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1. Amidst the trade war in the world, the President of which country announced to impose more than 100% reciprocal tariff (import duty) on India from April 2?
a. China
b. USA
c. Japan
d. Germany
Answer: b. USA
– U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that from April 2, he will impose retaliatory tariffs on India. He said that India charges us over 100% tariffs, and we are going to do the same starting next month.
– Additionally, Trump thanked Pakistan. He said that in 2021, terrorists in Afghanistan killed 13 U.S. soldiers. The Pakistani government helped in capturing them.
– He made this announcement on March 5, 2025, during a joint session of the U.S. Congress (Parliament). He gave a record-breaking speech lasting 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Reciprocal Tariff:
– Trump said that starting April 2, the U.S. will implement “Reciprocal Tariffs.” This means whatever tariff they impose on us, we will impose the same on them.
– Whatever tax they impose on us, we will impose the same tax on them. Trump gave the examples of India, China, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, and the European Union.
– Trump jokingly said that he wanted to implement this on April 1, but then people would think it was an “April Fool’s” joke.
– Other countries impose heavy tariffs and taxes on us, now it’s our turn.
– If a company is not manufacturing products in the U.S., it will have to pay tariffs.
World’s Reaction:
– China and Canada have lodged complaints against U.S. measures at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
– Both countries have already announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
India’s Response:
– On March 5, 2025, India did not respond to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that his administration plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on India.
– Indian officials have stated that it is disappointing, but this is not the final decision.
– Negotiations are ongoing on the first phase of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) between India and the U.S. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has also met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Luttig.
What Impact Will This Have on India?
– Under pressure from Trump, reducing import duties will lower the prices of items such as heavy motorcycles, large cars, and U.S. liquor.
– The U.S. will not gain much from this as only four percent of U.S. products face import duties higher than 30 percent in India.
– On 80 percent of U.S. products, the tariff is less than 20 percent.
– In 63.5 percent of categories, the tariff is less than 10 percent.
– These figures clearly show that there will be a lot of talk about tariffs, headlines will be made, and the U.S. will try to exert political pressure under the guise of this, but there will be no significant impact on trade.
– Senior journalist Prakash K. Ray says, “Taking the reactions of China, Mexico, and Canada regarding Trump’s tariff war as an example, many commentators in India are saying that Prime Minister Modi should also take a tough stance. China is a major power; it can stand up to the U.S. Canada and Mexico are U.S. neighbors and large trade partners, so their relationship is different. The U.S. is one of the few countries with which India’s trade balance is favorable. Only a few American products have higher tariffs in India. Therefore, creating a standoff does not seem wise.”
Highlights from President Trump’s first speech
Ukraine War:
– Trump said that Zelensky is ready to come to the table for talks to end the Ukraine war as soon as possible.
– We have had serious discussions with Russia. We have received strong signals from Moscow that they are ready for peace.
Immigration Issue:
– Trump said that in the last four years, 21 million people have illegally entered the U.S. Our government has initiated the largest border and immigration crackdown in U.S. history.
Joe Biden:
– Trump said that Biden is the worst president in American history. Under his tenure, millions of illegal people entered the country every month. Due to his policies, inflation has increased in the country.
Gold Card Visa:
– Trump said that we are going to introduce the Gold Card Visa system. It is like a Green Card, but more advanced. This will create a large number of jobs and benefit companies.
Panama Canal and Greenland:
– Trump said that we will gain control over the Panama Canal at any cost. Along with this, we will include Greenland into our territory. We will protect the people there.
Note – Denmark controls Greenland.
Free Speech:
– Trump said that we have completely stopped government censorship and brought back free speech in America. We have eliminated government systems that were used as weapons.
Oil and Gas:
– Trump said that the U.S. has more ‘liquid gold’ (oil and gas) than any other country in the world. We will lay a huge natural gas pipeline in Alaska. Many countries want to invest billions in it.
Space Program:
– Trump said that we will push the boundaries of science, take humans further into space, and raise the American flag on Mars.
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2. Who became the first woman pilot to be permanently appointed in the Indian Air Force’s fighter jet Jaguar squadron?
a. Mohini Parashar
b. Aarti Shukla
c. Tanushka Singh
d. Avani Chaturvedi
Answer: c. Tanushka Singh
– According to information received by India Today News on March 1, Tanushka Singh is the first female pilot to be permanently appointed to the Indian Air Force’s fighter jet Jaguar Squadron.
– Although some female pilots have flown the Jaguar fighter jet during Air Force training, Tanushka Singh is the first female pilot of the Air Force.
Jaguar Fighter Jet
– The Jaguar fighter jet is a technical strike aircraft, known for precise attacks and deep missions.
– This fighter jet is capable of silently attacking enemy targets and is one of the main fighter jets of the Indian Air Force.
About Tanushka Singh
– Tanushka Singh is originally from Uttar Pradesh but has been living in Mangalore, Karnataka, since 2007.
– Her family has a military background.
– Tanushka completed her schooling at DPS MRPL School, Surathkal. She then completed her further studies at Sharda PU College.
– She also completed her B.Tech from the Manipal Institute of Technology.
– Initially, she trained at the Air Force Academy in Dindigul, Telangana. Later, she received special training on the Hawk MK 132 aircraft.
First Female Pilots in the Armed Forces
– First female fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force – Avani Chaturvedi
– First female pilot of the Rafale aircraft – Shivangi Singh
– First female fighter pilot of the Indian Army – Abhilasha Barak
– First female helicopter pilot in the Indian Navy – Anamika B. Rajeev
– First female pilot permanently appointed to the Indian Air Force’s Jaguar Squadron – Tanushka Singh
How to Become a Fighter Pilot?
– To join the Army, Navy, or Air Force, one must take exams like NDA, NCC Special Entry, AFCAT, or CDS.
– After clearing any of these exams, you can become a fighter pilot.
– You must then complete a graduation course at the Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nashik.
– After this, you can become a fighter pilot.
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3. When is World Hearing Day celebrated by WHO?
a. 2 March
b. 3 March
c. 4 March
d. 6 March
Answer: b. 3 March
2025 Theme
– “Changing Mindsets: Empower Yourself to Make Ear and Hearing Care a Reality for All”
– This day is observed worldwide to raise awareness about deafness.
– The World Health Organization (WHO) first celebrated International Ear Care Day in 2007.
– In 2016, the name of Ear Care Day was changed to World Hearing Day.
How Many People Worldwide Could Be Affected by Deafness?
– The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, approximately 2.5 billion (250 crore) people worldwide could lose their hearing, with over 700 million (70 crore) of them requiring treatment.
– In India, around 63 million (6.3 crore) people, which is 6.3% of the country’s population, are affected by severe hearing problems.
WHO
– Established: April 7, 1948
– Director-General: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
– Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
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4. Which state issued an order making Kannada language compulsory in government offices, educational institutes and businesses?
a. Telangana
b. Karnataka
c. Tamil Nadu
d. Kerala
Answer: b. Karnataka
Why is there a language dispute?
– The recent controversy arose from a statement by the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, in which he said that if states do not implement the new education policy, the central funds allocated for education programs would be withheld. Tamil Nadu is calling this an insult to the constitution and an attempt to impose Hindi.
– Linguistic disputes have been continuously discussed in states like Karnataka, Telangana, Punjab, and Maharashtra.
Karnataka’s Language Policy
– The Karnataka government has issued an order making Kannada language mandatory in government offices, educational institutions, and businesses.
– The objective is to promote the Kannada language in administration, education, and business.
– A circular in this regard was issued on February 15, 2025.
– This decision was made under the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act.
– The act, which was implemented in 2022, will become effective from March 12, 2025.
– The aim is to widely develop the Kannada language and provide better opportunities for local people.
– The circular states that Kannada will be prioritized in government offices, schools, colleges, and businesses.
– Public signboards, advertisements, and workplaces will have Kannada written and spoken.
– Packaging of goods will be required to have names and information in Kannada. This rule will apply to both government and private institutions.
– The government has made it clear that legal action will be taken against any institute or individual that fails to comply with these instructions.
Previous Language Disputes
– Karnataka has seen long-standing movements to promote the Kannada language. Additionally, bus services between Maharashtra and Karnataka were once halted because Kannada signboards were not displayed on the buses.
Where else have such policies been implemented?
– Punjab and Telangana have made Punjabi and Telugu mandatory in schools.
– The Karnataka government’s directive came at a time when there was a dispute over the central government’s National Education Policy (NEP) and the Trilingual Language Policy.
– Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has already opposed this policy, and the BJP and DMK are at odds over the matter.
Trilingual Language Policy
– Under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, all private and government schools in the country will teach three languages. Two of these languages will be Indian languages, and one will be another language.
– The first language will be the student’s mother tongue or regional language, and primary education will also be conducted in this language.
– The second language will be Hindi or another Indian language from the state.
– The third language will be English or any other Indian or foreign language.
– States and schools have the freedom to decide which three languages they will teach. There is no provision to impose any language mandatorily.
Karnataka
– Capital: Bengaluru
– Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
– Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
– Language: Kannada
– Population: 64.1 million (2014)
– Neighboring States: Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh
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5. Vidarbha defeated whom to win the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 title?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Hyderabad
c. Kerala
d. Rajasthan
Answer: c. Kerala
Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Title
– Vidarbha has won the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 title.
– The previous Ranji Trophy 2023-24 title was won by Mumbai.
– Vidarbha is a domestic cricket team in the Ranji Trophy.
– Vidarbha is a region in Maharashtra.
Both Teams’ Innings
– The final match between Vidarbha and Kerala ended in a draw.
– Based on the first-innings lead, Vidarbha was declared the champion.
– Vidarbha scored 379 runs in their first innings.
– Kerala replied with 342 runs.
– Vidarbha had a 37-run first-innings lead.
– By the fifth day, Vidarbha had scored 375 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their second innings.
– Without giving Kerala a chance to bat, the match was declared a draw, and Vidarbha was announced as the winner.
Ranji Trophy 2024-25
– Final match date: February 26 to March 2, 2024
– Teams: Kerala and Vidarbha
– The match was declared a draw, and Vidarbha won.
– The match was held at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur.
– Kerala team captain: Sachin Baby
– Vidarbha team captain: Akshay Wadkar
What is the Ranji Trophy?
– The Ranji Trophy is a major domestic first-class cricket championship played in India.
– Matches in the Ranji Trophy are played over 4 or 5 days.
– It is organized annually by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
– The Ranji Trophy began in the 1934-35 season.
– The latest season: 2024-25.
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6. What was India’s GDP growth rate in the third quarter (October-December) of the financial year 2024-25?
a. 7.1%
b. 6.2%
c. 5.4%
d. 4.3%
Answer: b. 6.2%
India’s GDP Growth in Q3 FY2025
– In the third quarter (October-December) of FY 2025, India’s GDP growth has increased to 6.2%.
– In the second quarter (July-September), the GDP growth rate was 5.4%.
– In the first quarter (April-June), the GDP growth rate was 6.7%.
– A year ago, in the same quarter (Q3 FY24), it was 8.4%.
Who released the GDP growth figures?
– The provisional GDP figures for the third quarter (Q3 FY2025) were released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on February 28, 2025.
What is GDP?
– Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the most common indicators used to track the health of an economy.
– GDP refers to the total value of all goods and services produced in a country during a year or a quarter.
– GDP is the largest measure of a country’s economic growth.
– A higher GDP means the country is experiencing economic growth, with more job creation.
– A lower GDP means the economy is lagging, and unemployment is on the rise.
How is GDP Calculated?
– GDP is calculated using the formula:
GDP = C + I + G + (X – M)
Where:
– C = Consumer Expenditures
– I = Industrial Investment
– G = Government Expenditure
– X = Exports
– M = Imports
Types of GDP
– There are two types of GDP: Real GDP and Nominal GDP.
– Real GDP is calculated based on the value of goods and services using the base year’s value or stable prices. Currently, the base year used for GDP calculation is 2011-12.
– Nominal GDP is calculated using current prices.
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7. Which state government has decided to establish digital libraries at the gram panchayat level across the state?
a. Madhya Pradesh
b. Rajasthan
c. Bihar
d. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: d. Uttar Pradesh
– According to official sources, the information was received on March 2.
– Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister, decided to establish digital libraries in 22,700 gram panchayats and implement the first phase of this initiative in an important meeting.
Objective of the initiative
– The aim of this initiative is to provide children in villages with access to advanced educational resources so they can better align with the digital age.
Cost of the Digital Library
– The government will invest 4 lakh rupees in each library, with 2 lakh rupees allocated for purchasing devices such as computers, printers, and internet facilities, and 2 lakh rupees for purchasing digital and hard-copy books.
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8. 14 new birds, 15 butterflies, 8 odonates found in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, in which state are these?
a. Kerala
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Karnataka
d. Andhra Pradesh
Answer: a. Kerala
What are Odonates?
– Odonates are an order of insects that primarily include dragonflies and damselflies.
– During a three-day off-season wildlife survey held at the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, 14 species of birds, 15 species of butterflies, and 8 species of odonates were newly observed.
– This survey was jointly conducted by the TNHS (Travancore Nature History Society) and the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department.
Bird Species
– According to Kalesh Sadasivan, Research Associate at the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), the 14 new bird species observed include: Grey Heron, Indian Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Western Marsh-Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Savanna Nightjar, Blue-faced Malcoha, Blue-ear Kingfisher, Great Black Woodpecker, Rosy Starling, Long-billed Pipit, and Indian Silverbill.
– The total number of bird species in the sanctuary has now increased to 245.
Butterfly Species
– New butterfly species observed include: Lesser Albatross, Tiny Costor, Sahyadri Redspot Duke, Oriental Grass Jewel, Asian Zebra Blue, Dark Ceylon Six-line Blue, Indian White-tipped Lineblue, Dark Grass Blue, Indian Purple Leaf Blue, Karwar Many-tailed Oakblue, Sahyadri Silver-striped Acacia Blue, Indigo/Lazuli Flash, Oriental Orchid Tit, Bengal Broad-tail Royal, and Indian Dart.
– A total of 155 butterfly species were recorded in the survey, increasing the total butterfly species count in the sanctuary to 212.
Odonate Species
– The observed odonate species include: Gomphidia kodagueensis Fraser, 1923, Paragomphus lineatus, Orthetrum glaucescens, Orthetrum triangulare, Tramea basilaris, Ischnura senegalensis, Lestes primorsus decipiens Kirby, and Prosticta anomalica Sadasivan.
– The survey recorded 48 species of odonates, including 8 newly observed species, bringing the total number of odonates to 73.
Other Findings
– Additionally, the survey found 202 species of moths, 52 species of ants, 10 species of mantids, and 6 species of cicadas.
Kerala
– Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
– Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
– Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
– Population: 33,406,061 (2011)
– Neighboring States: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep
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9. Who inaugurated the Invest Madhya Pradesh – Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025?
a. Amit Shah
b. Nitin Gadkari
c. Draupadi Murmu
d. Narendra Modi
Answer: d. Narendra Modi (Prime Minister)
Global Investors Summit 2025 in Madhya Pradesh
– On February 24, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
– The summit was held at the Indira Gandhi National Human Museum, located near the beautiful large lake of Bhopal.
– The Madhya Pradesh Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2025 received investment proposals exceeding ₹30.77 lakh crore.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, the state government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) worth over ₹3 lakh crore. These agreements are in sectors such as renewable energy, business, innovation, and skill development.
Madhya Pradesh
– Capital: Bhopal
– Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav
– Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
– Population: 72.6 million (2011)
– Language: Hindi
– Neighboring States: Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan
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10. Who became the new President of Uruguay?
a. Yamandu Orsi
b. carolina cose
c. louis lacalle
d. Fructuoso Rivera
Answer: a. Yamandu Orsi (57 years old)
– Left-wing leader Yamandú Orsi won the presidential election in November 2024 and took the oath of office as President of Uruguay on March 1, 2025.
– He defeated the incumbent President Luis Lacalle Pou.
– The term of the President of Uruguay is five years.
About Uruguay
– Continent: South America
– President: Yamandú Orsi
– Capital: Montevideo
– Currency: Uruguay Peso
– Population: 3.4 million
– Neighboring countries: Brazil and Argentina
– Note: Approximately 19% of Uruguay’s population lives in multidimensional poverty.
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11. When is World Wildlife Day celebrated?
a. 2 March
b. 3 March
c. 4 March
d. 5 March
Answer: b. 3 March
2025 Theme
– Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet
– Every year on March 3rd, the world celebrates this day to raise awareness about wild animals and plants.
– The day was proposed by Thailand and was recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013.
World Wildlife Fund
– Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland
– Established: April 29, 1961
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12. When is International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness observed?
a. 2 मार्च / 2 March
b. 3 मार्च / 3 March
c. 4 मार्च / 4 March
d. 5 मार्च / 5 March
Answer: d. 5 March
– It is celebrated annually to promote awareness and understanding of disarmament issues.
– To promote the importance of disarmament and non-proliferation for peace and security, the United Nations General Assembly established it in 2021.
Note – Disarmament Week: October 24 to 30
United Nations
Secretary-General – António Guterres
Headquarters – New York
Established – 1945
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13. When is Jan Aushadhi Diwas celebrated?
a. March
b. March
c. March
d. March
Answer: a. March
– This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits and importance of generic medicines.
– Jan Aushadhi Diwas was started on 7 March 2019.
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