Current Affairs Quiz — March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In the sports programme ASMITA, under which a girls' athletics league was launched at 250 locations on 8 March 2026, what does ASMITA stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action
ASMITA stands for Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action.
Janaushadhi Diwas, whose 8th edition was observed in 2026, falls on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 7 March
The 8th Janaushadhi Diwas was observed on 7 March 2026, closing Janaushadhi Saptah 2026.
Which body implements the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)?
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Correct answer: A — Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)
PMBI, under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, runs PMBJP and organised Janaushadhi Saptah 2026.
What target has the government set for the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 25,000
Over 18,000 Kendras are open; the target is 25,000 by March 2027 through a franchise-based model.
Janaushadhi Suvidha oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins are sold at what price per pad?
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Correct answer: B — ₹1
Suvidha napkins, introduced in 2019, are priced at ₹1 per pad.
Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana: 1. Medicines are procured only from manufacturers compliant with WHO Good Manufacturing Practices, and each batch is tested at NABL-accredited laboratories. 2. Kendra operators receive a trade margin of 20% on the MRP of each drug (excluding taxes). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PIB backgrounder: WHO-GMP sourcing with NABL batch testing, and a 20% trade margin for operators.
The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a new airport for Rajasthan's Hadoti region on 7 March 2026. Which city is it meant to serve?
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Correct answer: D — Kota
The Kota–Bundi airport at Shambhupura will serve Kota and the wider Hadoti region.
Which of the following districts is NOT part of the Hadoti region named by the Prime Minister at the Kota airport ceremony?
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Correct answer: A — Ajmer
The PM named Kota, Bundi, Baran and Jhalawar as the Hadoti region; Ajmer is not part of it.
What is the approximate cost of the Kota–Bundi airport whose foundation stone was laid on 7 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1,500 crore
The PM said the airport would be built at a cost of about one and a half thousand crore rupees.
Consider the following statements about the Kota–Bundi airport ceremony of 7 March 2026: 1. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma were present at Shambhupura. 2. The Prime Minister said the airport had been promised in November 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Om Birla and CM Bhajanlal Sharma attended, and the PM recalled his November 2023 promise.
On 7 March 2026, Amit Shah launched projects worth over ₹1,132 crore in which city to mark four years of the Uttarakhand government?
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Correct answer: D — Haridwar
The projects were inaugurated and their foundation stones laid in Haridwar.
How many people in Uttarakhand were granted citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, according to Amit Shah on 7 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 162
Amit Shah said 162 people from Pakistan and Afghanistan were granted citizenship; 1,900 was the number of police constable jobs.
Under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, what is the target for training semiconductor engineers over 10 years?
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Correct answer: C — 85,000
The C2S programme aims to train 85,000 engineers in semiconductor design over 10 years.
Consider the following statements about the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme: 1. Chips designed by students are fabricated and tested at the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali. 2. Under India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the programme is to be expanded to 500 academic institutions. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: student chips are made at SCL Mohali, and ISM 2.0 will take the programme from 315 to 500 institutions.
The Perumbalam bridge, inaugurated on 7 March 2026, is built across which water body?
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Correct answer: D — Vembanad Lake
The Perumbalam bridge spans Vembanad Lake in Alappuzha district, Kerala.
Consider the following statements about the Perumbalam bridge: 1. It is about 1,155 metres long and has three bow-string arch spans so that boats can pass. 2. It was funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 1,155.40-m bridge has three 55-m bow-string arch spans and was built for ₹100 crore with KIIFB funding.
India's first Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant, reviewed on 7 March 2026, is being built at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Kavaratti
The OTEC-powered desalination plant is being developed by NIOT at Kavaratti, Lakshadweep.
On how many islands of Lakshadweep are NIOT's Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plants operational?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
Officials told the Minister that LTTD plants are operational across eight islands.
Consider the following statements about Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) in Lakshadweep: 1. It uses the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep-sea water drawn from about 350–400 metres. 2. It requires an external fuel-fired boiler to heat the seawater. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: LTTD relies on the natural temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water, not on fuel-fired heating.
The Punjab Cabinet on 7 March 2026 approved a world-class university named after Sri Guru Teg Bahadur at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Cabinet approved the Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Sri Anandpur Sahib and its draft Bill.
The Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 approved by the Punjab Cabinet comes under which flagship initiative?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Udyog Kranti
The policy and its sector-specific schemes were approved under the 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' initiative.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 9th International Santal Conference on 7 March 2026 at which place?
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Correct answer: D — Darjeeling
The President graced the conference at Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The Ol Chiki script, used for Santali, was invented in 1925 by whom?
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Correct answer: A — Pandit Raghunath Murmu
The President said Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented Ol Chiki in 1925; its centenary was celebrated recently.
The Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003 added which languages to the Eighth Schedule?
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Correct answer: B — Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali
The 92nd Amendment inserted Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali, taking the Eighth Schedule to 22 languages.
The Tapi-Karjan Link Pipeline Lift Irrigation Scheme inaugurated in Gujarat on 7 March 2026 draws water from which reservoir?
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Correct answer: D — Ukai
The scheme is based on the Ukai reservoir project and lifts water through pipelines to tribal villages at higher elevations.
The Tapi-Karjan lift irrigation scheme mainly benefits tribal villages in which two talukas?
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Correct answer: A — Umarpada and Dediapada
It irrigates 53,750 acres in 73 tribal villages of Umarpada (Surat) and Dediapada (Narmada) talukas.
The Indian Army's Central Command held its first-ever Strategic Communication Conclave on 7 March 2026 in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Lucknow
The Central Command's first Strategic Communication Conclave was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, with close to 500 attendees.
The National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), whose hackathon winners were announced at IIT Hyderabad in March 2026, is a gateway under which mission?
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Correct answer: B — Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
NHCX is one of the three gateways under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), run by the National Health Authority.
According to Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a post-Budget meeting in Chennai on 7 March 2026, about how many farmers in India are associated with coconut cultivation?
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Correct answer: C — 1.25 crore
He said nearly 1.25 crore farmers grow coconut, while about 3 crore people depend on the sector for their livelihood.
The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, in which India lost 0–11 to Japan on 7 March 2026, is being hosted by which country?
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Correct answer: A — Australia
The tournament is the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026; India played Japan at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
Who secured the first rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, whose result was declared on 6 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Anuj Agnihotri
Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate of AIIMS Jodhpur, topped with Medical Science as his optional subject.
How many candidates were recommended for appointment in the Civil Services Examination 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 958
UPSC recommended 958 candidates (659 men and 299 women); 2,736 had qualified for the Personality Test.
What was the optional subject of Anuj Agnihotri, the CSE 2025 topper?
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Correct answer: D — Medical Science
Anuj Agnihotri qualified with Medical Science as his optional subject.
Consider the following statements about the CSE 2025 result: 1. The top 25 candidates include 11 women. 2. The top five candidates include one woman. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the top 25 have 11 women and 14 men, and the top five have one woman (Rajeshwari Suve M, rank 2) and four men.
The Union Public Service Commission, which conducts the Civil Services Examination, is established under which Article of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: A — Article 315
Article 315 provides for a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State. Article 148 is the CAG, 280 the Finance Commission and 324 the Election Commission.
Who presented the Maharashtra Budget 2026-27 on 6 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Devendra Fadnavis
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented the budget.
What is the approximate total outlay of the Maharashtra Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹7.69 lakh crore
The budget has an outlay of about ₹7.69 lakh crore; ₹11.02 lakh crore is the projected debt.
The farm loan waiver announced in the Maharashtra Budget 2026-27 is named after whom?
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Correct answer: A — Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar
The scheme is the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojana.
Consider the following statements about the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojana: 1. It waives crop loans of up to ₹2 lakh for farmers with arrears as of 30 September 2025. 2. Farmers who repaid their loans regularly will receive an incentive of ₹50,000. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the waiver covers crop loans up to ₹2 lakh in arrears as of 30 September 2025, and regular repayers get ₹50,000.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented which number State Budget of his career on 6 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 17th
The 2026-27 budget was Siddaramaiah's record 17th State Budget.
What is the total outlay of the Karnataka Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹4,48,004 crore
Total expenditure is ₹4,48,004 crore, 13.3% above the 2025-26 revised estimate of ₹3,95,307 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Karnataka Budget 2026-27: 1. The fiscal deficit is estimated at 2.95% of GSDP. 2. The budget shows a revenue surplus. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: the fiscal deficit is ₹97,449 crore (2.95% of GSDP), and the budget shows a revenue deficit of ₹22,957 crore, not a surplus.
A State Budget, such as Karnataka's for 2026-27, is constitutionally called the 'annual financial statement'. Which Article of the Constitution provides for it?
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Correct answer: A — Article 202
Article 202 requires the Governor to cause the annual financial statement of a State to be laid before the Legislature. Article 112 is the Union equivalent.
The 57th Raising Day ceremony of the CISF, attended by Amit Shah on 6 March 2026, was held at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Mundali, Odisha
Amit Shah addressed the CISF's 57th Raising Day ceremony at Mundali, Odisha.
According to Amit Shah on 6 March 2026, how many airports does the CISF secure?
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Correct answer: C — 70
He said the CISF secures 361 vital installations, including 70 airports.
Consider the following statements about the CISF, as stated at its 57th Raising Day: 1. It has been designated the nodal agency for drone security. 2. It will now also be responsible for the security of the country's ports. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Amit Shah said the CISF is the nodal agency for drone security and will also secure the country's ports.
Noida International Airport, which received its aerodrome licence on 6 March 2026, is located at which place?
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Correct answer: B — Jewar
The airport is at Jewar in Gautam Budh Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, the developer of Noida International Airport, is a subsidiary of which company?
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Correct answer: D — Zurich Airport International AG
YIAPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG.
Consider the following statements about Noida International Airport: 1. It is being developed under a PPP model with a 40-year concession that began on 1 October 2021. 2. On completion of all four phases it will be able to handle up to 70 million passengers a year. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation: a 40-year PPP concession from 1 October 2021, and 70 million passengers a year after all phases (12 million in Phase 1).
What wheat procurement estimate was fixed for Rabi Marketing Season 2026-27 at the State Food Secretaries' meeting on 6 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 303 LMT
The estimate for wheat procurement for RMS 2026-27 was fixed at 303 lakh metric tonnes.
In which state was a pilot to add QR code tags on foodgrain packaging bags successfully completed, as reported on 6 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Andhra Pradesh
The Department of Food and Public Distribution said the QR-code pilot was completed in Andhra Pradesh, with more pilots planned.
At Sagar Sankalp in Kolkata on 6 March 2026, Rajnath Singh said India's defence exports are poised to reach about how much by April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹29,000 crore
He said defence exports are poised to reach approximately ₹29,000 crore by April 2026.
What shipbuilding target did Rajnath Singh mention at Sagar Sankalp?
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Correct answer: D — Top 10 by 2030 and top 5 by 2047
The government aims to steer India into the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top five by 2047.
According to the Commerce Ministry on 6 March 2026, India's FTA network now consists of how many FTAs spanning how many countries?
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Correct answer: B — 9 FTAs, 38 countries
The ministry said India's network has reached nine FTAs spanning 38 countries.
Consider the following statements about the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA): 1. It was signed on 10 March 2024. 2. It entered into force on 1 October 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Commerce Ministry said the EFTA TEPA was signed on 10 March 2024 and entered into force on 1 October 2025.
Through which platform, mentioned by the PM at the post-Budget webinar on 6 March 2026, is the government building digital public infrastructure for agriculture?
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Correct answer: B — AgriStack
The Prime Minister said the government is developing digital public infrastructure for agriculture through AgriStack.
Under DGFT Public Notice No. 51/2025-26 of 6 March 2026, the export obligation period for eligible Advance and EPCG Authorisations has been extended up to which date?
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Correct answer: C — 31 August 2026
EO periods expiring between 1 March and 31 May 2026 are automatically extended to 31 August 2026, with no composition fee.
Nagaland University, whose 8th Convocation the Vice-President addressed on 6 March 2026, was carved out of which university in 1994?
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Correct answer: D — North Eastern Hill University
The Vice-President noted that Nagaland University was established in 1994 after being carved out of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
INS Tarangini, which reached Colombo on 6 March 2026 after training Sri Lanka Navy cadets, is what type of vessel?
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Correct answer: A — Sail training ship
INS Tarangini is the Indian Navy's sail training ship; it trained 3 officers and 26 trainees of the Sri Lanka Naval and Maritime Academy.
The XV Finance Commission grants released to Mizoram on 6 March 2026 will benefit how many Village Councils?
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Correct answer: C — 816
The ₹14.80 crore first instalment of untied grants will benefit all 816 eligible Village Councils in Mizoram.
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.