HPPSC HPAS Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
As on 31 January 2026, how many entities had been recognised as startups by DPIIT?
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Correct answer: C — 2,12,283
A total of 2,12,283 entities had been recognised as startups by DPIIT as on 31 January 2026; 1,02,054 of them have at least one woman director or partner.
The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) under Startup India is operationalised by:
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Correct answer: B — SIDBI
FFS is operationalised by SIDBI, which provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds that invest in startups.
India Post's '24 Speed Post' service launched on 17 March 2026 offers:
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Correct answer: B — Guaranteed next-day (D+1) delivery between six metro cities
24 Speed Post and 24 Speed Post Parcel offer guaranteed next-day (D+1) delivery between New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Consider the following about India Post's new time-definite services launched in March 2026: 1. 48 Speed Post offers assured two-day (D+2) document delivery between the six metros. 2. Deliveries under 24 Speed Post will not be made on Sundays. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: deliveries will also be made on Sundays and holidays, except national holidays.
Which organisation's milestone of five billion meals was commemorated in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu on 17 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Akshaya Patra Foundation
The event at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre marked five billion meals served by the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
What was the theme of the event held on 17 March 2026 to mark the Akshaya Patra Foundation's five billion meals?
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Correct answer: B — From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India
The theme was 'From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India', linking nutrition and education to Viksit Bharat 2047.
India's total exports (merchandise and services) during April–February 2025-26 are estimated at:
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Correct answer: D — US$ 790.86 billion
Total exports for April–February 2025-26 are estimated at US$ 790.86 billion, up 5.79%; US$ 900.51 billion is the estimate of total imports.
Which sector led India's merchandise export growth in February 2026, rising 12.90% to US$ 10.36 billion?
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Correct answer: D — Engineering goods
Engineering goods exports rose 12.90% from US$ 9.17 billion in February 2025 to US$ 10.36 billion in February 2026.
Consider the following about India's trade data for February 2026: 1. Merchandise exports in February 2026 were higher than in February 2025. 2. India recorded an overall (merchandise plus services) trade deficit in February 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: merchandise exports were US$ 36.61 billion against US$ 36.91 billion in February 2025. Statement 2 is correct: the overall trade balance was –US$ 3.96 billion.
According to the final estimates released in March 2026, India's total horticulture production in 2024-25 was:
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Correct answer: B — 3,707.38 lakh tonnes
Final estimates put 2024-25 production at 3,707.38 lakh tonnes; 3,547.44 was the 2023-24 figure and 3,708.46 is the 2025-26 first advance estimate.
Consider the following about the horticulture estimates released on 16 March 2026: 1. Onion production in 2024-25 rose by over 25% compared with 2023-24. 2. Tomato production in 2024-25 was higher than in 2023-24. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: onion output rose 26.79% to 307.67 lakh tonnes. Statement 2 is wrong: tomato output fell to 205.99 lakh tonnes from 213.23 lakh tonnes, though it is projected to rise in 2025-26.
Under the National Quantum Mission, approval for quantum teaching laboratories has been granted to how many academic institutions (as disclosed on 16 March 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — 23
Quantum teaching labs have been approved in 23 institutions; 100 more are under consideration.
Which city has been identified as the proposed venue for the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Pune
Pune has been identified as the proposed venue for IISF 2026, with the Department of Biotechnology preparing the framework.
From RMS 2026-27, the commission payable to Arthiyas for wheat procurement in Punjab and Haryana has been raised to:
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Correct answer: A — ₹50.75 per quintal
The Arthiya commission on wheat in Punjab and Haryana rises from ₹46.00 to ₹50.75 per quintal; ₹45.67 is for wheat in Rajasthan and ₹50.61 for paddy.
Under the revised procurement commission structure from RMS 2026-27, procurement carried out at modern silos will earn:
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Correct answer: B — 50% of the mandi rate
For procurement at modern silos, the commission payable will be 50% of the rate applicable in mandis.
According to the PLFS monthly bulletin for February 2026, the urban unemployment rate (15+ years, CWS) was:
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Correct answer: C — 6.6%
Urban unemployment fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January; rural unemployment was 4.2%.
PLFS monthly estimates of LFPR, WPR and unemployment rate are based on which approach?
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Correct answer: D — Current Weekly Status
The monthly bulletins present all-India estimates following the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
Consider the following about the PLFS bulletin for February 2026: 1. Female labour force participation rate (15+) rose compared with January 2026. 2. Rural unemployment rate fell sharply compared with January 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: female LFPR rose to 35.3% from 35.1%. Statement 2 is wrong: rural unemployment was unchanged at 4.2%.
What did the Embassy of India in Tehran advise Indian nationals in Iran on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Not to approach or cross any land border without prior coordination with the Embassy
The Embassy advised Indians not to approach or attempt to cross any land border of Iran without prior and explicit coordination with it.
After the US–Israeli strikes of 28 February 2026, the Indian Embassy in Tehran first advised Indians in Iran to:
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Correct answer: A — Remain indoors as far as possible and avoid unnecessary movement
The Embassy advised Indians to remain indoors wherever possible and avoid unnecessary movement, and repeated this on 3 March.
What was India's annual WPI inflation rate (provisional) for February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2.13%
WPI inflation was 2.13% in February 2026, up from 1.81% in January; 3.27% was the inflation in primary articles.
Consider the following about WPI data for February 2026: 1. The 'Fuel & Power' group recorded negative annual inflation. 2. 'Manufactured Products' have the largest weight among the three major groups of the WPI. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Fuel & Power inflation was –3.78%, and Manufactured Products carry a weight of 64.23%.
Who delivered the keynote address at the CCI's 11th National Conference on Economics of Competition Law on 16 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Rajiv Gauba
NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba delivered the keynote; CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur gave the special address.
Consider the following about the CCI's National Conference on Economics of Competition Law: 1. The CCI has organised it every year since 2016. 2. The March 2026 conference was its 11th edition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the conference has been held annually since 2016, and the 16 March 2026 event was the 11th edition.
In how many phases will the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election be held, as announced by the ECI on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Two
West Bengal votes in two phases, on 23 April and 29 April 2026; Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vote in a single phase.
On which date will votes be counted for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry?
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Correct answer: D — 4 May 2026
Counting for all five Assemblies is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
Which of the following Assemblies going to polls in 2026 has the largest number of seats?
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Correct answer: D — West Bengal
West Bengal has 294 seats, against 234 in Tamil Nadu, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam and 30 in Puducherry.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission fixed the maximum number of electors per polling station at:
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Correct answer: B — 1,200
The ECI press note of 15 March 2026 says there shall be a maximum of 1,200 electors in a polling station.
Consider the following about the 2026 Assembly elections announced on 15 March 2026: 1. The ECI conducts them in exercise of powers under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force only after the formal notification of each phase. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the ECI press note. Statement 2 is wrong: the Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately from the announcement of the schedule.
Along with the 2026 Assembly elections, the ECI announced bye-elections to how many Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
Bye-elections were announced for 8 Assembly constituencies spread across these six States.
Which Indian boxer won gold in the women's 51 kg category at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
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Correct answer: A — Chandrika Pujari
Chandrika Pujari beat Uzbekistan's Mardonova Nazokat by unanimous decision in the women's 51 kg final; it was India's only gold.
What was India's medal tally at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
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Correct answer: A — 1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze
India won five medals: one gold (Chandrika Pujari), three silver (Gunjan, Joyshree Devi, L. Ambekar Meetei) and one bronze (Radhamani Longjam).
Whom did Jannik Sinner defeat in the Indian Wells 2026 men's singles final on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Daniil Medvedev
Sinner beat Daniil Medvedev 7-6(6), 7-6(4) in the final.
With the Indian Wells 2026 title, Jannik Sinner joined which two players as the only men to win all six ATP Masters 1000 hard-court titles?
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Correct answer: D — Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer
Sinner became the third man, after Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, to complete the set of six Masters 1000 hard-court titles.
What will be the FASTag Annual Pass fee for 2026-27, effective 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹3,075
NHAI revised the fee from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075 for 2026-27.
Consider the following about the FASTag Annual Pass: 1. The fee revision for 2026-27 was carried out under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008. 2. The pass is valid for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings and is available to commercial as well as non-commercial vehicles. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the pass is valid for one year or 200 crossings, but only for non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag.
The FASTag Annual Pass, whose fee is being revised for 2026-27, was launched on:
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Correct answer: C — 15 August 2025
The FASTag Annual Pass was launched on 15 August 2025 and has over 56 lakh users.
What is the last date for submitting nominations for the Padma Awards 2027?
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Correct answer: C — 31 July 2026
Nominations opened on 15 March 2026 and close on 31 July 2026, online only on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
Consider the following about the Padma Awards: 1. They were instituted in 1954 and are announced on Republic Day every year. 2. Government servants working with PSUs are eligible, but doctors and scientists in government service are not. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 reverses the rule: government servants, including PSU staff, are not eligible, except doctors and scientists.
On which portal are nominations for the Padma Awards 2027 accepted?
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Correct answer: D — Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (awards.gov.in)
Nominations are received only online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, awards.gov.in.
At the Aditya Birla Memorial Polo Cup final on 15 March 2026, Rajnath Singh said which sport can be designated a 'Heritage Sport' of India?
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Correct answer: B — Polo
Rajnath Singh said polo, rooted in India's sporting traditions, can rightfully be designated a 'Heritage Sport' of India.
Under the LPG Control Order amendment of 14 March 2026, which consumers must surrender their domestic LPG connections?
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Correct answer: D — Households with a piped natural gas (PNG) connection
Persons having both a PNG connection and a domestic LPG connection must surrender the LPG connection immediately.
Consider the following about the LPG Control Order amended on 14 March 2026: 1. The amendment was made under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. 2. The parent order being amended is the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the amendment order, S.O. 1333(E), was issued under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and amends the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000.
Which ministry notified the amendment requiring PNG households to give up domestic LPG connections in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas notified the LPG (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Amendment Order, 2026 on 14 March 2026.
Under the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which body will verify captive status in cases of inter-state captive consumption?
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Correct answer: B — National Load Despatch Centre
From 1 April 2026, inter-state captive status will be verified by the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC); intra-state cases by a State/UT nodal agency.
Consider the following about the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2026: 1. They amend Rule 3 of the Electricity Rules, 2005, which governs captive generating plants. 2. In a group captive plant set up by an Association of Persons, a member holding 26% or more ownership will have its entire consumption treated as captive. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Power's release of 14 March 2026.
The Delhi Declaration adopted at GCWAS-2026 on 14 March 2026 calls for establishing a:
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Correct answer: A — Global Alliance on Women in Agri-Food Systems
The Delhi Declaration calls for a Global Alliance on Women in Agri-Food Systems.
ICAR's planned national gender platform, announced at GCWAS-2026, will connect more than how many institutions?
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Correct answer: C — 900
Dr M. L. Jat said the platform will connect more than 900 institutions, including ICAR institutes, KVKs and agricultural universities.
From which city did PM Modi release the 22nd instalment of PM-KISAN on 13 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Guwahati
The 22nd instalment was released from the Jyoti-Bishnu International Cultural Centre in Guwahati, Assam.
About how much money was transferred under the 22nd instalment of PM-KISAN, and to how many farmers?
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Correct answer: B — ₹18,640 crore to 9.32 crore farmers
About ₹18,640 crore went to more than 9.32 crore farmers; ₹19,480 crore was the value of the Guwahati development projects launched the same day.
Consider the following statements about PM-KISAN: 1. Eligible farmer families receive ₹6,000 a year in three equal instalments of ₹2,000. 2. The Union Budget 2026–27 allocated ₹60,000 crore to the scheme. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the scheme pays ₹6,000 a year in three instalments of ₹2,000 each through DBT, and Budget 2026–27 provided ₹60,000 crore for it, as per the PIB backgrounder.
Roughly how many women farmers benefited from the 22nd instalment of PM-KISAN?
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Correct answer: A — 2.15 crore
The PIB backgrounder says more than 2.15 crore of the 9.32 crore beneficiaries were women.
According to the PIB backgrounder on the 22nd instalment, how much has been disbursed under PM-KISAN since its launch?
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Correct answer: D — More than ₹4.27 lakh crore
The backgrounder put cumulative transfers at more than ₹4.27 lakh crore, making PM-KISAN one of the world's largest DBT schemes.
Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), India's partner in TEPA?
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Correct answer: B — Denmark
EFTA's four members are Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland; Denmark is an EU member.
What legally binding investment commitment does the India–EFTA TEPA contain, as highlighted by Piyush Goyal on 13 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — $100 billion and 1 million jobs
TEPA carries a $100-billion investment commitment with the potential to create 1 million jobs in India.
Consider the following statements about the India–EFTA TEPA: 1. It was signed in New Delhi on 10 March 2024. 2. It came into force on 1 April 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: TEPA came into force on 1 October 2025, as per PIB.
Which State received the largest share of the ₹1,912.99 crore NDRF assistance announced on 13 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
Gujarat got ₹778.67 crore, the largest share; Andhra Pradesh got ₹341.48 crore and Himachal Pradesh ₹288.39 crore.
Which cyclone of 2025 is named in the Home Ministry's 13 March 2026 release on additional central assistance?
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Correct answer: C — Montha
The assistance covers States hit by floods, cloudbursts, landslides and Cyclone 'Montha' during 2025.
The National Disaster Response Fund, from which the 13 March 2026 assistance was approved, is constituted under:
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Correct answer: D — Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
The NDRF is constituted under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and supplements a State's SDRF in disasters of a severe nature.
Under the food-safety reforms approved on 13 March 2026, what is the new turnover limit for basic FSSAI registration from 1 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1.5 crore
The limit rises from ₹12 lakh to ₹1.5 crore; ₹50 crore is the new upper limit for State licensing.
Street food vendors registered under which law will be deemed registered with FSSAI under the March 2026 reforms?
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Correct answer: B — Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014
Vendors registered with municipal corporations or town vending committees under the Street Vendors Act, 2014 will be deemed registered, benefiting over 10 lakh vendors.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is:
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Correct answer: C — A statutory body set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
FSSAI is an independent statutory authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with its head office in Delhi; the Health Ministry is its administrative ministry.
What is the 'Sujal Gaon ID' launched by the Jal Shakti Ministry on 13 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — A unique digital identifier for each rural piped water supply scheme
Sujal Gaon ID is a scheme-based digital identifier that maps rural piped water supply assets, giving each scheme a digital identity.
Up to when has Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 been extended, and with what total outlay?
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Correct answer: A — December 2028; ₹8.69 lakh crore
The Cabinet extended Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 up to December 2028 with an enhanced total outlay of ₹8.69 lakh crore.
Consider the following statements made at the Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 meeting on 13 March 2026: 1. Water is a State subject, so delivery depends on State governments. 2. Each Sujalam Bharat ID combines a scheme's infrastructure ID and service-area ID. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the minister said water is a State subject, and the release explains that each Sujalam Bharat ID integrates the infrastructure ID and service-area ID.
Which company became India's first mining company to produce 50 million tonnes of iron ore in a single financial year (announced 13 March 2026)?
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Correct answer: B — NMDC Limited
NMDC Limited, a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Steel, crossed 50 MT in FY 2025–26.
NMDC's mechanised iron ore mines, mentioned in the 13 March 2026 release, are located in which two States?
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Correct answer: C — Chhattisgarh and Karnataka
The release says NMDC has highly mechanised operations in the mineral-rich regions of Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.
Consider the following statements about NMDC Limited: 1. It was established in 1958 to develop India's iron ore resources. 2. It is a Maharatna company under the Ministry of Mines. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: NMDC is a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Steel.
The Accounts & Audit Module launched on 13 March 2026 on the UMEED Central Portal is meant for:
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Correct answer: A — Waqf institutions
The module lets Waqf institutions record income and expenditure and pay statutory contributions to State Waqf Boards through the portal.
The TCCCPR, 2018, to which TRAI proposed a third amendment on 13 March 2026, mainly deals with:
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Correct answer: D — Unsolicited commercial communication (spam calls and messages)
TRAI issued the TCCCPR on 19 July 2018 to curb unsolicited commercial communication; it was amended in December 2018 and February 2025.
What was India's all-India CPI (combined) inflation for February 2026, as released on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 3.21%
February 2026 CPI inflation was 3.21% (provisional), up from 2.74% in January; 3.47% was food inflation.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation in the February 2026 CPI?
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Correct answer: A — Silver jewellery
Silver jewellery led at 160.84%, followed by gold/diamond/platinum jewellery at 48.16% and copra at 46.16%.
Consider the following statements about India's new CPI series (base 2024=100): 1. Its item basket and weights are based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023–24. 2. It retains the earlier structure of six broad groups instead of adopting COICOP 2018. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the new series adopts the UN's COICOP 2018, with 12 divisions and 358 items, replacing the earlier six broad groups.
Which items saw the steepest price falls in the February 2026 CPI?
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Correct answer: D — Garlic, onion and potato
Garlic (−31.09%), onion (−28.20%) and potato (−18.46%) had the lowest inflation; tomato was among the highest at 45.29%.
According to Hardeep Singh Puri's statement of 12 March 2026, by how much was India's LPG production raised in five days through refinery directives?
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Correct answer: C — 28%
Puri said the LPG Control Order of 8 March made refineries maximise LPG yields, raising production by 28% in five days.
What share of India's crude imports was now coming from non-Hormuz routes, as per the Petroleum Minister on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — About 70%
Non-Hormuz sourcing rose to about 70% of crude imports from 55% before the conflict; about 45% used to transit Hormuz.
Consider the following about the control orders mentioned by the Petroleum Minister on 12 March 2026: 1. The Natural Gas Control Order of 9 March 2026 was issued under the Essential Commodities Act. 2. The LPG Control Order of 8 March 2026 directed refineries to channel propane and butane streams to the three oil marketing companies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the gas order was issued under the Essential Commodities Act and set a priority sequence with homes and CNG first, and the LPG order sent C3 and C4 streams to the three OMCs for domestic cooking gas.
Roughly what share of the world's crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, as cited in the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 20%
Puri said about 20% of the world's crude, 20% of its natural gas and 20% of its LPG flow through the Strait of Hormuz.