SF Prep Notes

Current Affairs Quiz — 29 January 2026

Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.

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12 news · 28 MCQs
Score: 0 / 0 attempted · 28 questions
Economic Survey 2025-26: GDP growth for FY26 estimated at 7.4%; FY27 projected at 6.8–7.2%
Q1

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's real GDP growth for FY26 (First Advance Estimate) is estimated at:

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Correct answer: C — 7.4%

PIB: The Survey estimates FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% (GVA 7.3%).

Q2

What real GDP growth range does the Economic Survey 2025-26 project for FY27?

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Correct answer: B — 6.8–7.2%

PIB: Real GDP growth for FY27 is projected at 6.8–7.2%, with potential growth around 7%.

Q3 Advanced

As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks fell to a multi-decade low of:

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Correct answer: A — 2.2%

PIB: Gross NPAs reached a multi-decadal low of 2.2% in September 2025.

Q4 Advanced

Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. The share of private final consumption expenditure in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26. 2. Domestic inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2

PIB: PFCE share in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26 and domestic inflation averaged 1.7% for April–December 2025.

Q5 Advanced

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's foreign exchange reserves as of 16 January 2026 stood at about:

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Correct answer: B — USD 701.4 billion

PIB: Forex reserves rose to USD 701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports. (USD 825.3 billion = total exports in FY25.)

MoSPI releases Expert Group report on new CPI 2024 series; 358 items, COICOP 2018, release on 12 February 2026
Q6 Advanced

How many weighted items does the basket of the new CPI 2024 series have, as per the Expert Group report released in January 2026?

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Correct answer: B — 358

PIB: The CPI 2024 item basket comprises 358 weighted items mapped to 12 divisions as per COICOP 2018.

Q7 Advanced

Which survey provides the item weights for the new CPI 2024 series?

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Correct answer: D — Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24

PIB: The Expert Group recommended updating the CPI basket and weights using HCES 2023-24.

Bihar cabinet approves up to ₹2 lakh more for Mahila Rozgar Yojana beneficiaries, Semiconductor and GCC Policies 2026
Q8

Under a January 2026 Bihar cabinet decision, women beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana can get additional assistance of up to:

Show answer

Correct answer: C — ₹2 lakh

The Hindu/TOI: The cabinet approved additional assistance of up to ₹2 lakh, in phases, for women who earlier got ₹10,000.

Q9 Advanced

Under the Bihar Global Capability Centre (GCC) Policy 2026, what capex subsidy is offered?

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Correct answer: B — 30%, up to ₹50 crore

The Hindu/TOI: GCCs get a 30% capex subsidy, capped at ₹50 crore.

Q10 Advanced

Under the Bihar Semiconductor Policy 2026, how is the state's capex support linked to the Centre's subsidy?

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Correct answer: B — State pays 60% of the Centre's 50% capex subsidy

The Hindu/TOI: The Centre gives 50% capex subsidy, and Bihar will pay 60% of that subsidy amount.

Economic Survey 2025-26: India's Global Innovation Index rank improves to 38th in 2025 from 66th in 2019
Q11

As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, what was India's rank in the Global Innovation Index 2025?

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Correct answer: B — 38th

PIB: India's GII rank improved from 66th in 2019 to 38th in 2025.

Q12 Advanced

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, how many semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects had been approved, with cumulative investment of ₹1.60 lakh crore?

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Correct answer: C — 10

PIB: Ten semiconductor projects with ₹1.60 lakh crore investment have been approved in 6 states.

Q13 Advanced

Which three Indian cities feature among the world's top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters, as noted in the Economic Survey 2025-26?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai

PIB: Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai feature among the top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters worldwide.

Government notifies coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957
Q14

In January 2026, which mineral was notified as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Coking coal

PIB (29 Jan 2026): The Government notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957.

Q15 Advanced

India's coking coal resources, estimated at 37.37 billion tonnes, are largely located in which state?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Jharkhand

PIB: Coking coal resources are largely in Jharkhand, with more in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.

Q16 Advanced

Consider the following statements about the January 2026 notification on coking coal: 1. Coking coal was included in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, which lists critical and strategic minerals. 2. Royalty and auction premium from such mining leases will now go to the Central Government instead of the states. Which of the above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — 1 only

PIB: Coking coal was added to Part D. Under Section 11D(3), royalty, auction premium and other payments continue to accrue to the State Governments.

Economic Survey 2025-26: record exports of USD 825.3 billion in FY25; India remains top remittance recipient
Q17

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's remittance inflows in FY25 were:

Show answer

Correct answer: C — USD 135.4 billion

PIB: India remains the world's largest recipient of remittances with inflows of USD 135.4 billion in FY25.

Q18 Advanced

As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's total exports (merchandise and services) in FY25 reached a record of:

Show answer

Correct answer: C — USD 825.3 billion

PIB: Total exports reached a record USD 825.3 billion in FY25; services alone were USD 387.6 billion.

Q19 Advanced

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's share of global merchandise exports in 2024 was about:

Show answer

Correct answer: B — 1.8%

PIB: India's share of global merchandise exports nearly doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024.

Economic Survey 2025-26: airports up to 164, high-speed corridors 5,364 km, 23 IITs, 21 IIMs, 20 AIIMS
Q20

According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the number of airports in India increased from 74 in 2014 to how many in 2025?

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Correct answer: C — 164

PIB: The number of airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025.

Q21 Advanced

As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, international IIT campuses have been established in which two places?

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Correct answer: A — Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi

PIB: India has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS, alongside two international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi.

Q22 Advanced

Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. Power DISCOMs recorded a positive profit after tax for the first time in FY25. 2. Multidimensional poverty (NITI Aayog) declined to 11.28% in 2022-23. Which of the above is/are correct?

Show answer

Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2

PIB: DISCOMs recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY25 for the first time, and MPI declined from 55.3% (2005-06) to 11.28% (2022-23).

Centre releases over ₹1,156 crore of XV Finance Commission grants to rural local bodies of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tripura
Q23 Advanced

In the second instalment of XV Finance Commission untied grants for 2025-26 released on 29 January 2026, which of these states received the largest amount?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — Maharashtra

PIB: Maharashtra ₹714.32 crore, Andhra Pradesh ₹410.76 crore, Tripura ₹30.6 crore.

100-m 'Make in India' steel bridge over Ahmedabad metro tunnel completed for bullet train project
Q24 Advanced

The 100-m steel bridge completed in January 2026 for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train passes over what?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — An underground metro tunnel between Kalupur and Shahpur stations

PIB: The alignment passes over the underground metro tunnel connecting Kalupur and Shahpur metro stations in Ahmedabad; it is the 13th of 17 steel bridges in Gujarat.

IIM Ahmedabad to set up Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence with ₹100-crore endowment
Q25

The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence, announced in January 2026 with a ₹100-crore endowment, will be set up at which institute?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — IIM Ahmedabad

PIB: IIM Ahmedabad exchanged an MoU for the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI with a ₹100-crore endowment.

National Biodiversity Authority gives ₹17 lakh to Mumbai's Biodiversity Management Committee under ABS
Q26 Advanced

In January 2026 the National Biodiversity Authority disbursed ₹17 lakh to the Biodiversity Management Committee of BMC Mumbai under the ABS mechanism. The benefit came from commercial use of which biological resource?

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Correct answer: A — Bacillus soil micro-organisms

PIB: The disbursement stems from commercial utilisation of soil micro-organisms of the Bacillus genus for probiotic products.

Assam Petro-Chemicals and Deendayal Port sign MoU for 150 TPD e-methanol plant at Kandla
Q27

Under a January 2026 MoU, Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd will set up a 150 TPD e-methanol plant at which port?

Show answer

Correct answer: A — Kandla (Deendayal Port)

PIB: APL signed an MoU with Deendayal Port Authority for a 150 TPD e-methanol plant at Kandla Port, Gujarat.

Q28 Advanced

What is the approximate capital investment planned for APL's e-methanol project at Kandla (MoU of January 2026)?

Show answer

Correct answer: D — More than ₹1,200 crore

PIB: More than ₹1,200 crore will be invested; about 3,500 jobs are expected.