Current Affairs Quiz — 05 March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What are the names of the Census-2027 mascots unveiled on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Pragati and Vikas
The mascots are 'Pragati' (female enumerator) and 'Vikas' (male enumerator).
What is the reference date for Census-2027 for most States and Union Territories?
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Correct answer: C — 1 March 2027
The reference date is 00:00 hours of 1 March 2027, except Ladakh and snow-bound areas of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand (1 October 2026).
Which organisation developed the digital platforms soft-launched for Census-2027?
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Correct answer: D — C-DAC
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) developed the four digital platforms.
Consider the following statements about Census-2027: 1. Respondents can self-enumerate online in 16 languages before the door-to-door survey. 2. The caste-related question will be asked in Phase 1 (Houselisting and Housing Census). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The caste-related question will be included in Phase 2 (Population Enumeration, February 2027), not in the houselisting phase.
India defeated which team in the second semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — England
India beat England by seven runs at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Which England batter scored 105 off 48 balls in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against India?
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Correct answer: B — Jacob Bethell
Jacob Bethell made 105 off 48 balls, but England finished on 246 for 7.
What was India's total in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England at Wankhede?
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Correct answer: C — 253/7
India made 253 for 7, with Sanju Samson scoring 89 off 42 balls; England replied with 246 for 7.
Consider the following statements about the India–England T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final: 1. The match aggregate of 499 runs was the most in a men's T20 World Cup match. 2. The match was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: the ICC said 499 runs was a men's T20 World Cup record. The match was played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Who was the chief guest and delivered the inaugural keynote at the 11th Raisina Dialogue on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Alexander Stubb
Finnish President Alexander Stubb was chief guest and gave the inaugural keynote; PM Modi inaugurated the Dialogue.
During President Stubb's visit, India–Finland relations were elevated to which status?
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Correct answer: A — Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability
The two countries elevated ties to a 'Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability'.
By which year do India and Finland aim to double their bilateral trade?
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Correct answer: C — 2030
The two sides aim to double bilateral trade by 2030, capitalising on the India–EU FTA.
Consider the following outcomes of the Finnish President's visit to India in March 2026: 1. A Joint Task Force on 6G linking the University of Oulu and the Bharat 6G Alliance. 2. Co-hosting of the World Circular Economy Forum in India in 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are listed outcomes: a 6G Joint Task Force (University of Oulu and Bharat 6G Alliance) and co-hosting the World Circular Economy Forum in India in 2026 with Finland's SITRA.
India's first riverine lighthouses, whose foundation stones were laid on 5 March 2026, will come up on which river?
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Correct answer: A — Brahmaputra
The four lighthouses will be built along the Brahmaputra, National Waterway-2, in Assam.
Which of the following is the only riverine lighthouse site on the north bank of the Brahmaputra?
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Correct answer: B — Biswanath Ghat
Pandu, Bogibeel and Silghat are on the south bank; Biswanath Ghat is the only north-bank site.
Consider the following statements about the riverine lighthouses on National Waterway-2: 1. They are being built by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships with the Inland Waterways Authority of India. 2. Each lighthouse will be solar-powered and 20 metres tall. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: DGLL and IWAI are building the four solar-powered, 20-metre lighthouses at about ₹84 crore.
India's nationwide HPV vaccination campaign, praised by the WHO Director-General on 5 March 2026, targets how many adolescent girls?
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Correct answer: C — 12 million
Dr Tedros praised the campaign targeting 12 million adolescent girls as the world's largest free vaccination drive.
HPV vaccination, discussed by J.P. Nadda at the WHO briefing, is mainly meant to prevent which cancer?
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Correct answer: A — Cervical cancer
The briefing was on India's commitment to eliminating cervical cancer through HPV vaccination and screening.
By what date must memorandums be submitted to the 8th Central Pay Commission, as announced on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 30 April 2026
Submissions will be received up to 30 April 2026, only through the online portals.
Who chairs the 8th Central Pay Commission?
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Correct answer: D — Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai is the Chairperson, with Prof. Pulak Ghosh as part-time member and Pankaj Jain as member-secretary.
Consider the following statements about the 8th Central Pay Commission: 1. It was constituted by a Government resolution dated 3 November 2025. 2. It is required to make its recommendations within 18 months of its constitution. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Commission was constituted by a resolution dated 3 November 2025 and must report within 18 months.
The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games will be held in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh
The inaugural Games will be held in Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh from 25 March to 6 April 2026.
How many medal sports will feature in the first Khelo India Tribal Games?
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Correct answer: B — Seven
There will be seven medal sports, with mallakhamb and kabaddi as demonstration sports.
Which two sports are demonstration sports at the first Khelo India Tribal Games?
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Correct answer: D — Mallakhamb and kabaddi
Mallakhamb and kabaddi are the demonstration sports; archery and wrestling are medal sports.
The Indian Culture Portal, whose Version 2.0 was launched on 5 March 2026, was originally launched in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2019
The portal was originally launched in December 2019 to democratise access to India's cultural heritage.
Through which platform will UNICEF India channel CSR investments into nutrition under its Statement of Intent with NITI Aayog signed on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — IMPAct4Nutrition
UNICEF India will use its IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N) platform to engage businesses and channel CSR funds into nutrition.
The Cycling League of India, whose logo was unveiled on 5 March 2026, will have how many franchises?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
The league will have eight city- or region-based franchises, each with ten cyclists.
Which body of the Ministry of Jal Shakti organised the review of Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 with Madhya Pradesh collectors on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — National Water Mission
The meeting was organised by the National Water Mission, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, with the Madhya Pradesh government.