HPPSC HPAS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is Bharat-VISTAAR, proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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'?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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).
In the first three phases of Himachal Pradesh's BPL identification survey (as of January 2026), which district had the highest number of families added?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Chamba
Chamba had 13,786 families, ahead of Mandi (12,045) and Kangra (10,807), out of 59,829 in total (TOI, NewsMill).
From which date did Himachal Pradesh order the fourth phase of its BPL identification survey to begin?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 February 2026
On 31 January 2026 CM Sukhu directed that the fourth phase begin from 1 February 2026.
How many route kilometres of Kavach 4.0 did Indian Railways commission on 30 January 2026, the highest in a single day?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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)?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Venezuela
PIB: Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
What was the theme of the National Commission for Women's 34th Foundation Day (30 January 2026)?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran
PIB: The programme was organised around the theme 'Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran'.
A January 2026 study on a 'stealth' coronal mass ejection that caused an intense geomagnetic storm was carried out by researchers of which institute?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
PIB: The stealth CME was investigated by researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institution under DST; lead author P. Vemareddy.
The UMEED Central Portal, which got new Survey and Lease modules in January 2026, is meant for managing what?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Waqf properties
PIB: UMEED is a centralised digital platform for uploading, verifying and monitoring Waqf properties.
When was the UMEED Central Portal originally inaugurated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 6 June 2025
PIB: The UMEED Central Portal was inaugurated by Kiren Rijiju on 6 June 2025; the two new modules came on 30 January 2026.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's real GDP growth for FY26 (First Advance Estimate) is estimated at:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB: The Survey estimates FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% (GVA 7.3%).
What real GDP growth range does the Economic Survey 2025-26 project for FY27?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 6.8–7.2%
PIB: Real GDP growth for FY27 is projected at 6.8–7.2%, with potential growth around 7%.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks fell to a multi-decade low of:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 2.2%
PIB: Gross NPAs reached a multi-decadal low of 2.2% in September 2025.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. The share of private final consumption expenditure in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26. 2. Domestic inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: PFCE share in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26 and domestic inflation averaged 1.7% for April–December 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's foreign exchange reserves as of 16 January 2026 stood at about:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — USD 701.4 billion
PIB: Forex reserves rose to USD 701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports. (USD 825.3 billion = total exports in FY25.)
How many weighted items does the basket of the new CPI 2024 series have, as per the Expert Group report released in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 358
PIB: The CPI 2024 item basket comprises 358 weighted items mapped to 12 divisions as per COICOP 2018.
Which survey provides the item weights for the new CPI 2024 series?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24
PIB: The Expert Group recommended updating the CPI basket and weights using HCES 2023-24.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, what was India's rank in the Global Innovation Index 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 38th
PIB: India's GII rank improved from 66th in 2019 to 38th in 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, how many semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects had been approved, with cumulative investment of ₹1.60 lakh crore?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 10
PIB: Ten semiconductor projects with ₹1.60 lakh crore investment have been approved in 6 states.
Which three Indian cities feature among the world's top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters, as noted in the Economic Survey 2025-26?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai
PIB: Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai feature among the top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters worldwide.
In January 2026, which mineral was notified as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Coking coal
PIB (29 Jan 2026): The Government notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957.
India's coking coal resources, estimated at 37.37 billion tonnes, are largely located in which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Jharkhand
PIB: Coking coal resources are largely in Jharkhand, with more in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the January 2026 notification on coking coal: 1. Coking coal was included in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, which lists critical and strategic minerals. 2. Royalty and auction premium from such mining leases will now go to the Central Government instead of the states. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Coking coal was added to Part D. Under Section 11D(3), royalty, auction premium and other payments continue to accrue to the State Governments.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's remittance inflows in FY25 were:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — USD 135.4 billion
PIB: India remains the world's largest recipient of remittances with inflows of USD 135.4 billion in FY25.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's total exports (merchandise and services) in FY25 reached a record of:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — USD 825.3 billion
PIB: Total exports reached a record USD 825.3 billion in FY25; services alone were USD 387.6 billion.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's share of global merchandise exports in 2024 was about:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1.8%
PIB: India's share of global merchandise exports nearly doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the number of airports in India increased from 74 in 2014 to how many in 2025?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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?
Show answer
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).
Under the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, waste must be segregated at source into four streams. Which of the following is NOT one of these four streams?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Construction and demolition waste
PIB: the four streams are wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste.
Consider the following statements about the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026: 1. They have been notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and supersede the SWM Rules, 2016. 2. An entity generating 100 kg or more of solid waste per day is a Bulk Waste Generator. 3. Environmental compensation will be levied by the Central Pollution Control Board directly. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB: notified under EP Act 1986, superseding 2016 rules; 100 kg/day is one Bulk Waste Generator threshold. CPCB prepares guidelines but SPCBs/PCCs levy the compensation, so statement 3 is wrong.
From which date will the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 come into full effect?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
PIB: the rules will come into full effect from April 1, 2026.
India and the EU concluded negotiations on financial services in the India-EU FTA. According to the Finance Ministry, total India-EU services trade in 2024 was around:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — USD 83 billion
PIB (Finance): in 2024, total services trade between India and EU is around $83 billion.
Consider the following statements about the India-EU FTA financial services chapter: 1. It was finalised during the last round of negotiations held on 6 January 2026. 2. It contains provisions on digital payments and fintech. 3. In 2024 India imported more financial services from the EU than it exported to the EU. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB: finalised on 6 January 2026 with innovative provisions on digital payments and fintech. India exported USD 700 million and imported about USD 600 million, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Budget Session of Parliament that began on 28 January 2026 with the President's address is which session of the 18th Lok Sabha?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 7th Session
PIB (Lok Sabha Secretariat): 'On the first day of the 7th Session of the 18th Lok Sabha…' (28 January 2026).
In her address to Parliament at the start of the Budget Session on 28 January 2026, President Droupadi Murmu referred to the celebration of how many years of Vande Mataram?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 150 years
PIB (President's Secretariat): "At present, India is celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram."
Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0, launched by NITI Aayog on 28 January 2026, will run until which date?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 14 April 2026
PIB (NITI Aayog): a 3-month campaign running from 28 January to 14 April 2026.
Under Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0, how many Key Performance Indicators are to be saturated in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks respectively?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 5 and 6
PIB (NITI Aayog): saturation of 5 KPIs in Aspirational Districts and 6 KPIs in Aspirational Blocks.
According to MoSPI's quick estimate, by how much did India's Index of Industrial Production grow in December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 7.8%
PIB (MoSPI): IIP rose by 7.8% in December 2025, the highest level in over two years. 8.1% was manufacturing growth; 7.2% was November (revised).
In the December 2025 IIP, which manufacturing industry group recorded the highest growth (34.9%)?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Computer, electronic and optical products
PIB (MoSPI): computer, electronic and optical products 34.9%; motor vehicles 33.5%; other transport equipment 25.1%.
The new Aadhaar App launched on 28 January 2026 allows management of how many Aadhaar profiles on a single device under the 'One Family – One App' concept?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Five
PIB (MeitY): it allows management of up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single device.
Who dedicated the new Aadhaar App to the nation on 28 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Jitin Prasada
PIB (MeitY): Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics & IT Jitin Prasada dedicated the new Aadhaar App to the nation.