an open-source model designed for which of the following?

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[5]. India’s retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 4.45% in July 2026. With reference to CPI, consider the following statements:

1. CPI measures changes in the retail prices of goods and services consumed by households.
2. CPI-based inflation is used as the main measure for assessing inflation under India’s flexible inflation-targeting framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[6]. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) recently amended the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, relating to construction restrictions on the Ganga flood plain. Under which law was the 2016 Order issued?

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[7]. Prakriti Gyan Dham, recently dedicated as India’s first-of-its-kind eco-educational hub, is located at which of the following places?

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[8]. India’s LPG import strategy recently made headlines after the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister highlighted a major shift in the country’s LPG import sources. Which country currently accounts for the largest share of India’s LPG imports?

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[9]. Which Indian theoretical physicist recently received the prestigious 2026 Dirac Medal from the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)?

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[10]. With reference to the Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF), recently in the news, consider the following statements:

1. The RDIF is a flagship initiative under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
2. It has an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years to promote private-sector investment in research and development.
3. It provides only short-term financing for low-risk projects in traditional sectors.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[11]. The Hallaniyat Islands, recently in the news due to an oil spill off southern Oman, are located in which of the following?

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[12]. Lake Mead recently made headlines after its water level fell to a record low of 1,040.4 feet above sea level. Which of the following statements about Lake Mead is correct?

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[13]. The National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was recently introduced in the Lok Sabha. With reference to the NCDC, consider the following statements:

1. The NCDC is a statutory organisation functioning under the Ministry of Cooperation.
2. It was established in 1965 under the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
3. The NCDC provides financial assistance to cooperative societies for activities such as storage, processing and marketing of agricultural produce.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[14]. India recently presented five Indian peacocks to the United Nations Office at Geneva. With reference to the Indian Peafowl, consider the following statements:

1. The Indian Peafowl is the National Bird of India.
2. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
3. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[15]. Who was recently appointed Secretary of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education?

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[16]. Where was the holotype specimen of the newly described mushroom species Russula griseopurpurata collected?

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[17]. Recently, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to change the name of the State from Kerala to Keralam. With reference to the Bill, consider the following statements:

1. The proposal is related to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.
2. Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter the name of an existing State.
3. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution contains the names of all States and Union Territories.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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[18]. When is World Lion Day celebrated annually?

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[19]. Recently, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg called for lower U.S. barriers for open-weight AI models as Meta unveiled its new model, Muse Glimmer. What is a key feature of Muse Glimmer?

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[20]. Which of the following countries is NOT a signatory to the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement?

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