Q.1 Which country recently climbed to 9th position globally in total forest area while still ranking 3rd in annual net forest gain, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025?
A) Brazil
B) India
C) Australia
D) Peru
Answer
Answer: B) India
Explanation: The report shows that India rose from 10th to 9th globally in total forest area and still holds the 3rd position in terms of annual forest-area gain.
| Fact Box: Global Forest Resources Assessment (GRFA) Report 2025 India’s Total forest area: 72.7 million hectares. Forests cover about 2 % of the global forest area in India’s case. The top countries by forest area remain Russia, Brazil, Canada, US, China, etc. The GFRA is a periodic assessment of global forest resources by FAO. |
Q.2 What is the name of web browser launched by Open AI for MacOS users recently?
A) Chatgpt Atlas
B) Ulla
C) Comet
D) Open Air
Answer
Explanation: The browser ChatGPT Atlas was launched by OpenAI and integrates its ChatGPT assistant directly into the web-browsing experience, beginning with macOS.
| Fact Box: ChatGPT Atlas is available globally on macOS at launch. Versions for Windows, iOS and Android are “coming soon”. Key features: a ChatGPT sidebar on any webpage, memory features (optional), and “Agent Mode” which enables completing multi-step tasks. Privacy controls: Users can decide what the browser may remember, and by default browsing data is not used for model training. India’s first web browser is Epic, developed by the Indian startup Hidden Reflex and launched in July 2010. Zoho launched Ulaa on May 4, 2023. Browser’s Name Company Name Key features Comet Browser Perplexity AI Launched in July 2025; AI-powered browser built for search + task automation; initially invite/subscriber Dia Browser The Browser Company Beta launched June 2025 ; emphasises AI first browsing rather than just add-ons. Opera Air Opera Software Launched in February 2025 |
Q.3 The Indian central government recently released over ₹730 crore under the 15th Finance Commission grants to strengthen which entities in Gujarat and Haryana for FY 2025-26?
A) Urban Municipal Corporations
B) Rural Local Bodies
C) State Highway Authorities
D) Industrial Development Corporations
Answer
Answer: B) Rural Local Bodies
Explanation: The Union Government released over ₹730 crore to support the Rural Local Bodies in Gujarat and Haryana under the 15th Finance Commission grants for 2025-26.
| Fact Box: 15th Finance Commission: Constituted: 2017 Chairman: Nand Kishore Singh (N.K. Singh) Period Covered: 2021–2026 (5 years) Submitted Report: November 2020 Key Focus: Devolution of taxes to States (41%) Fiscal deficit management Defence and internal security funding Grants for health, local bodies, and disaster management Latest – 16th Finance Commission: Constituted: December 31, 2023 Chairperson: Dr. Arvind Panagariya (former NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman) Period: 2026–2031 (recommendations to start after 15th FC term ends) Members: Ajay Narayan Jha, Annie George Mathew, Niranjan Rajadhyaksha, Soumya Kanti Ghosh (Part-Time). Finance Commission Particular Details Constitutional Article Article 280 First Commission Year 1951 First Chairman K.C. Niyogi 15th FC Chairman N.K. Singh 16th FC Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya Recommended Tax Devolution (15th FC) 41% Frequency Every 5 years Appointing Authority President of India Main Function of Finance Commission: To recommend: Distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Centre and States Principles for grants-in-aid to States Measures to augment the Consolidated Fund of States Review of financial position of panchayats and municipalities |
Q.4 In October 2025, what level did India’s CPI (consumer price index) inflation fall to, as per a Reuters poll?
A) ~1.5%
B) ~0.48%
C) ~2.8%
D) ~3.2%
Answer
Answer: B) ~0.48%
Explanation: A Reuters poll of 42 economists projected that India’s CPI inflation dropped sharply to about 0.48% in October — among its lowest in years, helped by falling food prices and GST cuts.
Fact Box:
Potential risks: weather-driven supply constraints, higher import duties on pulses.
Key driver: Falling vegetable prices + high base effect.
Core inflation (ex-food / fuel) also eased to ~4.3%.
Q.5 Which major IPO was planned in India in October 2025, raising about ₹15,000 crore?
A) Reliance Jio’s IPO
B) Tata Motors IPO
C) LG Electronics India IPO
D) OLA Electric IPO
Answer
Answer: C) LG Electronics India IPO
Explanation: LG Electronics planned to launch an IPO of its Indian subsidiary in October 2025, aiming to raise approximately ₹15,000 crore, making it one of the biggest IPOs of the year.
Fact Box:
Significance: large capital raise, signals confidence in Indian consumer demand
Parent company: LG Electronics (South Korea)
Use: deepen presence in India’s electronics market
Q.6 Which large-scale tri-service military exercise did India launch on 30 October 2025?
A) Exercise Shakti
B) Exercise Trishul
C) Exercise Vajra Prahar
D) Exercise Surya Kiran
Answer
Answer: B) Exercise Trishul
Explanation: On 30 October 2025, India began Exercise Trishul, a tri-service (Army, Navy, Air Force) exercise on the western front to test integrated operations and joint war-fighting readiness.
Fact Box:
Aim: Improve interoperability, validate joint concepts
Location: Western India (land + maritime)
Troops involved: ~ 40,000+ from all services
Q.7 Where is India’s first helicopter final-assembly line (private sector) being set up, as announced in October 2025?
A) Pune, Maharashtra
B) Vemagal, Karnataka
C) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
D) Chandigarh, Punjab
Answer
Answer: B) Vemagal, Karnataka
Explanation: In October 2025, it was announced that Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) will build a helicopter final assembly line for Airbus H125 helicopters at Vemagal, Kolar district, Karnataka.
Fact Box:
Private sector engagement: TASL
Type of helicopter: Airbus H125
Strategic benefit: Enhances India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing capacity
Q.8 Which missile program was India expected to test soon, as per October 2025 reports?
A) BrahMos II
B) Dhvani (hypersonic missile)
C) Agni-P
D) Nirbhay
Answer
Answer: B) Dhvani (hypersonic missile)
Explanation: According to reports, India was preparing to test its advanced hypersonic missile “Dhvani”, which would significantly boost its strike capabilities.
Fact Box:
Speed: > Mach 5 (hypersonic)
Capability: High manoeuvrability + precision
Strategic role: Enhancing long-range, fast-strike capability
Q.9 Which national initiative was launched on 12 October 2025 to reform district-level governance with citizen participation?
A) Gram Jyoti Abhiyan
B) Sankalp Se Siddhi
C) Jan Suraj
D) Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas
Answer
Answer: B) Sankalp Se Siddhi
Explanation: On 12 October, the government launched the “Sankalp Se Siddhi” campaign, focusing on district governance reforms, participatory planning, and better grievance redressal.
Fact Box:
Implementing bodies: District administrations
Aim: Strengthen local governance & citizen involvement
Components: Planning, accountability, transparency
Q.10 Which conservation milestone was achieved in October 2025 for marine life in India?
A) Establishment of India’s first Whale Sanctuary
B) Recognition of Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay
C) Ban on deep-sea trawling in Indian EEZ
D) Launch of a national coral-reef restoration mission
Answer
Answer: B) Recognition of Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay
Explanation: The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) recognized India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, marking a significant step for marine conservation.
Fact Box:
Species protected: Dugong, an endangered marine mammal
Location: Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu
International recognition: by IUCN