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1. Who won the Oscar Award 2025 for Best Film?
a. Anora
b. Poor Things
c. The Brutalist
d. Oppenheimer
Answer: a. Anora (Director is Sean Baker)
– This was the 97th edition of the Oscar Awards.
– The award ceremony was held on March 3, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (USA).
– The host for the Oscars 2025 was Emmy-winning writer, producer, and comedian ‘Conan O’Brien’.
– The official name of the biggest award in the film industry is ‘Academy Award of Merit’, but it is more famous by the name ‘Oscar Award’.
About the film Anora:
– The direction of this film was done by Sean Baker.
– It is a romantic comedy film.
– It is based on a Russian-American sex worker (stripper).
– Anora Mikhiva is a stripper.
– A Russian businessman’s son, Vanya, has come to America (Brooklyn, New York) for studies.
– Vanya needs someone who understands Russian.
– During this time, Anora meets Vanya.
– Vanya offers Anora $15,000 to spend a week with him. Later, Vanya proposes marriage to Anora.
– The film has already won the Palme d’Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival.
– The film ‘Anora’ was released on May 21, 2024.
– This film was made with a budget of 6 million dollars (52 crore), and it has earned 41 million dollars (358 crore rupees).
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2. Which film got maximum 5 awards in Oscar ceremony 2025?
a. Anora
b. Poor Things
c. The Brutalist
d. Oppenheimer
Answer: a. Anora
Which awards did Anora get
– Best Picture
– Best Direction
– Best Screenplay
– Best Editing
– Best Actress
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3. Who got the Best Actor award at the 97th Oscar Awards ceremony 2025?
a. Cillian Murphy
b. Jennifer Lame
c. Robert Downey
d. Adrien Brody
Answer: d. Adrien Brody (for the film ‘The Brutalist’)
– He is a popular film producer and actor.
– He had previously won the Best Actor Oscar Award in 2002.
– At that time, he received this award for his role as Władysław Szpilman in Roman Polanski’s war drama The Pianist (2002).
About the film:
– The Brutalist is based on a Holocaust architect who escapes from Hungary to America. There, he meets a wealthy industrialist who recognizes his talent in building construction.
– In the film, the character of László Tóth is played by Adrien Brody, the role of Erzsébet Tóth is played by Felicity Jones, Harrison Lee Van Buren is portrayed by Guy Pearce, and the role of Harry Lee Van Buren is played by Joe Alwyn.
– The film is directed by Brady Corbet.
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4. Who got the Oscar Award for Best Actress 2025?
a. Angelina Jolie
b. Mickey Madison
c. Emma Watson
d. Jennifer Lawrence
Answer: b. Mickey Madison (for the film ‘Anora’)
She played the role of sex worker ‘Anora’ in the film.
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5. At the Oscar Awards ceremony 2025, the film ‘I am not a robot’ won the ‘Best Live Action Short Film’ award, leaving behind which Indian film?
a. All We Imagine As Light
b. Anuja
c. Radheshyam
d. Vinod The Don
Answer: b. Anuja
– Anuja missed out on winning the award in the Best – Live Action Short Film category.
– It was created by Adam Graves.
– Priyanka Chopra and Guneet Monga are associated with the movie as co-producers.
– Anuja is the story of a 9-year-old girl who works in a factory.
– The role of Anuja is played by Sajda Pathan. She was actually a child laborer.
– She was rescued by the NGO Salam Baalak Trust and was given the opportunity to learn and study.
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6. Oscar 2025 Winners List
– Best Film: Anora
– Best Actor: Adrien Brody (for the film ‘The Brutalist’)
– Best Actress: Mickey Madison (for the film ‘Anora’)
– Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
– Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana (Emilia Perez)
– Best Director: Sean Baker (Anora)
– Best Cinematography: Lol Crowley (The Brutalist)
– Best Original Screenplay: Sean Baker (Anora)
– Best Sound: Dune Part Two
– Best Visual Effects: Dune Part Two
– Best Original Song: El Mal in Emilia Perez
– Best International Feature Film: I’m Still Here
– Best Documentary Short Film: The Only Girl in the Orchestra
– Best Editing: Anora
– Best Documentary Feature Film: No Other Land
– Best Animated Film: Flow
– Best Animated Short Film: In the Shadow of the Cyprus
– Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell (Wicked)
– Best Makeup and Hair Styling: The Substance
– Best Production Design: Wicked
– Best Live Action Short Film: I Am Not a Robot (This film won the title by defeating the Indian film ‘Anuja’)
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7. Which th negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom took place after a long time in February 2025?
a. 8th
b. 10th
c. 12th
d. 14th
Answer: d. 14th
– India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and the UK’s Minister of Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, announced on February 24, 2025, the resumption of talks on the proposed FTA between the two countries.
– The meeting between the two countries took place in New Delhi, where this announcement was made.
What is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?
– An FTA is an agreement between two or more countries, under which import duties on most traded goods are reduced or eliminated.
– Its aim is also to minimize non-tariff barriers, facilitate trade in services, and boost bilateral investment.
Benefits of an FTA:
– Boosts exports and market access: By eliminating tariffs, Indian goods become more competitive.
– Encourages foreign investment: It promotes FDI flows and technology transfer.
– Diversifies trade relations: Reduces over-dependence on specific markets.
– Creates jobs and economic growth: Expands industries and employment opportunities.
– Strengthens strategic partnerships: Builds diplomatic and economic cooperation.
FTAs Signed by India:
– Signed FTAs: Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia, UAE, Mauritius, ASEAN, and EFTA (European Free Trade Association, which includes four countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).
– Proposed FTAs: India is negotiating FTAs with the UK, European Union, and the USA to strengthen trade with Western economies.
Objective of the India-UK FTA:
– To promote trade and investment by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers.
– To expand opportunities in technology, healthcare, and education.
– To facilitate easier movement of students and professionals.
Benefits of the FTA for India:
– Trade Growth: Exports to the UK were $12.9 billion (FY24), with increases in textiles, apparel, footwear, cars, seafood, grapes, and mangoes.
– Benefits from Tariff Reductions: India will benefit from tariff reductions on goods worth $6.1 billion.
– Market Access in Services: Indian IT, education, and healthcare sectors will benefit.
– Increase in Investment: The Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will boost UK investment in India.
Benefits of the FTA for the UK:
– Tariff Reductions in India: The UK exports $8.4 billion worth of goods to India, of which 91% are subject to tariffs (e.g., cars – 100%, whisky – 150%).
– Better Access to Indian Markets: British products such as precious metals, makeup items, machinery, and Scotch whisky will benefit from reduced tariffs.
Challenges of the India-UK FTA:
– Tariff Negotiations: India is reluctant to reduce tariffs on British goods like whisky, automobiles, and meat.
– Visa and Immigration Issues: India demands more access for students and professionals, while the UK’s visa policies are strict.
– Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Dispute Resolution: India wants foreign companies to use local remedies before arbitration, which the UK opposes.
– Regulatory Barriers: The UK is demanding liberalization in India’s legal and financial sectors, which is facing opposition.
– Geopolitical Factors: Domestic political changes and economic uncertainties could delay agreements.
What are India and the UK’s Key Demands in this FTA?
– India wants more opportunities for its students and professionals in the UK market, a social security agreement, and zero customs duty access for several goods.
– On the other hand, the UK is asking for a significant reduction in import duties on items such as Scotch whisky, electric vehicles, lamb meat, chocolates, and some sweets.
– The UK seeks more opportunities for its services, including telecommunications, legal and financial services, insurance, and banking, in India.
What are the types of trade agreements?
– FTA (Free Trade Agreement): No tariffs are imposed on any type of goods or services.
– PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement): Tariffs are removed on specific goods (e.g., India-Thailand Agreement).
– RTA (Regional Trade Agreement): A trade agreement between several countries in a region.
– BTA (Bilateral Trade Agreement): A trade agreement between two countries, like the India-Sri Lanka FTA.
– CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement): Includes both economic and investment cooperation, like the agreement between India and Singapore.
– CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement): Like the agreement between India, Korea, and Japan.
– TEPA (Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement).
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8. What has been the name of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Recruit Training Centre (RTC), Arakanam changed to?
a. Skandagupta (RTC), Patna
b. Chandragupta Maurya (RTC), Samastipur
c. Rajaditya Cholan (RTC), Takkolam
d. Harshadeva (RTC), Kashmir
Answer: c. Rajaditya Cholan (RTC), Takkolam
– The name of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Recruit Training Centre (RTC) in Arakkonam has been changed to Rajaditya Cholan (RTC), Takkolam, in memory of the Chola prince.
– The order to change the name was issued by CISF Director General Rajvinder Singh Bhatti on February 24, 2025.
– Takkolam is a town located in the Ranipet district of Tamil Nadu.
CISF’s Recruit Training Centers (RTC):
1. National Industrial Security Academy (NISA), Hyderabad
2. Fire Service Training Institute (FSTI) [Now located at the NISA campus in Hyderabad, previously in Rajasthan]
3. Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Arakkonam (current name Rajaditya Cholan (RTC), Takkolam)
4. Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Badwah, Madhya Pradesh
5. Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Behror, Rajasthan
6. Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Bhilai, Chhattisgarh
7. Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Deoli, Rajasthan
8. Recruit Training Centre (RTC) Paradip Mundali, Odisha
Who was Rajaditya?
– Rajaditya Chola was a famous Chola prince in the middle of the 10th century.
– He was the son of King Parantaka I (reigned 907–955) and a Chera princess.
– Rajaditya is known for commanding the Chola army in the Battle of Takkolam in 948–949 CE.
– The Battle of Takkolam was fought between the Cholas and the Rashtrakutas.
– Rajaditya died from an arrow shot by Ganga Rajakumar Butuga, an ally of the Rashtrakutas.
About CISF:
– The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs in India.
– The primary mission of CISF is to provide security to large establishments, whether they are government or privately owned.
– It was established on March 10, 1969.
– Director General (DG): Rajvinder Singh Bhatti.
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9. Anil Joshi, the famous poet and essayist of which language, died on 26 February 2025?
a. Hindi
b. Urdu
c. Gujarati
d. Bhojpuri
Answer: c. Gujarati
– Anil Joshi passed away on February 26, 2025, in Mumbai. He was 84 years old. His full name was Anil Ramanath Joshi.
– Joshi was born on July 28, 1940, in Gondal to Ramnath and Taraben. His father was a senior officer in the education department.
– Anil Joshi was known for works like Kadach and Statue.
– In 2015, he returned his Sahitya Akademi Award from 1990 in protest against attacks on literary writers.
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10. When is World Seagrass Day celebrated?
a. 1 March
b. 3 March
c. 4 March
d. 5 March
Answer: a. 1 March
– The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in the year 2022.
Why does Seagrass Matter?
– Seagrasses are flowering plants that grow in marine environments.
– These plants grow in the sediment of the seafloor, with long leaves and a structure resembling a buried root (rhizome).
– Seagrasses are more closely related to lilies and ginger than to true grasses.
– In India, dense patches of seagrass are primarily found around parts of the Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu), the Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), Chilika Lagoon (Odisha), and the islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
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11. When is World Civil Defense Day celebrated?
a. 1 March
b. 3 March
c. 4 March
d. 5 March
Answer: a. 1 March
Theme 2025
– Civil Defence, guarantee of security for the population
– The International Civil Defence Organization of the United Nations organizes this day.
– The purpose of this day is to prepare people for emergency situations and crises, and to raise awareness about keeping them safe.
– The aim of this day is to educate citizens and highlight the importance of civil defense.
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12. Which Nobel Peace Prize winner’s autobiography ‘Diyasalai’ was launched by former President Ram Nath Kovind?
a. Har Gobind Khurana
b. Malala Yousafzai
c. Kailash Satyarthi
d. Rakesh Verma
Answer: c. Kailash Satyarthi
Who is Kailash Satyarthi?
– Kailash Satyarthi has led a strong campaign against child labor.
– He has worked towards establishing education as a fundamental right for all.
– Satyarthi founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) and the Goodweave organization.
– Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. He received this honor for “struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”
– That year, Malala Yousafzai was also awarded the prize.
Book Launch Event
– Former President Ram Nath Kovind said, “The book ‘Diyaslai’ is not just a book, but a movement dedicated to the fundamental rights of children.”
– He further added that Diyaslai is much more than a book— it is a testimony to an inspiring life journey.
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