Infrastructure & Energy Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
When was the Amrit Bharat Express train service launched?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — December 2023
PIB Backgrounder: Amrit Bharat Express trains have been operational since December 2023.
Consider the following statements about the Amrit Bharat Express (PIB backgrounder, January 2026): 1. It is a non-AC long-distance sleeper train service. 2. Its non-AC sleeper fare is about ₹500 per 1,000 km. 3. Its fares follow dynamic pricing. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB Backgrounder: it is a modern non-AC long-distance sleeper service priced at about ₹500 per 1,000 km with no dynamic pricing, so statement 3 is wrong.
With which organisation did the Ministry of Coal sign CMDPAs for the Dhulia North, Mandakini B and Pirpainti Barahat blocks in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Damodar Valley Corporation
PIB (Coal): the agreements were executed with Damodar Valley Corporation.
What is the combined Peak Rated Capacity of the three coal blocks allotted to DVC in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 49 MTPA
PIB (Coal): the three blocks together have a cumulative Peak Rated Capacity of 49 MTPA.
On which National Highway corridors is NHAI's real-time stray cattle safety alert pilot (January 2026) being implemented?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari
PIB (Road Transport): the pilot is being implemented on the Jaipur–Agra and Jaipur–Rewari NH corridors.
Under NHAI's stray cattle alert pilot, approximately how far ahead of a high-risk stretch is the warning triggered?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 10 km
PIB (Road Transport): location-based alerts give advance warning approximately 10 km before identified high-risk stretches.
What record number of interchange trains did the Dedicated Freight Corridor network handle in a single day in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 892
PIB (Railways): 892 interchange trains were handled on 5 January 2026; the previous record was 865 on 4 January 2026.
How many Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals had Indian Railways approved, as per the PIB backgrounder of January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 306
PIB Backgrounder: 306 GCTs have been approved, with a combined capacity of 192 MTPA; 118 are commissioned.
According to the PIB backgrounder on Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (January 2026), India's logistics costs have been reduced to what share of GDP?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 7.97%
PIB Backgrounder: logistics costs have been reduced to 7.97% of GDP.
Where was the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Abu Dhabi
PIB (MNRE): Pralhad Joshi addressed the 16th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
According to India's statement at the 16th IRENA Assembly, in which year did India reach 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2025
PIB (MNRE): India achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of its NDC target.
Which country assumed the Presidency of IRENA at its 16th Assembly in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Dominican Republic
PIB (MNRE): Joshi congratulated the Dominican Republic on assuming the IRENA Presidency; Kenya, Solomon Islands, Spain and Antigua and Barbuda are Vice Presidents.
Consider the following statements about the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as stated in January 2026: 1. IRENA has 170 members, including the European Union. 2. India is one of the founder members of IRENA. 3. India's target is 500 GW of non-fossil installed capacity by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MNRE): all three are correct — IRENA has 170 members (169 states and the EU), India is a founder member, and India's target is 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
On which highway corridor did NHAI set four Guinness World Records for bituminous concrete laying in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor
PIB (MoRTH): the records were set on the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada Economic Corridor of NH-544G.
Near which town in Andhra Pradesh did NHAI set its first two Guinness World Records on 6 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Puttaparthi
PIB (MoRTH): on 6 January 2026, NHAI made two Guinness World Records near Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.
NHAI's January 2026 record for continuous paving covered 156 lane km. What was the previous world record it surpassed?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 84.4 lane km
PIB (MoRTH): the 156 lane km continuous paving surpassed the previous world record of 84.4 lane km.
Where will the seventh National Postal Training Centre, announced in January 2026 at an estimated cost of ₹111 crore, be set up?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Shivpuri
PIB (Communications): Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the seventh National Postal Training Centre at Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh.
Which of the following is NOT among the six existing Postal Training Centres of the Department of Posts, as listed in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Nagpur
PIB (Communications): the six existing centres are Saharanpur, Vadodara, Mysuru, Guwahati, Madurai and Darbhanga; Nagpur is not one of them.
How much new non-fossil capacity did India add in 2025, according to MNRE (January 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 49.12 GW
PIB (MNRE): 49.12 GW of new non-fossil capacity was added in 2025.
What was India's installed solar capacity at the end of 2025, as reported by MNRE?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 135.81 GW
PIB (MNRE): solar capacity rose from 97.86 GW in 2024 to 135.81 GW in 2025.
Consider the following statements based on MNRE data released in January 2026: 1. India's non-fossil installed capacity grew by 22.6% in 2025 to 266.78 GW. 2. Wind capacity grew faster than solar capacity in 2025. 3. India's national target is 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (MNRE): statements 1 and 3 are correct; solar grew 38.8% while wind grew only 13.2%, so statement 2 is wrong.
Which city hosted the Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0, which concluded on 10 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Visakhapatnam
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the two-day Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 concluded in Visakhapatnam.
The MoU for Andhra Pradesh's first Lighthouse Museum, exchanged in January 2026, was between the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and which body?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the MoU was exchanged between VPA and the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).
Consider the following statements made at the Indian Lighthouse Festival 3.0 (January 2026): 1. 75 lighthouses have been developed as tourism destinations and 25 more are proposed. 2. Port projects worth ₹230 crore were launched at Visakhapatnam Port. 3. A light and sound show was inaugurated at Aguada Lighthouse in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): statements 1 and 2 are correct; Aguada Lighthouse is in Goa, not Kerala.
How many trains were speeded up under Indian Railways' Timetable of Trains (TAG) 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 549
PIB (Railways): 549 trains were speeded up under TAG 2026.
Consider the following statements about TAG 2026 of Indian Railways: 1. 122 new trains were introduced. 2. The new trains include 28 Vande Bharat trains. 3. 26 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Railways): all three are correct.
Which port's Northern Breakwater Head, rehabilitated after cyclone damage at a cost of ₹105 crore, was inaugurated in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Kamarajar Port
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): the rehabilitated Northern Breakwater Head of Kamarajar Port was inaugurated at an investment of ₹105 crore.
What was the total value of port projects rolled out by Sarbananda Sonowal in Tamil Nadu on 8 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹235 crore
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): projects worth ₹235 crore were rolled out at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port.
What is the purpose of the SWAMIH Investment Fund?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Last-mile financing for stalled housing projects
PIB (Finance): SWAMIH provides last-mile financing to stalled housing projects.
When was the SWAMIH Investment Fund launched?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — November 2019
PIB (Finance): the SWAMIH Investment Fund was launched in November 2019 after Union Cabinet approval.
Consider the following statements about the SWAMIH Fund, as of January 2026: 1. About 61,000 homes had been delivered across 110 projects as of 15 December 2025. 2. Its portfolio has more than 145 projects across 30 cities. 3. Its investment period was extended to December 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Finance): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the fund committed its whole corpus before its investment period ended on 5 December 2025.
Which two CSIR laboratories developed the bio-bitumen technology transferred in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP
PIB (Science & Technology): the technology was developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
Consider the following statements about the CSIR bio-bitumen technology (January 2026): 1. It uses pyrolysis of post-harvest rice straw to produce bio-oil. 2. India imports about 80% of its bitumen requirement. 3. Laboratory validation shows 20–30% of conventional bitumen can be replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Science & Technology): statements 1 and 3 are correct; India imports nearly 50% of its bitumen, not 80%.
The Farakka Barrage Project, reviewed by the Water Resources Secretary in January 2026, is located on which river?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Ganga
PIB (Jal Shakti): the review covered works including an eroded embankment on the upstream left bank of the river Ganga.
How many projects are included in the three-year PPP project pipeline released by the Department of Economic Affairs in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 852
PIB (Ministry of Finance): the pipeline comprises 852 projects with a combined cost of over ₹17 lakh crore.
Consider the following statements about the PPP project pipeline released in January 2026: 1. It was prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs in pursuance of a Union Budget 2025-26 announcement. 2. It covers only projects of central infrastructure ministries and excludes States/UTs. 3. Its combined project cost exceeds ₹17 lakh crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
PIB: the DEA made the pipeline under a Budget 2025-26 announcement, and it includes both central ministries and States/UTs, worth over ₹17 lakh crore. Statement 2 is wrong.
Which hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle did Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Nitin Gadkari ride together in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Toyota Mirai
PIB (MNRE): the ministers took a joint ride in the Toyota Mirai fuel-cell electric vehicle.
Consider the following statements about the Toyota Mirai used in the ministers' ride of January 2026: 1. It generates electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. 2. Its only by-product is water vapour. 3. Its driving range is about 650 km. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MNRE): the Mirai produces electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, emits only water vapour and has a range of about 650 km. All three are correct.
Where did the Ministry of Coal hold its two-day Chintan Shivir on 5–6 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Manesar, Gurugram
PIB (Ministry of Coal): the Chintan Shivir was held on 5–6 January 2026 at Manesar, Gurugram.
According to Indian Railways (January 2026), how many Amrit Bharat Express services were operational after 13 such trains were introduced during 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 30
PIB (Railways): during 2025, 13 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced, taking the total operational services to 30.
Which statement correctly describes Amrit Bharat Express trains, as per Indian Railways in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Fully non-AC trains with sleeper and general class coaches
PIB (Railways): Amrit Bharat Express trains are fully non-AC services with sleeper and general class coaches.
The Residue Upgradation Facility commissioned by HPCL at its Visakh Refinery in January 2026 uses which technology, described as the world's first unit of its kind?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — LC-Max residue hydrocracking
HPCL, Economic Times and Business Standard: the RUF employs LC-Max based residue hydrocracking and is the world's first LC-Max unit.
What is the capacity of the Residue Upgradation Facility commissioned at HPCL's Visakh Refinery in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 3.55 MMTPA
HPCL and Business Standard: the RUF has a capacity of 3.55 million tonnes per annum.
Which is the largest of the three Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd hydro projects reviewed by Power Minister Manohar Lal in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Pakal Dul
PIB (Ministry of Power): the CVPP projects are Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Kiru (624 MW) and Kwar (540 MW).
The Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar hydroelectric projects reviewed in January 2026 are located in which district of Jammu and Kashmir?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Kishtwar
PIB (Ministry of Power): the Minister reached NHPC's Dulhasti Power Station, Kishtwar, and inspected all three CVPP projects.
Consider the following statements about the hydro projects reviewed by Power Minister Manohar Lal on 4–5 January 2026: 1. Pakal Dul and Kiru are to be commissioned by December 2026. 2. Kwar is to be commissioned by March 2028. 3. Kiru has a larger capacity than Pakal Dul. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ministry of Power): Pakal Dul and Kiru by December 2026 and Kwar by March 2028. Kiru is 624 MW and Pakal Dul 1,000 MW, so statement 3 is wrong.
What share of its 2025-26 Gross Budgetary Support had Indian Railways spent by the end of December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 80.54%
PIB (Railways): Indian Railways spent 80.54%, i.e. ₹2,03,138 crore of the total GBS of ₹2,52,200 crore.
As per Indian Railways' capex update of January 2026, what was the total Gross Budgetary Support for 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹2,52,200 crore
PIB (Railways): the total GBS for 2025-26 is ₹2,52,200 crore, of which ₹2,03,138 crore was spent by December 2025.
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which received its first validation flight in January 2026, is in which district?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Vizianagaram
New Indian Express: the Alluri Sitarama Raju (Bhogapuram) Greenfield International Airport is in Vizianagaram district; Deccan Chronicle also reports the validation landing.
Which Union Minister was aboard the first validation flight that landed at Bhogapuram airport, Andhra Pradesh, on 4 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — K. Ram Mohan Naidu
Deccan Chronicle and New Indian Express: Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu was on the flight and addressed the gathering after landing.
The Good Samaritan Rules, which protect 'Rah-Veers' who help road accident victims, were notified in 2020 under which section of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Section 134A
PIB (MoRTH): the Good Samaritan Rules were notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
In the context of road accidents, the 'Golden Hour' referred to in MoRTH's Rah-Veer explainer (January 2026) means:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — The first hour after a serious injury
PIB (MoRTH): the law defines the Golden Hour as the first hour after a serious injury, the most critical time for medical intervention.
In which city did Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurate an exhibition on the three new criminal laws on 3 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Sri Vijaya Puram
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah inaugurated an exhibition based on the three new laws in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What was the total value of the development projects inaugurated or whose foundation stones were laid by Amit Shah in Andaman and Nicobar on 3 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹373 crore
PIB (MHA): nine projects were inaugurated and two foundation stones laid, worth ₹373 crore.
Consider the following statements based on Amit Shah's visit to Andaman and Nicobar on 3 January 2026: 1. Nine projects were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid for two. 2. The Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council collects waste from 98% of houses. 3. Amit Shah said the islands named Shaheed and Swaraj honour Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MHA): nine projects inaugurated and two foundation stones laid; 98% household waste collection; and Shah said PM Modi named the islands Shaheed and Swaraj in honour of Netaji. All three are correct.
Between which two places will India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train run, as announced during its inspection in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Guwahati – Howrah
PIB (Railways): the first Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate between Guwahati in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal.
Which indigenous automatic train protection system is fitted on the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train inspected in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — KAVACH
PIB (Railways): the train is equipped with the KAVACH safety system, automatic doors, improved fire safety and CCTV in all coaches.
Consider the following statements about the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, as described by the Railways Ministry on 3 January 2026: 1. Its full cycle of trials, testing and certification has been completed. 2. The train starting from Guwahati will serve Assamese cuisine. 3. It was flagged off by the Prime Minister on 3 January 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Railways): trials, testing and certification are complete, and the Guwahati-origin train will serve authentic Assamese cuisine. The PM was to flag it off later in January; on 3 January the train was only inspected, so statement 3 is wrong.
As stated on its 65th Foundation Day in January 2026, Paradip Port is India's largest major port in terms of:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Rated capacity
PIB (MoPSW): the PPA Chairman said Paradip is currently the largest major port in terms of rated capacity.
In which year was the foundation stone of Paradip Port laid, the anniversary marked on 3 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1962
PIB (MoPSW): Paradip Port Authority's foundation stone was laid on 3 January 1962.
In which district of Maharashtra did the bullet train project achieve its first mountain tunnel breakthrough (MT-5) in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Palghar
PIB (Railways): the breakthrough of the ~1.5 km MT-5 mountain tunnel was achieved in Palghar, Maharashtra.
According to the Railways Ministry (January 2026), what will be the travel time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad once the bullet train project is complete?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 hour 58 minutes
PIB (Railways): the project will reduce Mumbai–Ahmedabad travel time to just 1 hour and 58 minutes.
Consider the following statements about the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor, as given by the Railways Ministry in January 2026: 1. The corridor is about 508 km long, of which 156 km lies in Maharashtra. 2. The project has eight mountain tunnels. 3. The first underground tunnel, between Thane and BKC, was completed in September 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Railways): the 508 km corridor has 156 km in Maharashtra and 352 km in Gujarat and DNH; it has eight mountain tunnels; and the ~5 km Thane–BKC underground tunnel was completed in September 2025. All three are correct.
Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), which received a AAA (Stable) rating from CARE Ratings in January 2026, is sponsored by:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — NHAI
PIB (MoRTH): RIIT is an NHAI-sponsored Infrastructure Investment Trust.
According to the Road Transport Ministry (January 2026), NHAI has so far monetised road assets worth about:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹1.43 lakh crore
PIB (MoRTH): to date, NHAI has successfully monetised road assets of around ₹1.43 lakh crore.
From which date has NHAI discontinued the Know Your Vehicle (KYV) process for new car FASTags?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 February 2026
PIB (MoRTH): NHAI discontinued KYV for cars for all new FASTag issuances with effect from 1 February 2026.
Under NHAI's revised FASTag norms announced in January 2026, vehicle details must be validated against which database before activation?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — VAHAN
PIB (MoRTH): FASTag activation is permitted only after validation of vehicle details from the VAHAN database.