Daily PIB Quiz – 21 Aug 2025

1. Which of the following statements are correct regarding the 13th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions in India?

1. The auctions aim to reduce India’s reliance on coal imports and conserve foreign exchange.

2. The auction process promotes competition among public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private players, enhancing efficiency.

3. All coal mines offered in this round are fully explored and ready for immediate development.

4. The initiative aligns with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision by promoting domestic coal production.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2 and 3 only

2. Which of the following statements regarding the Indian Railways’ Ganpati Special trains in 2025 are correct?

1. The number of Ganpati Special train trips planned for 2025 is the highest ever.

2. Central Railway will operate the majority of these special train trips.

3. Services commenced before the start of the Ganpati Puja festival to manage anticipated passenger demand.

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. 2 and 3 only

3. The operational strategy of Indian Railways in deploying Ganpati Special trains in 2025 primarily aims to address which of the following challenges?

A. Revenue maximization during peak season
B. Improving the punctuality of regular train services
C. Managing increased passenger demand during the festival
D. Reducing the operational costs of the railway network

4. Considering the information provided, which of the following railway zones is LEAST involved in operating Ganpati Special trains in 2025?

A. Central Railway
B. Konkan Railway
C. Western Railway
D. South Western Railway

5. The National Sports Day celebrations in India are aligned with which overarching national goal?

A. Promoting yoga and traditional Indian sports
B. Achieving universal healthcare access
C. Becoming a global sporting superpower by 2047
D. Improving India’s ranking in the Human Development Index

6. Which of the following statements regarding the SMILE (TG) scheme and its associated entrepreneurship program are correct?

1. The SMILE (TG) scheme aims to economically empower transgender persons through self-employment initiatives.

2. The 15-day entrepreneurship program is a pilot project, with plans for nationwide expansion.

3. The program curriculum includes training in financial management, regulatory compliance, and business plan development.

4. The Reserve Bank of India’s involvement ensures easier access to credit for transgender entrepreneurs.

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 1, 2, 3, and 4
D. 2 and 4 only

7. Which government body’s action significantly improves access to financial resources for transgender entrepreneurs under the SMILE (TG) scheme?

A. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
B. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
C. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
D. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

8. Which of the following statements regarding the national Chintan Shivir on rural development are correct?

1. The Shivir will be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and will focus on achieving a poverty-free rural India.

2. The Shivir aims to create a roadmap for rural development for the next five years.

3. The Shivir will involve only state rural development ministers and central government officials.

4. The Shivir’s discussions will include identifying gaps in existing schemes and improving their implementation.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2 and 3 only

9. The ‘Lakhpati Didis’ initiative aims to achieve which of the following objectives?

A. Increase agricultural productivity
B. Empower rural women economically
C. Improve rural infrastructure
D. Promote skill development in urban areas

10. The upcoming Chintan Shivir is significant because it:

A. Marks the culmination of all rural development programs.
B. Is solely focused on improving the implementation of MGNREGA.
C. Provides a platform to review existing schemes and chart a future course for rural development.
D. Is primarily concerned with increasing agricultural output.

11. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the impact of India’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme?

1. It has led to significant financial benefits for farmers.

2. It has reduced India’s reliance on imported crude oil.

3. It has demonstrably contributed to environmental conservation.

4. It has promoted the growth of the domestic agricultural sector.

A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, 3, and 4
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 4 only

12. The Indian government’s initiatives to promote biofuels encompass which of the following strategies?

1. Implementing administered pricing for ethanol procurement.

2. Providing financial support to convert traditional distilleries into multi-feedstock plants.

3. Establishing a dedicated scheme for advanced biofuel projects using agricultural residues.

4. Reducing the GST rate on biodiesel to encourage blending.

A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 3, and 4 only
C. 2, 3, and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

13. India’s National Policy on Biofuels aims to achieve which of the following primary goals?

1. Enhancing energy independence by decreasing reliance on fossil fuel imports.

2. Providing additional income streams for farmers through the use of agricultural byproducts.

3. Mitigating environmental damage by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Boosting rural employment opportunities through the creation of biofuel-related industries.

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 3 only
C. 1, 2, 3, and 4
D. 2 and 4 only

14. Which of the following statements regarding India’s petroleum policy and initiatives are correct?

1. India’s petrol and diesel prices are entirely market-driven, unaffected by government intervention.

2. The government has implemented measures to reduce the price differential of petroleum products between different regions within a state.

3. The target for ethanol blending in petrol, initially set for 2030, has been advanced to 2025-26.

4. The government’s initiatives to promote alternative energy sources include only biofuels and electric vehicles.

A. 1 and 4 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. None of the above

15. The Indian government’s strategy to mitigate the impact of fluctuating international crude oil prices includes which of the following?

1. Diversifying sources of crude oil imports.

2. Implementing policies to increase domestic crude oil exploration and production.

3. Completely deregulating the pricing of petrol and diesel to reflect international market dynamics.

4. Relying solely on market forces to ensure the availability of petroleum products.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. All of the above

16. What is the significance of the JI-VAN Yojana in the context of India’s energy policy?

A. Promoting the use of electric vehicles.
B. Enhancing the capacity of ethanol distillation plants.
C. Developing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
D. Improving rural infrastructure related to petroleum product distribution.

17. Which of the following statements regarding ONGC’s engagement with specialized entities for technical studies is/are correct?

1. ONGC primarily relies on domestic entities for complex technical studies related to hydrocarbon exploration.

2. The engagement with M/s Beicip-Franlab is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IFPEN.

3. The total value of contracts awarded to M/s Beicip-Franlab by ONGC in the last five years is a significant portion of ONGC’s overall budget.

4. These engagements adhere to guidelines set by the General Financial Rules (GFR) and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. 4 only

18. IFPEN, a key player in ONGC’s technical collaborations, is primarily known for its expertise in which area?

A. Renewable energy technologies
B. Reservoir modelling and deep-water studies
C. Oil refining and petrochemical processes
D. Geological survey and seismic data acquisition

19. What is the significance of the statement that ONGC’s engagement with M/s Beicip-Franlab adheres to the General Financial Rules (GFR) and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) guidelines?

A. It indicates that the engagement is not subject to any regulatory oversight.
B. It suggests that the engagement is transparent and follows established norms of financial probity and accountability.
C. It implies that the engagement is exempt from standard procurement procedures.
D. It indicates that the engagement is a violation of existing financial regulations.

20. The inauguration of “The Kunj” aligns with which of the following broader governmental objectives?

1. Promoting India’s traditional knowledge systems globally.

2. Providing better market access for artisans.

3. Supporting the growth of the domestic textile industry.

4. Reducing India’s reliance on imported handicrafts.

A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

21. The extraction of Deuterium from water sources in India is primarily relevant to which of the following sectors?

A. Agriculture
B. Power Generation
C. Nuclear Energy
D. Pharmaceuticals

22. Consider the following statements about the recent developments in Deuterium extraction:

1. The technology used demonstrates India’s advancements in water resource management.

2. The process highlights the dual use potential of water resources for energy production.

3. The location of the plants signifies the government’s focus on regional development.

(4) Which of the statement(s) is/are a valid inference(s)?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

23. The development of the BharatFS model’s Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCO) grid structure signifies which of the following advancements in numerical weather prediction?

A. Reduced computational costs and improved orographic representation
B. Enhanced filtering capabilities and superior conservation properties
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B

24. Consider the following statements about the BharatFS weather prediction model:

1. The physics component of BharatFS is significantly different from its predecessor.

2. The TCO grid in BharatFS was wholly developed independently, without any inspiration from international research.

3. BharatFS aims to improve upon the accuracy of monsoon prediction.

(4) Which statement(s) is/are correct?

A. 3 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 only
D. None

25. Which of the following statements regarding Mission Mausam and India’s weather forecasting capabilities are correct?

1. Mission Mausam, once fully implemented, is projected to enhance short and medium-range weather forecast accuracy by 5-10%.

2. Radars, satellite data, and AWS/ARG systems are primarily utilized for nowcasting and very short-term forecasts, particularly for localized predictions of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.

3. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) exclusively relies on its own observational network and does not collaborate internationally on weather forecasting technologies.

4. The IMD’s weather forecasting incorporates data from surface, upper air, and remote sensing observations, which are assimilated into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 3, and 4 only

26. The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) approach to weather forecasting involves which of the following?

1. Assimilation of data from various observational networks into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.

2. Exclusive reliance on domestically developed technologies and a complete absence of international collaboration.

3. Utilization of radar observations primarily for fine-tuning local-scale nowcasts of severe weather events.

4. Application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for improving forecasting services.

A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

27. Which of the following statements regarding earthquake risk mitigation in Delhi are correct?

1. Delhi is categorized as a medium-risk city for earthquakes, based on the 2019 Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI) study.

2. A pilot project by NDMA on earthquake resiliency in Delhi was discontinued due to subpar reports from implementing agencies.

3. Enforcement of the National Building Code (NBC) for earthquake-resistant construction rests solely with the central government.

4. The NDMA has published guidelines to promote earthquake-resilient construction practices based on NBC 2016.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2, and 4 only
C. 1, 3, and 4 only
D. 2 and 3 only

28. The 2019 NDMA pilot project in Delhi aimed at improving earthquake resiliency. What was a primary reason for its discontinuation?

A. Inadequate funding from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation
B. Lack of collaboration between NDMA and DTU
C. Unsatisfactory quality of reports submitted by implementing agencies
D. Resistance from building owners to structural audits

29. Which body is primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with the National Building Code (NBC) and building bye-laws related to earthquake-resistant construction?

A. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
B. Delhi Technological University (DTU)
C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
D. State governments

30. Which of the following statements regarding the Modi-Macron conversation is/are correct?

1. President Macron conveyed support for a speedy conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union.

2. The leaders discussed progress in areas such as trade, defense, and civil nuclear cooperation.

3. India announced a new military assistance package for Ukraine during the conversation.

4. The conversation centered on the need for immediate sanctions against Russia.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 3
D. 1, 2, and 4

31. Which of the following statements correctly describes the ‘Project Mausam’ initiative?

1. It is a project of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at making India a climate-smart nation.

2. It is a transnational project of the Ministry of Culture (MoC) focusing on maritime routes and cultural landscapes across the Indian Ocean rim.

3. Its name is derived from a distinctive wind system in the Indian Ocean, influencing historical cultural exchange.

4. It has organized conferences, seminars, and exhibitions to promote cross-cultural understanding related to the Indian Ocean region.

A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1, 2, and 3
C. 2, 3, and 4
D. 1 only

32. The ‘Project Mausam’ initiative, undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, has involved collaboration with which of the following entities?

1. UNESCO

2. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

3. The World Heritage Centre

4. Indian Ocean Rim countries

A. 1, 2, and 3 only
B. 1, 2, 3, and 4
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1 and 3 only

33. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Project Mausam’ and ‘Mission Mausam’:

1. Both projects share the same objectives and are implemented by the same ministry.

2. ‘Project Mausam’ focuses on cultural exchange and maritime history, while ‘Mission Mausam’ focuses on climate preparedness.

3. ‘Project Mausam’ was launched in 2014, while ‘Mission Mausam’ has a different launch date.

4. Both projects utilize data related to the Indian Ocean monsoon system.

A. 2 and 3 only
B. 1 and 4 only
C. 2 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

34. Which of the following statements regarding India’s deep-sea mineral exploration contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is/are correct?

1. India has secured two contracts, one for Polymetallic Nodules (PMN) and another for Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS).

2. The PMN contract covers a significantly larger area than the PMS contract.

3. Commercial exploitation of seabed minerals is currently permitted under the existing ISA regulations.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

35. India’s exploration of polymetallic nodules (PMN) in the Central Indian Ocean Basin has yielded which of the following findings?

1. An estimated 366 million metric tons (MMT) of nodules are present.

2. The nodules contain a significant concentration of copper, nickel, and cobalt.

3. The exploration has already progressed to the stage of commercial mining.

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

36. The regulatory framework governing India’s deep-sea mining activities is primarily determined by which entity, and what is the current status of deep-sea mining in Indian waters?

A. Ministry of Earth Sciences; currently underway
B. International Seabed Authority (ISA); currently permitted only up to the exploration phase
C. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); currently suspended due to environmental concerns
D. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); currently under a moratorium