Current Affairs Quiz — January 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The first full rake of rice to reach the Kashmir Valley by rail in January 2026 was unloaded at which goods shed?
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Correct answer: C — Anantnag
PIB (Railways): the first full rake of 42 wagons carrying 2,768 tonnes of rice reached the Anantnag goods shed on 22 January 2026.
From which rail terminal was the first full rake of rice for the Kashmir Valley loaded in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Sangrur, Punjab
PIB (Railways): the full rake was loaded at the Sangrur rail terminal in Punjab on 21 January and reached Anantnag within 24 hours.
Under the Vizhinjam port capacity augmentation, the container berth will be extended to a continuous length of about:
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Correct answer: C — 2 km
PIB (Shipping): the existing berth will become a continuous 2-km container berth, the longest in India; the breakwater will be extended to 3.88 km.
Vizhinjam International Seaport, whose Phase II–IV works began in January 2026, is located in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Kerala
PIB: the port is at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Consider the following about Vizhinjam International Seaport: 1. Phase I began commercial operations on 3 December 2024. 2. Phase I has a design capacity of 1 million TEUs. 3. Completion of the expansion is targeted by December 2030. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB: Phase I started on 3 December 2024 with a design capacity of 1 million TEUs; the expansion's completion is targeted by December 2028, not 2030.
Which new scheme was launched at the Uttar Pradesh Statehood Day ceremony in Lucknow on 24 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — One District One Cuisine
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah launched the 'One District One Cuisine' scheme and inaugurated the Sardar Patel Industrial Area Scheme; ODOP is an older scheme.
Who among the following was conferred the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman 2025–26?
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Correct answer: A — Shubhanshu Shukla
PIB (MHA): the UP Gaurav Samman 2025–26 was conferred on Shubhanshu Shukla, Alakh Pandey, Rashmi Arya and Sudhanshu Singh.
Under Uttar Pradesh's CM YUVA programme, youth can get interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to:
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Correct answer: D — ₹5 lakh
PIB (MHA): arrangements have been made to provide interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to one lakh youths every year.
Under the ₹80 crore Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme (January 2026), Central Processing Centres will be set up in:
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Correct answer: A — Golaghat (Assam) and Tripura
PIB (DoNER): two CPCs will be established, one in Golaghat (Assam) and the other in the North Fulkabari region of Tripura.
The foundation stone of the Agarwood Value Chain Development Scheme was laid in January 2026 in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Tripura
PIB (DoNER): Scindia laid the foundation stone at North Fulkabari, Tripura.
Consider the following about agarwood as stated by the DoNER Minister in January 2026: 1. India has about 150 million agarwood trees. 2. Nearly 90% of them are in the North-Eastern states. 3. Agarwood has already received a GI tag. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (DoNER): India has around 150 million agarwood trees, nearly 90% in the North-East; the GI tag process is still under way.
Approximately how many appointment letters were distributed at the 18th Rozgar Mela on 24 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Over 61,000
PIB (PMO): more than sixty-one thousand young people received appointment letters for government services at the 18th Rozgar Mela.
At the 18th Rozgar Mela, the PM recalled that 24 January marks the adoption of which of the following?
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Correct answer: D — Jana Gana Mana as National Anthem and Vande Mataram as National Song
PIB (PMO): the PM said that on this day the Constitution adopted 'Jana Gana Mana' as the National Anthem and 'Vande Mataram' as the National Song.
The Second Global Buddhist Summit (January 2026) was held at:
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
PIB (Culture): Shekhawat addressed the inaugural session of the Second Global Buddhist Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 24 January 2026.
According to the Culture Minister, the Piprahwa relics were repatriated to India after how many years?
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Correct answer: C — 127
PIB (Culture): Shekhawat recalled the Piprahwa relics, repatriated to India after 127 years.
The exhibition 'The Light & The Lotus: Relics of The Awakened One' is on display at which venue in New Delhi?
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Correct answer: B — Rai Pithora Cultural Centre
PIB (Culture): the international exhibition is on display at the Rai Pithora Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
Veer Gatha 5.0 made its international debut with participation of how many students from CBSE schools abroad?
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Correct answer: B — 28,005
PIB (Defence): for the first time, 28,005 international students studying in CBSE schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0.
How many of the Veer Gatha 5.0 Super-100 winners are girls?
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Correct answer: C — 64
PIB (Defence): among the 100 winners, 64 are girls from different parts of the country.
Each Super-100 winner of Veer Gatha 5.0 received a cash prize of:
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
PIB (Defence): each winner was presented with a cash prize of ₹10,000, a medal and a certificate.
National Girl Child Day is observed in India on:
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Correct answer: B — 24 January
PIB (WCD and PMO): National Girl Child Day was observed on 24 January 2026.
Which school won the Brass Band Girls category at the National School Band Competition 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Providence Girls Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode
PIB (Defence): Providence Girls HSS, Kozhikode (Kerala) won Brass Band Girls; KGBV Kanke won Pipe Band Girls and Kairali School won Pipe Band Boys.
The Grand Finale of the National School Band Competition 2026 was held at:
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Correct answer: D — National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi
PIB (Defence): the Grand Finale was held at the National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi, on 24 January 2026.
The PM SVANidhi Credit Card, launched in January 2026, is meant for:
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Correct answer: A — Street vendors
PIB (PMO): the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, a UPI-linked interest-free revolving credit facility, was launched for street vendors.
Which of the following was NOT among the Amrit Bharat Express trains flagged off from Thiruvananthapuram on 23 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Thrissur–Guruvayur
PIB (PMO): the three Amrit Bharat Express trains were Nagercoil–Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram and Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli; Thrissur–Guruvayur is a passenger train.
The CSIR innovation hub whose foundation stone was laid in Thiruvananthapuram in January 2026 belongs to which laboratory?
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Correct answer: A — CSIR-NIIST
PIB (PMO): the PM laid the foundation stone of the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram.
Which institution was selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 in the institutional category?
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Correct answer: D — Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority
PIB (MHA): the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (institutional) and Lt Col Seeta Ashok Shelke (individual) were selected for 2026.
Lt Col Seeta Ashok Shelke, winner of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026, supervised construction of a 190-foot Bailey bridge at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Chooralmala, Wayanad
PIB (MHA): during the 2024 Wayanad floods and landslides, she supervised the swift construction of a 190-foot Bailey bridge at Chooralmala.
Consider the following about the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar: 1. It is announced every year on 23 January. 2. 271 nominations were received for the 2026 award. 3. It is given only to individuals. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MHA): the award is announced every year on 23 January and 271 nominations were received for 2026; it has both institutional and individual categories.
Who won the overall title (yellow jersey) at the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Luke Mudgway
The Hindu and Khel Now: Luke Mudgway of New Zealand (Li Ning Star) won the overall title in 9:33:04; Bettles and Lauryssen were second and third, and Shnyrko won the final stage.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, held in Maharashtra, is an international event in which sport?
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Correct answer: B — Road cycling
PIB (Sports): the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is India's premier international cycling event, run over a 437 km route.
The PLI Scheme for White Goods covers which two product categories?
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Correct answer: A — Air conditioners and LED lights
PIB (Commerce): the PLI Scheme for White Goods covers Air Conditioners and LED Lights.
What is the total outlay of the PLI Scheme for White Goods?
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Correct answer: D — ₹6,238 crore
PIB: the Cabinet approved the scheme on 7 April 2021 with an outlay of ₹6,238 crore; ₹11,198 crore is the expected investment by 85 companies.
Where was the main celebration of Parakram Diwas 2026 held?
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Correct answer: D — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
PIB (PMO): the PM noted that in 2026 the main celebration of Parakram Diwas was held in Andaman and Nicobar, which he addressed via video conferencing.
23 January 2026 marked which birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?
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Correct answer: C — 129th
PIB (Culture): PM Sangrahalaya celebrated the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on 23 January 2026.
What was the title of the tri-services tableau at the 77th Republic Day Parade?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness
PIB (Defence): the tri-service tableau was titled 'Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness'.
Which loitering munition is depicted in the strike segment of the Operation Sindoor tri-services tableau?
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Correct answer: B — HAROP
PIB (Defence): at the heart of the tableau, a HAROP loitering munition is shown eliminating the adversary's targets.
IICDEM 2026, hosted by the Election Commission of India, concluded with the adoption of which document?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi Declaration 2026
PIB (ECI): IICDEM 2026 concluded at Bharat Mandapam with the unanimous adoption of the Delhi Declaration 2026.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five pillars of the Delhi Declaration 2026 adopted at IICDEM?
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Correct answer: C — Campaign Finance Regulation
PIB (ECI): the five pillars are Purity of Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections, Research and Publications, Use of Technology, and Training and Capacity Building.
Heads of how many Election Management Bodies attended the closing session of IICDEM 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 42
PIB (ECI): heads of 42 EMBs, experts from over 70 national institutions and 36 CEOs of States/UTs were present.
NMDC formally entered coal mining in January 2026 with which mine?
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Correct answer: A — Tokisud North, Hazaribagh
PIB (Steel): NMDC commenced coal mining operations at the Tokisud North Coal Mine in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, on 23 January 2026.
The Tokisud North Coal Mine, where NMDC began operations in January 2026, is in which state?
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Correct answer: C — Jharkhand
PIB (Steel): the mine is in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand.
'ASC ARJUN', the humanoid robot deployed by Indian Railways in January 2026, is stationed at which railway station?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
PIB (Railways): ASC ARJUN was introduced at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, a first on the Indian Railways network.
The humanoid robot ASC ARJUN primarily supports which force at the railway station?
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Correct answer: B — Railway Protection Force
PIB (Railways): the robot works alongside RPF personnel and sends real-time alerts to RPF control rooms.
The third meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC 3.0) was held in January 2026 at:
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Correct answer: C — Kochi
PIB (Shipping): IWDC 3.0 concluded in Kochi, Kerala, on 23 January 2026.
Among the new projects presented at IWDC 3.0, how many jetties are planned in the North-East?
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Correct answer: C — 85
PIB (Shipping): the projects include 110 jetties — 25 in Odisha and 85 in the North-East.
Granth Kutir, inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan in January 2026, has books in how many classical languages of India?
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Correct answer: C — 11
PIB (President's Secretariat): Granth Kutir has about 2,300 books in 11 classical languages of India.
Which of the following languages was NOT among those granted classical language status on 3 October 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Odia
PIB: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali got classical status on 3 October 2024; Odia was among the six that already had it.
Which institution is providing professional expertise for managing and conserving manuscripts at Granth Kutir?
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Correct answer: A — Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
PIB: the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) provides expertise in management, conservation, documentation and display of manuscripts.
According to Nitin Gadkari (January 2026), which radio frequency has DoT allocated for developing vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems?
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Correct answer: C — 30 GHz
PIB (MoRTH): Gadkari informed the Consultative Committee that 30 GHz radio frequency has been allocated by DoT for vehicle-to-vehicle communication.
Who released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework on 22 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — CDS General Anil Chauhan
PIB (Defence): Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the framework on 22 January 2026.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars of quantum technology in the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework?
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Correct answer: D — Quantum Cryptocurrency
PIB (Defence): the four pillars are Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices.
The Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework is aligned with which national programme?
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Correct answer: A — National Quantum Mission
PIB (Defence): the document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
According to ICMR, India is which country globally to report successful integration of a Mobile Stroke Unit with emergency medical services for treating rural acute ischaemic stroke patients?
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Correct answer: D — Second
PIB (Health): ICMR DG Rajiv Bahl said India is the second country globally to report such integration.
ICMR's Mobile Stroke Unit model in North-East India reduced stroke treatment time from nearly 24 hours to about:
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Correct answer: B — 2 hours
PIB (Health): the model reduced treatment time from nearly 24 hours to about 2 hours, cut deaths by one-third and disability eightfold.
After the January 2026 notification, how many obligated entities are covered under the compliance mechanism of the Indian Carbon Market?
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Correct answer: C — 490
PIB (MoEFCC): with 208 new entities added to the 282 notified in October 2025, the compliance mechanism now covers 490 obligated entities.
Which of the following sectors was brought under GHG emission intensity targets by the January 2026 notification?
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Correct answer: C — Petroleum Refineries
PIB: the January 2026 notification covers Petroleum Refineries, Petrochemicals, Textiles and Secondary Aluminium; Cement, Chlor-Alkali and Pulp & Paper were covered in October 2025.
Consider the following about India's Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): 1. It was notified in 2023. 2. It operates through a Compliance Mechanism and an Offset Mechanism. 3. Entities that outperform their targets receive Carbon Credit Certificates. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB: the CCTS was notified in 2023, works through Compliance and Offset Mechanisms, and entities beating their GEI targets get tradable Carbon Credit Certificates.
In January 2026, Naxal Central Committee member 'Anal alias Patiram Manjhi' was killed in an operation in which district?
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Correct answer: D — West Singhbhum, Jharkhand
PIB (MHA): the joint CRPF–Jharkhand Police operation in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, killed Anal alias Patiram Manjhi and 15 other Naxalites.
By what date has the Union Home Minister committed to eradicate Naxalism?
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Correct answer: C — 31 March 2026
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah reiterated the commitment to eradicate Naxalism before 31 March 2026.
The commissioning of which transmission line took India's network past 5 lakh circuit km in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 765 kV Bhadla II–Sikar II line
PIB (Power): the milestone came on 14 January 2026 with the commissioning of the 628 ckm, 765 kV Bhadla II–Sikar II line in Rajasthan.
By what percentage has India's transmission network (220 kV and above) grown since April 2014?
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Correct answer: C — 71.6%
PIB (Power): since April 2014 the network has grown by 71.6% with the addition of 2.09 lakh ckm.
India's inter-regional power transfer capacity, as stated by the Power Ministry in January 2026, is:
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Correct answer: C — 1,20,340 MW
PIB (Power): inter-regional power transfer capacity now stands at 1,20,340 MW, realising 'One Nation – One Grid – One Frequency'.
The Army vehicle accident of 22 January 2026 in Doda district occurred at Khanni Top on which road?
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Correct answer: A — Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road
The Hindu, ET and Indian Express: the vehicle skidded off the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road at Khanni Top and fell into a gorge.
How many soldiers were killed in the Army vehicle accident in Doda on 22 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10
The Hindu, ET and Indian Express: 10 soldiers were killed and 11 injured.
PMGSY-IV aims to provide connectivity to how many unconnected habitations?
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Correct answer: B — 25,000
PIB (Rural Development): under PMGSY-IV, 25,000 unconnected habitations (as per Census 2011 norms) are to be connected.
Under PMGSY-IV, what is the minimum population size for an unconnected habitation in LWE-affected districts to be eligible?
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Correct answer: A — 100+
PIB: eligibility is 500+ in plains, 250+ in North-East and hill States/UTs and special category areas, and 100+ in LWE-affected districts.
ECINET, launched at IICDEM 2026, is:
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Correct answer: D — ECI's one-stop digital platform for election information and services
PIB (ECI): ECINET is ECI's one-stop digital platform for all election-related information and services, launched on 22 January 2026.
In how many languages is ECINET available?
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Correct answer: C — 22 scheduled languages and English
PIB (ECI): CEC Gyanesh Kumar said ECINET is available in 22 scheduled languages and English.
With which organisation did MSDE sign an MoU in January 2026 to launch a Skills Accelerator in India?
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Correct answer: A — World Economic Forum
PIB (MSDE): MSDE signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum to launch and implement a Skills Accelerator in India.