Answer: B. Gujarat
Explanation: The Gujarati community celebrates its New Year, known as ‘Bestu Varsh’, on the first day of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat. In 2025, the festival was celebrated on 22 October with great enthusiasm across Gujarat and by Gujaratis worldwide.

Answer: C. IIT Madras
Explanation: Coal India Limited (CIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Madras to establish the “Centre for Sustainable Energy.” The initiative aims to promote R&D in sustainable energy technologies, repurpose coal mines, and develop low-carbon innovations to support India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

Answer: B. UNCTAD XVI Session
Explanation: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, led India’s delegation at the 16th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI) in Geneva, highlighting India’s rapid economic growth, renewable energy leadership, and advocacy for equitable and sustainable global trade policies.

Answer: B. Yokosuka
Explanation: The Harbour Phase of JAIMEX-25 was held at Yokosuka, Japan, where INS Sahyadri and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships engaged in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, and cultural interactions as part of the India–Japan maritime cooperation.

Answer: B. Neeraj Chopra
Explanation: Javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on 22 October 2025, recognizing his exceptional achievements and contribution to Indian sports.

Answer: C. 9th
Explanation: As per the FAO’s Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 released in Bali, India has moved up from 10th to 9th position globally in terms of total forest area, while continuing to hold 3rd rank in annual forest gain — showcasing the success of initiatives like ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ and sustained government-led afforestation programs.

Answer: C. 13th to 17th October 2025
Explanation: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized the Pan-India CPR Awareness Week 2025 from 13th to 17th October 2025 to promote community preparedness and awareness about Compression-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The initiative trained over 6 lakh citizens and digitally engaged more than 7.47 lakh people nationwide.

Answer: B. Kerala
Explanation: Kerala will be officially declared India’s first state “free from extreme poverty” by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on November 1, 2025. The initiative, launched in 2021 as one of the LDF government’s first Cabinet decisions, identified and supported over 64,000 extremely poor families through comprehensive welfare measures.

Answer: C. Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: The Government of Andhra Pradesh has decided to build a five-kilometre-wide “Great Green Wall” along its 1,053-km coastline by 2030. The initiative aims to act as a living ecological shield to protect over three million people, enhance biodiversity, and promote climate resilience and sustainable coastal development.

Answer: B. OpenAI
Explanation: OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, unveiled its AI-powered web browser “Atlas” in October 2025. The browser integrates ChatGPT and features an “Agent Mode” that can autonomously browse the internet, perform searches, and summarize results for users.

Answer: B. Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaghlobeli
Explanation: The European Parliament awarded the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaghlobeli from Georgia, recognizing their courage in defending press freedom and democracy despite political persecution.

Answer: B. Iran
Explanation: Iran ratified a law to join the UN’s International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) in October 2025 under President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration. The move aims to align with FATF standards, reconnect to global banking systems, and ease sanctions pressure on the Iranian economy.