TLDR;
Alright, students! This session is a mix of static GK and current affairs. We'll cover India's renewable energy achievements, Meghalaya's dances, Google-backed startups, education initiatives in tribal areas, National Education Day, ICC's partnerships for women's cricket, Republic Day parade themes, and much more. Plus, there's a homework question at the end!
- India achieved a renewable energy milestone of 50 gigawatts in 2025.
- Google supported the Indian startup Pixxel, which launched the country's first private satellite constellation.
- National Education Day is celebrated on November 11th, starting in 2008.
Intro [0:01]
Good morning, everyone! Welcome to the session where we'll be covering static GK and current affairs. Make sure the audio and video are clear. If you haven't already, download the Testbook app and subscribe to the channel. There's a special offer on the 12-month Super Pass Live for ₹849, and the 3-month pass for ₹349. Use the coupon code RIYA to avail of the discount. Don't miss out on this sale!
Renewable Energy and Meghalaya Dance [1:45]
In 2025, India achieved a renewable energy milestone by adding approximately 50 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity. Moving on, let's talk about Meghalaya. The correct answer is "Laho," which is performed by the Paran tribal community and is also known as the Chipiya dance. Cheraw is from Mizoram, Dalkhai is from Odisha, and Rengma is from Nagaland. Remember these dances and their respective states.
Google-backed Startup and Education Initiative [4:16]
Pixxel, an Indian startup supported by Google, successfully launched the country's first private satellite constellation in January 2025. This initiative aims to provide advanced hyperspectral imaging services. Next, Coal India Limited (CIL) and the National Scheduled Tribe Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) are collaborating to promote education in tribal areas. The main focus is on digital access to bridge the education gap.
National Education Day and ICC Partnership [6:28]
National Education Day in India has been celebrated since 2008 on November 11th, commemorating the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Moving on, the ICC partnered with Google to promote women's cricket globally before the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 and the Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Republic Day Parade and Robotics [9:06]
The Republic Day Parade 2026 showcased tableaux based on two broad themes: "Swatantrata ka Mantra, Vande Mataram" and "Samriddhi ka Mantra, Atmanirbhar Bharat." There were a total of 30 tableaux, with 17 from states and union territories and 13 from ministries and departments. SCOrP, India's first legged mobile manipulator, was developed by Xterra Robotics at IIT Kanpur. It's an advanced robotic system.
Ganga Sagar Mela and DRDO Test [12:11]
The famous annual Ganga Sagar Mela is held in West Bengal. In other news, DRDO recently conducted a high-speed rocket sled test of a combat aircraft escape system at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh.
Aryabhatta's Book and Ladli Laxmi Yojana [15:34]
Aryabhatta wrote the book "Aryabhattiya." The Ladli Laxmi Yojana in Haryana provides ₹2100 per month to women from families with an annual income of less than ₹4 lakh. The current CM of Haryana is Nayab Saini.
LPG Reforms and UNESCO Director-General [17:20]
PV Narasimha Rao, the ninth Prime Minister of India, was closely associated with the LPG reforms of 1991. Khalid Al-Anani from Egypt has been appointed as the next Director-General of UNESCO, replacing Audrey Azoulay. UNESCO was founded on November 16, 1945, and its headquarters are in Paris, France.
International Water Day and Minimum Needs Programme [20:03]
International Water Day is celebrated on March 22nd. The Minimum Needs Programme was launched during the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1974-1979).
Project Sun Catcher and Science Fiction Author [21:30]
Google launched Project Sun Catcher, which uses custom-built Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) on satellites to test AI data centers in space. Arthur C. Clarke, a science fiction writer, wrote "2001: A Space Odyssey" and held a professorship at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad.
Economic Survey and Disaster Management Summit [23:59]
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India is the third-largest in the global domestic aviation market, and the number of airports has increased from 74 to 164 between 2014 and 2025. The World Summit on Disaster Management 2025 was held in Dehradun.
Railway Station Redevelopment and Tri-Service Tableau [26:01]
The first railway station to be redeveloped through public-private partnership under the Indian Railway's station redevelopment program is Habibganj Bhopal Railway Station. The tri-services tableau in the Republic Day Parade 2026 showcased the theme of "Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness."
Sports and Justice Appointment [27:51]
Tilottama Sen is associated with shooting. Justice Somen Sen has been transferred to the Kerala High Court as the new Chief Justice, succeeding Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar.
NIRF Ranking and Agricultural Research [29:18]
According to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, IIT Madras has secured the top position overall for the seventh consecutive year. The chairman of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is the Union Minister of Agriculture, currently held by Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Badminton Black Card and Natyanjali Dance Festival [31:15]
A black card given to a badminton player during a game indicates disqualification. The Natyanjali Dance Festival, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is celebrated annually in February-March in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
ECOWAS Suspension and SDG Index [32:35]
In 2025, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger had their membership suspended from ECOWAS due to diplomatic tensions and military coups. According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, India's rank in the SDG Index is 99. There are 17 SDGs to be achieved from 2015 to 2030.
Tropical Forest Fund and AI Impact Conference [34:52]
The Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFF) aims to provide budget-neutral financing to reward countries that protect forests. The Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, as a precursor to the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
First Passenger Train and Women's World Cup [37:43]
The first passenger train in India, operated by three steam engines, had 14 coaches. It ran from Mumbai to Thane on April 16, 1853, carrying 400 passengers. Before being acquired by the ICC in 2005, the Women's World Cup was initially managed by the International Women's Cricket Council (IWCC).
Women's World Cup Record and Public Sector Banks [39:17]
Shafali Verma, an Indian woman opener, set a new record for the highest score in a World Cup final, scoring 87 runs against South Africa. As of May 1, 2025, there were 12 public sector banks in India.
Naval Exercise and Disaster Management Authority [40:43]
The first edition of the Indo-Republic of Korea bilateral naval exercise, Inrokn, took place in Busan in October 2025. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is located in New Delhi and was established in 2005 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
New Year Celebrations and Homework Question [42:45]
Vishu is the New Year celebration in Kerala, while Navreh is celebrated in Kashmir. Vishwa Sankranti is celebrated in Odisha. Here's your homework question: In which year was the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations member states?
Superpass reminder [43:39]
Don't forget to enroll in the Testbook Superpass Live! You can get a one-year pass for just ₹849 or a three-month pass for ₹349. Use the coupon code RIYA to get a discount. The offer ends tomorrow, March 31st. Check the description for the link and enroll now!
