14 October 2025 · Shift 3

Zinda Pir Aurangzeb led an austere, orthodox life and stitched caps and copied the Quran for his own upkeep. That earned him the title Zinda Pir, the living saint. He was also called Alamgir, the world-conqueror. Hence option (d).

PMKSY Expanding assured irrigation and raising water-use efficiency through drip and sprinkler systems are both core aims — I and II correct. "Har Khet Ko Pani" is indeed the motto of the scheme — IV correct. PMKSY is run jointly by the Ministries of Jal Shakti, Agriculture and Rural Development, so III is wrong. I, II and IV — option (b).

BWF World gold P.V. Sindhu won the World Championships title at Basel in 2019. She became the first Indian, man or woman, to take the gold at these championships. Saina Nehwal’s best there was a silver in 2015. Hence option (b).

Asian Athletics 2023 The 25th Asian Athletics Championships were held at Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2023. India finished third on the medal table with 27 medals. Avinash Sable won gold in the 3000 m steeplechase there. Hence option (b).

First Asian Games The first Asian Games were held at New Delhi in 1951. Eleven nations took part, and India finished second on the medal table. The idea had been proposed by Guru Dutt Sondhi. Hence option (b).

Booker Prize 2021 Damon Galgut won the 2021 Booker Prize for The Promise. The novel follows a white South African family across the decades after apartheid. Douglas Stuart had won the previous year for Shuggie Bain. Hence option (c).

Asian Aquatics 2025 Ahmedabad is hosting the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships in 2025. The events cover swimming, diving, water polo and artistic swimming. It is part of Gujarat’s wider push to host major sporting events. Hence option (c).

Jatiswaram "Jati" means a rhythmic syllable pattern and "swaram" the musical notes. Jatiswaram weaves the two together in pure dance, with no story or lyrics. It follows Alarippu in a recital and comes before the expressive items. Hence option (a).

Samaveda The Samaveda sets Rigvedic verses to melody for chanting during sacrifices. It is called the root of Indian classical music. The Yajurveda gives the sacrificial formulae and the Atharvaveda charms and remedies. Hence option (b).

Thai Pongal Thai Pongal, the second and main day, is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Rice is boiled in milk until it overflows, and the cry of "Pongalo Pongal" is raised. Bhogi honours Indra, Mattu the cattle and Kaanum family visits. Hence option (b).

Bengbung Bengbung is a bamboo instrument played by striking two pieces together. It is a familiar sound at the Hornbill Festival held every December at Kisama. Tati is a Naga string instrument and Talhkuang belongs to Mizoram. Hence option (d).

Regulating Act 1773 The Regulating Act was the first step by Parliament to control the Company’s affairs in India. It created the post of Governor-General of Bengal with a council of four, and a Supreme Court at Calcutta. Diwani rights had already been granted in 1765 by the Treaty of Allahabad. Hence option (b).

Manuscript conference The conference is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It is organised under the Gyan Bharatam Mission for manuscript heritage. Bharat Mandapam has hosted several major international events since 2023. Hence option (b).

Death rate The crude death rate counts deaths per 1,000 of the population in a given year. Both the population base and the time period matter, so options naming only one of them are incomplete. The birth rate is expressed in the same way. Hence option (d).

Gaganyaan launcher Gaganyaan will fly on the LVM3, formerly GSLV Mk III, ISRO’s heaviest launcher. It has been human-rated for the mission and is called HLVM3 in that role. PSLV and SSLV are far too small to carry a crew module. Hence option (b).

Parliament The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 552 — 530 from the States, 20 from the Union Territories and 2 formerly nominated Anglo-Indians — Statement 1 correct. The Rajya Sabha is a continuing House; one-third of its members retire every two years and it is never dissolved — Statement 2 correct. Parliament consists of the President, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, so Statement 3 is wrong. 1 and 2 — option (a).

Laughing gas Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is called laughing gas. Inhaling it produces a mild euphoria, and it is used as an anaesthetic in dentistry. Carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide are toxic and have no such effect. Hence option (b).

Tropic of Cancer The Tropic of Cancer passes through eight states — Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram — so Statements 1 and 3 are correct. The Tropic of Cancer lies NORTH of the Equator while the Tropic of Capricorn lies south of it. So Statement 2 has the two lines the wrong way round ✗. 1 and 3 — option (a).

UMANG app UMANG stands for Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance. It brings hundreds of central and state services — EPFO, PAN, gas booking, DigiLocker and more — onto one platform. It is not restricted to banking or education. Hence option (b).

Mangalyaan Mangalyaan, the Mars Orbiter Mission, was launched in 2013 and entered Mars orbit in 2014. India became the first country to succeed at Mars on its very first attempt. Chandrayaan-1 went to the Moon and Aditya-L1 studies the Sun. Hence option (c).

Inflation Inflation is a sustained rise in the general price level of goods and services. When prices rise, each unit of currency buys less, so the purchasing power of money falls. The two statements describe the same phenomenon from opposite sides, so both are right. Both (a) and (b) — option (c).

Fourth Plan The Fourth Plan took as its watchwords "growth with stability" and "progressive achievement of self-reliance". It followed the Plan Holiday and was drafted on the Gadgil formula. The Fifth Plan’s slogan was "Garibi Hatao" and the Seventh’s was food, work and productivity. Hence option (a).

Rani Abbakka Rani Abbakka Chowta ruled Ullal, near Mangaluru, in the sixteenth century. She held off Portuguese attacks for over four decades and is called Abhaya Rani, the fearless queen. She is remembered as one of India’s earliest freedom fighters. Hence option (a).

Missile Man Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam led the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Agni and Prithvi came out of that work, earning him the title Missile Man. He served as the President of India from 2002 to 2007. Hence option (c).

Photosynthesis In the light-dependent reaction water is split, releasing oxygen as a by-product — Statement 2 correct. Carbon dioxide is fixed in the Calvin cycle, the dark reaction — Statement 3 correct. Photosynthesis also occurs in cyanobacteria, which are prokaryotes with no chloroplasts, so the word "only" makes Statement 1 wrong. 2 and 3 — option (b).