Current Affairs Quiz — May 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
As per NSO's QBUSE for January–March 2026, the estimated number of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments was:
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Correct answer: C — 9.16 crore
Establishments rose to 9.16 crore from 7.85 crore in the same quarter a year earlier, a 16.69% increase.
Consider the following statements based on the QBUSE for January–March 2026: 1. Employment in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector crossed 15 crore for the first time. 2. Urban establishments grew faster than rural establishments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Employment reached 15.17 crore, crossing 15 crore for the first time. Rural growth (20.46%) was faster than urban (12.59%), so statement 2 is wrong.
What share of total employment in the unincorporated non-agricultural sector did women account for in January–March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — More than 29%
The women workforce constituted more than 29% of total employment in the sector.
By what date were stakeholders invited to comment on the Sports Ministry's proposed amendments to criminalise organised doping (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — 18 June 2026
Comments and suggestions were invited during the public consultation by 18 June 2026.
Consider the following statements about the proposed anti-doping amendments (May 2026): 1. Athletes not involved in offences such as trafficking will not be criminalised merely for anti-doping rule violations or positive tests. 2. The proposals are aligned with India's commitments under the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated: athletes remain outside criminal prosecution for rule violations alone, and the measures align with the UNESCO Convention and the WADA approach.
The proposed Indian anti-doping amendments of May 2026 are stated to be aligned with which international instrument?
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Correct answer: A — UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport
The Ministry said the measures are aligned with India's commitments under the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport and consistent with the WADA approach.
The First International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit, postponed in May 2026, was originally scheduled for:
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Correct answer: B — 1 June 2026, New Delhi
The Summit was scheduled for 1 June 2026 in New Delhi, in conjunction with the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit.
Consider the following statements: 1. The First IBCA Summit was to be held in Kolkata. 2. The decision to hold the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit later was taken by India alone, without consulting the African Union. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
The IBCA Summit was to be held in New Delhi, and the IAFS-IV decision was taken in consultation with the African Union Chairperson and the AU Commission. Both statements are wrong.
According to Piyush Goyal at the AmCham Annual Leadership Summit (21 May 2026), commitments from American industry in India over the last six months were estimated at upwards of:
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Correct answer: C — $60 billion
Goyal said commitments from American industry in the last six months were estimated to be upwards of $60 billion, including data centre investments by Amazon and Google.
On 21 May 2026 Nitin Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance of how many km of National Highway projects in Uttar Pradesh?
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Correct answer: C — 11,672 km
Gadkari reviewed the quality and maintenance progress of 11,672 km of NH projects in Uttar Pradesh.
In which city did the BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting under India's BRICS Chairship conclude on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indore
The meeting concluded in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, after two days of discussions.
Which Union Minister attended the BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting in Indore virtually?
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Correct answer: B — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya attended virtually; MoS Raksha Nikhil Khadse and MP Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang attended in person.
Which three new centres did UPSC add for the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut
UPSC introduced new centres at Bhubaneswar, Kanpur and Meerut, raising the total from 80 to 83.
Which of the new UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026 centres received the most applications?
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Correct answer: D — Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar received 10,656 applications, Kanpur 6,938 and Meerut 5,902; Ghaziabad is an existing centre.
From which country were the nearly 3 lakh e-cigarettes seized by the DRI in May 2026 sourced?
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Correct answer: D — China
The DRI found the prohibited e-cigarettes were sourced from China in every instance.
In which year was the law prohibiting the production, import, sale and advertisement of electronic cigarettes in India enacted?
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Correct answer: B — 2019
E-cigarettes and all ENDS are prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (...) Act, 2019.
Consider the following statements about the DRI's e-cigarette seizure (May 2026): 1. The seizures were made in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana. 2. The consignments were concealed in items declared as 'Furniture' and 'Metal Chair Parts'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The seizures were in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal, so statement 1 is wrong; the goods were concealed as 'Furniture' and 'Metal Chair Parts'.
Who chaired the 138th Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) meeting held in Ahmedabad on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Director General, Indian Coast Guard
The 138th OSCC met under the chairpersonship of DG Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani.
Expanding offshore exploration activities in which region were discussed at the 138th OSCC meeting (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — Andaman & Nicobar region
Deliberations included the expanding offshore exploration activities in the Andaman & Nicobar region.
Which UN agency conferred its Agricola Medal for 2026 on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
FAO conferred the Agricola Medal for 2026 at its headquarters in Rome on 20 May 2026.
Who presented the Agricola Medal 2026 to PM Modi at FAO Headquarters?
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Correct answer: D — Qu Dongyu
PIB: the Prime Minister received the award from Dr Qu Dongyu, Director General of FAO.
According to the Prime Minister's remarks at FAO, about how many climate-resilient crop varieties has India developed in the last 10 years?
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Correct answer: B — 3,000
The Prime Minister stated that India had developed around 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties in the last 10 years.
To what level did India and Italy elevate their relations during PM Modi's visit to Italy in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Special Strategic Partnership
The India-Italy Joint Declaration of 20 May 2026 states that the two leaders decided to elevate relations to a Special Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements about the India-Italy Joint Declaration (May 2026): 1. The two sides aim to reach €20 billion in bilateral trade by 2029. 2. The Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 was adopted at the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Action Plan was adopted when the leaders met at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024.
Under the May 2026 India-Italy Joint Declaration, which mechanism will review the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29?
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Correct answer: D — A Foreign Ministers-led mechanism
The leaders agreed to establish a Foreign Ministers-led mechanism to review the Action Plan and guide the Special Strategic Partnership.
Where did the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 begin on 20 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya
PRAGATI 2026 commenced at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya.
Consider the following statements about Exercise PRAGATI 2026: 1. PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region. 2. Bangladesh and Thailand were among the 12 participating nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the 12 nations were Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
In the ICMR-CCRAS Phase III trial presented in May 2026, Punarnavadi Mandura was compared with which standard therapy for anaemia?
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Correct answer: C — Iron Folic Acid supplementation
The trial compared Punarnavadi Mandura, alone and with Drakshavaleha, against standard Iron Folic Acid supplementation and found them therapeutically equivalent.
The ICMR report on First-in-Human Phase 1 clinical trials, launched in May 2026, was based on what kind of study?
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Correct answer: A — A Delphi study with 37 experts
The report is 'A Delphi Study on Regulatory Pathways and Opportunities', developed through two rounds of consultation with 37 experts.
Consider the following statements about the 1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet (May 2026): 1. The anaemia trial enrolled pregnant women in their second trimester. 2. ICMR released Operational Guidelines for Single Ethics Review of Multicentre Research in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the trial enrolled nearly 4,000 non-pregnant women aged 18–49 with moderate anaemia. Statement 2 is correct.
How many new subscribers did the Atal Pension Yojana add in FY 2025-26, its highest-ever annual enrolment?
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Correct answer: D — 1.35 crore
A record 1.35 crore subscribers were added to APY during FY 2025-26.
What was the share of women in Atal Pension Yojana enrolments during FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 55.14%
PFRDA reported that women's participation under APY reached a record 55.14% during FY 2025-26.
By how much did the Index of Eight Core Industries grow (provisional) in April 2026 over April 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1.7%
The ICI rose 1.7% (provisional) in April 2026. 2.7% is the cumulative growth for 2025-26.
Which of the eight core industries carries the largest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
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Correct answer: C — Petroleum refinery products
Refinery products have the largest weight at 28.04%, followed by electricity, steel (17.92%) and coal (10.33%).
Under which programme did the Atal Innovation Mission open applications for 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs in Jammu & Kashmir in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Frontier Region Program
The 500 new ATLs are a key component of AIM's Frontier Region Program.
Which institution is the nodal mentoring institution for the Atal Tinkering Lab ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir?
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Correct answer: B — University of Kashmir
The University of Kashmir was designated as the nodal mentoring institution when the ATL Sarthi and Frontier Region Program were launched in September 2025.
What was the theme of World Metrology Day 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making
The Department of Consumer Affairs stated that the 2026 theme is 'Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making'.
World Metrology Day is observed on 20 May to mark the anniversary of the signing of which treaty?
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Correct answer: B — The Metre Convention
The Metre Convention was signed in Paris on 20 May 1875; 2026 marked its 151st anniversary.
The ANRF Convergence Research Centres of Excellence announced in May 2026 mainly aim to:
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Correct answer: C — combine social sciences and humanities with science and technology
The programme brings together social sciences, humanities, science and technology to address complex societal challenges.
'SAṂYoga', one of the ANRF Convergence Research CoEs selected in May 2026, is a Center for Sanskrit, AI, Music and Yoga at which institution?
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Correct answer: A — IIT Madras
SAṂYoga - Center for Sanskrit AI Music and Yoga is IIT Madras's project. IIT Gandhinagar's centre is on human-climate interactions, and IIT Dharwad's is on rural livelihoods.
What is the approximate outlay of the 'Mission on Arunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh' launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹167 crore
PIB: the mission has an outlay of approximately ₹167 crore.
Which of the following is NOT among the areas listed for the cluster-level post-harvest hubs of the Arunachal Kiwi Mission?
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Correct answer: C — Tawang
The hubs are across Ziro Valley (Lower Subansiri), Dirang and Kalaktang (West Kameng), Shi Yomi and Dibang Valley. Tawang is not listed.
The IOS SAGAR deployment, which ended at Kochi on 20 May 2026, carried 38 personnel from how many partner nations?
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Correct answer: C — 16
PIB: the joint mission had 38 personnel from 16 partner nations.
Which Indian Navy ship undertook the IOS SAGAR deployment that ended in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Sunayna
INS Sunayna sailed as IOS SAGAR and returned to Kochi on 20 May 2026.
Which of the following was NOT among the areas of the defence agreements exchanged by India and South Korea in Seoul on 20 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Joint submarine construction
The agreements covered Defence Cyber, training between India's National Defence College and Korea National Defence University, and UN Peacekeeping. Submarine construction was not among them.
In India–South Korea defence ties, what does 'KIND-X', discussed by Rajnath Singh in Seoul in May 2026, refer to?
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Correct answer: D — The India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem
Rajnath Singh and DAPA Minister Lee Yong-chul discussed a roadmap for the India-Korea Defence Innovation Accelerator Ecosystem (KIND-X).
The Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Sanghmitra', launched in May 2026, is named after whom?
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Correct answer: D — The daughter of King Ashoka
PIB: the ship is named 'Sanghmitra' after the daughter of King Ashoka.
How many Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs) are being built at GSL, Goa and GRSE, Kolkata?
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Correct answer: B — 11
PIB: the construction of 11 NGOPVs is being undertaken concurrently at GSL, Goa and GRSE, Kolkata.
According to Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu (May 2026), how many new airports and heliports are to be developed under Modified UDAN?
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Correct answer: A — 100 airports and 200 heliports
Naidu said 100 new airports and 200 heliports will be developed under Modified UDAN.
As stated at Ranchi Airport in May 2026, the number of airports in India has grown from 74 in 2014 to how many?
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Correct answer: C — 165
The minister said airports have increased from 74 in 2014 to 165 today.
The May 2026 study on hidden turbulence in the solar corona was carried out by IIT Delhi and which DST institute?
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Correct answer: B — Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Nainital
The study was by ARIES Nainital, an autonomous institute of DST, together with IIT Delhi.
According to the ARIES–IIT Delhi simulations, what produces alternating blue and red asymmetries in coronal spectral lines?
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Correct answer: D — Turbulence created by transverse waves through phase mixing in a density-structured plume
Transverse waves on a plume with density variations generate fine-scale turbulence through phase mixing; overlapping emission along the line of sight then gives alternating blue and red wing asymmetries.
Which city hosted the 3rd India-Nordic Summit on 19 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Oslo
The summit was hosted by the Prime Minister of Norway; PIB places PM Modi's margin meetings in Oslo.
Into what kind of partnership did India and the Nordic countries decide to shape their relations at the 3rd India-Nordic Summit?
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Correct answer: D — Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership
PM Modi announced that India–Nordic relations would be shaped into a Green Technology and Innovation Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements in the context of the 3rd India-Nordic Summit (May 2026): 1. The India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement has been implemented since October 2025. 2. Sweden is a party to the India–EFTA TEPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: PM Modi named Norway, Iceland and the other EFTA countries as TEPA partners, and Denmark, Finland and Sweden as partners in the India–EU FTA.
Major General B. C. Khanduri (Retd.), whose demise was condoled by the Prime Minister on 19 May 2026, had served as Chief Minister of which state?
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Correct answer: C — Uttarakhand
PIB describes him as former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and former Union Minister.
Major General B. C. Khanduri (Retd.), who died on 19 May 2026, held which Union portfolio in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government?
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Correct answer: B — Road Transport and Highways
Khanduri was Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways in the Vajpayee government and is credited with executing the Golden Quadrilateral.
Consider the following statements about Major General B. C. Khanduri (Retd.), who died in May 2026: 1. He served two terms as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, 2007–2009 and 2011–2012. 2. The Golden Quadrilateral, executed during his tenure as Road Transport and Highways Minister, was part of Phase II of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the 5,846-km Golden Quadrilateral was part of the first phase of NHDP; Phase II mainly covered the North-South and East-West Corridors.
Which coal mine became the first underground mine to start production under the commercial coal auction regime in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Urtan, Anuppur
The Urtan mine in Anuppur district, MP, began production on 15 May 2026 as the first underground mine under commercial auctions. Dhirauli also began production but is not described as underground.
The Dhirauli coal mine, which began production on 17 May 2026, is in which district of Madhya Pradesh?
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Correct answer: C — Singrauli
Dhirauli is in Singrauli district and is allocated to Mahan Energen Limited.
Which of the following states is NOT a member of the Central Zonal Council, whose 26th meeting was held in Bastar in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bihar
The meeting was attended by the Chief Ministers of the member states Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Bihar is not among them.
Which body organised the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs
PIB: the meeting was organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat, functioning under the MHA, with Chhattisgarh as host.
As per the Project Cheetah review of 19 May 2026, what is India's current cheetah population?
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Correct answer: D — 53
The population stands at 53, of which 33 are Indian-born. 29 is the total of founders (20) and the Botswana batch (9).
Besides Namibia and South Africa, cheetahs for Project Cheetah were also brought from which country?
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Correct answer: A — Botswana
The founder population of 20 from Namibia and South Africa was supplemented by 9 cheetahs from Botswana.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah (May 2026 review): 1. Habitat readiness in the Banni grasslands of Gujarat has reached satisfactory levels. 2. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is named as a new site for the next phase. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are in the PIB release: Banni preparation is satisfactory, and the next phase will develop new sites such as Nauradehi WLS in MP.
Which DRDO laboratory is the nodal lab for the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3?
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Correct answer: C — Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad
RCI Hyderabad is the nodal lab; DRDL, TBRL and HEMRL are the other contributing laboratories.
Near which place were the final development trials of ULPGM-V3 conducted in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
The trials were carried out at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.