BPSC Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026 notified on 2 February 2026, what is the general duty-free allowance for a resident passenger?
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Correct answer: C — ₹75,000
Residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with a non-tourist visa get a ₹75,000 duty-free allowance.
What duty-free allowance do the Baggage Rules, 2026 give a tourist of foreign origin?
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Correct answer: D — ₹25,000
Tourists of foreign origin get ₹25,000; crew members get ₹2,500.
Under the weight-based jewellery allowance in the Baggage Rules, 2026, how much duty-free jewellery can an eligible female passenger bring?
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Correct answer: B — Up to 40 grams
Eligible female passengers may bring up to 40 g and others up to 20 g; the old value caps were removed.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, what is the transfer-of-residence cap for a person returning after more than two years abroad?
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Correct answer: C — ₹7.5 lakh
The caps are ₹1.5 lakh (up to 12 months), ₹3 lakh (1–2 years) and ₹7.5 lakh (above 2 years).
Consider the following about the Baggage Rules, 2026: 1. Duty-free import of one laptop by passengers above 18 years has been incorporated into the Rules. 2. Passengers arriving by land borders are entitled to the same ₹75,000 general allowance as air passengers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Passengers arriving by land borders do not get any general duty-free allowance.
On 2 February 2026, President Trump announced that the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods would be cut to 18% from what level?
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Correct answer: B — 25%
Trump said the reciprocal tariff would fall from 25% to 18%.
The separate additional 25% US tariff on Indian goods, which the White House said on 2 February 2026 would be dropped, had been imposed over what?
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Correct answer: D — India's purchases of Russian oil
The additional 25% tariff was imposed in August 2025 over India's purchases of Russian oil.
According to CNN, President Trump said on 2 February 2026 that India would replace its Russian crude imports with oil from which countries?
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Correct answer: B — The United States and Venezuela
CNN reported Trump said Modi agreed to replace Russian crude with oil from Venezuela and the United States.
Consider the following about the US tariff announcement of 2 February 2026: 1. With the additional 25% tariff also dropped, the combined US tariff on Indian goods falls from 50% to 18%. 2. PM Modi's post on X confirmed that India would stop buying Russian oil. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Modi's X post thanked Trump for the 18% tariff but did not mention Russian oil.
Miniratna Category-I status, granted to Yantra India Limited in February 2026, allows its board to approve capital expenditure up to what amount without government approval?
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Correct answer: D — ₹500 crore
Miniratna Category-I status empowers the board to incur capex up to ₹500 crore without government approval.
Yantra India Limited was formed when the Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised on 1 October 2021 into how many new DPSUs?
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Correct answer: B — Seven
The Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised into seven new DPSUs on 1 October 2021.
Consider the following about Yantra India Limited: 1. It is a Schedule 'A' DPSU under the Department of Defence Production. 2. It was the first of the DPSUs carved out of the Ordnance Factory Board to receive Miniratna Category-I status. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Munitions India, Armoured Vehicles Nigam and India Optel received Miniratna-I status earlier, in May 2025.
What is the sampling frame for MoSPI's Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives, proposed to start in April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — National Cooperative Database
The survey's sampling frame is the National Cooperative Database, using the list of functional cooperatives from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Which post did Hari Shankar Verma take charge of on 2 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board
Verma, a 1987-batch IRTS officer, became Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board; he was earlier DG (Safety).
SAIL signed an MoU with RITES on 2 February 2026 mainly for what?
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Correct answer: A — Leasing and maintenance of diesel locomotives
The MoU covers diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance for SAIL's internal rail network at plants and mines.
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.
How much was allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹7.85 lakh crore
The Ministry of Defence got a record ₹7.85 lakh crore.
What is the defence capital outlay in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.19 lakh crore
Capital expenditure got ₹2.19 lakh crore, up from ₹1.80 lakh crore in BE 2025-26; ₹1.39 lakh crore is for domestic industry.
The defence allocation in the Union Budget 2026-27 is what share of the estimated GDP for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 2%
The ₹7.85 lakh crore allocation is 2% of estimated GDP.
Consider the following about the defence budget for 2026-27: 1. It accounts for 14.67% of Central Government expenditure, the highest among ministries. 2. The allocation for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme was cut compared with BE 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ECHS got ₹12,100 crore, 45.49% higher than BE 2025-26.
From when does the new Income Tax Act, 2025 come into effect, as confirmed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Income Tax Act, 2025 comes into effect from 1 April 2026.
To what rate did the Union Budget 2026-27 cut TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes?
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Correct answer: C — 2%
TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes was cut to 2% from 5%.
The Union Budget 2026-27 raised the threshold for availing safe harbour for IT services from ₹300 crore to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,000 crore
The safe-harbour threshold for IT services was raised from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore, with a common 15.5% margin.
Consider the following direct tax proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. Interest awarded by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax. 2. The time for revising income tax returns is cut from 31 December to 30 September. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The time to revise returns was extended from 31 December to 31 March, with a nominal fee.
What outlay did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce for Biopharma SHAKTI?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Biopharma SHAKTI has an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years.
Which of the following states is NOT among those to be supported by the dedicated Rare Earth Corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — Jharkhand
The Rare Earth Corridors will support Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
To what amount did the Union Budget 2026-27 raise the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?
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Correct answer: B — ₹40,000 crore
The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay was increased to ₹40,000 crore.
Consider the following about Biopharma SHAKTI, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. It includes creating three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and upgrading seven existing ones. 2. It plans a network of over 1,000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
At what level did the government, in the Budget 2026-27, agree to retain the states' vertical share of devolution as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission?
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Correct answer: C — 41%
The government accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to retain the vertical share at 41%.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 provide to states for 2026-27 as Finance Commission grants?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1.4 lakh crore
₹1.4 lakh crore was provided as Finance Commission grants, as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission.
Consider the following about the Finance Commission grants announced in the Budget 2026-27: 1. They include grants for both rural and urban local bodies. 2. They exclude disaster management grants, which are now funded separately. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹1.4 lakh crore includes rural and urban local body grants and disaster management grants.
The sharing of the net proceeds of Union taxes between the Union and the states, on which the Finance Commission's 'vertical devolution' recommendation applies, is provided under which Article?
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Correct answer: A — Article 270
Article 270 provides for the net proceeds of Union taxes and duties to be distributed between the Union and the states.
What public capital expenditure did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹12.2 lakh crore
Public capex was raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore for 2026-27.
Which new fund did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce to reassure private developers about construction-phase risks?
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Correct answer: A — Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund
The Budget announced an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund for risks during development and construction.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, how much will each City Economic Region get for implementing its plan?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,000 crore over 5 years
Each City Economic Region gets ₹5,000 crore over five years through a challenge mode with results-based financing.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. A ₹100 crore incentive is offered to a city for a single municipal bond issue of more than ₹1,000 crore. 2. Dedicated REITs are proposed to recycle real-estate assets of CPSEs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as listed in the Budget highlights.
What record capital expenditure was planned for Indian Railways in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — ₹2,93,030 crore
A record capex of ₹2,93,030 crore was planned for Indian Railways.
The new dedicated freight corridor announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 will connect Dankuni with which city?
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Correct answer: B — Surat
The 2,052 km dedicated freight corridor will link Dankuni in the east with Surat in the west.
Which of the following is NOT among the seven high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi–Amritsar
The seven are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
Consider the following about the transport proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The rollout of 20 new National Waterways will begin with NW-5 in Odisha, linking Talcher and Angul to the ports of Paradip and Dhamra. 2. The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme aims to raise the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping to 12% by 2047. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct; the target is to raise the share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed reducing the tariff on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20% to:
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Correct answer: B — 10%
The tariff on dutiable goods imported for personal use is to fall from 20% to 10%.
How many drugs or medicines, particularly for cancer patients, did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to exempt from basic customs duty?
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Correct answer: C — 17
BCD is to be exempted on 17 drugs or medicines; separately, 7 more rare diseases were added for personal-import exemptions.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, until which year has the basic customs duty exemption on goods for nuclear power projects been extended?
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Correct answer: C — 2035
The exemption was extended till 2035 and expanded to all nuclear plants irrespective of capacity.
Consider the following customs proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The duty-deferral period for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Authorised Economic Operators is raised from 15 to 30 days. 2. The limit for duty-free inputs for seafood exports is raised from 1% to 3% of the previous year's FOB export turnover. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
What fiscal deficit target, as a share of GDP, did the Union Budget 2026-27 set for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — 4.3%
The fiscal deficit in BE 2026-27 is estimated at 4.3% of GDP; RE 2025-26 is 4.4%.
According to the Union Budget 2026-27, what is the Centre's debt-to-GDP ratio estimated at in BE 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 55.6%
Debt-to-GDP is estimated at 55.6% in BE 2026-27, down from 56.1% in RE 2025-26.
What is the total expenditure estimated in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹53.5 lakh crore
Total expenditure is estimated at ₹53.5 lakh crore in BE 2026-27; ₹49.6 lakh crore is the RE for 2025-26.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The government says India is on track to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50±1% by 2030-31. 2. The fiscal deficit for 2025-26 in the Revised Estimates was higher than the Budget Estimate of 4.4%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. RE 2025-26 kept the fiscal deficit at par with BE 2025-26, at 4.4% of GDP.
The Union Budget is constitutionally the 'annual financial statement' laid before both Houses of Parliament. Which Article of the Constitution provides for it?
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Correct answer: B — Article 112
Article 112 requires the President to cause a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for each financial year — the annual financial statement — to be laid before both Houses.
Whom did Carlos Alcaraz beat in the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final on 1 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
With his Australian Open 2026 title, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to achieve what?
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Correct answer: C — Complete a career Grand Slam
By winning his first Australian Open, the 22-year-old became the youngest man to win all four majors — a career Grand Slam.
What is Bharat-VISTAAR, proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — A multilingual AI tool giving farmers customised advisory
Bharat-VISTAAR is a multilingual AI tool that integrates AgriStack portals and ICAR's package of practices.
Which of the following crops is NOT among the high-value crops the Union Budget 2026-27 said it would support in coastal areas?
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Correct answer: C — Saffron
The crops named were coconut, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in coastal areas.
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 of the following sites is among the 15 archaeological sites to be developed as cultural destinations under the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — Rakhigarhi
The listed sites include Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur and Leh Palace.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 allocate to promote sports goods manufacturing?
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Correct answer: A — ₹500 crore
₹500 crore was allocated to promote sports goods manufacturing, alongside the Khelo India Mission.
What is the size of the SME Growth Fund announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to create 'Champion SMEs'?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore
A dedicated ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund was announced.
Which two public sector NBFCs did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to restructure to achieve scale and efficiency?
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Correct answer: A — Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation
The Budget proposed restructuring Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation.
Which country co-chaired the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026 along with India?
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Correct answer: C — United Arab Emirates
The meeting was co-chaired by India and the UAE (MEA via DD News).
Where was the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in 2016?
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Correct answer: A — Manama, Bahrain
MEA: the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in 2016 in Bahrain; the 2026 meeting came after a gap of 10 years.
What was the outcome document of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 2026) called?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi Declaration
The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration (MEA, UAE MoFA, Indian Express); the Manama Declaration was from the first meeting in 2016.
Consider the following statements about the League of Arab States: 1. It has 22 member states. 2. India is a full member of the League. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
MEA: India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body with 22 member states.
Who won the women's singles title at the Australian Open 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final on 31 January 2026.
Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open 2026 women's champion, represents which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kazakhstan
Rybakina is from Kazakhstan; the runner-up Sabalenka is from Belarus.
With the Australian Open 2026, Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam title. Which was her first?
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Correct answer: A — Wimbledon 2022
AP/BBC: Rybakina's first major was Wimbledon 2022; she lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.
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.
The UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), whose 64th session India attended in 2026, is a functional commission of which UN body?
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Correct answer: B — UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
PIB: The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
How many route kilometres of Kavach 4.0 did Indian Railways commission on 30 January 2026, the highest in a single day?
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Correct answer: B — 472.3 km
PIB: 472.3 route km were commissioned on 30 January 2026; 324 km (Kota–Mathura) was the previous record and 1,306.3 km is the new total.
Which was the longest of the three sections where Kavach 4.0 was commissioned on 30 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vadodara–Virar
PIB: Vadodara–Virar (344 km) on Western Railway; the others were Tuglakabad–Palwal (35 km) and Manpur–Sarmatanr (93.3 km).
Consider the following statements about Kavach 4.0 (as of 30 January 2026): 1. It is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system. 2. It had been commissioned in all zones of Indian Railways. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Kavach is indigenous Automatic Train Protection; Kavach 4.0 had been commissioned across five zones (1,306.3 route km), not all zones.
Up to December 2025, the Government of India's total receipts were what share of the Budget Estimates 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 72.2%
PIB: Total receipts of ₹25,25,156 crore were 72.2% of BE 2025-26; 66.7% was the expenditure share.
How much was transferred to State Governments as devolution of share of taxes up to December 2025 (FY 2025-26)?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10,38,164 crore
PIB: ₹10,38,164 crore was devolved to states, ₹1,37,014 crore more than the previous year. (₹7,87,935 crore = capex; ₹9,11,059 crore = interest; ₹19,39,254 crore = net tax revenue.)
Consider the following about the Union accounts up to December 2025: 1. Interest payments were more than capital expenditure. 2. Total expenditure was below 70% of the Budget Estimates. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: Interest ₹9,11,059 crore > capital expenditure ₹7,87,935 crore; total expenditure was 66.7% of BE.
Which state's tableau was judged the best among States/UTs at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra
PIB: The top state/UT tableau (judges) was Maharashtra's 'Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta', followed by J&K and Kerala.
Which contingent was adjudged the best marching contingent among the three Services at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Navy
PIB: Judges chose the Indian Navy as the best marching contingent among the three Services; the Assam Regiment won the Popular Choice poll.
Match the Republic Day Parade 2026 award with the winner: 1. Best CAPF/auxiliary contingent (judges) 2. Best ministry tableau (judges) 3. Best state tableau (Popular Choice) Winners: a. Ministry of Culture b. Delhi Police c. Gujarat
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Correct answer: A — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
PIB: Delhi Police (best CAPF contingent), Ministry of Culture (best ministry tableau), Gujarat (Popular Choice state tableau).
On 30 January 2026, Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, PM Modi attended a prayer meeting at which place in New Delhi, besides paying tributes at Rajghat?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhi Smriti
PIB: The PM paid tributes at Rajghat and attended a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti.
On which date is National Leprosy Day observed in India, as marked by the Health Ministry in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 30 January
PIB: The Central Leprosy Division observed National Leprosy Day on 30 January 2026 with an outreach at Dilli Haat.
On 30 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi received a phone call from Delcy Rodríguez, Acting President of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Venezuela
PIB: Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.