The question asks to identify the physical feature that marks the northeastern boundary of the Peninsular Block of India. This requires knowledge of the geographical divisions and geological structures of India.
Correct Option: B) Malda fault — The Malda fault (also known as the Malda Gap or Ganga-Brahmaputra fault) is a significant geological feature that separates the Meghalaya Plateau (an extension of the Peninsular Block) from the main Peninsular India. It marks the northeastern boundary of the Peninsular Block.
The question asks to identify the body established by the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014, for judicial appointments and transfers, which was subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015. This requires knowledge of significant constitutional amendments and their outcomes related to the judiciary in India.
A) National Judicial Appointments Commission was the body established by the 99th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2014, to recommend appointments and transfers of judges. It was later struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015, restoring the collegium system.
The question asks to identify the Indian filmmaker who was honored with the Officier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in April 2025. This requires knowledge of recent cultural awards and recognitions.
Correct Option: D) Payal Kapadia
The question asks to identify the Constitutional Amendment Act that introduced the provision for early childhood care and education for children below six years of age. This requires knowledge of significant constitutional amendments related to education and child welfare in India.
Correct Option: C) Eighty-sixth Amendment Act, 2002
The question asks about the organization to which Mahadev Govind Ranade dedicated his life. This requires knowledge of prominent social and religious reform movements in 19th-century India and the key figures associated with them.
Correct Option: A) Prarthana Samaj
Mahadev Govind Ranade was one of the principal founders and a lifelong devoted member of the Prarthana Samaj, established in Bombay in 1867. He played a crucial role in its activities, advocating for social reforms such as inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, and the upliftment of women and depressed classes. His work with the Prarthana Samaj was central to his public life and reformist agenda.
The question asks us to identify the Supreme Court's direction concerning the investigation of 171 alleged fake police encounters in Assam. This is a current affairs question related to the Indian judiciary, human rights and police accountability. We need to recall the Supreme Court's decision delivered in May 2025.
Understand the background of the case:
Allegations were raised regarding 171 police encounters that occurred in Assam between May 2021 and August 2022.
According to information submitted by the Assam government, these incidents resulted in 56 deaths and 145 injuries.
A petition was filed questioning whether the encounters complied with the legal procedures and guidelines established by the Supreme Court.
Identify the Supreme Court's decision:
On May 28, 2025, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh directed the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to conduct an independent and expeditious inquiry into the allegations.
The Court also set aside the Gauhati High Court's earlier dismissal of the petition and the AHRC's previous decision to close the matter.
Understand the directions issued to the AHRC:
The Supreme Court instructed the Assam Human Rights Commission to:
The Assam government was also directed to provide the necessary cooperation and resources for the inquiry.
Understand the significance of the decision:
The Supreme Court emphasised the importance of an independent examination of allegations involving police encounters and possible violations of fundamental rights.
The Court did not declare all the encounters fake or justified. Instead, it directed the AHRC to examine the allegations in accordance with law.
Therefore, the Supreme Court ordered the Assam Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter.
Correct Option: A) Ordered the Assam Human Rights Commission to investigate — On May 28, 2025, the Supreme Court directed the Assam Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent and expeditious inquiry into allegations concerning 171 police encounters in Assam. The Court also directed the commission to invite information from affected individuals, protect their confidentiality and ensure a fair inquiry. Hence, Option A is the correct answer.
B) Dismissed the allegations: This is incorrect because the Supreme Court did not dismiss the matter. It set aside the earlier decisions that had closed or dismissed the proceedings and directed an independent inquiry by the AHRC.
C) Declared the encounters justified: This is incorrect because the Supreme Court did not declare all 171 encounters justified. It directed further examination of the allegations to determine whether legal procedures and human rights safeguards had been followed.
D) Ordered the Assam Human Rights Commission to transfer the cases to the CBI: This is incorrect because the Supreme Court did not order a transfer of the cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Instead, it entrusted the inquiry to the Assam Human Rights Commission and permitted the commission to arrange further independent investigation if necessary.
The question asks to identify which country withdrew from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in April 2025. This is a factual question testing knowledge of recent international relations and specific country actions regarding international bodies.
D) Hungary — Hungary announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court in November 2024. According to Article 127 of the Rome Statute, a withdrawal takes effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, unless the notification specifies a later date. However, in the context of the question's timeframe (April 2025), this refers to the widely reported effective date of Hungary's withdrawal after its notification in late 2024.
The question asks to identify the organization NOT related to the development of 'DIGIPIN'. This requires knowledge of the 'DIGIPIN' project and its collaborating entities. 'DIGIPIN' is a digital addressing system developed in India.
C) DRDO — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is primarily involved in military research and development. Its core focus is on defence technologies, weaponry, and strategic systems for national security. The development of a civilian digital addressing system like 'DIGIPIN' does not fall within its primary mandate or area of expertise.
This question tests knowledge about recent Padma Awards, specifically the Padma Shri in the field of Literature and Education for the year 2025. Candidates need to recall the recipients announced for this specific category and year.
Correct Option: B) Prof. Anil Kumar Boro
Who was sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on 14 May 2025?
Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai
Justice Sanjiv Khanna
Justice Uday Umesh Lalit
Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud
The question asks to identify the 52nd Chief Justice of India (CJI) who was sworn in on May 14, 2025. This requires knowledge of the succession of Chief Justices of India and their approximate tenures.
A) Justice Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai — Based on the established succession protocol and retirement dates of Supreme Court judges, Justice B.R. Gavai is slated to become the 52nd Chief Justice of India, with his tenure commencing on May 14, 2025.