May 16, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

May 16, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

1. What prompted India’s Defence Ministry to urge stricter IAEA oversight over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal?

A. Pakistan’s withdrawal from the IAEA
B. IAEA’s findings of a radiation leak in Pakistan
C. Social media claims about strikes on nuclear sites in Kirana Hills
D. An explosion at the Sargodha airbase

Answer: C. Social media claims about strikes on nuclear sites in Kirana Hills

2. What type of targets did India’s Ministry of External Affairs claim were struck during Operation Sindoor?

A. Nuclear facilities
B. Civilian buildings
C. Conventional military targets like Sargodha airbase
D. Biological weapons labs

Answer: C. Conventional military targets like Sargodha airbase

3. When was the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established?

A. 1945
B. 1957
C. 1968
D. 1974

Answer: B. 1957

4. Which international recognition did the IAEA receive for promoting global nuclear safety?

A. UN Peacekeeping Award
B. UNESCO Peace Prize
C. Nobel Peace Prize (2005)
D. Global Energy Excellence Award

Answer: C. Nobel Peace Prize (2005)

5. What was the primary objective of the PIL filed by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy regarding NOTA?

A. To abolish NOTA from the electoral process
B. To make NOTA votes legally binding in all elections
C. To make the inclusion of NOTA optional in single-candidate elections
D. To make NOTA compulsory in all elections, including uncontested ones

Answer: D. To make NOTA compulsory in all elections, including uncontested ones

6. When was NOTA introduced in Indian elections?

A. 2009
B. 2013
C. 2015
D. 2018

Answer: B. 2013

7. Which right did the Supreme Court link NOTA to?

A. Right to Vote
B. Right to Equality
C. Right to Information
D. Right to Freedom of Expression

Answer: D. Right to Freedom of Expression

8. Which laws would need to be amended to make NOTA legally binding?

A. Indian Penal Code
B. Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order
C. Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Conduct of Election Rules, 1961
D. Right to Information Act

Answer: C. Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Conduct of Election Rules, 1961

9. What was India’s total trade deficit (merchandise + services) in April 2025?

A. 5.77 billion USD
B. 26.4 billion USD
C. 8.65 billion USD
D. 17.77 billion USD

Answer: C. 8.65 billion USD

10. What was the value of India’s merchandise exports in April 2025?

A. 64.91 billion USD
B. 38.49 billion USD
C. 35.31 billion USD
D. 54.49 billion USD

Answer: B. 38.49 billion USD

11. Which category saw the highest percentage increase in imports in April 2025?

A. Petroleum
B. Gold
C. Electronics
D. Metalliferous ores and minerals

Answer: D. Metalliferous ores and minerals

12. Which country saw the highest percentage increase in exports to India in April 2025?

A. China
B. Russia
C. UAE
D. Pakistan

Answer: C. UAE

13. Under which constitutional article did the Supreme Court link pedestrian rights and footpaths?

A. Article 14—Right to Equality
B. Article 19—Right to Freedom
C. Article 21—Right to Life
D. Article 32—Right to Constitutional Remedies

Answer: C. Article 21—Right to Life

14. What type of right is the Right to Safe and Accessible Footpaths as per the Supreme Court?

A. Legal right only
B. Fundamental right under Article 19
C. Fundamental right under Article 21
D. Directive Principle of State Policy

Answer: C. Fundamental right under Article 21

15. What legal mechanism can be used to enforce a constitutional right such as the right to footpaths?

A. Civil suit in local courts
B. PIL under the Companies Act
C. Writ petition under Article 32 or 226
D. Complaint to municipal authorities

Answer: C. Writ petition under Article 32 or 226

16. What constitutional principle supports the requirement of inclusive, accessible footpaths?

A. Rule of Law
B. Uniform Civil Code
C. Equality and dignity for all citizens
D. Federalism

Answer: C. Equality and dignity for all citizens

17. What is a key reason why agriculture is often excluded from India’s FTAs?

A. India has no comparative advantage in agriculture
B. Agriculture is not linked to the Indian economy
C. It is politically sensitive and electorally volatile
D. It is not subject to WTO regulations

Answer: C. It is politically sensitive and electorally volatile

18. Which of the following Indian commodities accounts for the highest share in agri-export earnings?

A. Marine products
B. Sugar
C. Basmati rice
D. Non-basmati rice

Answer: C. Basmati rice

19. Which country’s agri-export success is attributed to FTA-driven diversification into pepper, cashews, and coffee?

A. Thailand
B. Brazil
C. Vietnam
D. Indonesia

Answer: C. Vietnam

20. Which scheme helps promote GI-tagged and region-specific agri-products in India?

A. PM-KISAN
B. One District One Product (ODOP)
C. eNAM
D. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Answer: B. One District One Product (ODOP)