Education, Health & Society Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The MoU signed in Mumbai on 19 May 2026 to advance corporate governance, ESG and capital markets was between NISM and which institute?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs
The MoU was between NISM (set up by SEBI) and the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
Who is the SEBI Chairman who attended the NISM–IICA MoU signing in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Tuhin Kanta Pandey
PIB: the signing ceremony was graced by SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey.
The reform-linked MoUs under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 signed in May 2026 mandate which model of rural water governance?
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Correct answer: A — Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centred
The MoU mandates a Gram Panchayat-led, service-based and community-centred model of rural water governance.
Which state and Union Territory signed reform-linked Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 MoUs with the Centre on 18 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
West Bengal and the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands signed the MoUs on 18 May 2026.
The houselisting field operations that began in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra and Jharkhand on 17 May 2026 are part of which exercise?
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Correct answer: B — Phase I of Census 2027
The Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) is Phase I of Census 2027.
As of 17 May 2026, more than how many households had completed Census self-enumeration?
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Correct answer: D — 1.44 crore
MHA said more than 1.44 crore households had completed self-enumeration across 25 States/UTs.
Consider the following statements about Census 2027 operations as of 17 May 2026: 1. The self-enumeration facility has been introduced for the first time in Census operations. 2. Houselisting operations in Uttar Pradesh were completed between 16 April and 15 May 2026. 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: in Uttar Pradesh self-enumeration runs until 21 May and field work from 22 May to 20 June; the 16 April–15 May round covered A&N, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim and Delhi's NDMC and Cantonment areas.
On 17 May 2026 the Census self-enumeration facility opened in which group of States/UTs?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Puducherry
Self-enumeration began on 17 May in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry, open till 31 May 2026.
What penalty did the CCPA impose on Motion Education Pvt. Ltd. for misleading advertisements (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10 lakh
CCPA imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on Motion Education and ₹5 lakh on Career Line Coaching, Sikar.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which penalised coaching institutes in May 2026, acts under which law?
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Correct answer: B — Consumer Protection Act, 2019
The CCPA passed the orders for violations under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the law under which it functions.
According to the PLFS monthly bulletin for April 2026, what was the urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above?
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Correct answer: A — 6.6%
The urban unemployment rate (15+) eased to 6.6% in April 2026 from 6.8% in March 2026.
Which body conducts the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)?
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Correct answer: A — National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI
The PLFS is conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
How much central share assistance under PMAY-G did the Centre announce for Maharashtra for FY 2026-27 (May 2026)?
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Correct answer: D — ₹8,368.50 crore
Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced ₹8,368.50 crore of central share assistance for Maharashtra under PMAY-G for 2026-27.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), launched on 20 November 2016 at Agra, was formed by restructuring which earlier scheme?
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Correct answer: B — Indira Awaas Yojana
PIB records that the erstwhile rural housing programme, Indira Awaas Yojana, was restructured into PMAY-G, launched by the PM on 20 November 2016 from Agra.
Which institution's campus at Jinja, Uganda, is described by PIB (May 2026) as India's first overseas public academic campus?
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Correct answer: A — National Forensic Sciences University
PIB describes the NFSU Uganda Campus in Jinja, which enrolled its first batch in October 2025, as India's first overseas public academic campus.
'BIRSA 101', discussed at a workshop in May 2026, is:
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Correct answer: D — India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease
BIRSA 101, named after Bhagwan Birsa Munda, is India's first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease.
Which CSIR laboratory is associated with BIRSA 101, the CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease?
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Correct answer: B — CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi
The workshop on BIRSA 101 was organised with CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) at CSIR-IGIB, New Delhi.
What is the annual premium under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for ₹2 lakh accident cover?
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Correct answer: C — ₹20
PMSBY offers ₹2 lakh accident cover for ₹20 a year; ₹436 is the PMJJBY premium.
What is the entry age range for subscribers under the Atal Pension Yojana?
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Correct answer: B — 18–40 years
APY is open to people aged 18–40 who are not income-tax payers; 18–50 is PMJJBY and 18–70 is PMSBY.
Consider the following statements about the Jan Suraksha schemes: 1. PMJJBY provides life cover of ₹2 lakh to people aged 18–50 years. 2. PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY were launched in 2016. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The three schemes were launched on 9 May 2015 and completed 11 years on 9 May 2026.
At the NCM seminar on Parsis in Mumbai in May 2026, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju spoke of the Government's efforts to rejuvenate which language linked to the Parsi community?
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Correct answer: A — Avestan
Rijiju elaborated on efforts to rejuvenate the Avestan language and to address the declining Parsi population.
The nationwide Annual Health Check-Up Initiative launched under the Labour Codes in May 2026 covers workers of what age?
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Correct answer: A — 40 years and above
The free annual health check-ups are for all workers aged 40 and above.
According to the Labour Minister in May 2026, social security coverage in India has risen from 19% a decade ago to about what share today?
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Correct answer: D — 64%
Coverage rose from 19% (about 30 crore people) to 64% (about 94 crore beneficiaries).
Where was the 2nd BRICS Employment Working Group meeting under India's 2026 Chairship held?
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Correct answer: D — Thiruvananthapuram
The second BRICS Employment Working Group meeting concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on 7 May 2026.
What is the theme of India's BRICS Chairship of 2026, which anchored the Employment Working Group meeting?
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Correct answer: B — Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
By about how much has women's participation in India's maritime sector increased since 2020, as stated at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 340%
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said women's participation in the maritime sector has risen by about 340% since 2020.
According to NITI Aayog's school education report of May 2026, India's school education system spans about how many schools and students?
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Correct answer: C — 14.71 lakh schools and over 24.69 crore students
The report says India's school system spans 14.71 lakh schools serving over 24.69 crore students, the largest in the world.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report 'School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement': 1. It draws on secondary data including UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 and ASER 2024. 2. It is based on a fresh primary household survey conducted by NITI Aayog in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The report uses secondary data (UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH 2024, NAS 2017 and 2021, ASER 2024) and inputs from a February 2025 national workshop, not a primary household survey.
How many major challenges does NITI Aayog's May 2026 school education report identify?
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Correct answer: D — 11
Based on data analysis and stakeholder consultations, the report presents 11 major challenges.
The earlier School Management Committee framework, replaced by the SMC Guidelines 2026, was introduced after which law?
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Correct answer: C — Right to Education Act
The earlier SMC framework was introduced after the Right to Education Act and was largely limited to monitoring grants and infrastructure.
The SMC Guidelines 2026 aim to translate NEP 2020 into action across about how many schools in India?
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Correct answer: A — 15 lakh
Dharmendra Pradhan said the guidelines will translate NEP 2020 into action across the country's nearly 15 lakh schools.
India Post's 100th N-Gen Post Office, inaugurated in May 2026, is located at which institution?
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Correct answer: D — North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong
The 100th N-Gen Post Office was inaugurated at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong.
India Post's N-Gen Post Office initiative began with the revamp of which post office?
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Correct answer: B — IIT Hauz Khas post office, Delhi
The Minister said the initiative began about six months earlier with the revamp of the IIT Hauz Khas post office in Delhi.
The national AI skilling programme for the creative sector run by the Ministry of I&B and IICT, offering 15,000 scholarships, was developed in partnership with:
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Correct answer: B — Google and YouTube
The programme was developed in partnership with Google and YouTube and offers 15,000 scholarships.
Which body conducted the NEET UG 2026 examination on 3 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Testing Agency
NEET UG 2026 was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
About how many candidates had registered for NEET UG 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 23 lakh
NEET UG 2026 was held for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates.
Where did Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurate a 100-bedded ESIC hospital on 3 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Doddaballapur
Mandaviya inaugurated the 100-bedded ESIC hospital at Doddaballapur and virtually laid the foundation stone of another at Bellary.
As cited by Mansukh Mandaviya in May 2026 from the ILO, India's social security coverage has risen from 19% in 2015 to over:
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Correct answer: D — 64%
Coverage rose from 19% in 2015 to over 64%, with more than 40 crore workers now covered, as noted by the ILO.
Which state launched the 'ShaktiShree' mobile app for the safety of girl students in higher education institutions on 2 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Odisha
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ShaktiShree app in Bhubaneswar.
Consider the following statements about Odisha's ShaktiShree initiative: 1. It is a programme of the state's Higher Education Department for girl students across 16 state universities and 730 government and aided institutions. 2. The ShaktiShree app connects users with institutional Internal Complaints Committees. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: ShaktiShree is the Higher Education Department's empowerment and self-defence programme covering 16 state universities and 730 institutions, and the app links users to Internal Complaints Committees.
From which fund did the Kerala Cabinet on 2 May 2026 sanction ₹10 lakh each for families of uninsured Valparai accident victims?
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Correct answer: A — Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund
The ₹10 lakh each will be paid from the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
Which of the following is NOT among the four campuses of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade mentioned on its 63rd Foundation Day in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Bengaluru
IIFT's four campuses are New Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada and GIFT City; Bengaluru is not among them.
As per 'Women and Men in India 2025', the all-India sex ratio at birth improved from 904 in 2017–19 to what figure in 2021–23?
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Correct answer: D — 917
The publication shows the sex ratio at birth rising from 904 in 2017–19 to 917 in 2021–23.
In which city did MoSPI release 'Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data' on 29 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bhubaneswar
It was released at the National Deliberative Summit on 'Data for Development' in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Andhra University, which celebrated its centenary in April 2026, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
The Vice-President attended the centenary celebrations of Andhra University in Visakhapatnam.
Which philosopher-statesman, recalled by the Vice-President at the Andhra University centenary, was a former Vice-Chancellor of the university?
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Correct answer: C — Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
The Vice-President recalled the legacy of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University.
Where was the National Chintan Shivir of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment held from 24 to 26 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chandigarh
The three-day National Chintan Shivir was held in Chandigarh.
Inclusion of which group in Census-2027 was a focus area of the Social Justice Ministry's Chintan Shivir in April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Denotified Tribes (DNTs)
The Shivir focused on inclusion of Denotified Tribes (DNTs) in Census-2027.