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1. Indian Government selected the first start-up to build the first indigenous AI LLM (Artificial Intelligence Large Language Model), name it?
a. Helium AI
b. Netradyne AI
c. Sigtpal AI
d. Sarvam AI
Answer: d. Sarvam AI
India Enters the AI Arena Amidst the Popularity of the US’s OpenAI and China’s Low-Cost DeepSeek
– Amidst the rising popularity of OpenAI from the US and China’s low-cost DeepSeek, the Indian government has stepped into the AI field.
– The central government has selected Bengaluru-based startup Sarvam to build the country’s first indigenous Artificial Intelligence (AI) Large Language Model (LLM).
– IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that out of the 67 proposals received, Sarvam AI is the first startup selected to develop India’s first indigenous foundational model. He also mentioned that 2-3 more startups will join the program in the near future.
– The startup will receive government support in terms of computing resources to build the AI LLM.
About Sarvam AI
– It was founded in July 2023 by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar.
What is “AI LLM”?
– It stands for Artificial Intelligence Large Language Model.
– In simple terms: AI means giving machines the ability to think, understand, and make decisions like humans.
– A Large Language Model (LLM) is a massive computer program capable of understanding and generating language based on millions or billions of words, sentences, and pieces of information.
– Models like LLMs (e.g., GPT-4, Gemini, Claude, etc.) learn from human-written or spoken language and can answer questions, write stories, generate essays, do coding, and offer advice.
– In one line: An AI LLM is a brain-like software that understands language, thinks, and creates responses in new ways.
The ₹10,370 Crore IndiaAI Mission
– Sarvam is the first startup approved under India’s ambitious ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission to build a foundational model.
– Meanwhile, the government is evaluating hundreds of other proposals.
– Sarvam has stated that its model will be capable of reasoning, designed for voice interaction, and fluent in Indian languages.
Government Support
– As part of government support, the company will get access to up to 4,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) for six months to build and train the model.
– The model is not expected to be open-source, but it will be fine-tuned specifically for Indian languages.
– The GPUs will be provided by companies selected by the government to set up AI data centers in India.
– Sarvam’s model will be built, deployed, and optimized using local infrastructure and developed by a new generation of Indian talent.
– In a press release, the company said this initiative aims to promote strategic autonomy, accelerate domestic innovation, and secure India’s leadership in AI in the long term.
World’s Lowest-Cost AI LLM – DeepSeek
– This move by the Indian government comes in response to the rise of China’s DeepSeek, a low-cost foundational model that has shaken the AI industry.
– DeepSeek is known for being open-source, highly accurate, and significantly cheaper compared to its American counterparts.
Government Buying 18,693 GPUs
– In early 2025, the government selected 10 companies to supply 18,693 GPUs, far exceeding the initial target of 10,000 GPUs under the IndiaAI mission.
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2. When is the International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day observed?
a. 22nd April
b. 24th April
c. 26th April
d. 28th April
Answer: c. 26th April
– The United Nations (UN) declared this day on April 26, 2016.
– On this day in 1986, an explosion occurred in Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
– This incident took place in the city of Pripyat, Ukraine (which at the time was part of the Soviet Union).
– The information about this incident was not shared with other countries around the world initially.
– It was extremely dangerous.
– The radiation spread across large areas of Belarus, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation.
– Chernobyl is located in Ukraine.
– Before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was part of the union.
– The nuclear plant was constructed between 1977 and 1983.
– A few days after the incident, radiation was detected nearly 1,000 kilometers away in Sweden.
– Only then did the world learn about the magnitude of the disaster.
– The United Nations officially declared this day on April 26, 2016.
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3. Famous scientist K. Kasturirangan passed away on 25 April 2025, he was the chairman of which agency?
a. BARC
b. ISRO
c. ESA
d. JAXA
Answer: b. ISRO
– He passed away at the age of 84.
– ISRO Chairman: From 1994 to 2003.
– During his tenure, ISRO achieved major milestones, including the successful launch and operation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
– Later, success was also achieved with the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
– This was a turbulent period for the space agency.
– During this time, several international sanctions were imposed, including restrictions on access to cryogenic technology.
– After India’s nuclear tests in 1998, the sanctions became even stricter.
– Under Kasturirangan’s leadership, ISRO took significant steps toward self-reliance and began planning major missions such as Chandrayaan.
Leadership in Education, Technology, and Environment Committees
– He also served the government in several advisory roles.
– He led or was a part of committees advising the government on education, technology, and even environmental issues.
– He was also the chairman of the committee that drafted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
– In 2003, the central government nominated him to the Rajya Sabha for one term.
Awards:
– Padma Vibhushan – 2000
– Padma Bhushan – 1992
– Padma Shri – 1982
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation):
– Founded: 15 August 1969
– Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
– Current Chairman: V. Narayanan
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4. When is the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace observed?
a. 20 April
b. 22 April
c. 24 April
d. 25 April
Answer: c. 24 April
– The day was first celebrated by the United Nations (UN) on April 24, 2019.
– It is held every year thereafter.
– This day honours the acceptance of multilateral decision-making and the use of diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolution of conflicts between nations.
United Nations
– Chief: Antonio Guterres.
– Founded: 24 October 1945
– Headquarters: New York, USA
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5. Who led the Indian delegation at the funeral of Pope Francis?
a. Droupadi Murmu
b. Narendra Modi
c. Kiren Rijiju
d. Amit Shah
Answer: a. Droupadi Murmu
Pope Francis Passes Away at 88 in Vatican City
– Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, in Vatican City. He was 88 years old.
– His funeral was held on April 26 at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
– He was buried in a side chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
Indian Delegation
– President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Vatican City on a two-day visit (April 25–26, 2025) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India.
– On April 26, she attended the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square.
– The official Indian delegation, led by the President, included Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian, and Goa Assembly Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza.
World Leaders Gather
– Global leaders and a large number of Catholic followers attended Pope Francis’s funeral.
– Attendees included US President Donald Trump and several other heads of state from around the world.
Three-Day National Mourning in India
– India declared a three-day state mourning on the death of Pope Francis.
– On April 22, 23, and 26 (the two days after his death and the day of the funeral), the national flag was flown at half-mast across the country.
About Vatican City
– Vatican City is a country located in Europe, entirely surrounded by Rome, the capital of Italy.
– It is the smallest independent state on Earth, with an area of just 44 hectares (108.7 acres or 0.44 sq km).
– It is the center of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope, the supreme spiritual leader of this denomination.
– Vatican City was recognized as an independent state in 1929 through a treaty.
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6. When is World Intellectual Property Day celebrated?
a. 22nd April
b. 24th April
c. 26th April
d. 28th April
Answer: c. 26th April
2025 Theme
– IP and music: Feel the beat of IP
World Intellectual Property Organization
– Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
– CEO: Daren Tang
– Founded: 14 July 1967
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7. Where in India has the 72nd Miss World beauty pageant been held?
a. Mumbai
b. Hyderabad
c. Jaipur
d. Chennai
Answer: b. Hyderabad
– The 72nd Miss World beauty pageant will be held in Hyderabad from May 7 to May 31, 2025.
– Telangana government is hosting the event.
– It aims to promote tourism under the banner ‘Telangana Zaroor Aana’.
Telangana
– CM – Revanth Reddy
– Capital – Hyderabad
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8. In which state of India “Khongjom Day” is celebrated?
a. Assam
b. Manipur
c. Odisha
d. Kerala
Answer: b. Manipur
– Khongjom Day is observed every year on April 23.
– This day pays tribute to the warriors who fought in the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
– The Anglo-Manipur War was an armed conflict between the British government and the Kingdom of Manipur.
– The war was fought between March 31 and April 27, 1891.
– The British emerged victorious in this conflict.
– The battle took place on the Kheba Hills of Khongjom in Manipur.
– Hence, the day is known as Khongjom Day or the Battle of Khongjom.
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9. With which mission, ISRO is sending tardigrades or water bears to the International Space Station (ISS)?
a. Starship
b. Chandrayaan-4
c. Axiom-4
d. Tianwen-1
Answer: c. Axiom-4
– Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) for 14 days at the end of May.
– During his stay, he will conduct at least seven experiments, such as growing crops in space and studying microscopic organisms called “tardigrades” (water bears).
– The mission marks the first human spaceflight involving India, Poland, and Hungary in over 40 years, and will be launched under Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
What is Axiom-4 Mission? (by U.S. Company Axiom Space)
– Under NASA’s Axiom-4 Mission, four astronauts will travel to the ISS, including one from ISRO (India’s space agency).
The crew members are:
– Peggy Whitson (Axiom Space, USA)
– Shubhanshu Shukla (ISRO, India)
– Slawosz Uznanski (ESA, Poland)
– Tibor Kapu (Hungarian Space Agency)
– All selected crew members are experienced and have logged many hours of flight.
– The Ax-4 mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.
– SpaceX will provide the launch vehicle, and its Crew Dragon capsule will carry the astronauts to space.
– NASA has confirmed that the mission duration will be 14 days.
About Shubhanshu Shukla
– Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (India).
– He completed his NDA course in 2005.
– He is a test pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of flying experience.
– Shukla has flown various aircraft including the Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
– In August 2024, he was officially announced as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4.
Note: He will be the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
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10. What are tardigrades or water bears that have been in the news?
a. Microorganisms living in water
b. Microorganisms living in soil
c. Giant creatures living in water
d. Dangerous animals living in forests
Answer: a. Microorganisms living in water
– Under the Axiom-4 Mission, four astronauts will travel to the International Space Station (ISS).
– As part of this mission, ISRO, in collaboration with NASA’s Voyager program, will study the resilience of tardigrades (also known as water bears) in space.
– The mission is scheduled to launch in late May.
What Are Tardigrades or Water Bears?
– Tardigrades are microscopic aquatic organisms known for their incredible survival abilities.
– They are also called water bears or piglets due to their appearance.
– The organism was first discovered in 1773 by German scientist Johann Goeze.
– The name “tardigrade” comes from Latin, meaning “slow stepper,” referring to their sluggish, bear-like movement — hence the nickname “water bear.”
– Tardigrades have eight legs, each ending in tiny claws.
– Their bodies are segmented and covered with a tough outer shell.
– They typically measure between 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, and require a microscope to be seen.
– Tardigrades are found almost everywhere on Earth — in moss, soil, dry leaves, freshwater, oceans, mountain tops, hot springs, deep seas, and even in the icy polar regions.
– These creatures have existed on Earth for approximately 600 million years.
Why is ISRO taking tardigrades to space?
– These are organisms that can survive in the cold vacuum of space.
– In the year 2007, the European Space Agency (ESA) sent 3,000 tardigrades in a Russian capsule. They were kept in the open and cold environment of space for 10 days. The mission was in an orbit less than 2,000 kilometers above the Earth.
– In that mission, more than two-thirds of the tardigrades survived, and after returning to Earth, they even gave birth to offspring.
– Purpose of the research: ISRO will try to find out how dormant tardigrades sent to space come back to life.
– It will calculate how many eggs were laid during the mission and how many hatched.
– Scientists will compare the genes (DNA) of space-exposed tardigrades and those living on Earth.
– The objective of this research is to understand how organisms like tardigrades survive in extreme conditions, and which small biological systems enable this.
– This information will help us understand how life can survive even in the harshest environments.
– Along with that, it will help in planning future space missions and in developing new bio-technology techniques on Earth.
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11. When is World Malaria Day observed?
a. 24 April
b. 26 April
c. 25 April
d. 23 April
Answer: c. 25 April
Theme of 2025
“Malaria Ends with Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite”
– World Malaria Day was first observed in 2008.
– India has committed to eliminating malaria by 2030.
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12. When is the International Delegation Day celebrated?
a. 25 April
b. 27 April
c. 28 April
d. 29 April
Answer: a. 25 April
– This day is declared by the United Nations.
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