Current Affairs Quiz — 20 April 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The MoSPI survey 'Household Social Consumption: Health' released in April 2026 was part of which round of the National Sample Survey?
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Correct answer: D — 80th round
The survey was conducted from January to December 2025 as part of the 80th round of the NSS.
According to the NSS health survey of 2025, about what share of childbirths in the reference period took place in hospitals?
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Correct answer: C — 96%
About 96% of childbirths during the last 365 days took place in hospitals.
Consider the following findings of the NSS 'Household Social Consumption: Health' survey (2025): 1. The share of persons reporting an ailment in the last 15 days fell compared with the 2017–18 survey. 2. The hospitalisation rate was highest among persons aged 60 years or more. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. Persons reporting an ailment rose to 13.1% from 7.5% in 2017–18, and hospitalisation was highest (8.1%) in the 60+ age group.
The Joint Strategic Vision announced during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's State Visit to India in April 2026 covers which period?
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Correct answer: B — 2026–2030
The leaders announced the Joint Strategic Vision for the India–ROK Special Strategic Partnership for the next five years, 2026–2030.
Which year has been designated the 'Year of India–ROK Friendship' as an outcome of the April 2026 State Visit?
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Correct answer: D — 2028–29
The outcomes list includes commemoration of 2028–29 as the Year of India–ROK Friendship.
Consider the following outcomes of the India–Republic of Korea State Visit of April 2026: 1. The Republic of Korea will join the International Solar Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. 2. India and the Republic of Korea signed a new Free Trade Agreement replacing the CEPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Korea is joining the ISA and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, but the two sides only issued a joint declaration on resuming negotiations to upgrade the existing CEPA; no new FTA was signed.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries change in March 2026 compared with March 2025 (provisional)?
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Correct answer: C — Fell 0.4%
The ICI declined 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026; 2.6% is the FY 2025–26 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: B — Petroleum refinery products
Refinery products have the largest weight at 28.04%, followed by electricity (19.85%) and steel (17.92%).
Consider the following statements about the Index of Eight Core Industries: 1. The eight core industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production. 2. In March 2026, fertilizer production recorded the steepest decline among the eight industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the core industries make up 40.27% of IIP weight, and fertilizers fell 24.6% in March 2026, the sharpest decline.
Under the revised order of April 2026, jute mills and processing units may hold raw jute stock up to:
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Correct answer: B — 45 days' consumption
Jute mills/processing units may hold up to 45 days' consumption; traders and balers have a nil limit.
Violation of the raw jute stock limits notified in 2026 attracts punitive action under which law?
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Correct answer: A — Essential Commodities Act, 1955
The ministry said punitive action will be taken under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Where did Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma roll out a multi-scheme agricultural support package on 20 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Tura
The package was rolled out at an input distribution programme in Tura.
Meghalaya's Ginger Mission, which is being expanded to over 15,000 more farmers, was launched in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2022
The Ginger Mission was launched in 2022; the state has invested over ₹62 crore benefiting more than 19,000 farmers.
What revenue did the Department of Posts earn in FY 2025–26?
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Correct answer: B — ₹15,296 crore
Revenue was ₹15,296 crore, up 16% from ₹13,218 crore; ₹17,546 crore was the business target.
Which business vertical of the Department of Posts grew fastest in FY 2025–26?
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Correct answer: D — Citizen Centric Services
Citizen Centric Services grew 70%, ahead of Parcels (69%) and Mail Operations (34%).
In the PM VIKAS scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, what does 'VIKAS' stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Virasat Ka Samvardhan
PM VIKAS stands for Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.
How many minority youth from Bihar will IIT Patna train under the PM VIKAS MoU announced in April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 600
IIT Patna will train 600 minority youth from Bihar in roles such as AI Technocrat and Business Analytics Executive.
The thematic focus of the seventh edition of NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly' (released April 2026) was:
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Correct answer: B — Gems and jewellery
The Q3 FY26 edition's thematic section focuses on India's gems and jewellery sector.
According to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly, India's share of world gems and jewellery exports (excluding raw gold) in 2024 was about:
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Correct answer: A — 7.8%
India's exports of $29.5 billion accounted for a 7.8% share of world exports in a market of about $378 billion.
The Samriddh Gram initiative, nominated for the WSIS Prizes 2026, is built on which network?
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Correct answer: A — BharatNet
Samriddh Gram is an integrated phygital service delivery model enabled by BharatNet.
Under which WSIS Prizes 2026 category has India's Samriddh Gram initiative been nominated?
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Correct answer: D — AL C6: Enabling Environment
Samriddh Gram was nominated under Action Line C6: Enabling Environment.
The bus that rolled down a hillside in Udhampur district on 20 April 2026, killing 21, was travelling between which places?
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Correct answer: A — Ramnagar and Udhampur
The bus was travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it went off the road near Kagort village.
From which fund did the Prime Minister announce ex-gratia for the victims of the Udhampur bus accident of April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
After the approval of 20 April 2026, what is the total quantity of wheat (excluding wheat products) permitted for export?
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Correct answer: D — 50 LMT
With the latest additional 25 LMT, a total of 50 LMT of wheat and 10 LMT of wheat products have been permitted.
According to the Second Advance Estimates of March 2026, India's wheat production for 2025–26 is estimated at:
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Correct answer: A — 1,202 LMT
The Second Advance Estimates released on 10 March 2026 put wheat production for 2025–26 at 1,202 LMT.
Which section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits the sale or distribution of liquor in a polling area in the 48 hours ending with the close of poll?
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Correct answer: B — Section 135C
Section 135C of the RP Act, 1951 bars sale or distribution of liquor in a polling area during the 48 hours ending with the close of poll.
Consider the following statements about ECI's dry-day directions for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. The dry-day period also applies to the date of any repoll. 2. The counting day, 4 May 2026, is to be declared a dry day in the poll-going states/UT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: ECI said the 48-hour dry period includes the date of any repoll, and directed that 4 May 2026, the counting day, also be a dry day.
The ~20-million-year-old Syzygium (Jamun) fossil leaves described in the BSIP study of 2026 were collected from the Kasauli Formation in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Himachal Pradesh
The fossils were collected from the Kasauli Formation in Himachal Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 BSIP study on Jamun (Syzygium): 1. It supports the earlier view that the genus originated in Australia or Southeast Asia. 2. It indicates the genus has been present in the Indian region since the early Eocene, about 55 million years ago. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The study points to an East Gondwanan origin with India as a major early centre, revising the earlier Australia/Southeast Asia view, and finds the genus present in India since the early Eocene.