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1. With which laser weapon did DRDO successfully test shoot down a drone in April 2025?
a. Helios DEW Shared
b. Iron Beam
c. DEW Mk-II (A)
d. Peresvet
Answer: c. DEW Mk-II (A)
On April 13, 2025, the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully tested the laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Mk-II (A) system.
With this, India has joined the group of nations possessing powerful laser weapon systems.
Until now, such systems were only available to countries like the USA, China, Israel, and Russia.
Key Facts About the Test
Name of the laser weapon: Laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Mk-II (A) System
Laser power: 30 kilowatts
Date of test: April 13, 2025
Test location: National Open Air Range (NOAR), Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
Range of the laser weapon: 3 to 5 kilometers
Developed by: DRDO’s High Energy Systems Centre (CHESS) designed and developed the system.
Other collaborators included: LRDE, IRDE, DLRL, leading academic institutions, and Indian industries.
Test targets:
The system was tested on fixed-wing drones and swarm drones.
It successfully shot down drones, burned surveillance antennas, and blinded enemy sensors using its laser beam.
What DRDO Said
DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat stated that this is just the beginning.
DRDO is working on multiple technologies that will give India Star Wars-like capabilities in the future.
How the Laser System Works
When a target is detected by radar or its inbuilt Electro-Optic (EO) system,
the laser-based DEW attacks at the speed of light and can cut the target using a laser beam.
This can disable the object completely.
If the laser beam hits a warhead, it can cause highly effective destruction.
How It Benefits the Indian Army
The key advantage is that it requires no ammunition or rockets—attacks are made purely using laser light.
It can neutralize multiple drones at once, especially swarm drone attacks.
Operates silently, meaning it destroys targets without sound or smoke.
Offers fast battlefield response and is a low-maintenance system—
it can be operated at less than the cost of a liter or two of petrol.
Which countries have laser weapons?
Country, Weapon, Power (in kW), Range, Target
– India, DEW MK-II (A), 30 kw, 3-5 km
– USA, Helios DEW Shared, 50-100 kw, 5-10 km,
– China, LW-30 Silent Hunter, 30-100 kw, 4-10 km
– Israel, Iron Beam, 100 kw, 7+ km
– Russia, Peresvet, (confidential), 0.5-5 km
Source – The Hindu
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2. Who has been appointed by the Central Government as the acting Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC)?
a. Vivek Mandal
b. Vineet Joshi
c. Rakesh Asthana
d. Vinod Mehta
Answer: b. Vineet Joshi
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Vineet Joshi Appointed as Interim UGC Chairman
– In April 2025, the Ministry of Education appointed Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, as the interim Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
– He replaced Professor M. Jagadesh Kumar, the former UGC Chairman, who retired.
– According to the Ministry, Vineet Joshi will serve as UGC Chairman until a full-time appointment is made or until further orders.
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Who is Vineet Joshi?
– He is originally from Uttar Pradesh.
– A 1992-batch IAS officer from the Manipur cadre.
– He has served as the Chief Secretary of the Manipur Government.
– On January 16, 2024, he was appointed as Secretary of Higher Education at the central level.
– Previously, he served as the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) from December 2019 to November 2020.
– He was also the Chairman of CBSE from February 2010 to November 2014.
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About UGC (University Grants Commission)
– UGC is a statutory body of the Government of India, established under the UGC Act of 1956.
– Its primary role is to maintain and promote the quality of higher education in India.
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Key Functions of UGC
1. Recognition of Universities:
– UGC determines which universities in India are officially recognized and valid.
2. Funding:
– Provides financial assistance to universities and colleges.
3. Promotion of Research & Development:
– Encourages research in higher education.
4. Quality Control:
– Monitors the quality of courses, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, etc.
5. Conducting the UGC-NET Exam:
– Organizes the UGC-NET for the recruitment of Assistant Professors in colleges and universities.
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UGC Headquarters and Regional Centers
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– Regional Centers:
– Hyderabad
– Kolkata
– Pune
– Bhopal
– Guwahati
– Bengaluru
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Key Bodies Under UGC
– NAAC – National Assessment and Accreditation Council
– ICSSR – Indian Council of Social Science Research
– Other educational bodies like NCERT, NCTE, etc., also work in coordination with UGC.
– AICTE – All India Council for Technical Education (now an independent body)
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UGC and the New Education Policy 2020
– Under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government plans to form a new regulatory body called the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
– This body will merge the functions of UGC and AICTE, aiming to streamline and strengthen higher education governance.
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Source- Indianexpress
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3. When is the International Day of Human Space Flight celebrated?
a. April 11
b. April 12
c. April 13
d. April 14
Answer: b. April 12
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– On this day, April 12, 1961, Soviet citizen Yuri Gagarin undertook the first human spaceflight.
– He became the first person to travel into space.
– The United Nations General Assembly has declared this day as an international observance.
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4. Who became the first player to hit 1000 fours in IPL history?
a. Virat Kohli
b. M.S. Dhoni
c. Ravindra Jadeja
d. Rohit Sharma
Answer: a. Virat Kohli
On April 10, 2025, Virat Kohli made history in a match against Delhi Capitals.
In this match, he scored 22 runs off 14 balls, including one four and two sixes.
Virat Kohli is now ranked third in terms of most sixes hit in IPL history.
Chris Gayle holds the first position, followed by Rohit Sharma in second.
Most boundaries in IPL
1001 – Virat Kohli
920 – Shikhar Dhawan
899 – David Warner
885 – Rohit Sharma
Source – newsonair
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5. India and UAE have decided to open the first overseas campus of IIM Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in which city?
a. Abu Dhabi
b. Ajman
c. Dubai
d. Dubai
Answer: d. Dubai
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UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s Visit to India – April 8, 2025
– On April 8, 2025, Dubai’s Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi.
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Six Key Agreements Between India and the UAE:
1. Establishment of IIM Ahmedabad’s first overseas campus in Dubai, with the first MBA program set to begin in September 2025.
2. Opening of the first foreign campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) at the India Pavilion in Dubai.
3. Construction of Bharat Mart, along with the unveiling of a 3D rendering of the Bharat Mart complex.
4. Land allocation for a UAE-India Friendship Hospital in Dubai.
5. Development of ship-repair clusters in Kochi and Vadinar in India.
6. Opening of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce office in India.
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IIM Ahmedabad in Dubai
– IIM Ahmedabad will launch a one-year MBA program in Dubai, designed for experienced professionals.
– The first batch will begin in September 2025.
– IIM Ahmedabad, founded in 1961, is a premier business school based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
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Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
– IIFT’s first international campus will be set up at the India Pavilion in Dubai.
– IIFT is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
– It was established in 1963 on the initiative of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, focusing on foreign trade education.
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About the United Arab Emirates (UAE):
– Capital: Abu Dhabi
– President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
– Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (also the Ruler of Dubai)
– Crown Prince of Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
– Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)
– Official Language: Arabic
– Neighboring Countries: Oman and Saudi Arabia
Source- Indian Express
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6. In which country the volcano ‘Mount Kanlaon’ erupted with an explosion and its ashes reached a height of four kilometers in the sky?
a. Philippines
b. Indonesia
c. India
d. Australia
Answer: a. Philippines
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Mount Kanlaon Eruption – April 8, 2025
– On April 8, 2025, the Mount Kanlaon volcano erupted.
– Its ash plume reached up to 4 kilometers high, and lava was seen spewing significantly.
– Prior to this, another eruption occurred in December 2024.
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About Mount Kanlaon Volcano
– Located at an altitude of approximately 2,435 meters (7,988 feet).
– It is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
– A major eruption occurred in 1996, which claimed the lives of three climbers, and a large-scale rescue operation was launched to save others trapped near the summit.
Note: Earlier, on March 21, 2025, the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano in Indonesia also erupted.
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Pacific Ring of Fire
– The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
– This region is known for the highest frequency of geological and seismic activities.
– Frequent volcanic eruptions occur here due to the collision and shifting of tectonic plates.
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What is a Volcano and How Does it Erupt?
– A volcano is an opening or rupture in the Earth’s surface through which magma (hot molten rock), volcanic ash, and gases escape from the interior.
– In simpler terms, it’s a vent on Earth’s surface that allows the ejection of lava, ash, molten rocks, and gases from within the Earth.
– The mantle, one of Earth’s three main layers, contains a weak zone called the asthenosphere, where magma forms.
– Volcanic hotspots are often found where tectonic plates meet or interact.
– It’s estimated that there are over one million undersea volcanoes, mostly located near tectonic boundaries.
– When tectonic plates collide, pressure and temperature build up, creating magma.
– When magma reaches the surface, it’s referred to as lava.
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About the Philippines
– Capital: Manila
– President: Bongbong Marcos
– Currency: Philippine Peso
Source – Indian Express
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7. For which financial year, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report for the first time?
a. Financial Year 2025-26
b. Financial Year 2024-25
c. Financial Year 2023-24
d. Financial Year 2022-23
Answer: d. Financial Year 2022-23
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Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Launched
– The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) to link localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with village-level governance and to promote good governance at the grassroots level.
– The first PAI report was released on April 9, 2025.
– It ranks over 2.16 lakh (216,000) Panchayats based on their performance and progress toward achieving the SDGs.
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How Many Themes Does the Report Cover?
– The PAI measures Panchayat performance across nine themes of Localized SDGs (LSDGs):
1. Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihoods Panchayat
2. Healthy Panchayat
3. Child-Friendly Panchayat
4. Water-Sufficient Panchayat
5. Clean and Green Panchayat
6. Self-Sufficient Infrastructure Panchayat
7. Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat
8. Good Governance Panchayat
9. Women-Friendly Panchayat
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8. According to the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) released for the financial year 2022-23, which is the leading state in terms of maximum number of Gram Panchayats and better performance?
a. Gujarat
b. Telangana
c. Maharashtra
d. Madhya Pradesh
Answer: a. Gujarat
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Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Report Highlights
– According to government data, a total of 699 Panchayats have been categorized in the leading (front runner) category. Among them, the highest number of 346 Panchayats are from Gujarat, and 270 Panchayats are from Telangana.
– According to the PAI report for the financial year 2022-23, out of the 2,55,699 Gram Panchayats in the country, 2,16,285 Panchayats submitted their data. The categorization is as follows:
– 699 Panchayats (0.3%) are in the front runner category.
– 77,298 Panchayats (35.8%) are performers.
– 1,32,392 Panchayats (61.2%) are aspiring and need more development.
– 5,896 Panchayats (2.7%) are at the initial level.
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Top Performing States
The top-performing states based on the PAI report are:
1. Gujarat: 13,781 Panchayats
2. Maharashtra: 12,242 Panchayats
3. Telangana: 10,099 Panchayats
4. Madhya Pradesh: 7,912 Panchayats
5. Uttar Pradesh: 6,593 Panchayats
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Does This Report Cover All Panchayats in the Country?
– The country has approximately 2.55 lakh Panchayats, but so far, data from only 2.16 lakh Panchayats has been collected. This data includes Panchayats from 29 states and union territories, with some regions yet to verify their data.
Source – Indian Express
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9. What are the host countries for the FIFA Women’s World Cup (2031 and 2035) respectively?
a. Cuba and Canada
b. Brazil and Mexico
c. USA and United Kingdom
d. India and USA
Answer: c. USA and United Kingdom
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– FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031 Host: The United States will host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the United Kingdom will host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
– This announcement was made by FIFA, the global football regulatory body, in April 2025.
USA’s Hosting History:
– This will be the third time the United States hosts the FIFA Women’s Football Tournament, with the 2031 World Cup.
UK’s Hosting History:
– The UK will host the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
– However, the UK last hosted the men’s Senior World Cup in 1966.
Expansion of Teams:
– The number of teams in the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be increased to 48, up from the previous number of 32 teams.
About the United States:
– Capital: Washington, D.C.
– President: Donald Trump
– Population: 340.1 million (2024)
– Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
About the United Kingdom:
– Monarch: King Charles III
– Prime Minister: Keir Starmer
– Capital: London
– Currency: Pound
– Language: English
– Population: 67 million (2022)
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10. Former captain of the Indian basketball team Hari Dutt Kapri has passed away. Which award did he receive?
a. Dronacharya Award
b. Padma Shri
c. Arjun Award
d. Khel Ratna
Answer:- c. Arjun Award (1969)
Former captain of the Indian team, Hari Datt Kapri, passed away on April 9, 2025. He was 83 years old.
He was born in 1942 in the Chiriyakhan village of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
He served as the captain of the Indian basketball team from 1965 to 1978.
He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1969.
Under his leadership, the Indian basketball team moved from 7th place to 4th place in Asia in 1969.
He was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Uttarakhand government.
Source – Indian Express
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11. When is World Chagas Disease Day observed?
a. 14 April
b. 15 April
c. 16 April
d. 17 April
Answer: a. 14 April
– The World Health Assembly declared this day in 2019.
– This disease is also known as American Trypanosomiasis.
– The disease occurs when a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi enters the body.
– The parasite can enter the human body through the bite of an insect.
WHO:
– Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
– Director-General: Tedros Adhanom
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12. When is Samathuva Naal (Equality Day) celebrated?
a. 14 April
b. 15 April
c. 16 April
d. 17 April
Answere: a. 14 April
– Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary (14th April) has been declared as ‘Samathuva Naal’ (Equality Day).
– Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced this in the Assembly in April 2022.
Tamil Nadu:
– Chief Minister: M.K. Stalin
– Capital: Chennai
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