May 23, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

May 23, 2025 Current Affairs (English)

1. What is the primary objective of undertaking Santhara (Sallekhana) in Jainism?

A) To protest against injustice
B) To attain material prosperity
C) To purify the soul and attain moksha
D) To fulfill societal duties

Answer: C) To purify the soul and attain moksha

2. Which constitutional right is invoked in support of the legality of Santhara in India?

A) Article 14—Right to Equality
B) Article 21—Right to Life
C) Article 25 – Freedom of Religion
D) Article 19—Freedom of Speech

Answer: C) Article 25—Freedom of Religion

3. In which year did the Rajasthan High Court declare Santhara illegal?

A) 2013
B) 2014
C) 2015
D) 2016

Answer: C) 2015

4. Which of the following texts makes reference to the practice of Santhara?

A) Manusmriti
B) Bhagavad Gita
C) Ratnakaranda Shravakachara
D) Arthashastra

Answer: C) Ratnakaranda Shravakachara

5. Where is the headquarters of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) located?

A) New Delhi, India
B) Manila, Philippines
C) Tokyo, Japan
D) Bangkok, Thailand

Answer: C) Tokyo, Japan

6. In which year was the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) established?

A) 1951
B) 1961
C) 1971
D) 1981

Answer: B) 1961

7. How many member economies are part of the APO as of now?

A) 15
B) 18
C) 21
D) 25

Answer: C) 21

8. India assumed the chairmanship of the APO for which term?

A) 2023–24
B) 2024–25
C) 2025–26
D) 2026–27

Answer: C) 2025–26

9. Where is the Keezhadi archaeological site located?

A) Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
B) Pallichanthai Thidal, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu
C) Hampi, Karnataka
D) Nalanda, Bihar

Answer: B) Pallichanthai Thidal, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu

10. Keezhadi is believed to be part of which ancient Tamil cultural phase?

A) Vedic Period
B) Sangam Age
C) Mauryan Period
D) Gupta Period

Answer: B) Sangam Age

11. When did the initial excavations at Keezhadi begin?

A) 2010
B) 2013
C) 2015
D) 2017

Answer: C) 2015

12. When was the Amrit Bharat Railway Stations scheme launched?

A) 2020
B) 2021
C) 2022
D) 2023

Answer: C) 2022

13. How many railway stations are targeted for redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat scheme?

A) 750
B) 1,000
C) 1,275
D) 2,000

Answer: C) 1,275

14. What approach is used in the development of Amrit Bharat Railway Stations?

A) PPP (Public-Private Partnership) Model
B) BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) Model
C) Master Plan Approach
D) Turnkey Model

Answer: C) Master Plan Approach

15. Which Indian law specifically provides protection for whistleblowers in public service?

A) Companies Act, 2013
B) Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014
C) SEBI Act, 1992
D) RTI Act, 2005

Answer: B) Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014

16. According to the 2024 Global Integrity Report, what percentage of Indian whistleblowers face retaliation?

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 51%
D) 70%

Answer: C) 51%

17. Which global organization runs a major whistleblower program and awarded $600 million in 2023?

A) World Bank
B) International Labour Organization
C) US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
D) European Commission

Answer: C) US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

18. In which Indian region were Jarosite samples recently studied for their luminescent properties?

A) Ladakh
B) Kachchh, Gujarat
C) Sikkim
D) Wayanad, Kerala

Answer: B) Kachchh, Gujarat

19. Which space agency’s rovers discovered Jarosite on Mars?

A) ISRO
B) ESA
C) NASA
D) Roscosmos

Answer: C) NASA

20. Why is Jarosite ideal for use in Mars rover instruments?

A) It dissolves easily in Martian atmosphere
B) It can retain luminescence at high temperatures
C) It reflects radio signals
D) It can grow under artificial lights

Answer: B) It can retain luminescence at high temperatures