Current Affairs Quiz — March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What bonus did the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approve on 17 March 2026 on wheat procured at MSP in Rabi Marketing Year 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — ₹40 per quintal
The Cabinet approved a bonus of ₹40 per quintal on wheat procured from farmers at MSP during RMY 2026-27.
Consider the following decisions of the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet of 17 March 2026: 1. The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department was renamed the Gaupalan and Animal Husbandry Department. 2. ₹945.20 crore was approved for an elevated corridor in Indore. 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 ₹945.20 crore elevated corridor is in Ujjain.
Which organisation's milestone of five billion meals was commemorated in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on 17 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Akshaya Patra Foundation
The event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre marked five billion meals served by the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
What was the theme of the event held on 17 March 2026 to mark the Akshaya Patra Foundation's five billion meals?
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Correct answer: B — From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India
The theme was 'From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India', linking nutrition and education to Viksit Bharat 2047.
India's total exports (merchandise and services) during April–February 2025-26 are estimated at:
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Correct answer: D — US$ 790.86 billion
Total exports for April–February 2025-26 are estimated at US$ 790.86 billion, up 5.79%; US$ 900.51 billion is the estimate of total imports.
Which sector led India's merchandise export growth in February 2026, rising 12.90% to US$ 10.36 billion?
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Correct answer: D — Engineering goods
Engineering goods exports rose 12.90% from US$ 9.17 billion in February 2025 to US$ 10.36 billion in February 2026.
Consider the following about India's trade data for February 2026: 1. Merchandise exports in February 2026 were higher than in February 2025. 2. India recorded an overall (merchandise plus services) trade deficit in February 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: merchandise exports were US$ 36.61 billion against US$ 36.91 billion in February 2025. Statement 2 is correct: the overall trade balance was –US$ 3.96 billion.
According to the final estimates released in March 2026, India's total horticulture production in 2024-25 was:
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Correct answer: B — 3,707.38 lakh tonnes
Final estimates put 2024-25 production at 3,707.38 lakh tonnes; 3,547.44 was the 2023-24 figure and 3,708.46 is the 2025-26 first advance estimate.
Consider the following about the horticulture estimates released on 16 March 2026: 1. Onion production in 2024-25 rose by over 25% compared with 2023-24. 2. Tomato production in 2024-25 was higher than in 2023-24. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: onion output rose 26.79% to 307.67 lakh tonnes. Statement 2 is wrong: tomato output fell to 205.99 lakh tonnes from 213.23 lakh tonnes, though it is projected to rise in 2025-26.
The fire in the trauma care ICU on 16 March 2026 that killed 12 patients occurred at which hospital?
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Correct answer: C — SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack
The fire broke out in the first-floor trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
What ex-gratia did the Prime Minister announce from PMNRF for the next of kin of each person killed in the Cuttack hospital fire?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Under the National Quantum Mission, approval for quantum teaching laboratories has been granted to how many academic institutions (as disclosed on 16 March 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — 23
Quantum teaching labs have been approved in 23 institutions; 100 more are under consideration.
Which city has been identified as the proposed venue for the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Pune
Pune has been identified as the proposed venue for IISF 2026, with the Department of Biotechnology preparing the framework.
Who was appointed by the ECI on 16 March 2026 as Special Observer for the Assam Assembly election 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Manjeet Singh
Manjeet Singh, a retired IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, was appointed Special Observer for Assam.
On which date is polling scheduled for the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly election?
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Correct answer: B — 9 April 2026
Polling in Assam is on 9 April 2026 and counting on 4 May 2026.
Consider the following about the Special Observer appointed for the 2026 Assam Assembly election: 1. The appointment was made under Article 324 of the Constitution. 2. The Special Observer is a serving IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Manjeet Singh is a retired IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre.
From RMS 2026-27, the commission payable to Arthiyas for wheat procurement in Punjab and Haryana has been raised to:
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Correct answer: A — ₹50.75 per quintal
The Arthiya commission on wheat in Punjab and Haryana rises from ₹46.00 to ₹50.75 per quintal; ₹45.67 is for wheat in Rajasthan and ₹50.61 for paddy.
Under the revised procurement commission structure from RMS 2026-27, procurement carried out at modern silos will earn:
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Correct answer: B — 50% of the mandi rate
For procurement at modern silos, the commission payable will be 50% of the rate applicable in mandis.
According to the PLFS monthly bulletin for February 2026, the urban unemployment rate (15+ years, CWS) was:
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Correct answer: C — 6.6%
Urban unemployment fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January; rural unemployment was 4.2%.
PLFS monthly estimates of LFPR, WPR and unemployment rate are based on which approach?
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Correct answer: D — Current Weekly Status
The monthly bulletins present all-India estimates following the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
Consider the following about the PLFS bulletin for February 2026: 1. Female labour force participation rate (15+) rose compared with January 2026. 2. Rural unemployment rate fell sharply compared with January 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: female LFPR rose to 35.3% from 35.1%. Statement 2 is wrong: rural unemployment was unchanged at 4.2%.
What did the Embassy of India in Tehran advise Indian nationals in Iran on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Not to approach or cross any land border without prior coordination with the Embassy
The Embassy advised Indians not to approach or attempt to cross any land border of Iran without prior and explicit coordination with it.
After the US–Israeli strikes of 28 February 2026, the Indian Embassy in Tehran first advised Indians in Iran to:
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Correct answer: A — Remain indoors as far as possible and avoid unnecessary movement
The Embassy advised Indians to remain indoors wherever possible and avoid unnecessary movement, and repeated this on 3 March.
What was India's annual WPI inflation rate (provisional) for February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2.13%
WPI inflation was 2.13% in February 2026, up from 1.81% in January; 3.27% was the inflation in primary articles.
Consider the following about WPI data for February 2026: 1. The 'Fuel & Power' group recorded negative annual inflation. 2. 'Manufactured Products' have the largest weight among the three major groups of the WPI. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Fuel & Power inflation was –3.78%, and Manufactured Products carry a weight of 64.23%.
The Jaipur–Kishangarh section, for whose six-laning NHAI received nine bids in March 2026, lies on which National Highway?
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Correct answer: D — NH-48
The around 90-km Jaipur–Kishangarh section is on NH-48 in Rajasthan.
Consider the following about the Jaipur–Kishangarh six-laning project: 1. It will be implemented on Hybrid Annuity Mode. 2. It requires large-scale additional land acquisition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: the project will be built on EPC mode and needs no additional land acquisition.
Who delivered the keynote address at the CCI's 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Rajiv Gauba
NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba delivered the keynote; CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur gave the special address.
Consider the following about the CCI's National Conference on Economics of Competition Law: 1. The CCI has organised it every year since 2016. 2. The March 2026 conference was its 11th edition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the conference has been held annually since 2016, and the 16 March 2026 event was the 11th edition.
Which body revoked GRAP Stage-I across Delhi-NCR on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas
The GRAP sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked all Stage-I actions across NCR.
Delhi's daily average AQI on 16 March 2026, when GRAP Stage-I was revoked, was recorded at:
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Correct answer: A — 119
Delhi's AQI improved from 175 on 15 March to 119 on 16 March 2026, in the 'Moderate' category.
In how many phases will the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election be held, as announced by the ECI on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Two
West Bengal votes in two phases, on 23 April and 29 April 2026; Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vote in a single phase.
On which date will votes be counted for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry?
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Correct answer: D — 4 May 2026
Counting for all five Assemblies is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
Which of the following Assemblies going to polls in 2026 has the largest number of seats?
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Correct answer: D — West Bengal
West Bengal has 294 seats, against 234 in Tamil Nadu, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam and 30 in Puducherry.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission fixed the maximum number of electors per polling station at:
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Correct answer: B — 1,200
The ECI press note of 15 March 2026 says there shall be a maximum of 1,200 electors in a polling station.
Consider the following about the 2026 Assembly elections announced on 15 March 2026: 1. The ECI conducts them in exercise of powers under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force only after the formal notification of each phase. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the ECI press note. Statement 2 is wrong: the Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately from the announcement of the schedule.
Along with the 2026 Assembly elections, the ECI announced bye-elections to how many Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
Bye-elections were announced for 8 Assembly constituencies spread across these six States.
The DA arrears that West Bengal announced on 15 March 2026 it would pay from March 2026 relate to which pay rules?
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Correct answer: C — ROPA 2009
The arrears are under the West Bengal Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) Rules, 2009.
To what amount did West Bengal raise the monthly honorarium of purohits and muezzins on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2,000
The honorarium was raised by ₹500, from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per month.
Assam's Guru Dakshina portal, launched on 15 March 2026, provides:
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Correct answer: D — A one-time financial settlement to teachers whose services were not provincialised
The portal gives a one-time financial settlement to eligible teachers of venture institutions whose institutions were provincialised but whose own services were not.
Consider the following about Assam's Guru Dakshina scheme: 1. It covers teachers left out under the Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2011 and a related 2017 Act. 2. Both teaching and non-teaching staff of venture institutions can apply. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: only teaching staff can apply, though retired teachers are eligible.
Which Indian boxer won gold in the women's 51 kg category at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
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Correct answer: A — Chandrika Pujari
Chandrika Pujari beat Uzbekistan's Mardonova Nazokat by unanimous decision in the women's 51 kg final; it was India's only gold.
What was India's medal tally at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
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Correct answer: A — 1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze
India won five medals: one gold (Chandrika Pujari), three silver (Gunjan, Joyshree Devi, L. Ambekar Meetei) and one bronze (Radhamani Longjam).
Which postal circle was praised on 15 March 2026 for ranking second in the country in overall revenue?
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Correct answer: A — Tamil Nadu
At the GDS Sammelan in Chennai, MoS Pemmasani lauded the Tamil Nadu postal circle for ranking second in overall revenue.
Consider the following about India Post, as recalled at the GDS Sammelan in Chennai on 15 March 2026: 1. India Post in its present form was established on 1 October 1854. 2. The General Post Office in Calcutta was set up in 1774. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the GPO in Calcutta was set up in 1774, and India Post in its present form was established on 1 October 1854.
According to the MoS Communications on 15 March 2026, India Post works through more than how many post offices?
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Correct answer: C — 1.6 lakh
India Post works through more than 1.6 lakh post offices, with about four lakh regular employees and over 2.5 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks.
Whom did Jannik Sinner defeat in the Indian Wells 2026 men's singles final on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Daniil Medvedev
Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev 7-6(6), 7-6(4) in the final.
With the Indian Wells 2026 title, Jannik Sinner joined which two players as the only men to win all six ATP Masters 1000 hard-court titles?
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Correct answer: D — Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer
Sinner became the third man, after Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, to complete the set of six Masters 1000 hard-court titles.
What will be the FASTag Annual Pass fee for 2026-27, effective 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,075
NHAI revised the fee from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075 for 2026-27.
Consider the following about the FASTag Annual Pass: 1. The fee revision for 2026-27 was carried out under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. 2. The pass is valid for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings and is available to commercial as well as non-commercial vehicles. 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 pass is valid for one year or 200 crossings, but only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag.
The FASTag Annual Pass, whose fee is being revised for 2026-27, was launched on:
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Correct answer: C — 15 August 2025
The FASTag Annual Pass was launched on 15 August 2025 and has over 56 lakh users.
The Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, inaugurated by Amit Shah on 15 March 2026, is located in:
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
Amit Shah inaugurated the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, built at about ₹675 crore, in Guwahati.
According to Amit Shah's address in Guwahati on 15 March 2026, the number of MBBS seats in Assam has risen from 726 to:
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Correct answer: C — 1,825
Shah said Assam now has 1,825 MBBS seats across 14 medical colleges, against 726 seats earlier.
Cancer centres at which two places in Assam were inaugurated by Amit Shah on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Golaghat and Tinsukia
The Golaghat and Tinsukia cancer centres, built at ₹135 crore each, were inaugurated along with the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital.
Nepanagar, where CM Mohan Yadav launched 127 development works worth ₹363.82 crore on 15 March 2026, is in which district of Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Burhanpur
Nepanagar is a tribal-majority Assembly constituency in Burhanpur district.
The tribal conference at Nepanagar on 15 March 2026, where CM Mohan Yadav launched 127 works, was organised under which campaign?
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Correct answer: B — Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
A tribal conference and workshop was held under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan at Nehru Stadium, Nepanagar.
What is the last date for submitting nominations for the Padma Awards 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 31 July 2026
Nominations opened on 15 March 2026 and close on 31 July 2026, online only on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
Consider the following about the Padma Awards: 1. They were instituted in 1954 and are announced on Republic Day every year. 2. Government servants working with PSUs are eligible, but doctors and scientists in government service are not. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 reverses the rule: government servants, including PSU staff, are not eligible, except doctors and scientists.
On which portal are nominations for the Padma Awards 2027 accepted?
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Correct answer: D — Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (awards.gov.in)
Nominations are received only online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, awards.gov.in.
At the Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup final on 15 March 2026, Rajnath Singh said which sport can be designated a 'Heritage Sport' of India?
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Correct answer: B — Polo
Rajnath Singh said polo, rooted in India's sporting traditions, can rightfully be designated a 'Heritage Sport' of India.
The Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, whose bhoomi pujan was performed on 14 March 2026, connects which two States?
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Correct answer: B — Meghalaya and Assam
The corridor runs from Mawlyngkhung near Shillong in Meghalaya to Panchgram near Silchar in Assam.
What was the total value of the projects launched by PM Modi in Silchar on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹23,550 crore
The Silchar projects were worth ₹23,550 crore; ₹22,864 crore is the approved cost of the Shillong–Silchar corridor alone, and ₹18,700 crore was the Kolkata package the same day.
Consider the following about the Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor: 1. It is being developed on the Hybrid Annuity Mode on NH-06. 2. The larger part of its 166.8-km length lies in Assam. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the CCEA approved it on Hybrid Annuity Mode on NH-06. Statement 2 is wrong: 144.8 km lies in Meghalaya and only 22 km in Assam.
Where is the Barak Valley's first agriculture college, mentioned by PM Modi in Silchar on 14 March 2026, located?
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Correct answer: A — Patharkandi
The PM said the establishment of the region's first agriculture college at Patharkandi would make the valley a hub for agricultural research.
Which team beat India 2-0 in the final of the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Hyderabad on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — England
England beat India 2-0 through goals by Grace Balsdon and Elizabeth Neal; Scotland won bronze.
The 2026 FIH Women's Hockey World Cup, for which India qualified in March 2026, will be jointly hosted by:
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Correct answer: D — Belgium and the Netherlands
The World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from 14 to 30 August 2026.
Under the LPG Control Order amendment of 14 March 2026, which consumers must surrender their domestic LPG connections?
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Correct answer: D — Households with a piped natural gas (PNG) connection
Persons having both a PNG connection and a domestic LPG connection must surrender the LPG connection immediately.
Consider the following about the LPG Control Order amended on 14 March 2026: 1. The amendment was made under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 2. The parent order being amended is the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the amendment order, S.O. 1333(E), was issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and amends the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000.
Which ministry notified the amendment requiring PNG households to give up domestic LPG connections in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notified the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Amendment Order, 2026 on 14 March 2026.
The first Samriddhi Kendra under the DoT's Samriddh Gram Phygital Services pilot was inaugurated in which village?
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Correct answer: D — Umri, Guna (Madhya Pradesh)
Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the Samriddhi Kendra at Umri village in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The Samriddhi Kendra at Umri delivers integrated services mainly by leveraging broadband created under:
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Correct answer: A — BharatNet
The initiative uses high-speed broadband infrastructure created under BharatNet to deliver citizen-centric services in rural areas.
In which district of Jammu and Kashmir was a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park sanctioned on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Anantnag
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park for Anantnag district.
Which guidelines were released at the first National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries in Srinagar on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold-Water Fisheries
The 'Model Guidelines for the Development of Cold-Water Fisheries' were released at SKICC, Srinagar.