HPSC HCS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How much Advanced Chemistry Cell capacity was awarded to Reliance New Energy Battery Limited under the PLI scheme on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 10 GWh
The Programme Agreement awards Reliance New Energy Battery Limited 10 GWh of ACC capacity after a global tender.
After the Reliance agreement of February 2025, how much cumulative capacity had been awarded under the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell?
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Correct answer: C — 40 GWh
With this signing, a cumulative capacity of 40 GWh has been awarded to four firms out of the scheme's 50 GWh target.
Consider the following statements about the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage: 1. It was approved by the Cabinet in May 2021 with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore. 2. It aims at a total manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh. 3. In the first round of bidding in March 2022, the entire 50 GWh was allotted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
The scheme was approved in May 2021 with ₹18,100 crore for 50 GWh; the first round in March 2022 allotted only 30 GWh to three firms, so only the first two statements are correct.
What were India's estimated total exports (merchandise and services) in April-January 2024-25?
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Correct answer: A — USD 682.59 billion
Total exports in April-January 2024-25 were estimated at USD 682.59 billion, up 7.21% from USD 636.69 billion; USD 770.06 billion was the imports figure.
Which of the following was the fastest-growing major export category in January 2025, as per the Commerce Ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Electronic goods
Electronic goods exports grew 78.97% to USD 4.11 billion in January 2025, ahead of rice at 44.61% and drugs and pharmaceuticals at 21.46%.
In January 2025, how did India's estimated services exports compare with merchandise exports?
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Correct answer: C — Services exports exceeded merchandise exports
Services exports were estimated at USD 38.55 billion against merchandise exports of USD 36.43 billion in January 2025.
In how many states did the Agriculture Minister approve tur procurement under the Price Support Scheme for kharif 2024-25, as announced on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 9
Tur procurement was approved in nine states, from Andhra Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh, for a total of 13.22 lakh tonnes.
Which central nodal agencies will purchase tur from farmers under the Price Support Scheme of PM-AASHA, as stated in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — NAFED and NCCF
The Government said it is committed to purchasing 100% of tur produced by farmers through the central nodal agencies NAFED and NCCF.
Under the Budget 2025 announcement cited by the Agriculture Ministry, procurement of which pulses up to 100% of a state's production will continue for four more years?
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Correct answer: B — Tur, urad and masur
The Budget 2025 announcement continues procurement of tur (arhar), urad and masur up to 100% of the state's production for another four years.
In which city did Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launch the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Mumbai
Nirmala Sitharaman launched MCGS-MSME at the post-budget stakeholders' interaction in Mumbai.
What did the Finance Minister virtually inaugurate at Navy Nagar, Colaba, alongside the MCGS-MSME launch on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — The first Sachal Aaykar Seva Kendra
She virtually inaugurated the first Sachal Aaykar Seva Kendra in Mumbai, to operate at Navy Nagar, Colaba, for digital services, grievance help and tax awareness.
Rajiv Kumar, who was given a farewell by the Election Commission on 17 February 2025, was India's which Chief Election Commissioner?
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Correct answer: C — 25th
Rajiv Kumar assumed charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner on 15 May 2022 and demitted office on 18 February 2025.
The Central Silk Board's international conference SILKTECH 2025 was held on 17 February 2025 as part of which event?
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Tex 2025
SILKTECH 2025 was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a part of the mega textile event Bharat Tex 2025.
Under which section of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 is an authorisation needed to establish, operate, maintain or expand a telecommunication network, the subject of TRAI's recommendations of 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Section 3(1)(b)
Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 requires such an authorisation; Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act is the provision under which DoT sought TRAI's recommendations.
Which edition of Bharat Tex did PM Narendra Modi address at Bharat Mandapam on 16 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2nd
The Prime Minister remarked that Bharat Mandapam was witnessing the second (2nd) edition of Bharat Tex.
According to PM Modi at Bharat Tex 2025, what is India's current rank among the world's exporters of textiles and apparel?
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Correct answer: C — 6th
The Prime Minister said India is currently ranked the sixth-largest (6th) exporter of textiles and apparel in the world.
How many countries were participating in Bharat Tex 2025, as stated by the Prime Minister?
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Correct answer: C — 120+
The Prime Minister said more than 120 countries were participating, giving every exhibitor exposure to over 120 countries.
Consider the following statements made by PM Modi at Bharat Tex 2025: 1. India's textile and apparel exports rose 7% in the last year. 2. All twelve communities across the textile value chain were part of the event. 3. The event was being held for the first time in Gandhinagar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The PM cited a 7% rise in textile and apparel exports and said all twelve value-chain communities took part; the event was the second edition, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, so the third statement is wrong.
Addressing Bharat Tex 2025, PM Narendra Modi said the world is adopting which vision, in which India can lead the way?
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Correct answer: A — Fashion for Environment and Empowerment
The Prime Minister said the world is adopting the vision of 'Fashion for Environment and Empowerment', and India can lead the way in it.
Where was Indonesia's International Fleet Review 2025, attended by INS Shardul, held?
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Correct answer: D — Bali
INS Shardul and a P8I aircraft were in Bali, Indonesia, for the International Fleet Review 2025, scheduled from 15 to 22 February.
Which Indian Navy ship represented India at Indonesia's International Fleet Review 2025?
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Correct answer: A — INS Shardul
INS Shardul, along with a P8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, took part; INS Mumbai had joined Exercise La Perouse in January 2025.
After the International Fleet Review 2025, INS Shardul and the P8I were to participate in which multilateral naval exercise in Indonesia?
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Correct answer: D — Exercise Komodo
Following IFR 25, both INS Shardul and the P8I were to take part in Exercise Komodo, a multilateral naval exercise.
At which venue did President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate Aadi Mahotsav 2025 on 16 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Aadi Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, and runs from 16 to 24 February.
Aadi Mahotsav is the flagship initiative of which organisation under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs?
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Correct answer: D — TRIFED
Aadi Mahotsav is the flagship initiative of the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
At Aadi Mahotsav 2025, the President said about 1.25 lakh tribal children are being educated in how many Eklavya Model Residential Schools?
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Correct answer: A — More than 470
The President said about 1.25 lakh tribal children are being provided school education through more than 470 Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
PM-JANMAN, highlighted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Aadi Mahotsav 2025, was launched in 2023 with what budget?
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Correct answer: B — ₹24,000 crore
The Ministry said PM-JANMAN, launched in 2023, has a budget of ₹24,000 crore; the Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan has ₹80,000 crore.
What cash award (in rupees) does each winner of the Prime Minister's Yoga Awards 2025 receive?
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Correct answer: C — 25 lakh
Each winner receives a trophy, a certificate and a cash award of ₹25 lakh, in four categories.
Where was the second AIIMS Oncology Conclave 2025, inaugurated by J.P. Nadda on 15 February 2025, held?
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Correct answer: D — National Cancer Institute, AIIMS Jhajjar
The conclave was inaugurated at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the AIIMS Jhajjar campus in Haryana.
How many additional posts were announced for NCI-AIIMS Jhajjar at the AIIMS Oncology Conclave in February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 720
720 additional posts were announced for NCI-AIIMS Jhajjar; 289 is the number of oncology drugs sold at discount through AMRIT pharmacies.
The second AIIMS Oncology Conclave (February 2025) focused mainly on which cancers?
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Correct answer: A — Breast cancers and head and neck cancers
The conclave emphasised prevention and management of breast cancers and head and neck cancers.
In how many categories were nominations invited for the National Awards for e-Governance 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 6
Nominations were invited in six categories, from government process re-engineering to data analytics; the deadline was extended to 28 February 2025.
At the India-Sri Lanka mining talks of 15 February 2025, which Sri Lankan mineral resources were the key focus?
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Correct answer: B — Graphite and beach sand minerals
A key focus was Sri Lanka's graphite and beach sand mineral resources, with Indian companies encouraged to take part in their exploration.
At the ET Now Global Business Summit 2025, PM Modi described the government's financial inclusion strategy as:
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Correct answer: A — Banking the unbanked, securing the unsecured and funding the unfunded
The Prime Minister said 'Banking the unbanked, Securing the unsecured and Funding the unfunded' has been the government's strategy.
The first RuTAGe Smart Village Centre, inaugurated on 14 February 2025, is at Mandaura village in which district?
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Correct answer: D — Sonipat
The first RuTAGe Smart Village Centre was inaugurated at Mandaura village in Sonipat, Haryana.
In the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre, what does 'RuTAGe' stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Rural Technology Action Group
RuTAGe stands for Rural Technology Action Group, an initiative under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.
How many technology tracks does the RuTAGe Smart Village Centre at Mandaura offer?
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Correct answer: C — 12
The centre offers 12 technology tracks covering areas such as agriculture, waste management, renewable energy, housing and livelihoods; 20 more centres are planned.
What was India's annual WPI-based inflation rate (provisional) for January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2.31%
WPI inflation was 2.31% (provisional) in January 2025, down from 2.37% in December 2024.
What was the inflation rate of the WPI Food Index in January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 7.47%
WPI Food Index inflation eased to 7.47% in January 2025 from 8.89% in December 2024.
What profit did BSNL report for the third quarter of 2024-25 (in crore rupees)?
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Correct answer: B — 262
BSNL reported a profit of ₹262 crore in Q3 of 2024-25; separately, its losses fell by over ₹1,800 crore compared to last year.
BSNL's Q3 2024-25 profit was its first return to profitability since which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2007
The ₹262 crore Q3 profit marked BSNL's first return to profitability since 2007.
At the close of India Energy Week 2025, Hardeep Singh Puri reiterated India's goal of raising natural gas's share in the energy mix from about 6% to:
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Correct answer: B — 15%
Puri cited India's goal of increasing natural gas consumption to 15% of its energy mix from about 6% at present.
During the First Training Squadron's port call at Sihanoukville (14–17 February 2025), what did the Indian Navy formally hand over to the Royal Cambodian Army?
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Correct answer: D — A Small Arms Simulator
The visit featured the formal handover of a Small Arms Simulator to the Royal Cambodian Army, alongside a PASSEX with the Royal Cambodian Navy.
Under Coal India's 'Nanha Sa Dil' initiative, CCL and NCL signed MoUs on 14 February 2025 with which trust for surgeries for children with congenital heart disease?
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Correct answer: C — Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust
CCL and NCL signed separate MoUs with the Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust on Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day.
As stated by the CCPA on 14 February 2025, how many notices had it issued so far to coaching institutes for misleading advertisements?
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Correct answer: C — 46
The CCPA had issued 46 notices to coaching institutes and imposed penalties of ₹77.60 lakh on 24 of them.
Which publication did Jitendra Singh launch at the IIAS-DARPG India Conference 2025, which concluded on 14 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Viksit Bharat@2047: Governance Transformed
Jitendra Singh launched the 710-page volume 'Viksit Bharat@2047: Governance Transformed' at the conference, held from 10 to 14 February 2025.
Which trade settlement mechanism did India and Myanmar agree to use more at the Jitin Prasada–U Minn Minn meeting of 14 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Rupee-Kyat
The ministers discussed greater use of the recently launched Rupee-Kyat Trade Settlement Mechanism; the kyat is Myanmar's currency.
How many sections did the Income-tax Bill, 2025 contain when it was introduced on 13 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 536
The Bill has 536 sections against 819 in the Income-tax Act, 1961, a reduction of 283 sections.
The Income-tax Bill, 2025 replaces the terms 'assessment year' and 'previous year' with:
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Correct answer: C — Tax year
The Bill replaces 'assessment year' and 'previous year' with the simpler 'tax year'.
Who was appointed chairperson of the Lok Sabha Select Committee set up to examine the Income-tax Bill, 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Baijayant Panda
The 31-member Select Committee, constituted on 14 February 2025, is chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Panda.
The Income-tax Bill, 2025 reduces the number of chapters from 47 in the 1961 Act to:
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Correct answer: D — 23
Chapters fall from 47 to 23, a reduction of 24, while tables rise from 18 to 57.
Consider the following statements about the Income-tax Bill, 2025 as introduced: 1. It made no changes to tax rates. 2. It was referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament. 3. Over 20,000 online suggestions were received during the simplification exercise. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
The Bill kept tax rates unchanged, and 20,976 online suggestions were received. It was referred to a Select Committee of the Lok Sabha, not a Joint Committee, so the second statement is wrong.
Under 'Mission 500', announced by PM Modi and President Trump on 13 February 2025, India–US bilateral trade is to reach $500 billion by which year?
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Correct answer: A — 2030
The leaders set 'Mission 500', aiming to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
In the India–US 'TRUST' initiative launched on 13 February 2025, what does TRUST stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology
TRUST stands for 'Transforming the Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology', covering defence, AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotechnology, energy and space.
The India–US Joint Statement of February 2025 said the first tranche of which agreement would be negotiated by fall 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Bilateral Trade Agreement
The leaders announced plans to negotiate the first tranche of a multi-sector Bilateral Trade Agreement by fall 2025; for defence, they only called for opening Reciprocal Defense Procurement talks.
Which new initiative did India and the US announce on 13 February 2025 to scale industry partnerships and production of autonomous systems in the Indo-Pacific?
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Correct answer: B — Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA)
The leaders announced the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), building on the US-India Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation.
Consider the following statements about the India–US Joint Statement of February 2025: 1. It announced plans for procurement and co-production of Javelin missiles and Stryker vehicles in India. 2. It announced plans to sign a new ten-year Framework for the Major Defense Partnership in 2025. 3. It described 'Tiger Triumph' as a bilateral naval exercise first held in 2023. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The statement announced Javelin and Stryker co-production plans and a new ten-year defence framework to be signed that year. Tiger Triumph is a tri-service exercise first held in 2019, so the third statement is wrong.
Which state topped the ranking in the report 'Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States' released on 13 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Karnataka
Karnataka topped the devolution ranking, with Kerala second and Tamil Nadu third.
Which institution prepared the report 'Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States' released in February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Institute of Public Administration
The study and report were prepared by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
In the February 2025 Panchayat devolution ranking, Uttar Pradesh rose from 15th place to which position?
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Correct answer: B — 5th
Uttar Pradesh jumped ten places, from 15th in the previous index to 5th.
Who chaired the Joint Parliamentary Committee whose report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was tabled on 13 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Jagdambika Pal
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal chaired the committee and tabled the report in the Lok Sabha; Medha Vishram Kulkarni laid it in the Rajya Sabha.
How many members did the Joint Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 have?
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Correct answer: A — 31
The committee had 31 members, 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.
In which city was the 4th No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference held on 13 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Munich
The 4th NMFT Conference was held in Munich, Germany; India, which hosted the 2022 edition in New Delhi, proposed a permanent NMFT Secretariat in India.
The 4th India-EU Urban Forum, held on 13 February 2025, built on the Joint Declaration on Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanization of which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2017
The forum built on the 2017 Joint Declaration on Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanization.