Current Affairs Quiz — 12 March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What was India's all-India CPI (combined) inflation for February 2026, as released on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 3.21%
February 2026 CPI inflation was 3.21% (provisional), up from 2.74% in January; 3.47% was food inflation.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation in the February 2026 CPI?
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Correct answer: A — Silver jewellery
Silver jewellery led at 160.84%, followed by gold/diamond/platinum jewellery at 48.16% and copra at 46.16%.
Consider the following statements about India's new CPI series (base 2024=100): 1. Its item basket and weights are based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023–24. 2. It retains the earlier structure of six broad groups instead of adopting COICOP 2018. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the new series adopts the UN's COICOP 2018, with 12 divisions and 358 items, replacing the earlier six broad groups.
Which items saw the steepest price falls in the February 2026 CPI?
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Correct answer: D — Garlic, onion and potato
Garlic (−31.09%), onion (−28.20%) and potato (−18.46%) had the lowest inflation; tomato was among the highest at 45.29%.
According to Hardeep Singh Puri's statement of 12 March 2026, by how much was India's LPG production raised in five days through refinery directives?
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Correct answer: C — 28%
Puri said the LPG Control Order of 8 March made refineries maximise LPG yields, raising production by 28% in five days.
What share of India's crude imports was now coming from non-Hormuz routes, as per the Petroleum Minister on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — About 70%
Non-Hormuz sourcing rose to about 70% of crude imports from 55% before the conflict; about 45% used to transit Hormuz.
Consider the following about the control orders mentioned by the Petroleum Minister on 12 March 2026: 1. The Natural Gas Control Order of 9 March 2026 was issued under the Essential Commodities Act. 2. The LPG Control Order of 8 March 2026 directed refineries to channel propane and butane streams to the three oil marketing companies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the gas order was issued under the Essential Commodities Act and set a priority sequence with homes and CNG first, and the LPG order sent C3 and C4 streams to the three OMCs for domestic cooking gas.
Roughly what share of the world's crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, as cited in the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 20%
Puri said about 20% of the world's crude, 20% of its natural gas and 20% of its LPG flow through the Strait of Hormuz.
To which two countries was the first consignment of GI-tagged Joha rice from Assam exported on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — United Kingdom and Italy
The 25-tonne consignment went to the United Kingdom and Italy; earlier small shipments had gone to Vietnam and five Middle Eastern countries.
Which body facilitated the first export of Joha rice to the UK and Italy in March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — APEDA
APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, facilitated the export with Assam's Department of Agriculture.
Consider the following statements about Joha rice: 1. It is an indigenous aromatic rice of Assam that received a GI tag in 2017. 2. Majuli is among its major producing districts. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Joha got its GI tag in 2017, and its major districts include Nagaon, Baksa, Goalpara, Sivasagar, Majuli, Chirang and Golaghat.
In which city did Netflix open its Eyeline Studios VFX and virtual production hub on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Hyderabad
Eyeline Studios opened at HITEC City in Hyderabad, inaugurated by Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy.
In the term 'AVGC' sector, used for the Eyeline Studios launch, what does 'G' stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Gaming
AVGC stands for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics.
The upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount flagged off at BHEL on 12 March 2026 is meant for which service?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Navy
The upgraded SRGM, a naval gun for anti-aircraft and anti-surface roles, was flagged off for the Indian Navy.
Where is the BHEL plant at which the upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount was flagged off on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Haridwar
The flag-off took place at BHEL's Haridwar facility in Uttarakhand, which houses the Heavy Electrical Equipment Plant and the Central Foundry and Forge Plant.
What are the stated rate of fire and range of the upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount flagged off by BHEL?
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Correct answer: B — 120 rounds a minute, up to 35 km
BHEL said the weapon can fire up to 120 rounds per minute with a range of up to 35 km.
With what throw did Sumit Antil win javelin gold at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 69.25 m
Antil threw 69.25 m in the men's F43/F44/F64 javelin; 75 m is the mark he says he is targeting.
At which Paralympic Games has Sumit Antil won gold in javelin?
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Correct answer: A — Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024
Antil won back-to-back Paralympic gold medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
The 'Eva Nammava Eva Nammava' Bill, 2026, cleared by a State Cabinet on 12 March 2026, belongs to which State?
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Correct answer: A — Karnataka
The Karnataka Cabinet cleared the Bill on freedom of choice in marriage and against honour crimes.
What minimum prison term does Karnataka's 'Eva Nammava Eva Nammava' Bill propose for those responsible for honour killings?
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Correct answer: B — Five years
The revised draft proposes a minimum prison term of five years for honour killings.
OrbitAID Aerospace, funded by the Technology Development Board in March 2026, is developing technology for:
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Correct answer: A — In-orbit satellite docking and refuelling
The TDB-funded project develops docking and refuelling systems to extend the life of satellites in orbit.
What is the 'SIDRP' being developed by OrbitAID Aerospace?
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Correct answer: B — A Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port
SIDRP is the Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port, a TRL-7 system for autonomous docking and propellant transfer between satellites.
The greenfield bypass awarded by NHAI on 12 March 2026 around Gangaikonda Cholapuram is on which National Highway?
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Correct answer: A — NH-81
The 7-km bypass is on the Kallagam–Meensurutti section of NH-81 in Tamil Nadu.
Which heritage monument is the Gangaikonda Cholapuram bypass, awarded on 12 March 2026, designed to protect?
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Correct answer: B — Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram
NH-81 runs very close to the 1,000-year-old Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage monument; the bypass will divert heavy vehicles away from it.
Who was the President of Iran with whom PM Modi spoke by telephone on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Masoud Pezeshkian
PM Modi spoke with Iran's President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, who briefed him on the situation in Iran and the region.
Which two priorities did PM Modi highlight in his call with Iran's President on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Safety of Indian nationals and unhindered transit of energy and goods
Modi highlighted the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region, including Iran, and the importance of unhindered transit of energy and goods.
PM Modi paid homage on 12 March 2026 to the participants of the Dandi March. In which year did the Dandi March begin on 12 March?
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Correct answer: C — 1930
The Dandi March began on 12 March 1930; the PM marked the anniversary on 12 March 2026.
C-DOT's FraudPro, a top finalist at the Glomo Awards 2026, is used to:
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Correct answer: D — Detect fraudulent mobile connections using AI and facial deduplication
FraudPro uses AI/ML, facial image deduplication and forged-document detection to identify fraudulent mobile connections; it was a finalist at the GSMA's Glomo Awards at MWC 2026, Barcelona.
Which body released 'Bharat 2026 – A Reference Annual' on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The Publications Division of the I&B Ministry released the reference annual in English and Hindi, printed fully in four colours for the first time.