Science & Technology Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Scientists from which institution developed the 'paired biometric threshold' to distinguish cereal pollen from wild grass pollen in the Central Ganga Plain?
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Correct answer: B — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
DST said the study was by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institution of DST, with collaborators.
Consider the following statements about the BSIP pollen study released in April 2026: 1. Cereal pollen generally exceeds 46 µm in grain diameter and 9 µm in annulus size, pearl millet being an exception. 2. The study was published in the journal Nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is the threshold reported by DST. Statement 2 is wrong: the study was published in The Holocene (SAGE).
How many Atal Tinkering Labs in Telangana will be supported under ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy, launched on 4 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 379
NITI Aayog said the initiative will support 379 Atal Tinkering Labs in Telangana.
Which institution has been onboarded as the nodal institution for ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana?
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Correct answer: B — Vardhaman College of Engineering
NITI Aayog said Vardhaman College of Engineering has been onboarded as the nodal institution for the state.
ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy is an initiative of:
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Correct answer: A — Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog
The release says the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, launched the initiative.
At which institute did Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurate a BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre focused on food startups on 4 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — CFTRI, Mysuru
The Science and Technology Ministry said the centre was inaugurated at CFTRI, Mysuru.
How many startups had the BioNEST facility at CFTRI supported as of March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 26
The ministry said the facility had supported 26 startups as of March 2026; 12 is the number of patents filed.
How many patents have companies incubated at the CFTRI BioNEST facility collectively filed?
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Correct answer: D — 12
The release says incubated companies have collectively filed 12 patents.
In March 2026, the Prime Minister inaugurated the semiconductor plant of which Indian company at Sanand, Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Kaynes Technology
On 31 March 2026 the PM inaugurated the Kaynes Technology semiconductor plant at Sanand, Gujarat.
Which product does the Kaynes semiconductor facility at Sanand supply to a California-based company?
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Correct answer: A — Intelligent Power Modules
The facility supplies Intelligent Power Modules to a California-based company, with a large share of output booked for export.
In which year was the India Semiconductor Mission launched?
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Correct answer: C — 2021
The PM recalled that the India Semiconductor Mission was launched in 2021.
Consider the following statements about India's semiconductor push as stated on 31 March 2026: 1. Production at the Micron plant in Sanand started on 28 February 2026. 2. Under the India Semiconductor Mission, 10 projects worth over ₹1.6 lakh crore are under way across six states. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The PM said he was in Sanand on 28 February for the start of production at the Micron plant, and that 10 projects worth over ₹1,60,000 crore are under way in six states.
The 'Bhavasagara' Referral Centre, designated as India's National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna in March 2026, belongs to which institution?
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Correct answer: D — Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology, Kochi
'Bhavasagara' is the Referral Centre of CMLRE, Kochi, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Under which law was 'Bhavasagara' designated as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna?
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Correct answer: A — Biological Diversity Act, 2002
The designation was conferred by MoEFCC under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
On 30 March 2026, how many more proposals were approved under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)?
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Correct answer: B — 29
MeitY approved 29 more proposals under ECMS, after 46 applications approved earlier.
The ECMS approvals of 30 March 2026 include India's first facility for which of the following?
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Correct answer: C — Rare earth permanent magnets
The approvals include India's first SMD passive plant for tantalum capacitors, first flexible PCB plant and first rare earth permanent magnet facility.
The 29 ECMS proposals approved on 30 March 2026 are expected to generate how many direct jobs?
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Correct answer: B — 14,246
The approvals are expected to generate 14,246 direct jobs, with projected investment of ₹7,104 crore and production of ₹84,515 crore.
The indigenous bio-bitumen technology highlighted in March 2026 was developed by CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, and which other CSIR lab?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR–Central Road Research Institute
The technology was developed by CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), New Delhi, and CSIR–IIP, Dehradun.
Under the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar, the 'Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar' award is meant for scientists up to what age?
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Correct answer: C — 45 years
Vigyan Yuva–SSB encourages young scientists up to 45 years of age.
The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar is administered by the RVP Secretariat located at which body?
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Correct answer: A — CSIR
The awards are administered by the RVP Secretariat, CSIR, under the chairmanship of the Principal Scientific Adviser.
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026: 1. Self-nominations are allowed. 2. The 'Vigyan Team' award is given to teams of three or more researchers. 3. The awards are given in five categories. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Self-nominations are open, and Vigyan Team is for teams of three or more. There are four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva–SSB and Vigyan Team.
C-DOT, which signed an MoU with Delhi Police in March 2026, functions under which department?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Telecommunications
C-DOT is the premier telecom R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
How many indigenous solutions will C-DOT deploy for Delhi Police under the March 2026 MoU?
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Correct answer: D — Nine
Under the MoU, C-DOT will deploy nine advanced solutions for modern policing.
Kavach, reviewed by the Railway Minister in March 2026, is India's indigenous:
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Correct answer: A — Automatic Train Protection system
Kavach is the indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system of Indian Railways.
What is 'SURAKSHA', announced in the March 2026 Kavach review?
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Correct answer: B — An AI-based centralised monitoring platform for Kavach
SURAKSHA is being developed as an AI-based centralised Operations Management System for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of Kavach.
As of March 2026, Kavach had been installed on approximately how many route kilometres?
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Correct answer: B — 3,103
Kavach has been installed on 3,103 route km; work is in progress on 24,427 route km, and 1,638 route km are commissioned under version 4.0.
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence was inaugurated in March 2026 at which institute?
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Correct answer: A — IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Ahmedabad inaugurated the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on 26 March 2026.
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI at IIMA is being set up with an endowment of:
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Correct answer: B — ₹100 crore
It is being established through an endowment of ₹100 crore by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon.
As per IRDAI's prescribed timelines, final authorisation of a cashless health insurance claim must be given within:
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Correct answer: A — Three hours
IRDAI prescribes cashless pre-authorisation within one hour and final authorisation within three hours.
Total health insurance premiums in India in 2024-25 exceeded:
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Correct answer: B — ₹1.2 lakh crore
Total health insurance premiums exceeded ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2024-25, growing at around 9%.
Under IRDAI's timelines, an insurer must decide on a request for cashless pre-authorisation within:
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Correct answer: D — One hour
IRDAI prescribes cashless pre-authorisation within one hour; final authorisation within three hours.
Who chairs the Governing Body of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMET)?
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Correct answer: A — Minister of Coal and Mines
The NMET Governing Body is chaired by the Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy.
What is the theme of World TB Day 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Yes! We Can End TB!
The 2026 theme is 'Yes! We Can End TB!'. World TB Day is observed every year on 24 March.
According to the Health Ministry (March 2026), by how much did TB incidence in India decline over the past decade?
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Correct answer: C — 21%
TB incidence fell 21% and TB mortality 25% over the past decade, both outpacing global averages.
Consider the following launched or reported on World TB Day 2026: 1. A 100-day TB Mukt Bharat campaign covering 1.58 lakh villages and urban wards. 2. An AI-enabled chatbot named 'Khushi' in the TB Mukt Bharat App. 3. About 10.9 lakh asymptomatic TB patients detected since the intensified Abhiyaan began in December 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct. Of 32.65 lakh patients detected after screening over 20 crore people, about 10.9 lakh had no classical symptoms.
The 'Clinical Study on Ayurveda as an Adjunct Therapy for Tuberculosis', announced on World TB Day 2026, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Ayush and:
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Correct answer: C — Department of Biotechnology
The study is a collaboration of the Ministry of Ayush and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology.
In the Ayush–DBT TB study announced in March 2026, Ayurveda is being tested as:
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Correct answer: D — An adjunct (add-on) to anti-TB treatment
The study evaluates Ayurveda as an adjunct therapy alongside standard anti-TB treatment, not as a replacement.
Through which portal does MoSPI's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server give AI tools access to official statistics?
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Correct answer: B — eSankhyiki
The MCP server allows AI applications to access verified Government data through the National Statistical Portal, eSankhyiki.
Consider the following about MoSPI's MCP server (March 2026): 1. Its beta version covered 7 statistical products, including PLFS and CPI. 2. It has now been extended to 21 products on eSankhyiki. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the beta's 7 products (PLFS, CPI, ASI, IIP, National Accounts, etc.) have been extended to 21 products.
The GARBH-INi programme, highlighted in March 2026, focuses on developing AI tools to predict:
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Correct answer: A — Preterm births
GARBH-INi aims at indigenous, AI-driven solutions for preterm births, a leading cause of neonatal mortality.
Consider the following about GARBH-INi: 1. It is an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology. 2. It has enrolled around 12,000 pregnant women. 3. It is run by the Indian Council of Medical Research under the Ministry of Health. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
GARBH-INi is a Department of Biotechnology initiative, not an ICMR programme; it has enrolled about 12,000 pregnant women.
The food and water analysis laboratory inaugurated at Tirumala on 21 March 2026 was set up by TTD with the support of:
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Correct answer: A — FSSAI
TTD set up the ₹25 crore laboratory with support from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
How many samples a month can the TTD food analysis laboratory at Tirumala analyse?
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Correct answer: C — 1,000–1,500
The laboratory is equipped to analyse 1,000 to 1,500 samples every month.
In March 2026, Punjab announced a ₹563 crore medical college with 100 MBBS seats in which town?
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Correct answer: C — Malerkotla
CM Bhagwant Mann announced the medical college in Malerkotla on Eid, 21 March 2026.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana, mentioned by the CM in Malerkotla, families can get cashless treatment of up to:
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Correct answer: D — ₹10 lakh
The CM urged families to enrol for cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.
The Nd-Fe-B magnets to be made at the new ARCI pilot plant are made of:
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Correct answer: D — Neodymium, iron and boron
Nd-Fe-B stands for neodymium-iron-boron rare earth permanent magnets.
ARCI, Hyderabad, where the Nd-Fe-B magnet pilot plant was set up, is an autonomous institution under:
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Correct answer: A — Department of Science and Technology
ARCI is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology; DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar inaugurated the plant.
Consider the following about the ARCI Nd-Fe-B pilot plant: 1. It covers only the final magnetisation step, using imported sintered blocks. 2. Nd-Fe-B magnets are used in electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The plant is end-to-end, from strip-cast alloy to finished sintered magnets, so statement 1 is wrong; Nd-Fe-B magnets are essential for EVs and renewable energy systems.
The National Dental Commission, which came into effect on 19 March 2026, replaced:
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Correct answer: D — Dental Council of India
The NDC and its three autonomous boards replace the Dental Council of India, which is dissolved from 19 March 2026.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the National Dental Commission in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Dr Sanjay Tewari
Dr Sanjay Tewari is the Chairperson of the NDC; Dr Janakiram heads the education board and Lt Gen (Retd) Sahoo the assessment board.
Who heads the Dental Assessment and Rating Board under the National Dental Commission?
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Correct answer: B — Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo
Lt Gen (Retd) Nanda Kishore Sahoo is President of the Dental Assessment and Rating Board; Dr Himanshu Aeran is its Whole Time Member.
Consider the following about the National Dental Commission (NDC): 1. With the NDC Act in force from 19 March 2026, the Dentists Act, 1948 stands repealed. 2. The NDC has four autonomous boards, including a separate Dental Research Board. 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 NDC has three autonomous boards – UG & PG Dental Education, Dental Assessment and Rating, and Ethics and Dental Registration.
According to the India Bioeconomy Report 2026, India's bioeconomy in 2025 was valued at about:
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Correct answer: C — USD 195 billion
IBER 2026 puts India's bioeconomy at USD 195.3 billion in 2025; USD 300 billion is the 2030 target.
The India Bioeconomy Report (IBER) 2026 was released at the 14th Foundation Day of:
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Correct answer: D — BIRAC
IBER 2026 and the BIRAC Impact Report were released at the 14th Foundation Day of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Consider the following about India's bioeconomy (IBER 2026): 1. It contributes around 4.8% to the national GDP. 2. India's bioeconomy target is USD 300 billion by 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the bioeconomy contributes about 4.8% of GDP, and the Minister said India is moving towards a USD 300 billion target by 2030.
As on 31 January 2026, India's overall tele-density including M2M cellular mobile connections was:
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Correct answer: C — 92.22%
Overall tele-density with M2M connections was 92.22%; without M2M it was 84.26%.
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.
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.
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.
The pharmaceutical facility whose foundation was laid in Kathua, J&K, on 14 March 2026 will manufacture which key antibiotic intermediate?
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Correct answer: C — Amino Cephalosporanic Acid
Orchid Pharma's Kathua plant will make Amino Cephalosporanic Acid (ACA), a key intermediate for cephalosporin antibiotics that India mostly imports from China.
Under the food-safety reforms approved on 13 March 2026, what is the new turnover limit for basic FSSAI registration from 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1.5 crore
The limit rises from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore; ₹50 crore is the new upper limit for State licensing.
Street food vendors registered under which law will be deemed registered with FSSAI under the March 2026 reforms?
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Correct answer: B — Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014
Vendors registered with municipal corporations or town vending committees under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 will be deemed registered, benefiting over 10 lakh vendors.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is:
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Correct answer: C — A statutory body set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
FSSAI is an independent statutory authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with its head office in Delhi; the Health Ministry is its administrative ministry.
The TCCCPR, 2018, to which TRAI proposed a third amendment on 13 March 2026, mainly deals with:
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Correct answer: D — Unsolicited commercial communication (spam calls and messages)
TRAI issued the TCCCPR on 19 July 2018 to curb unsolicited commercial communication; it was amended in December 2018 and February 2025.
In which city did Netflix open its Eyeline Studios VFX and virtual production hub on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Hyderabad
Eyeline Studios opened at HITEC City in Hyderabad, inaugurated by Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy.
In the term 'AVGC' sector, used for the Eyeline Studios launch, what does 'G' stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Gaming
AVGC stands for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics.