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 is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, as of its 23rd Foundation Day on 19 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Antar Singh Arya
NCST Chairperson Antar Singh Arya attended the 23rd Foundation Day along with Members Nirupam Chakma and Dr. Asha Lakra.
Under which Article of the Constitution is the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes constituted?
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Correct answer: D — Article 338A
NCST is constituted under Article 338A. Article 338 covers the NCSC, Article 338B the NCBC, and Article 340 commissions on backward classes.
Consider the following statements about the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: 1. It was created by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003, which split the combined National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 2. It is a statutory body set up under an Act of Parliament, not a constitutional body. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. NCST is a constitutional body under Article 338A, inserted by the 89th Amendment Act, 2003; it came into existence on 19 February 2004.
Where will the India–France National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence, announced on 17 February 2026, be set up?
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Correct answer: A — NSTI Kanpur
The NCoE will be at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur, under PM-SETU.
PM-SETU, the scheme under which the Kanpur aeronautics skilling centre is being set up, stands for:
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Correct answer: B — Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs
PM-SETU is the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
The Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020, under which the CCPA penalised Snapdeal in February 2026, became mandatory from:
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Correct answer: B — 1 January 2021
The Toys (Quality Control) Order, 2020 became mandatory on 1 January 2021.
Which of the following was launched at the National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace on 14 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — SHe-Box logo and PoSH Voluntary Compliance Checklist
Union Minister Annpurna Devi launched the SHe-Box logo, the PoSH Voluntary Compliance Checklist and other integrations at Vigyan Bhawan.
As stated at the SHe-Box conference on 14 February 2026, how many workplaces had been onboarded on the SHe-Box portal?
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Correct answer: A — Over 1.5 lakh
WCD Secretary Anil Malik said over 1.5 lakh workplaces had been onboarded, with Local Committees active in every district.
Consider the following statements about the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: 1. An Internal Committee is mandatory in workplaces with 10 or more employees. 2. At least one-half of the members of an Internal Committee must be women. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Workplaces with fewer than 10 employees are covered by Local Committees set up in every district.
Where was the 29th Divya Kala Mela inaugurated on 14 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chandigarh
Dr Virendra Kumar inaugurated the 29th Divya Kala Mela at the Exhibition Ground, Chandigarh.
The Divya Kala Mela, whose 29th edition opened in Chandigarh in February 2026, is a platform for:
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Correct answer: B — Divyang artisans and entrepreneurs
The Divya Kala Mela links the products of Divyang (persons with disabilities) artisans and entrepreneurs to markets.
The UN theme for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 brings together AI, social science, STEM and which other field?
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Correct answer: D — Finance
The 2026 theme is 'Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls'.
What green building rating do the new Academic Block-103 and Girls Hostel-50B at IIT Delhi target?
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Correct answer: A — 4-star GRIHA
The ₹430 crore projects target a 4-star GRIHA certification.
Which of the following were added to the definition of 'family' for allotment of government accommodation to Service Officers on 11 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Parents, dependent siblings and legally adopted children
The revised definition adds parents, dependent siblings and legally adopted children to spouse and dependent children/step-children.
Kaushal Rath, flagged off on 10 February 2026, is a mobile AI lab under which national programme?
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Correct answer: A — Yuva AI for All
Kaushal Rath is a mobile AI awareness initiative under the National AI Literacy programme 'Yuva AI for All'.
Where did the SARAS Aajeevika Mela 2026 of 'Lakhpati Didis' begin on 10 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Leisure Valley Park, Gurugram
The fair is being held at the Leisure Valley Park Ground, Sector 29, Gurugram, from 10 to 26 February 2026.
The National Institute of Ayurveda, which celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 9 February 2026, is located in:
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Correct answer: A — Jaipur
The National Institute of Ayurveda is in Jaipur, Rajasthan; it was established in 1976.
Which distinction does the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, hold, as noted at its Golden Jubilee?
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Correct answer: B — India's first Ayurveda Deemed-to-be University
NIA grew from an Ayurveda college set up in 1976 into India's first Ayurveda Deemed-to-be University.
How many Mandatory Biometric Updates for schoolchildren had UIDAI's school drive completed, as announced on 8 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 1 crore
UIDAI crossed the milestone of over one crore MBUs for children in about 83,000 schools.
Integration of UIDAI with which platform let schools see which children were due for a Mandatory Biometric Update?
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Correct answer: D — UDISE+
The drive began in September 2025 after UIDAI's technological integration with the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+).
Consider the following about Aadhaar Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for children: 1. Fingerprints and iris are not captured when a child below five years enrols for Aadhaar. 2. MBU charges for children aged 7–15 were waived permanently from 1 October 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The waiver for the 7–15 age group runs for one year from 1 October 2025, not permanently.
The Pariksha Pe Charcha held on 6 February 2026 was which edition of the programme?
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Correct answer: A — Ninth
PM Modi interacted with students during the 9th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha.
Where did PM Modi hold his informal interaction with 'Exam Warriors' for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 on 6 February?
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Correct answer: B — His residence in Delhi
PIB said the Prime Minister had an informal interaction with Exam Warriors at his residence in Delhi.
How many vacancies did UPSC announce for the Civil Services Examination 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 933
The 2026 notification carries 933 Civil Services vacancies; the Indian Forest Service has 80.
Which three cities were added as UPSC Civil Services Mains examination centres for 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bhubaneswar, Srinagar, Imphal
Mains centres rose from 24 to 27 with Bhubaneswar, Srinagar and Imphal; Meerut, Kanpur and Bhubaneswar were added for Prelims.
Consider the following about the Union Public Service Commission under Article 316 of the Constitution: 1. The Chairman and other members of the Union Commission are appointed by the President. 2. A member of the Union Commission holds office for six years or until attaining the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. For the Union Commission the age limit in Article 316(2) is 65 years; 62 years applies to State Commissions.
Where is the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, at which Airbus inaugurated an aerospace Centre of Excellence on 4 February 2026, located?
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Correct answer: A — Vadodara
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya is in Vadodara, Gujarat.
What reward do the winners of MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026 get?
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Correct answer: D — A chance to interact with the Prime Minister
The winners will get to interact with the Prime Minister.
Where will NIMHANS-2, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, be set up?
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Correct answer: A — North India
The Budget announced NIMHANS-2 in north India; institutes at Ranchi and Tezpur will be upgraded as regional apex institutions.
How many Regional Medical Hubs to promote medical tourism did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce?
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Correct answer: B — Five
Five Regional Medical Hubs will be established to promote medical value tourism.
Which institute was ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
PIB (31 Jan 2026): IIFT has been ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026.
In January 2026 the Tamil Nadu CM inaugurated a new Government Law College at Kazhanivasal in which town?
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Correct answer: A — Karaikudi
The Hindu/TOI: The Government Law College is at Kazhanivasal in Karaikudi, Sivaganga district.
The auditorium of the Chettinad Agriculture College and Research Institute, opened in January 2026, was named after which Bharat Ratna awardee?
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Correct answer: C — C. Subramaniam
The new auditorium was named after Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam, architect of India's Green Revolution (The Hindu, TOI).
What was the theme of the National Commission for Women's 34th Foundation Day (30 January 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran
PIB: The programme was organised around the theme 'Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran'.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the number of airports in India increased from 74 in 2014 to how many in 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 164
PIB: The number of airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, international IIT campuses have been established in which two places?
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Correct answer: A — Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi
PIB: India has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS, alongside two international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. Power DISCOMs recorded a positive profit after tax for the first time in FY25. 2. Multidimensional poverty (NITI Aayog) declined to 11.28% in 2022-23. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: DISCOMs recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY25 for the first time, and MPI declined from 55.3% (2005-06) to 11.28% (2022-23).
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence, announced in January 2026 with a ₹100-crore endowment, will be set up at which institute?
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Correct answer: D — IIM Ahmedabad
PIB: IIM Ahmedabad exchanged an MoU for the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI with a ₹100-crore endowment.
Which university was announced in January 2026 as India's first AI-enabled state university pilot under a collaboration between MSDE and Google Cloud?
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Correct answer: D — Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut
PIB (MSDE): CCSU, Meerut is positioned as India's first AI-enabled state university pilot through collaboration with MSDE and Google Cloud.
Nagaland's first Drone School and Drone Centre of Excellence, inaugurated on 26 January 2026, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: B — Kohima
Morung Express and India Today NE: inaugurated at the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre in Kohima.
'Naga Bazaar', launched in Nagaland on Republic Day 2026, is:
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Correct answer: B — An e-commerce platform of MARCOFED
DIPR Nagaland: MARCOFED formally launched its e-commerce portal 'Naga Bazaar' (nagabazaar.com), a hyper-local quick delivery platform.
The first batch of 50 trainees at Nagaland's new Drone School (January 2026) is sponsored by:
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Correct answer: A — Nagaland Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Mission
Morung Express and India Today NE: the first batch of 50 trainees is sponsored by the Nagaland Skill & Entrepreneurship Development Mission (NSEDM).
Assam's 'Mukhya Mantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat' scheme, launched in January 2026, provides one-time assistance of how much to each tea garden worker?
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Correct answer: D — ₹5,000
Assam Tribune, Economic Times and TOI: the scheme gives ₹5,000 to every tea garden worker, permanent or casual.
The Eti Koli Duti Paat scheme was launched to mark which milestone, and where was it launched?
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Correct answer: B — 200 years of Assam's tea industry; Doomdooma (Tinsukia)
Assam Tribune, ET and TOI: launched at Doomdooma in Tinsukia district as part of the celebration of 200 years of Assam's tea industry.
In the 130th Mann Ki Baat (January 2026), the PM praised the people-led revival of the Tamsa river. The river flows through which district?
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Correct answer: D — Azamgarh
PIB (PMO): the PM said the revival of the Tamsa river passing through Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, is a remarkable example of public participation.
Which slogan did the PM use in the 130th Mann Ki Baat while calling for 2026 to be about quality?
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Correct answer: B — Zero Defect, Zero Effect
PIB (PMO): 'Let us make 2026 about quality. Let us focus on Zero Defect, Zero Effect. Let us ensure, Made in India = Excellence.'
Approximately how many appointment letters were distributed at the 18th Rozgar Mela on 24 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Over 61,000
PIB (PMO): more than sixty-one thousand young people received appointment letters for government services at the 18th Rozgar Mela.
At the 18th Rozgar Mela, the PM recalled that 24 January marks the adoption of which of the following?
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Correct answer: D — Jana Gana Mana as National Anthem and Vande Mataram as National Song
PIB (PMO): the PM said that on this day the Constitution adopted 'Jana Gana Mana' as the National Anthem and 'Vande Mataram' as the National Song.
Veer Gatha 5.0 made its international debut with participation of how many students from CBSE schools abroad?
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Correct answer: B — 28,005
PIB (Defence): for the first time, 28,005 international students studying in CBSE schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0.
How many of the Veer Gatha 5.0 Super-100 winners are girls?
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Correct answer: C — 64
PIB (Defence): among the 100 winners, 64 are girls from different parts of the country.
Each Super-100 winner of Veer Gatha 5.0 received a cash prize of:
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
PIB (Defence): each winner was presented with a cash prize of ₹10,000, a medal and a certificate.
National Girl Child Day is observed in India on:
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Correct answer: B — 24 January
PIB (WCD and PMO): National Girl Child Day was observed on 24 January 2026.
With which organisation did MSDE sign an MoU in January 2026 to launch a Skills Accelerator in India?
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Correct answer: A — World Economic Forum
PIB (MSDE): MSDE signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum to launch and implement a Skills Accelerator in India.