Education, Health & Society Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who graced the national event of Jal Mahotsav 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — President Droupadi Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu led the Jal Kalash ceremony and felicitated community members at the national event.
Under which mission is the first National Jal Mahotsav campaign (8–22 March 2026) being held?
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Correct answer: A — Jal Jeevan Mission
The campaign by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation strengthens community participation in rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Up to when did the Union Cabinet extend the Jal Jeevan Mission on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — December 2028
The Cabinet extended JJM up to December 2028 and restructured it as JJM 2.0.
What is the enhanced total outlay of the Jal Jeevan Mission approved by the Cabinet on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹8.69 lakh crore
The total outlay is ₹8.69 lakh crore, of which central assistance is ₹3.59 lakh crore.
What is the name of the uniform national digital framework under JJM 2.0 that assigns every village a Sujal Gaon / Service Area ID?
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Correct answer: D — Sujalam Bharat
'Sujalam Bharat' is the digital framework; 'Jal Arpan' is the handover of schemes and 'Jal Utsav' the annual community review.
Consider the following statements about the Jal Jeevan Mission: 1. When it began in 2019, about 17% of rural households (3.23 crore) had tap water connections. 2. Under JJM 2.0, a gram panchayat may declare itself 'Har Ghar Jal' only after in-village operation and maintenance arrangements are in place. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 2019 baseline was 3.23 crore rural households (17%), and under the restructured mission a GP certifies 'Har Ghar Jal' only once the State has set up in-village O&M.
Which initiative of the Union Budget 2026–27, mentioned by President Murmu on Women's Day 2026, aims to give better markets to products of self-help groups and rural women?
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Correct answer: B — SHE-Mart
The President said the SHE-Mart initiative launched in the Union Budget 2026–27 will provide better markets for SHG and rural women's products.
According to President Murmu on 8 March 2026, how many women-owned MSMEs are active on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?
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Correct answer: D — Over two lakh
She said more than two lakh women-owned MSMEs are active on GeM.
According to PM Modi on 8 March 2026, the national resolve to create how many 'Lakhpati Didis' has been fulfilled?
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Correct answer: C — 3 crore
The PM said the resolve to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis had been fulfilled and set a new goal of 3 crore more.
How many women did PM Modi say are now empowered through Self-Help Groups, in his Women's Day address of 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 10 crore
He said over 10 crore women are now empowered through Self-Help Groups.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana announced in the Budget 2026–27, how much will Scheduled Caste women receive per month?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,500
SC women will get ₹1,500 a month, while other eligible adult women will get ₹1,000.
What outlay has Punjab earmarked for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana in 2026–27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹9,300 crore
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema earmarked ₹9,300 crore for the scheme in 2026–27.
Who presented the Punjab Budget 2026–27 in the state Assembly on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Harpal Singh Cheema
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the Budget on International Women's Day.
From which district did C.R. Paatil launch Jal Mahotsav 2026 on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Navsari, Gujarat
Paatil marked the Shubharambh from Rahej village in Gandevi block of Navsari district, Gujarat; the two Ministers of State joined from Sindhudurg and Muzaffarpur.
Jal Mahotsav, the campaign of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, is to be observed every year during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 8–22 March
Jal Mahotsav will be observed annually from 8 to 22 March, beginning with Jal Arpan Diwas on International Women's Day.
What target of Lakhpati Didis has Tripura set, as noted by the Vice-President on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1.35 lakh
The Vice-President noted that Tripura has set a target of creating 1.35 lakh Lakhpati Didis.
The 'Shakti Walk #SheLeadsBharat' held on 8 March 2026 to mark International Women's Day took place on which route?
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Correct answer: C — India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path
Over 3,000 women walked about 2 km from India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path.
The Punjab Cabinet on 7 March 2026 approved a world-class university named after Sri Guru Teg Bahadur at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Cabinet approved the Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Sri Anandpur Sahib and its draft Bill.
The Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 approved by the Punjab Cabinet comes under which flagship initiative?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Udyog Kranti
The policy and its sector-specific schemes were approved under the 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' initiative.
Who secured the first rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2025, whose result was declared on 6 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Anuj Agnihotri
Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate of AIIMS Jodhpur, topped with Medical Science as his optional subject.
How many candidates were recommended for appointment in the Civil Services Examination 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 958
UPSC recommended 958 candidates (659 men and 299 women); 2,736 had qualified for the Personality Test.
What was the optional subject of Anuj Agnihotri, the CSE 2025 topper?
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Correct answer: D — Medical Science
Anuj Agnihotri qualified with Medical Science as his optional subject.
Consider the following statements about the CSE 2025 result: 1. The top 25 candidates include 11 women. 2. The top five candidates include one woman. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the top 25 have 11 women and 14 men, and the top five have one woman (Rajeshwari Suve M, rank 2) and four men.
The Union Public Service Commission, which conducts the Civil Services Examination, is established under which Article of the Constitution?
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Correct answer: A — Article 315
Article 315 provides for a Public Service Commission for the Union and for each State. Article 148 is the CAG, 280 the Finance Commission and 324 the Election Commission.
Nagaland University, whose 8th Convocation the Vice-President addressed on 6 March 2026, was carved out of which university in 1994?
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Correct answer: D — North Eastern Hill University
The Vice-President noted that Nagaland University was established in 1994 after being carved out of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
Through which platform will UNICEF India channel CSR investments into nutrition under its Statement of Intent with NITI Aayog signed on 5 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — IMPAct4Nutrition
UNICEF India will use its IMPAct4Nutrition (I4N) platform to engage businesses and channel CSR funds into nutrition.
What is the 'Mudhalvar Padaippagam' inaugurated by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin in Chennai on 3 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — A Chief Minister's Creative Centre with a modern library
Mudhalvar Padaippagam means Chief Minister's Creative Centre; the Ashok Nagar centre has a modern library and was built by CMDA.
What interest rate on EPF deposits for 2025-26 did EPFO's Central Board of Trustees recommend on 2 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 8.25%
The CBT recommended 8.25%, the same rate as declared for 2024-25.
Who chairs the Central Board of Trustees of the EPF, as at its 239th meeting on 2 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Union Labour and Employment Minister
The Union Labour and Employment Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired the meeting; the Central Provident Fund Commissioner is the Member Secretary.
The new EPF, EPS and EDLI Schemes, 2026, approved by the CBT on 2 March 2026, are aligned with which law?
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Correct answer: B — Code on Social Security, 2020
The new schemes were approved for notification under the Code on Social Security, 2020, to replace the current schemes.
Consider the following statements about decisions of the 239th CBT meeting of EPF (2 March 2026): 1. A one-time Amnesty Scheme was approved for exempted establishments under the EPF & MP Act, 1952. 2. A pilot was approved for auto-settlement of inoperative accounts with balances of ₹10,000 or less. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The auto-settlement pilot covers inoperative accounts with unclaimed balances of ₹1,000 or less (over 1.33 lakh accounts), not ₹10,000.
At how many locations is the nationwide ASMITA athletics league to be held on International Women's Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 250
The league was announced for 250 locations on 8 March 2026.
Consider the following statements about ASMITA: 1. ASMITA stands for 'Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action'. 2. ASMITA leagues were started in 2021 as part of Khelo India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. ASMITA is part of Khelo India's gender-neutral mission, and its leagues began in 2021.
How many hours of mandatory On-the-Job Training or Group Project must ITI trainees under the Craftsmen Training Scheme complete, as per DGT guidelines of 2 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 150 hours
DGT made 150 hours of OJT or Group Project mandatory for ITI trainees under the Craftsmen Training Scheme.
The explosives factory where a blast killed workers on 1 March 2026 is located in which district of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: B — Nagpur
The blast took place at SBL Energy Limited's factory at Raulgaon in Nagpur district.
From which city did PM Modi launch the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign on 28 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ajmer
The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign was launched from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched in February 2026 primarily aims to prevent which disease?
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Correct answer: B — Cervical cancer
The campaign aims to prevent cervical cancer, mainly caused by high-risk HPV types 16 and 18.
Which vaccine does India's national HPV programme use?
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Correct answer: D — Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent)
India's national programme uses Gardasil-4, covering HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, in a single-dose schedule.
Which digital platform is used for registration and recording parental consent in the HPV vaccination campaign?
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Correct answer: B — U-WIN
Beneficiaries can pre-register on U-WIN, where parental consent is recorded digitally; e-VIN manages vaccine stocks.
Consider the following statements about India's HPV vaccination campaign launched on 28 February 2026: 1. The vaccine is given as a single dose to girls who have completed 14 but not 15 years of age. 2. Vaccination is also offered at private hospitals in campaign mode. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Session sites are only government health facilities, such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals and government medical colleges.
The firecracker unit blast of 28 February 2026 that killed 20 workers on the spot took place in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
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Correct answer: A — Kakinada
The blast took place at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district.
Which institute's study led the Centre to temporarily discontinue rice fortification in February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — IIT Kharagpur
The Government assigned IIT Kharagpur a study on the shelf life of fortified rice kernels and fortified rice under actual storage conditions.
Which of the following was cited as the main problem with fortified rice in the February 2026 decision?
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Correct answer: A — Micronutrient loss and shorter shelf life during prolonged storage
The study found fortified rice kernels and fortified rice lose micronutrients and shelf life during prolonged storage and handling, while rice stays in storage for two to three years.
Under the February 2026 decision on rice fortification, which of the following is correct?
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Correct answer: B — States/UTs may supply either fortified or non-fortified rice as a transitional measure
Entitlements are not reduced and PDS, ICDS and Mid-Day Meal are unaffected; States/UTs get flexibility to supply fortified or non-fortified rice.
Consider the following statements about India's rice fortification initiative: 1. It was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day address on 15 August 2021. 2. Universal coverage of fortified rice in all government schemes was achieved by March 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB (October 2024) says the initiative followed the PM's 75th Independence Day address, the CCEA approved a phased rollout in April 2022, and universal coverage was achieved by March 2024.
What horizontal reservation do ex-Agniveers get in Level-1 posts of Indian Railways, as stated in February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 10%
Ex-Agniveers get 10% in Level-1 and 5% in Level-2 and above; ex-servicemen get 20% and 10%.
How many posts were reserved for ex-servicemen in railway vacancy notifications of 2024 and 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 14,788
A total of 14,788 posts (6,485 in Level-1 and 8,303 in Level-2 and above) were reserved for ex-servicemen.
Under the Labour Codes, as highlighted at ESIC's 75th year launch in February 2026, free annual health check-ups through ESIC are provided for workers aged:
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Correct answer: C — 40 years and above
Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the provision for free annual health check-ups through ESIC for workers aged 40 and above.
Hardeep Singh Gill and Karm Singh Karma took charge in February 2026 as Members of which body?
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Correct answer: B — National Commission for Safai Karamcharis
Both assumed charge as Members of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis on 23 February 2026.
Up to what date has the tenure of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis been extended?
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Correct answer: C — 31 March 2028
The Cabinet approved on 7 February 2025 extending the NCSK's tenure for three years beyond 31.03.2025, i.e. up to 31 March 2028.
Consider the following statements about the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK): 1. It was first constituted as a statutory body under an Act of Parliament passed in 1993. 2. It currently functions as a statutory body with the powers of a civil court. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The NCSK was set up in 1994 under the NCSK Act, 1993, but since the Act lapsed on 29 February 2004 it has been a non-statutory body without civil-court powers.
Which authority imposed a ₹15 lakh penalty on a coaching institute for misleading UPSC result advertisements in February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Central Consumer Protection Authority
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposed the ₹15 lakh penalty on Vajirao & Reddy Institute.
In the 131st Mann Ki Baat (22 February 2026), the Prime Minister paid homage to Alin Sherin Abraham, from which State, whose parents donated her organs?
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Correct answer: B — Kerala
The PM paid homage to Alin Sherin Abraham from Kerala; her parents Arun Abraham and Sherin Ann John donated her organs.
Which episode of Mann Ki Baat was broadcast on 22 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 131st
The 131st episode of Mann Ki Baat was broadcast on 22 February 2026.
About how many organ transplants were performed in India in 2025, according to the Health Ministry?
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Correct answer: C — 20,000
Transplants rose from under 5,000 in 2013 to nearly 20,000 in 2025.
In which type of transplant does India lead the world, performing more than any other country, according to the Health Ministry in February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Hand transplants
The Ministry said India performs a greater number of hand transplants than any other country.
Consider the following statements about organ donation in India, as reported by the Health Ministry in February 2026: 1. About 18% of transplants are performed with organs from deceased donors. 2. More than 4.8 lakh citizens have pledged organs through an Aadhaar-based verification system since September 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. About 18% of transplants use deceased-donor organs, and over 4.8 lakh citizens have pledged via the Aadhaar-based system since 17 September 2023.
The campaign 'Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai', launched in February 2026 with Amitabh Bachchan, promotes which platform?
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Correct answer: A — Skill India Digital Hub
The campaign promotes the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), which has over 1.5 crore registered candidates.
In which city was the 30th Divya Kala Mela inaugurated on 22 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Dehradun
The 30th Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated at Rangers Ground, Dehradun, by Uttarakhand Governor Gurmit Singh.
Which ICMR institute will host the 2027 edition of SANVAD, ICMR's conclave for doctoral scholars?
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Correct answer: B — ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad
After the first edition at ICMR–NIMR, New Delhi (19–21 February 2026), the 2027 edition will be hosted by ICMR–National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
Where will NIELIT set up India's first dedicated Quantum and AI university campus under an MoU signed on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Amaravati
NIELIT signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up the campus in Amaravati.
NIELIT, which signed the Quantum and AI campus MoU with Andhra Pradesh in February 2026, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
NIELIT is under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).