21. Which sector contributes the most to India’s GDP as of 2024?
(A) Agriculture
(B) Services
(C) Manufacturing
(D) Mining
✅ Answer: (B) Services
Explanation: The services sector (IT, finance, transport, etc.) contributes around 55–60% of India’s GDP as of 2024.
22. World Water Day is celebrated every year on?
(A) 23rd March
(B) 22nd March
(C) 22nd April
(D) 21st March
✅ Answer: (B) 22nd March
Explanation: Celebrated globally on 22 March to focus attention on water conservation.
23. Plant and animal species that exist only in a specific geographic region are called —
(A) Endangered species
(B) Endemic species
(C) Epidemic species
(D) Vulnerable species
✅ Answer: (B) Endemic species
Explanation: “Endemic” species are found only in one particular region and nowhere else.
24. Mumps is an —
(A) Contagious waterborne viral disease
(B) Contagious airborne viral disease
(C) Contagious waterborne bacterial disease
(D) Contagious airborne bacterial disease
✅ Answer: (B) Contagious airborne viral disease
Explanation: Mumps spreads through respiratory droplets and is caused by the mumps virus.
25. Which country partnered with the Government of Odisha to launch the ‘Net Zero Vision’ for Bhubaneswar?
(A) USA
(B) UK
(C) France
(D) Thailand
✅ Answer: (B) UK
Explanation: The United Kingdom collaborated with Odisha for Bhubaneswar’s Net Zero Vision initiative.
26. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) developed “Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI)” with —
(A) CSIR
(B) IIT Delhi
(C) IISc Bengaluru
(D) NEERI, Nagpur
✅ Answer: (D) National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur
Explanation: CEPI was developed jointly by CPCB and NEERI to assess industrial pollution levels.
27. Which river in Odisha witnessed the nesting of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles during ‘Operation Olivia’ in February 2025?
(A) Mahanadi
(B) Brahmani
(C) Rushikulya
(D) Subarnarekha
✅ Answer: (C) Rushikulya
Explanation: The Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha is a major Olive Ridley turtle nesting site.
28. World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on —
(A) March 15
(B) March 3
(C) February 15
(D) April 15
✅ Answer: (A) March 15
Explanation: Established in 1983 to promote consumer protection worldwide.
29. Consider the following statements about the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP):
- ITBP recently opened a new base in Kutul, Rajasthan.
- Established after the 1962 Sino-Indian War.
- Involved in disaster relief operations.
Which is correct?
(A) Only 1 and 2
(B) Only 2 and 3
(C) Only 1 and 3
(D) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (B) Only 2 and 3
Explanation: ITBP operates in Himalayan border regions, not Rajasthan; statements 2 & 3 are correct.
30. Who introduced the ‘Censorship of the Press Act’ in 1799?
(A) Lord Wellesley
(B) Lord William Bentinck
(C) Lord Cranbrook
(D) Lord Curzon
✅ Answer: (A) Lord Wellesley
Explanation: The Act of 1799 was to prevent French influence and control anti-British writings.