19th August 2026

Explanation - It is a Joint Venture Company formed with the participation of National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Ltd. (HCL) and Mineral Exploration Company Ltd. (MECL) in August, 2019. The equity participation between NALCO, HCL and MECL is in the ratio of 40:30:30. It is mandated to identify, acquire, develop, process and make commercial use of strategic minerals in overseas locations for supply in India. It is focusing on identifying and sourcing battery minerals like Lithium and Cobalt. Functions — It helps in building partnerships with other mineral rich countries like Australia and those in Africa and South America, where Indian expertise in exploration and mineral processing will be mutually beneficial bringing about new economic opportunities. The KABIL would carry out identification, acquisition, exploration, development, mining and processing of strategic minerals overseas for commercial use and meeting country’s requirement of these minerals. Nodal Ministry — Ministry of Mines

Explanation - Surrogate advertising promotes a product under a different, permitted brand name, logo, or visual style. It is used for goods like alcohol, tobacco, and pan masala, which face advertising bans or restrictions. The technique keeps the original brand visible in consumers' minds despite the restriction.

Explanation - The Moon Base programme aims to create a permanent research station on the Moon that can be inhabited by astronauts and robots for prolonged periods. The base is to be built in stages over several years and is meant to facilitate lunar research while allowing exploration and exploitation of lunar resources. It is expected to be one of the most challenging engineering exercises ever undertaken, requiring several trips to the Moon by both crewed and robotic missions. It could also become the costliest scientific project in history. In scale and ambition, the programme can be compared only to the Apollo missions. In terms of its long-term impact on humanity and the future of the planet, it may prove far more consequential.

Explanation - It was launched in 2015 by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions. Eligibility: The employees of Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks who are going to retire in the next 8 months or who have retired within 3 years are the ‘eligible employees’ for the submission of Anubhav write-ups. Categories: The categories included Administrative Work, Good Governance, Research, Simplification of Procedures, Accounts, Field Work Contributions, and Constructive Feedback for Work Improvement. Objectives — It aims to create a database of significant suggestions and work experiences. It channels the human resource of retiring employees for nation building. Enable Ministries/ Departments to take crucial steps while considering useful and replicable suggestions. Each ANUBHAV Awardees will be felicitated with a medal and certificate and a Prize of 10,000 rupees, whereas a Jury certificate Winner will be presented with a medal and a certificate.

Explanation - It is a historic hill fort located in Medak town, Telangana. The fort was built during the 12th century under the reign of the Kakatiya ruler, Pratapa Rudra, and it was initially called ‘MethukuDurgam’ in Telugu. It served as a command post for the Kakatiyas and later for the Qutub Shahis. Features — It has three main entrances, namely the “Prathama Dwaram”, the “SimhaDwaram” and the “GajaDwaram”. The main entrance features the double-headed “Gandabherundam”, the emblem of Vijayanagara Empire built by the great ruler Srikrishna Devaraya. The fort also has a 17th-century mosque on its premises built by the Qutub Shahis, as well as granaries.