71st National Film Awards
The 71st National Film Awards were announced on August 1, 2025 in New Delhi, recognizing cinematic excellence in films certified from January–December 2023. Shah Rukh Khan shared the Best Actor award with Vikrant Massey (for Jawan and 12th Fail respectively), Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, and 12th Fail was named Best Feature Film—with regional winners like Rongatapu 1982 for Assamese cinema also honored.
MCQs:
1. Who shared the Best Actor award at the 71st National Film Awards?
A) Rani Mukerji & Vikrant Massey
B) Shah Rukh Khan & Rani Mukerji
C) Shah Rukh Khan & Vikrant Massey
D) Vikrant Massey & Ayushmann Khurrana
Answer: C. Shah Rukh Khan & Vikrant Massey
2. Which film won Best Feature Film?
A) Kathal
B) Jawan
C) Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway
D) 12th Fail
Answer: D. 12th Fail
3. Who won Best Actress?
A) Rani Mukerji
B) Vidya Balan
C) Alia Bhatt
D) Urvashi
Answer: A. Rani Mukerji
First Private Railway Station in India
India’s first privately managed railway station is the redeveloped Rani Kamlapati Railway Station in Bhopal (formerly Habibganj). Under a PPP model executed by IRSDC and the Bansal Group, it offers airport-style facilities—including shopping complexes, hotel and hospital spaces—and was inaugurated in November 2021, marking a pioneering milestone in Indian rail infrastructure.
MCQs:
1. Which station is India’s first private railway station?
A) Bhopal Junction
B) Habibganj (Rani Kamlapati)
C) Kanpur Central
D) Allahabad Junction
Answer: B. Habibganj (Rani Kamlapati)
2. In what model was this station redeveloped?
A) Fully government-owned
B) Public–Private Partnership
C) Foreign direct investment
D) Cooperative society
Answer: B. Public–Private Partnership
3. Which city is home to this station?
A) Mumbai
B) Delhi
C) Bhopal
D) Indore
Answer: C. Bhopal
U.S.–India Trade Tensions and Biden‑Tariffs Dynamics
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on Indian imports, effective from 1 August, alongside potential penalties over India’s continued purchases of Russian energy and military equipment. Despite the tough stance, Trump signaled negotiations remain ongoing, leaving the door open for compromise. India has swiftly responded, affirming its commitment to protecting domestic industry and farmers, while engaging in broader bilateral talks expected to escalate in mid‑August, aiming for a comprehensive deal by September or October.
MCQs:
1. What percentage tariff did the U.S. impose on Indian goods starting August 1?
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 25%
D) 40%
Answer: C. 25%
2. Why did Trump threaten “penalties” in addition to tariffs?
A) India’s work visa policies
B) India’s trade surplus
C) India’s ties with Russia in energy/defence
D) India’s small industry protections
Answer: C. India’s ties with Russia in energy/defence
3. What is India’s stated strategy in response to U.S. trade threats?
A) Immediate tariff cuts on U.S. goods
B) Fighting arbitration at WTO
C) Protecting domestic farmers/industries while continuing negotiations
D) Withdrawing from BRICS alliance
Answer: C. Protecting domestic farmers/industries while continuing negotiations
SEBI Proposes Broadening Institutional Access to REITs and InvITs
India’s securities regulator, SEBI, has floated a proposal to allow a broader category of institutional investors—including public financial institutions, insurance, provident, and pension funds—to act as strategic investors in REITs and InvITs. Currently, strategic investors must invest between 5–25% pre‑offer, but key institutional categories were previously excluded. The move seeks to boost capital inflows into real estate and infrastructure sectors, and public feedback is invited until 22 August.
MCQs:
1. What does SEBI propose to expand in its REIT/InvIT framework?
A) Entry of family offices as strategic investors
B) Qualification of public pension, insurance funds as strategic investors
C) Mandatory retail investor minimum investment
D) Retail only investment threshold raised
Answer: B. Qualification of public pension, insurance funds as strategic investors
2. Legal threshold range for a strategic investor in a REIT or InvIT is currently?
A) 1–5%
B) 5–25%
C) 25–50%
D) Over 50%
Answer: B. 5–25%
3. What’s the main objective behind SEBI’s latest proposal?
A) To cap foreign investments
B) To boost capital inflows into infrastructure and real estate
C) To delist REITs from stock exchanges
D) To shift strategic investment to retail segment
Answer: B. To boost capital inflows into infrastructure and real estate
