Defence & Security Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry, who succeeded Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan on 1 June 2026, became AOC-in-C of which IAF command?
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Correct answer: D — Central Air Command
He assumed the appointment of AOC-in-C, Central Air Command; he was earlier SASO at HQ Southern Air Command.
Who assumed charge as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on 31 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff on 31 May 2026.
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who became Navy Chief in May 2026, is a specialist in which field?
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Correct answer: B — Communication and Electronic Warfare
PIB describes him as a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist.
Before taking over as Chief of the Naval Staff in May 2026, Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of which command?
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Correct answer: D — Western Naval Command
Prior to assuming charge as CNS, he was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
Consider the following statements about Admiral Krishna Swaminathan: 1. He succeeded Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi as Chief of the Naval Staff. 2. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1985. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
He succeeded Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi; he was commissioned on 1 July 1987, not in 1985.
On 31 May 2026, who assumed charge as the third Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India?
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Correct answer: B — General NS Raja Subramani
General NS Raja Subramani assumed charge as the third CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, on 31 May 2026.
General NS Raja Subramani, who became CDS in May 2026, was commissioned in December 1985 into which regiment?
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Correct answer: A — Garhwal Rifles
He was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in December 1985.
Immediately before becoming CDS in May 2026, General NS Raja Subramani held which post?
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Correct answer: D — Military Adviser, National Security Council Secretariat
Prior to assuming the appointment of CDS, he served as Military Adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat.
Consider the following statements about the Chief of Defence Staff who took charge on 31 May 2026: 1. He also holds the post of Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. 2. He has served as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Command. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
General NS Raja Subramani took charge as CDS and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs; his earlier posts include GOC-in-C, Central Command.
The maiden edition of the multilateral Army exercise PRAGATI 2026 was held at which military station?
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Correct answer: A — Umroi, Meghalaya
Exercise PRAGATI 2026 was conducted at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya.
In the name of the multilateral exercise PRAGATI (2026), what does the term stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region
PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.
Which one of the following countries did NOT send troops to Exercise PRAGATI 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bangladesh
Participants were India, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos; Bangladesh is not in the list.
Consider the following statements about Exercise PRAGATI 2026: 1. It was the maiden edition of the exercise. 2. It focused on counter-terrorism operations in desert terrain. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PRAGATI 2026 was the maiden edition; its focus was counter-terrorism in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, not desert terrain.
While fighting the Kasauli forest fire in May 2026, the Indian Air Force achieved which first?
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Correct answer: D — First night Bambi Bucket operations using Night Vision Goggles
In a first for the IAF, night Bambi Bucket operations were undertaken using Night Vision Goggles.
For the Kasauli firefighting operation (May 2026), IAF helicopters sourced water from which lake?
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Correct answer: B — Sukhna Lake
Water was sourced from Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, 2,000–2,500 litres per sortie.
Who took over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, on 30 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed charge as FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command, in Mumbai on 30 May 2026.
Consider the following statements about Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan: 1. Before becoming FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command, he was Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. 2. He is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
He served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff before this post; he is a Gunnery and Missile Systems specialist.
The 'Nausena Shaurya Vatika' inaugurated in Lucknow in May 2026 showcases artefacts and weapon systems of which decommissioned ship?
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Correct answer: B — INS Gomati
The open-air museum showcases artefacts and weapon systems of INS Gomati, decommissioned on 29 May 2022.
In which city was the open-air naval museum 'Nausena Shaurya Vatika' inaugurated on 30 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Lucknow
Rajnath Singh and Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Nausena Shaurya Vatika in Lucknow; it was built at a cost of ₹19 crore.
Who assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 29 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th VCNS on 29 May 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.
Consider the following statements about Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar: 1. He has commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. 2. He served as Commandant of the National Defence Academy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
He commanded INS Vikramaditya and, after commanding the Western Fleet in 2021, served as Commandant, NDA.
In May 2026, who was given additional charge as Chairman of DRDO on completion of Dr Samir V. Kamat's tenure?
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Correct answer: C — Rajesh Kumar Singh
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was given additional charge as Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO, from 31 May 2026.
Dr Samir V. Kamat, whose tenure as DRDO Chairman ended on 31 May 2026, had held the post since:
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Correct answer: D — August 2022
Dr Kamat had served as Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO since August 2022.
The G-7 and G-13 Border Out Posts inaugurated by Amit Shah on 29 May 2026 are located along the India-Pakistan border in which area?
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Correct answer: B — Bhuj, Gujarat
Amit Shah inaugurated the G-7 and G-13 Border Out Posts along the India-Pakistan border in Bhuj, Gujarat.
The 16th edition of the Defence Policy Dialogue held on 28 May 2026 in Singapore was between India and which country?
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Correct answer: A — Singapore
The 16th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Permanent Secretary (Defence) Joseph Leong in Singapore.
Who co-chaired the 16th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue (May 2026) from the Indian side?
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Correct answer: B — Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the dialogue with Singapore's Permanent Secretary (Defence) Joseph Leong.
How many trainees passed out at the Spring Term 2026 Passing Out Parade of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, on 28 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 311
A total of 311 trainees, including 66 women trainees, passed out.
The foreign trainees who passed out from the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala in May 2026 came from which three countries?
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Correct answer: D — Seychelles, Tanzania and Vietnam
Six trainees from Seychelles, Tanzania and Vietnam passed out, two of them women trainees from Seychelles.
INS Sudarshini, which completed her first trans-Atlantic crossing in May 2026, is part of which Indian Navy expedition?
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Correct answer: B — Lokayan 26
INS Sudarshini's voyage is part of the ongoing Lokayan 26 expedition.
Consider the following statements about INS Sudarshini's voyage (May 2026): 1. The last trans-Atlantic crossing by an Indian Navy sail training ship before this was by INS Tarangini in 2007. 2. The expedition began from Visakhapatnam in January 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
INS Tarangini made the last such crossing in 2007; the expedition departed from Kochi on 20 January 2026, not Visakhapatnam.
Which agencies jointly seized about 115 kg of cocaine off the Mundra coast in Gujarat on 25–26 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Coast Guard and ATS Gujarat
The Indian Coast Guard and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Gujarat conducted the joint intelligence-based operation.
The May 2026 cocaine seizure off Mundra was described as which joint anti-narcotics operation of the Indian Coast Guard and ATS Gujarat in the last five years?
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Correct answer: B — 15th
It was the 15th successful anti-narcotics operation jointly undertaken by ICG and ATS in the last five years.
In May 2026, Union Home Minister Amit Shah e-inaugurated women's barracks at the BSF's Sanchu Post. In which district is this post located?
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Correct answer: A — Bikaner
The women's barracks were e-inaugurated at Sanchu Post in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
As stated by the Home Minister at Sanchu Post in May 2026, the BSF's operational jurisdiction has been expanded:
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Correct answer: D — From 15 km to 50 km
Amit Shah said the government has expanded the BSF's operational jurisdiction from 15 to 50 kilometres.
Consider the following statements made by the Home Minister at Sanchu Post (May 2026): 1. Piped drinking water is being provided to 180 BSF outposts in Rajasthan. 2. Anti-drone systems will be deployed along the border within the next six months. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both were stated: piped drinking water to 180 BSF outposts in Rajasthan, and anti-drone systems along the border within six months.
Which aircraft does the IAF's Suryakiran Aerobatic Team fly, as stated at its 30th anniversary in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Hawk Mk-132
The team flies the Hawk Mk-132 aircraft in its red-and-white livery.
The Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, which marked 30 years on 26 May 2026, was formed in which year and at which station?
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Correct answer: C — 1996, Bidar
The team was formed in 1996 at Bidar, where its 30th anniversary was celebrated at Air Force Station Bidar.
What equipment was commissioned in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi, on 25 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Ring Gantry-based Linear Accelerator
A Ring Gantry-based Linear Accelerator was commissioned in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
'Suryastra', flagged off at Shirdi on 23 May 2026, is:
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Correct answer: A — India's first 300 km Universal Rocket Launching System
PIB: India's first 300 km Universal Rocket Launching System 'Suryastra' was flagged off at the event.
The private-sector Defence Manufacturing Complex inaugurated by Rajnath Singh on 23 May 2026 belongs to which company and is located where?
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Correct answer: B — NIBE Group, Shirdi
The complex of NIBE Group was inaugurated at Shirdi, Maharashtra.
Consider the following statements about the event at Shirdi on 23 May 2026: 1. Indigenous TNT and RDX plant technologies were unveiled. 2. NIBE Group and Black Sky exchanged an MoU in the field of satellite assembly. 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: TNT and RDX plant technologies were unveiled, and an MoU on satellite assembly was exchanged between NIBE Group and Black Sky.
Who won the Suranjan Das Trophy for the best all-round student test pilot of the 48th Flight Test Course at AFTPS (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — Sqn Ldr KK Singh
The Suranjan Das Trophy went to Sqn Ldr KK Singh; Sqn Ldr Aditya Jamdagni won the CAS Trophy and Wg Cdr Abhinav Kumar the Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword.
The 48th Flight Test Course that graduated from AFTPS Bengaluru on 23 May 2026 comprised:
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Correct answer: A — 11 test pilots and 6 flight test engineers
Eleven test pilots and six flight test engineers, 17 officers in all, graduated.
Consider the following statements about the 48th Flight Test Course graduation (May 2026): 1. The chief guest, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, is an alumnus of the 17th Flight Test Course. 2. The graduates will join the Aviation Wing of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. 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: the CAS is a 17th FTC alumnus, and the graduates join the Aviation Wing of ASTE.
The Maroon Beret Ceremonial Parade held at Air Force Station Chandinagar on 23 May 2026 marked the passing out of trainees of which force?
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Correct answer: D — IAF Garud special forces
The parade marked the completion of training of Air Force Special Forces operatives of the 'Garud' force at the Garud Regimental Training Centre.
From where was the Agni-1 short-range ballistic missile test-launched on 22 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha
PIB: Agni-1 was successfully test-launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha.
The Agni-1 test of 22 May 2026 was carried out under the aegis of:
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Correct answer: D — Strategic Forces Command
The Defence Ministry said the test was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.
The about 60,000 kg of areca nuts seized by the DRI in May 2026 had been smuggled into India from which country, through which border?
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Correct answer: B — Myanmar, through the Myanmar–Mizoram border
Investigations revealed the areca nuts were smuggled from Myanmar through the Myanmar–Mizoram border.
Where was the Indian War Memorial, honouring Indian troops of the Korean War, inaugurated on 21 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Imjingak Park, Seoul
Rajnath Singh and Kwon Oh-eul jointly inaugurated the memorial at Imjingak Park, Seoul.
By what title did wounded soldiers and civilians in Korea remember the Indian Army's 60 Para Field Ambulance?
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Correct answer: D — Maroon Angels
The unit's bravery and humanitarian approach earned it the title 'Maroon Angels' from wounded soldiers and civilians of the Republic of Korea.
'Hind Nagar', set up by the Custodian Force of India in September 1954 where the new memorial stands, housed almost how many prisoners of war?
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Correct answer: C — 22,000
PIB: Hind Nagar housed almost 22,000 prisoners of war until their peaceful repatriation.
Consider the following statements about the Indian War Memorial in Seoul (May 2026): 1. The Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission after the Korean War was chaired by India under Lt Gen KS Thimayya. 2. The memorial was built with funding support from India's Ministry of Defence. 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: India chaired the NNRC under Lt Gen KS Thimayya, and the project had funding support from the Ministry of Defence.
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.
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.
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.
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.