NDA National affairs, schemes and science previous year questions with solutions

Answer: (b) I and III only

Method. River Basin Management scheme

River Basin Management (RBM) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, so I is correct. Its objectives are integrated basin planning, flood and erosion control, not the promotion of water for domestic use, so II is false. The Brahmaputra Board is one of its key implementing agencies, so III is correct. Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti, RBM scheme.

Answer: (c) Textile

Method. PM MITRA Parks

PM MITRA stands for PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks, a Ministry of Textiles scheme. Source: Ministry of Textiles.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Method. Jalvahak

'Jalvahak' is the cargo promotion scheme for long-distance cargo movement on National Waterways (NW-1, NW-2, NW-16) of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (IWAI). It is not a naval ship. Statement 1 is false; statement 2 is accepted as correct. Source: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Answer: (b) 740

Method. MGNREGA coverage, 2024-25

MGNREGA covers the whole country except districts with 100 per cent urban population; for 2024-25 the Ministry of Rural Development reports 740 districts. Source: MoRD Annual Report 2024-25.

The figure is for 2024-25; the district count changes with reorganisation.

Answer: (c) State Support Mission

Method. NITI Aayog's State Support Mission

The State Support Mission of NITI Aayog supports interested States and UTs in setting up State Institutions for Transformation (SIT). Source: NITI Aayog, State Support Mission guidelines.

Answer: (d) The Ministry of Culture

Method. Dhara initiative on Indian Knowledge System

'Dhara: An Ode to Indian Knowledge System' is a lecture and discussion series of the Ministry of Culture, with the IKS Division of the Ministry of Education as execution partner. Source: Ministry of Culture.

Answer: (c) The development of tourism infrastructures in States & Union Territories

Method. PRASHAD scheme

PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) is a Ministry of Tourism scheme giving assistance for development of tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites in States and UTs. Source: Ministry of Tourism.

Answer: (b) National Service Scheme (NSS)

Method. Motto of the National Service Scheme

The motto of the NSS is 'Not me, but you'. Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Answer: (b) Fit India Programme

Method. Fit India campaign slogan

'Fitness ka dose, aadha ghanta roz' is the slogan of the Fit India Movement (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports). Source: MYAS.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Method. ULLAS scheme (statements NOT correct)

ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) is the adult-education scheme aligned with NEP 2020 for non-literates aged 15 and above, so statement 2 is correct. Statement 1 (securing childhood for street children) is wrong, so only statement 1 is NOT correct. Source: Ministry of Education.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Method. SHRESHTA scheme

SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provides residential high-quality education for meritorious but poor Scheduled Caste students. Both statements are correct. Source: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Answer: (b) National Cadet Corps (NCC)

Method. Puneet Sagar Abhiyan

Puneet Sagar Abhiyan, a campaign to clean seashores and other water bodies of plastic, was launched by the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Ministry of Defence. Source: Ministry of Defence/⁠NCC.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Method. UDAN scheme

UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is the Regional Connectivity Scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to develop the regional aviation market and to make flying affordable on economically viable, profitable regional routes. Both statements are correct. Source: Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Answer: (b) The Ministry of AYUSH

Method. Global Surya Namaskar demonstration, 14 January 2022

The Ministry of Ayush organised the global Surya Namaskar demonstration on Makar Sankranti, 14 January 2022, in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Source: PIB, Ministry of Ayush.

Answer: (b) networks of National Highways in India.

Method. Bharatmala Pariyojana

Bharatmala Pariyojana is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' umbrella programme for developing national highway corridors, economic corridors and feeder routes. It has nothing to do with river linking, railways or pipelines. Source: MoRTH.

Answer: (a) Ministry of Textiles

Method. SAMARTH scheme and its ministry

SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector) is the Ministry of Textiles' skilling scheme, approved in December 2017. Source: Ministry of Textiles.

Answer: (d) Full immunization

Method. Mission Indradhanush

Mission Indradhanush (launched December 2014 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) aims at full immunisation of children against vaccine-preventable diseases. Source: MoHFW.

Answer: (a) The Ministry of Culture

Method. Seva Bhoj Yojana and its ministry

Seva Bhoj Yojana, which reimburses the Central share of CGST and IGST on food/⁠prasad/⁠langar offered free by religious institutions, is a scheme of the Ministry of Culture. Source: Ministry of Culture scheme notice, 2018.

Answer: (c) Food Processing Industries

Method. SAMPADA scheme and its ministry

SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) is implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. Source: MoFPI scheme guidelines.

Answer: (c) Ensure safety, security and sustainability of all sectors through the use of technology.

Method. National Civil Aviation Policy 2016: stated objectives

NCAP 2016 sets out its objectives as: an integrated eco-system for significant growth of civil aviation (in turn promoting tourism, employment and balanced regional growth), safety, security and sustainability of the aviation sector through technology, and regional connectivity through fiscal support and infrastructure. Options (a), (b) and (d) track these. Option (c) says 'all sectors'; the policy speaks of the aviation sector only, so (c) misquotes it. Source: NCAP 2016 (Ministry of Civil Aviation), objectives section.

Answer: (c) India Meteorological Department

Method. Organisation completing 150 years in 2025

The India Meteorological Department was established in 1875. Survey of India dates from 1767, BSI from 1890, PTI from 1949. Source: IMD.

Answer: (b) NITI Aayog

Method. Report 'S.A.F.E. Accommodation'

NITI Aayog released the report 'S.A.F.E. Accommodation: Worker Housing for Manufacturing Growth' in December 2024. Source: NITI Aayog.

Answer: (b) The Central Bureau of Investigation

Method. BHARATPOL portal

BHARATPOL, the portal to help Indian law-enforcement agencies get quick assistance from Interpol, was developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Source: CBI/⁠MHA.

Answer: (b) 1

Method. Maritime facts, 2023

Statement 1 is false: in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index 2023 India was 22nd in the international shipments component (38th overall), not 10th. Statement 2 is false: Global Maritime India Summit 2023 was held in Mumbai. Statement 3 is true: Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 was launched at GMIS 2023. One is correct. Source: World Bank LPI 2023; Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Method. Sixteenth Finance Commission

The Sixteenth Finance Commission was constituted in December 2023 under Dr Arvind Panagariya, so statement 1 is correct. The Finance Commission is constituted under Article 280, not Article 263 (Inter-State Council), so statement 2 is false. Source: Constitution of India; Ministry of Finance notification.

Answer: (c) Former President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind

Method. High-level committee on simultaneous elections

The high-level committee on 'One Nation, One Election' constituted in September 2023 was chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Source: Ministry of Law and Justice notification.

Answer: (b) Antardrishti

Method. RBI financial inclusion dashboard

The RBI's dashboard that captures parameters to monitor the progress of financial inclusion is 'Antardrishti'. Source: RBI.

Answer: (a) Justice Indu Malhotra

Method. Supreme Court committee on the PM's Punjab security breach (Jan 2022)

On 12 January 2022 the Supreme Court appointed a committee headed by Justice Indu Malhotra (retired Judge of the Supreme Court) to probe the lapse in the Prime Minister's security in Punjab. Source: Supreme Court order, January 2022.

Answer: (d) S. Somanath

Method. Chairman of ISRO

S. Somanath took charge as ISRO Chairman (and Secretary, Department of Space) in January 2022, succeeding K. Sivan. Kiran Kumar and Radhakrishnan held the post earlier. Source: Department of Space.

Answer: (b) Singapore

Method. India's ODI destinations, 2020-21

In the Finance Ministry's data up to November 2020 for 2020-21, Singapore was India's largest ODI destination, ahead of the USA, Mauritius and the UK; Singapore is the usual top destination because of the overseas subsidiaries and holding vehicles Indian firms route through it. Source: Ministry of Finance/⁠RBI ODI data for FY 2020-21.

Rank 1 is as reported at the sitting for 2020-21 (data to November 2020); the order of destinations changes from year to year.

Answer: (c) Sushil Modi

Method. GST Council group of ministers on revenue shortfall

Following the GST Council's decision of 22 December 2018, a seven-member Group of Ministers on the states' revenue shortfall was constituted under Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi. Thomas Isaac and Capt Abhimanyu were members, not the head. Source: GST Council decision, December 2018.

Answer: (c) Gujarat

Method. NITI Aayog Composite Water Management Index, June 2018

In the CWMI 2018, Gujarat ranked first among the non-Himalayan/⁠non-NE States; Himachal Pradesh led among Himalayan/⁠NE States. Source: NITI Aayog CWMI report, June 2018.

Answer: (b) Shri Arbind Modi

Method. Task Force on the new Direct Tax Law (Nov 2017)

The Ministry of Finance constituted a Task Force in November 2017 to draft a new Direct Tax Law, with Arbind Modi (Member, Legislation, CBDT) as convenor. Source: Ministry of Finance order, November 2017.

Answer: (c) Special Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs

Method. Inter-disciplinary Committee on virtual currencies (2017)

The Government constituted the Inter-Disciplinary Committee on virtual currencies in April 2017, chaired by the Special Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (Ministry of Finance). Source: Ministry of Finance order, April 2017.

Answer: (b) 40th

Method. WEF Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017

In the WEF's Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, India ranked 40th out of 136 economies (up from 52nd in 2015). Source: WEF TTCI 2017.

Answer: (b) Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India

Method. Career of Urjit Patel before becoming RBI Governor

Urjit Patel was appointed Governor of the RBI in September 2016, succeeding Raghuram Rajan. Immediately before that he was a Deputy Governor of the RBI (in charge of monetary policy). Source: RBI/⁠Government announcement of the appointment, 2016.

Answer: (d) Arvind Subramaniam

Method. Identify the person who is not a State Governor (at the sitting)

At the sitting, Najma Heptulla was Governor of Manipur, Ram Nath Kovind Governor of Bihar and Acharya Dev Vrat Governor of Himachal Pradesh. Arvind Subramanian was the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, not a Governor. Source: Raj Bhavan listings, India Year Book 2017.

Answer: (a) Maharashtra

Method. Maharashtra's draft internal security law, 2016

In August 2016 the Maharashtra Government released the draft Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act, 2016, to deal with terrorism, insurgency, communalism and caste violence; it was reported as the first such State-level law of its kind. Source: Maharashtra Home Department draft bill, August 2016.

Answer: (a) New Delhi

Method. Gates of the new Parliament building

Gaja, Ashwa, Garuda, Makar, Shardula and Hamsa Dwar are the six gates of the new Parliament building in New Delhi. Source: Lok Sabha Secretariat/⁠PIB.

Answer: (b) 2

Method. Events of 2023

Statement 1 is false: the first Indian Military Heritage Festival was inaugurated in New Delhi (21 October 2023), not Pune. Statement 2 is false: India's first green hydrogen fuel cell bus was flagged off in Delhi (September 2023), not Bangalore. Statement 3 is true: South Africa chaired the 15th BRICS Summit (Johannesburg, August 2023). Statement 4 is true: the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was flagged off from Khunti, Jharkhand, in November 2023. Two are correct. Source: Ministry of Defence; MoPNG; MEA; PIB.

Answer: (b) Modhera, Gujarat

Method. India's first 24x7 solar-powered village

Modhera village in Mehsana district, Gujarat, was declared India's first round-the-clock solar-powered village in October 2022. Source: Government of Gujarat/⁠PIB.

Answer: (a) Uttarakhand

Method. Republic Day 2023 best tableau

In the Republic Day Parade 2023, the panel of judges adjudged Uttarakhand's 'Manaskhand' tableau the best; Maharashtra was second and Uttar Pradesh third. Gujarat won the separate MyGov online public poll. Source: Ministry of Defence, Republic Day 2023 awards.

The panel-of-judges result is taken as the 'best' tableau; Gujarat topped only the MyGov public poll.

Answer: (d) Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Method. Merger of Union Territories (January 2020)

The UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu were merged into one UT, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, from 26 January 2020. Source: The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Act, 2019.

Answer: (c) Manipur

Method. Rail connectivity of Manipur

Ladakh and Sikkim had no railway in 2021, and Mizoram's Sairang line opened only on 13 September 2025. The wording is loose. Jiribam, on Manipur's Assam border, has had broad-gauge trains since May 2016; what came in 2021 was the first train into the state's interior on the Jiribam-Imphal new line, the trial run Silchar-Vangaichungpao of 2 July 2021. Later stages: first goods train to Khongsang, 28 March 2022; Agartala-Khongsang Jan Shatabdi, 13 October 2022. Among the four options only Manipur fits. Source: Northeast Frontier Railway; Ministry of Railways.

Answer: (b) Forest fire

Method. Forest fires 2021

The 2021 outbreaks in Uttarakhand, Kullu valley (Himachal Pradesh) and Dzukou Valley (Nagaland-Manipur) were forest fires. Source: ISFR/⁠MoEFCC reports on forest fire alerts.

Answer: (b) Uttar Pradesh

Method. Republic Day 2021 best tableau

In the Republic Day Parade 2021, Uttar Pradesh's tableau 'Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh' was adjudged the best of 32 tableaux. Tripura was second and Uttarakhand third. Source: Ministry of Defence announcement of Republic Day awards, 2021.

Answer: (b) A mascot

Method. Tikki Mausi in the nutrition context

Tikki Mausi is a mascot, unveiled in Odisha by the Women and Child Development Department with UNICEF, to spread awareness about nutrition of children and women. It is neither a food product, a scheme nor a cadre of health workers. Source: Odisha WCD Department/⁠UNICEF.

Answer: (b) Bengaluru and Coimbatore

Method. First UDAY Express

The first UDAY (Utkrisht Double Decker Air-conditioned Yatri) Express ran between Bengaluru and Coimbatore. Source: Ministry of Railways, 2018.

Answer: (c) Kerala

Method. GI tag for betel leaf (2019)

Tirur Vettila (Tirur betel leaf) of Kerala was registered as a Geographical Indication in August 2019. Source: GI Registry, Journal, 2019.

Answer: (c) Sadaiv Atal

Method. Identify the Samadhi from its description

The nine-block black granite platform, with the number nine tied to navarasas, navaratras and navagrahas, is the memorial 'Sadaiv Atal' to Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shakti Sthal (Indira Gandhi), Shantivan (Nehru) and Veer Bhumi (Rajiv Gandhi) are other memorials. Source: PIB description of the Sadaiv Atal memorial.

Answer: (d) Varanasi

Method. 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2019

The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held at Varanasi on 21-23 January 2019. Source: MEA.

Answer: (d) 3 only

Method. Renamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar

In December 2018 Ross Island became Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island became Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island became Swaraj Dweep. Pair 1 and pair 2 are mismatched; pair 3 is right. Source: Ministry of Home Affairs/⁠PIB, 30 December 2018.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Method. Aadi Mahotsav 2017: theme and organiser

Aadi Mahotsav, the national tribal festival, was held at Dilli Haat INA, New Delhi, from 16 to 30 November 2017 and inaugurated by the Vice President. It was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with TRIFED, not by the Ministry of Tourism, so statement 2 is false. Its theme, as announced by the Ministry on 14 November 2017, was 'A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce', exactly as statement 1 quotes it, so statement 1 is correct. Later editions carried the theme 'A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce'; the 2017 wording had no 'Craft'. Source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs/⁠PIB release of 14 November 2017.

later editions carried the theme 'A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce'; the 2017 wording had no 'Craft'.

Answer: (a) It is located at an altitude of 5,000 feet

Method. Rohtang (Atal) tunnel facts

The Rohtang tunnel (8.8 km) is at about 10,000 ft (about 3,000 m), not 5,000 ft, so (a) is the incorrect statement. It is being built by the BRO, gives all-weather connectivity to Lahaul-Spiti, and shortens the Manali-Leh road by about 46 km. Source: BRO/⁠MoD releases.

Answer: (d) I, II, III and IV

Method. Climate Risk Index 2026 (1995-2024)

Germanwatch's CRI 2026 says that countries affected by recurring extreme events during 1995-2024 include Haiti, the Philippines, Nicaragua and India. All four are right. Source: Germanwatch, Climate Risk Index 2026, key messages.

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

Method. Ramsar sites added in 2025

On World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2025, four sites were added: Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Khecheopalri Wetland and Udhwa Lake. Rudrasagar Lake has been a Ramsar site since 2005 and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary since 2021. So only 1 and 2 were added in 2025. Source: Ramsar Sites Information Service; MoEFCC.

Answer: (d) Jodhpur

Method. Wetland City Accreditation nominations

India's three nominations under the Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation were Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur. Jodhpur was not one of them. Source: MoEFCC.

Answer: (a) 1 km starting from their demarcated boundaries

Method. Supreme Court order on eco-sensitive zones (June 2022)

In its judgment of 3 June 2022 (T. N. Godavarman Thirumulpad case) the Supreme Court directed a mandatory ESZ of at least 1 km from the demarcated boundary of every protected forest, national park and wildlife sanctuary. Source: Supreme Court, 3 June 2022.

The Supreme Court later modified this direction (April 2023), making the blanket 1 km ESZ not applicable to national parks and sanctuaries that already have notified or proposed ESZs; the answer for the sitting is unchanged.

Answer: (b) Madhya Pradesh

Method. Forest cover by area, ISFR 2021

In the India State of Forest Report 2021, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh. Source: ISFR 2021 (FSI).

Answer: (c) I and III

Method. Critical minerals in solar photovoltaics

Tellurium is used in cadmium telluride thin-film cells and gallium in CIGS and gallium arsenide cells. Neodymium and dysprosium are rare earths used in permanent magnets (wind turbines, motors), not in photovoltaic cells. So I and III are the ones not used. Source: Ministry of Mines critical mineral list; IEA.

Answer: (a) NPCIL and NTPC

Method. Nuclear JV 'ASHVINI′

ASHVINI (Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Limited) is the joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC for nuclear power projects. Source: NPCIL/⁠NTPC.

Answer: (d) It’s an indigenously developed road construction technology at high altitudes

Method. REJUPAVE

REJUPAVE is a road-construction technology developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi: a bio-oil based rejuvenator that lets bituminous mixes be produced and laid at 30-40 degrees C lower temperatures, so that roads can be built at high altitude in sub-zero cold. The Border Roads Organisation has used it on the Sela tunnel approach road and the LGG-Damteng-Yangtse road in Arunachal Pradesh and on the Drass-Umbala-Sankoo road in Kargil. None of the other options describes it. Source: CSIR-CRRI; PIB (CSIR Year End Review 2024).

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Method. C-Bot

C-Bot is a coral reef monitoring underwater robot developed by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa. Both statements are correct. Source: CSIR-NIO.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Method. Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project

SKA is an international mega science facility to build the world's largest and most sensitive radio telescope. The Government of India approved India's participation in the project. Both statements are correct. Source: DAE/⁠DST, PIB.

Answer: (b) 3 only

Method. Kavach automatic train protection

Kavach was developed by RDSO with Indian industry; it is an indigenous system, not a collaboration with RTRI Japan, so statement 1 is false. Its trials were done on the South Central Railway, not Southern Railway, so statement 2 is false. Kavach is certified at Safety Integrity Level-4, so statement 3 is correct. Source: Indian Railways/⁠RDSO.

Answer: (d) Vikram-S

Method. India's first privately developed rocket

Vikram-S, built by Skyroot Aerospace, was launched from Sriharikota in November 2022 as India's first privately developed rocket. 'Skyroot' is the company, not the rocket. Source: ISRO/⁠IN-SPACe.

Answer: (d) Vikram

Method. Chandrayaan-2 lander

Chandrayaan-2's lander was named Vikram (after Vikram Sarabhai); the rover was Pragyan. Source: ISRO.

Answer: (a) Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory

Method. Expansion of LIGO

LIGO is the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory. Source: LIGO project; LIGO-India is the Indian proposal.

Answer: (b) Anusandhan National Research Foundation

Method. Ramanujan Fellowship and ANRF

The Ramanujan Fellowship of the DST, formerly run by SERB, is now under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, which subsumed SERB. The other options are unrelated programmes. Source: DST/⁠ANRF.

The fellowship dates from 2006 under DST; 'launched under ANRF′ is the sitting's reading, as ANRF took over SERB's schemes.

Answer: (a) Crypto currency

Method. Crypto assets

Ethereum, Tether, Solana and Cardano are all cryptocurrencies. Source: standard usage.

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Method. CEPI Centralised Laboratory Network

CEPI's Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN) standardises assays to test vaccine candidates against epidemic and pandemic diseases. It is a CEPI network, and India has been a member since its founding in October 2020 through THSTI, Faridabad (DBT); ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, joined in May 2023. All three statements are correct. Source: CEPI releases, October 2020 and May 2023; PIB.

Answer: (a) Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Method. eSanjeevani integration

eSanjeevani, the Government of India's free telemedicine service, was integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Source: MoHFW/⁠NHA.

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only

Method. Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) 2017

GCCS editions: London 2011, Budapest 2012, Seoul 2013, The Hague 2015, New Delhi 2017. The 4th was at The Hague, so statement 1 is false. Statements 2 (theme 'Cyber4All') and 3 ('Bindu' as the logo) are correct. Source: MeitY/⁠NeGD GCCS 2017 material.

Answer: (b) Ministry of Science and Technology

Method. Ministry behind the Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (ICPS) programme

The ICPS programme to foster R&D in cyber-physical systems was launched by the Department of Science and Technology, which is under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Source: DST programme notice.