HPSC HCS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which public sector general insurer posted a profit in Q3 of 2024-25 after a gap of seven years, as stated by the Finance Ministry in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — United India Insurance Company
United India Insurance posted a profit in Q3 of 2024-25 after seven years, while New India Assurance has been making profits regularly.
In which French city did PM Modi and President Macron jointly inaugurate India's new Consulate General on 12 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Marseille
The two leaders jointly inaugurated India's Consulate General in Marseille, France's second most populous city.
Where is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), visited by PM Modi and President Macron on 12 February 2025, located?
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Correct answer: A — Cadarache
The leaders visited ITER at Cadarache in southern France, where the world's largest tokamak is being assembled.
India is one of how many members contributing to the ITER fusion project?
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Correct answer: B — 7
India is among the seven ITER members and has contributed to the project for about two decades.
Under the outcomes of PM Modi's February 2025 visit to France, how many Indian start-ups were to be hosted at the French incubator Station F?
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Correct answer: B — 10
An agreement was signed for hosting 10 Indian start-ups at Station F.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's visit to France in February 2025: 1. It was his sixth visit to France. 2. The decision to open the Marseille consulate was announced during President Macron's visit to India in January 2024. 3. The leaders' visit to ITER was the first by any head of state or government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
It was the PM's sixth visit to France, and the ITER visit was the first by any head of state or government. The Marseille consulate was announced during the PM's July 2023 visit to France, so the second statement is wrong.
Under TRAI's amended TCCCPR (February 2025), within how many days of receiving spam can a customer now complain?
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Correct answer: C — 7
Customers can now complain within 7 days of receiving spam, compared with the earlier 3-day limit.
Under the February 2025 TCCCPR amendments, which newly allocated number series is designated for transactional and service calls?
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Correct answer: B — 1600
The new 1600 series is for transactional and service calls, while the 140 series continues for promotional calls.
Consider the following statements about TRAI's amendments to the TCCCPR, 2018 (February 2025): 1. Action against a sender is now triggered by 5 complaints in 10 days. 2. Operators must act against spam from unregistered senders within 5 days instead of 30. 3. Promotional calls must now use the 1600 number series. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The trigger is now 5 complaints in 10 days and the action deadline for unregistered senders fell from 30 days to 5. Promotional calls stay on the 140 series; 1600 is for transactional and service calls, so the third statement is wrong.
What was India's year-on-year CPI-based retail inflation (provisional) for January 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 4.31%
CPI inflation was 4.31% in January 2025, 91 basis points lower than in December 2024; 6.02% was the food inflation figure.
What was all-India food inflation (CFPI) in January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 6.02%
CFPI-based food inflation fell 237 basis points to 6.02%; rural food inflation was 6.31% and urban 5.53%.
According to MoSPI, January 2025 CPI inflation was the lowest year-on-year inflation since which month?
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Correct answer: D — August 2024
MoSPI said 4.31% was the lowest year-on-year inflation after August 2024.
According to ICAR's Director General at the 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (February 2025), how many new fisheries technologies and improved fish varieties has ICAR developed?
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Correct answer: C — 75
Himanshu Pathak highlighted 75 new fisheries technologies and improved fish varieties developed by ICAR.
Which of the three IIP sectors grew fastest in December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — Electricity
Electricity grew 6.2%, ahead of manufacturing (3.0%) and mining (2.6%); overall IIP growth was 3.2%.
Which of the following states was NOT among the five covered by the DoT–CDRI telecom disaster risk and resilience study released in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Kerala
The study covered Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Gujarat; Kerala was not among them.
With which leader did PM Modi co-chair the AI Action Summit in Paris on 11 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Emmanuel Macron
President Emmanuel Macron of France hosted the summit and invited PM Modi to co-chair it.
In his concluding address at the Paris AI Action Summit, PM Modi welcomed France's decision to set up which two initiatives?
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Correct answer: A — AI Foundation and Council for Sustainable AI
Modi welcomed the decision to set up the 'AI Foundation' and the 'Council for Sustainable AI' and assured India's full support.
To illustrate bias in AI training data, PM Modi said in Paris that an AI app asked to draw a person writing with the left hand would most likely draw:
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Correct answer: D — A person writing with the right hand
He said the app would most likely draw someone writing with the right hand, because that is what dominates the training data.
The High-Level Segment of the AI Action Summit 2025 began on 10 February with a dinner hosted by President Macron at:
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Correct answer: A — Élysée Palace
The High-Level Segment opened with a dinner at the Élysée Palace for heads of state and government, heads of international organisations and AI company CEOs.
Consider the following statements about the AI Action Summit held in Paris in February 2025: 1. India announced that it would host the next AI summit. 2. The summit concluded with the adoption of a Leaders' Statement. 3. PM Modi said the Global Partnership on AI should remain limited to developed economies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
India offered to host the next summit and the summit adopted a Leaders' Statement. Modi asked for the Global Partnership on AI to be more inclusive of the Global South, so the third statement is wrong.
Under the OMSS (Domestic) policy described on 11 February 2025, at what price (₹ per quintal) can state governments buy FCI rice without e-auction?
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Correct answer: D — 2,250
State governments, their corporations and community kitchens can buy rice at a pan-India price of ₹2,250 per quintal, up to 12 LMT.
Up to how much FCI rice (in lakh metric tonnes) can ethanol distilleries buy under the OMSS (Domestic) policy, as stated in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 24
Ethanol distilleries can buy up to 24 LMT at ₹2,250 per quintal; the separate cap for states and their corporations is 12 LMT.
Consider the following statements about the sale of FCI rice under OMSS (Domestic), as described on 11 February 2025: 1. Community kitchens can buy rice at the same ₹2,250 per quintal price as state governments. 2. Supply of FCI rice to ethanol distilleries is allowed only in surplus states. 3. Non-surplus states needing additional rice can buy it without participating in e-auction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
Community kitchens get the ₹2,250 price and non-surplus states can buy without e-auction. Rice can be supplied to distilleries in both deficit and surplus states, so the second statement is wrong.
India Energy Week 2025, inaugurated by the PM on 11 February 2025, was which edition of the event?
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Correct answer: C — 3rd
IEW 2025 was the third edition, held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from 11 to 14 February 2025.
At India Energy Week 2025, the PM said India's ethanol blending rate currently stood at about what level?
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Correct answer: D — 19%
He said the blending rate was 19% and India aimed for a 20% ethanol mandate by October 2025.
According to the PM at India Energy Week 2025, the Global Biofuels Alliance now includes:
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Correct answer: A — 28 countries and 12 international organisations
The alliance, set up during India's G20 presidency, now involves 28 countries and 12 international organisations.
Which Israeli minister described his delegation to the India-Israel Business Forum in New Delhi (February 2025) as the biggest-ever Israeli business mission to any country?
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Correct answer: A — Nir Barkat
Nir Barkat, Israel's Minister of Economy and Industry, said his delegation was the biggest-ever mission from Israel to any country.
TRAI's Independent Drive Test reports released on 11 February 2025 covered which city of the Himachal Pradesh Licensed Service Area?
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Correct answer: D — Dharamshala
The five cities were Mysuru, Dharamshala, Chennai, Chandigarh and Kolkata; Dharamshala was the Himachal Pradesh LSA city.
Since which year has 11 February been observed as Unani Day, according to President Murmu's address of 11 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2016
The President said the day has been celebrated as Unani Day since 2016 in honour of Hakim Ajmal Khan.
At the 14th India-France CEOs Forum in Paris (February 2025), PM Modi said roughly how many compliances had been rationalised in the last few years?
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Correct answer: C — Over 40,000
Modi said more than 40,000 compliances had been rationalised and that a high-level committee for regulatory reforms had been constituted.
Alar Karis, whom PM Modi met for the first time on the sidelines of the Paris AI Action Summit in February 2025, is the President of:
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Correct answer: D — Estonia
Alar Karis is the President of Estonia; the two leaders discussed cyber security and the India-Nordic-Baltic format.
NITI Aayog's policy report released on 10 February 2025 is described as the first policy document in higher education focused specifically on:
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Correct answer: A — States and State Public Universities
The report 'Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities' focuses specifically on states and SPUs.
At the release of NITI Aayog's report on State Public Universities (February 2025), what share of India's higher education was said to take place in these universities?
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Correct answer: C — 80%
NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Paul said about 80% of India's higher education takes place in State Public Universities.
Phase-2 of which India-UK bilateral programme was announced at the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ASPIRE (Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India)
The ministers launched Phase-2 of the Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme.
Who co-chaired the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue in New Delhi on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Manohar Lal and Ed Miliband
The dialogue was co-chaired by India's Power Minister Manohar Lal and the UK's Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.
Up to which year was the integrated PM-AASHA scheme approved for continuation, as announced on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 2025-26
PM-AASHA is to continue during the 15th Finance Commission cycle up to 2025-26.
Which department administers the Price Stabilisation Fund component of the integrated PM-AASHA scheme?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Consumer Affairs
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare runs PSS, PDPS and MIS, while the Department of Consumer Affairs runs the Price Stabilisation Fund.
'Sṛjanam', the automated biomedical waste treatment rig launched at AIIMS New Delhi on 10 February 2025, treats pathogenic waste without using:
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Correct answer: B — Incinerators
The rig disinfects pathogenic biomedical waste without costly and energy-intensive incinerators.
At the launch of 'Sṛjanam' (February 2025), how many tonnes of biomedical waste was India said to generate daily, citing the CPCB's 2023 report?
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Correct answer: D — 743
Dr Jitendra Singh cited the CPCB's 2023 annual report, which put India's biomedical waste generation at 743 tonnes a day.
The India-EFTA Desk inaugurated on 10 February 2025 is meant to:
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Correct answer: D — Act as a single-window mechanism supporting EFTA businesses investing in India
The desk will function as a single-window mechanism to support EFTA businesses looking to invest, expand or set up operations in India.
The nationwide Mass Drug Administration round against lymphatic filariasis launched on 10 February 2025 covers how many endemic districts?
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Correct answer: A — 111
The campaign covers 111 endemic districts, with free medicines for over 17.5 crore people.
The MoU signed by DPIIT with the Korea Transport Institute on 10 February 2025 is meant to support infrastructure and logistics master plans under:
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Correct answer: C — PM GatiShakti National Master Plan
The MoU sets up knowledge exchange between DPIIT's Logistics Division and KOTI for master plans under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Where was the 2nd India-France AI Policy Roundtable held on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Sciences Po, Paris
The roundtable was held at the Sciences Po university campus in Paris as a side event of the AI Action Summit.
The Executive Programme of Cooperation signed between the National Archives of India and Oman's National Records and Archives Authority on 10 February 2025 covers which period?
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Correct answer: C — 2025-2028
The EPC on archival cooperation covers 2025-2028.
Which Fijian minister, on his maiden visit to India, held bilateral talks with Rajnath Singh in Bengaluru on 9 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Pio Tikoduadua
Rajnath Singh welcomed Fiji's Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua on his maiden visit to India.
India and Fiji agreed in February 2025 to institutionalise a Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation, as envisaged in their MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2017
Both sides agreed to institutionalise the India–Fiji Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation, as envisaged in the MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in 2017.
During his meeting with Rajnath Singh on 9 February 2025, South Sudan's Defence Minister acknowledged India's efforts in which UN mission?
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Correct answer: D — UNMISS
The South Sudanese side acknowledged India's efforts in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Which book was released on the sidelines of the Indian Navy Chiefs' Conclave held in New Delhi on 8–9 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Legacy of Leadership: Naval Chiefs through Time
'Legacy of Leadership: Naval Chiefs through Time', chronicling the journeys of former Chiefs of the Naval Staff, was released at the conclave.
EON-51, for which the Defence Ministry signed a contract with BEL on 8 February 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: D — Electro-optical fire control system
EON-51 is an electro-optical fire control system that searches, detects and classifies targets using electro-optical and thermal imagers.
The 28 EON-51 systems ordered from BEL in February 2025 are meant for which Indian Navy vessels?
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Correct answer: A — 11 New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and three Cadet Training Ships
The systems are for 11 New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and three Cadet Training Ships.
Under which Defence Acquisition category was the ₹642 crore contract for 28 EON-51 systems signed with BEL in February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Buy (Indian-IDDM)
The contract for 28 EON-51 systems, worth ₹642.17 crore, was signed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
How many books by young authors were launched under PM YUVA 2.0 at the New Delhi World Book Fair on 8 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 41
Dharmendra Pradhan launched 41 new books under PM YUVA 2.0 at the fair.
To what level did the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee cut the policy repo rate on 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 6.25%
The MPC cut the repo rate by 25 basis points from 6.50% to 6.25%.
After the RBI's policy decision of 7 February 2025, at what rate did the standing deposit facility (SDF) stand?
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Correct answer: B — 6.00%
With the repo rate at 6.25%, the SDF rate was adjusted to 6.00% and the MSF rate and Bank Rate to 6.50%.
Who chaired the 53rd meeting of the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee held from 5 to 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Sanjay Malhotra
The 53rd MPC meeting was chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra; it was his first monetary policy. Rajiv Ranjan attended as a member.
In February 2025, the RBI projected real GDP growth for 2025-26 at:
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Correct answer: D — 6.7%
Real GDP growth for 2025-26 was projected at 6.7%; 6.4% was the First Advance Estimate for 2024-25.
Consider the following statements about the RBI's monetary policy of 7 February 2025: 1. The decision to cut the repo rate was unanimous. 2. The MPC changed its stance from neutral to accommodative. 3. CPI inflation for 2025-26 was projected at 4.2%. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the MPC voted unanimously for the cut and projected 2025-26 CPI inflation at 4.2%. Statement 2 is wrong, as it unanimously kept the stance neutral.
India's installed solar capacity crossed 100 GW in early 2025. What was it in 2014, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?
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Correct answer: A — 2.82 GW
Solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100.33 GW as of 31 January 2025, an increase of 3450%.
As per the MNRE in February 2025, solar energy accounts for what share of India's total installed renewable energy capacity?
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Correct answer: D — 47%
Solar remains the dominant contributor, accounting for 47% of India's installed renewable energy capacity.
How much solar capacity did India add in the record year of 2024, as per the MNRE?
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Correct answer: C — 24.5 GW
India added a record 24.5 GW of solar in 2024; 18.5 GW of this was utility-scale capacity.