Current Affairs Quiz — March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Where was the 90th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife held on 21 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dehradun
The meeting was chaired by Bhupender Yadav in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
At the 90th SC-NBWL meeting, the Forest Survey of India signed an MoU on geospatial and AI tools for forest fire management with:
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Correct answer: D — BISAG-N
FSI signed the MoU with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).
Under the modified MCGS-MSME of March 2026, what guarantee coverage is offered to eligible exporters?
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Correct answer: C — 75% of the amount in default
Exporters get 75% coverage on a ₹20 crore guaranteed loan, compared with the base 60% cover of the scheme.
Consider the following about the modifications to MCGS-MSME in March 2026: 1. Service-sector MSMEs have been included in the scheme. 2. The minimum share of equipment/machinery in project cost has been raised from 60% to 75%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Service-sector MSMEs were added; the minimum equipment/machinery share was reduced to 60% from 75%, not raised, so statement 2 is wrong.
The food and water analysis laboratory inaugurated at Tirumala on 21 March 2026 was set up by TTD with the support of:
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Correct answer: A — FSSAI
TTD set up the ₹25 crore laboratory with support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
How many samples a month can the TTD food analysis laboratory at Tirumala analyse?
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Correct answer: C — 1,000–1,500
The laboratory is equipped to analyse 1,000 to 1,500 samples every month.
Prime Minister Modi spoke with which Iranian President on 21 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Masoud Pezeshkian
PM Modi spoke with Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings.
During his call with the Iranian President on 21 March 2026, PM Modi conveyed greetings for which two occasions?
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Correct answer: B — Eid and Nowruz
Modi conveyed Eid and Nowruz greetings and hoped the festive season would bring peace to West Asia.
What is the size of Himachal Pradesh's budget for 2026-27, presented on 21 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹54,928 crore
The 2026-27 budget is ₹54,928 crore, down from ₹58,514 crore in 2025-26.
Himachal's CM attributed the smaller 2026-27 budget mainly to the discontinuation of:
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Correct answer: B — Revenue Deficit Grant
He said the end of the Revenue Deficit Grant, after the Centre accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations, costs the state about ₹8,105 crore a year on average.
Consider the following about the salary deferment announced in Himachal's 2026-27 budget: 1. 50% of the Chief Minister's salary will be deferred for six months. 2. MLAs' salaries will be deferred by 30%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The CM's salary is deferred by 50%; MLAs' by 20% (30% applies to the Deputy CM and ministers), so statement 2 is wrong.
In the first stage of EVM randomisation, EVMs are randomly allocated:
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Correct answer: C — From district warehouses to Assembly Constituencies
In the first stage EVMs move from district warehouses to ACs; in the second stage from AC level to polling stations.
Through which software system was the first randomisation of EVM-VVPATs carried out in March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — EVM Management System (EMS)
District Election Officers carried out the first randomisation through the EVM Management System (EMS).
Consider the following about the first randomisation of EVM-VVPATs in March 2026: 1. Only machines that passed First Level Checking were included. 2. It was carried out in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: only FLC-passed EVM-VVPATs were randomised, in the presence of representatives of National and State recognised parties.
In March 2026, Punjab announced a ₹563 crore medical college with 100 MBBS seats in which town?
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Correct answer: C — Malerkotla
CM Bhagwant Mann announced the medical college in Malerkotla on Eid, 21 March 2026.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, mentioned by the CM in Malerkotla, families can get cashless treatment of up to:
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Correct answer: D — ₹10 lakh
The CM urged families to enrol for cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.
Which of the following states was NOT among those that signed reform-linked JJM 2.0 MoUs on 20 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Rajasthan
The MoUs were signed with Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa; Rajasthan was not among them.
On which date did the Union Cabinet approve Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0?
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Correct answer: B — 10 March 2026
The Union Cabinet approved JJM 2.0 on 10 March 2026; state MoUs followed on 20 March and guidelines were released on 22 March.
What is the total outlay of Telangana's budget for 2026-27, presented on 20 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹3.24 lakh crore
The 2026-27 budget outlay is ₹3,24,234 crore (about ₹3.24 lakh crore); ₹2.34 lakh crore is the revenue expenditure.
Under the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme announced in Telangana's 2026-27 budget, each family gets life cover of:
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Correct answer: D — ₹5 lakh
The scheme will provide ₹5 lakh life insurance to each of 1.15 crore families from 2 June 2026.
Consider the following about Telangana's budget for 2026-27: 1. Capital expenditure is estimated at ₹47,267 crore. 2. The Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme will start on 2 June, Telangana's State formation day. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: capital expenditure is ₹47,267 crore, and the insurance scheme begins on 2 June 2026, the State formation day.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries grow in February 2026 (provisional)?
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Correct answer: B — 2.3%
The ICI grew 2.3% in February 2026; 4.7% was the final January figure and 2.9% the April–February cumulative growth.
Which of the eight core industries carries the largest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: D — Petroleum refinery products
Petroleum refinery products have the largest weight, 28.04%.
Consider the following about the core industries data for February 2026: 1. Crude oil and natural gas production declined compared with February 2025. 2. The eight core industries together account for about 40% of the weight of items in the IIP. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: crude oil fell 5.2% and natural gas 5.0%, and the core industries make up 40.27% of the IIP weight.
On 20 March 2026, India crossed which coal production milestone for the second year in a row?
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Correct answer: C — 1 billion tonnes
India reached 1 billion tonnes of coal production on 20 March 2026, for the second consecutive year.
Consider the following about India's coal output milestone of March 2026: 1. It was the first time India produced 1 billion tonnes of coal in a year. 2. The Ministry said it enabled record-high coal stocks at thermal power plants. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
It was the second year in a row, not the first, so statement 1 is wrong; the ministry said it supported record-high coal stocks at thermal plants.
Pakhala, for which Odisha set a Guinness World Record in March 2026, is a traditional dish made of:
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Correct answer: A — Fermented rice
Pakhala is fermented rice; Odisha set the record for the largest serving of fermented rice (Pakhala).
The record Pakhala serving on 20 March 2026 was laid out in a design inspired by:
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Correct answer: B — The wheel of the Konark Sun Temple
The serving was spread over 2,500 sq ft in a design inspired by the wheel of the Konark Sun Temple.
Consider the following about Odisha's Pakhala record of 20 March 2026: 1. About 850 kg of rice was used to prepare the record serving. 2. The record was set at the Konark Sun Temple premises. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
About 850 kg of rice was used; the record was set at Panthanivas in Bhubaneswar, with only the layout inspired by the Konark wheel, so statement 2 is wrong.
Exercise Lamitiye, held in March 2026, is a military exercise between India and:
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Correct answer: C — Seychelles
Lamitiye is an India–Seychelles exercise; the 2026 edition was the first tri-services edition.
Which Indian Navy ship took part in Exercise Lamitiye 2026?
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Correct answer: D — INS Trikand
Stealth frigate INS Trikand took part and departed Port Victoria on 20 March 2026.
Consider the following about Exercise Lamitiye 2026: 1. It was the first edition of the exercise in which the Indian Navy participated. 2. The word 'Lamitiye' means 'friendship' in Creole. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 2026 tri-services edition marked the Indian Navy's maiden participation, and Lamitiye means 'friendship' in Creole.
The Nd-Fe-B magnets to be made at the new ARCI pilot plant are made of:
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Correct answer: D — Neodymium, iron and boron
Nd-Fe-B stands for neodymium-iron-boron rare earth permanent magnets.
ARCI, Hyderabad, where the Nd-Fe-B magnet pilot plant was set up, is an autonomous institution under:
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Correct answer: A — Department of Science and Technology
ARCI is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology; DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar inaugurated the plant.
Consider the following about the ARCI Nd-Fe-B pilot plant: 1. It covers only the final magnetisation step, using imported sintered blocks. 2. Nd-Fe-B magnets are used in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The plant is end-to-end, from strip-cast alloy to finished sintered magnets, so statement 1 is wrong; Nd-Fe-B magnets are essential for EVs and renewable energy systems.
PM Modi spoke with King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa on 20 March 2026. He is the King of:
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Correct answer: D — Bahrain
King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa is the King of Bahrain.
In his call with the King of Bahrain on 20 March 2026, PM Modi said attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure hurt global security of:
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Correct answer: A — Food, fuel and fertiliser
Modi underlined the adverse impact of such attacks on global food, fuel and fertiliser security.
After the expansion of 20 March 2026, the Uttarakhand Cabinet reached its full strength of:
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Correct answer: B — 12
Five ministers were inducted, taking the Cabinet to its full strength of 12.
Which of the following was among the ministers inducted into the Uttarakhand Cabinet on 20 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Madan Kaushik
Madan Kaushik was inducted along with Khajan Dass, Ram Singh Kaira, Pradeep Batra and Bharat Singh Chaudhary.
During which programme did Bihar CM Nitish Kumar visit Gaya and Aurangabad on 20 March 2026 to launch development projects?
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Correct answer: B — Samriddhi Yatra
Nitish Kumar visited Gaya and Aurangabad as part of his Samriddhi Yatra.
What is the MRP of a 45 kg bag of Neem Coated Urea, as stated in the Lok Sabha on 20 March 2026 (excluding neem coating charges and taxes)?
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Correct answer: D — ₹242
A 45 kg bag of Neem Coated Urea costs ₹242; ₹254 is the MRP of a 40 kg bag of Sulphur Coated Urea.
According to the Government, the main purpose of reducing urea bag size from 50 kg to 45 kg was to:
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Correct answer: A — Curb excessive urea use and promote balanced fertilisation
The Government said the smaller bag aims to curb excessive urea consumption and encourage judicious, balanced fertiliser use, with no price increase.
The National Dental Commission, which came into effect on 19 March 2026, replaced:
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Correct answer: D — Dental Council of India
The NDC and its three autonomous boards replace the Dental Council of India, which is dissolved from 19 March 2026.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the National Dental Commission in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Sanjay Tewari
Dr Sanjay Tewari is the Chairperson of the NDC; Dr Janakiram heads the education board and Lt Gen (Retd) Sahoo the assessment board.
Who heads the Dental Assessment and Rating Board under the National Dental Commission?
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Correct answer: B — Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo
Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo is President of the Dental Assessment and Rating Board; Dr Himanshu Aeran is its Whole Time Member.
Consider the following about the National Dental Commission (NDC): 1. With the NDC Act in force from 19 March 2026, the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed. 2. The NDC has four autonomous boards, including a separate Dental Research Board. 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 NDC has three autonomous boards – UG & PG Dental Education, Dental Assessment and Rating, and Ethics and Dental Registration.
Which body is the nodal and implementing agency for the RELIEF export intervention approved in March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ECGC Ltd
ECGC Ltd has been designated the nodal and implementing agency for verification, claim processing, disbursement and monitoring under RELIEF.
RELIEF, approved on 19 March 2026 to help exporters amid West Asia disruption, is an intervention under:
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Correct answer: D — Export Promotion Mission
RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) is an intervention under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
What is the approved financial outlay for RELIEF under the Export Promotion Mission?
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Correct answer: A — ₹497 crore
RELIEF will be implemented under the Export Promotion Mission with an approved outlay of ₹497 crore.
Consider the following about RELIEF (March 2026): 1. ECGC-insured consignments shipped between 14 February and 15 March 2026 can get up to 100% risk cover over and above existing ECGC cover. 2. Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters can get full reimbursement of freight surcharges with no ceiling. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: non-insured MSME exporters get partial reimbursement of up to 50%, capped at ₹50 lakh per exporter.
According to NITI Aayog's March 2026 report, India's current share of global sports equipment exports is about:
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Correct answer: A — 0.5%
India exports about $275 million of sports equipment a year, around 0.5% of the global export market; 11% is the 2036 potential.
Consider the following about NITI Aayog's report on sports equipment manufacturing (March 2026): 1. Nearly half of the sector's production comes from large enterprises. 2. The existing clusters recommended for modernisation are Ludhiana and Kanpur. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: nearly 90% of production is by small and micro enterprises, and the clusters to be modernised are Meerut and Jalandhar.
Which State auctioned the most mineral blocks in FY 2025-26, when India auctioned a record 200 blocks?
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Correct answer: D — Gujarat
Gujarat led with 32 blocks, followed by Rajasthan (30) and Tamil Nadu (22).
Which mineral accounted for the largest number of blocks auctioned in FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — Limestone
Limestone accounted for 76 blocks, the most auctioned mineral, followed by iron ore (40) and bauxite (30).
Consider the following about mineral block auctions in FY 2025-26: 1. A majority of the 200 auctioned blocks were Composite Licence blocks. 2. Tamil Nadu conducted mineral block auctions for the first time. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: 123 of the 200 were Mining Lease blocks and 77 Composite Licence blocks. Statement 2 is correct.
Electors above 85 and flagged PwDs who want to vote by postal ballot in the 2026 Assembly elections must apply using:
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Correct answer: A — Form 12D
Such electors can avail the facility using Form 12D, submitted to the Returning Officer through their BLO within 5 days of notification.
Consider the following about the postal ballot facility for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. Form 12D can be submitted up to 15 days after the notification of election. 2. The facility for electors above 85 and PwDs flows from Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Form 12D must be submitted within 5 days of notification. Statement 2 is correct.
On 19 March 2026, PM Modi spoke by phone with leaders of several countries about West Asia. Which of these was NOT among them?
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Correct answer: B — Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia
On 19 March 2026 the PM spoke with the leaders of France, Malaysia, Oman, Jordan and Qatar; Saudi Arabia was not among them.
In his calls of 19 March 2026, with which two leaders did PM Modi explicitly affirm safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz?
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Correct answer: C — Sultan of Oman and Amir of Qatar
The PMO releases on the calls with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and Amir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar mention safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz; with Jordan the PM backed unhindered transit of goods and energy.
According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2026, India's bioeconomy in 2025 was valued at about:
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Correct answer: C — USD 195 billion
IBER 2026 puts India's bioeconomy at USD 195.3 billion in 2025; USD 300 billion is the 2030 target.
The India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026 was released at the 14th Foundation Day of:
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Correct answer: D — BIRAC
IBER 2026 and the BIRAC Impact Report were released at the 14th Foundation Day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Consider the following about India's bioeconomy (IBER 2026): 1. It contributes around 4.8% to the national GDP. 2. India's bioeconomy target is USD 300 billion by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the bioeconomy contributes about 4.8% of GDP, and the Minister said India is moving towards a USD 300 billion target by 2030.
From which city did Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launch the third phase of the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan on 19 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Indore
The third phase was launched at a state-level event at the ISKCON temple in Indore on Gudi Padwa.
Works worth about how much are planned under the third phase of Madhya Pradesh's Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan (2026)?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2,500 crore
Water conservation and storage works worth about ₹2,500 crore are planned this year under the third phase.
Which organisation will anchor implementation of the BHAVYA scheme for 100 plug-and-play industrial parks?
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Correct answer: B — NICDC
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), under DPIIT, will anchor the BHAVYA scheme.
Consider the following: 1. The BHAVYA scheme aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme. 2. NICDC is the Project Management Agency for seven PM MITRA Parks of the Ministry of Textiles. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Commerce Ministry's release of 19 March 2026.
After the EPMC gas bidding of March 2026, total gas supply to urea plants rose from 32 MMSCMD to:
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Correct answer: B — 39.31 MMSCMD
An additional 7.31 MMSCMD of spot gas raised supply to urea plants by 23%, from 32 to 39.31 MMSCMD.
Consider the following about fertiliser supply as of 19 March 2026: 1. DAP stocks were lower than on the same date in 2025. 2. Domestic urea production is projected to rise from 54,500 to 67,000 tonnes a day. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: DAP stocks more than doubled to 24.24 LMT from 11.85 LMT. Statement 2 is correct.
A ₹200-crore Banana Cluster approved in March 2026 will be developed in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Jalgaon
The Union Agriculture Minister announced that the long-pending Banana Cluster in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, has been approved at ₹200 crore.
Subsidies for facilities under the Jalgaon Banana Cluster will be provided under:
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Correct answer: A — MIDH and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
Subsidies will be provided under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
In 2026, Rajasthan observed Rajasthan Diwas on 19 March because the State Government celebrates it on:
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Correct answer: B — Chaitra Shukla Pratipada
The Rajasthan Government has resolved to celebrate Rajasthan Diwas every year on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, the Hindu New Year, which fell on 19 March in 2026.
Consider the following about Rajasthan's Mukhyamantri Viksit Gram-Ward Abhiyan: 1. It runs from 19 March to 15 May 2026. 2. The first Gram Sabhas and Ward Sabhas under it were held on 20 March 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the campaign runs from 19 March to 15 May, and the first Gram Sabhas and Ward Sabhas were held on 20 March.