HPSC HCS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
With which body did ICAR sign an MoU in January 2026 to strengthen research and extension across the dairy sector?
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Correct answer: C — National Dairy Development Board
PIB (Agriculture): ICAR entered into an MoU with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Where was the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) held in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Abu Dhabi
PIB (MNRE): Pralhad Joshi addressed the 16th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
According to India's statement at the 16th IRENA Assembly, in which year did India reach 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources?
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Correct answer: C — 2025
PIB (MNRE): India achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of its NDC target.
Which country assumed the Presidency of IRENA at its 16th Assembly in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Dominican Republic
PIB (MNRE): Joshi congratulated the Dominican Republic on assuming the IRENA Presidency; Kenya, Solomon Islands, Spain and Antigua and Barbuda are Vice Presidents.
Consider the following statements about the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), as stated in January 2026: 1. IRENA has 170 members, including the European Union. 2. India is one of the founder members of IRENA. 3. India's target is 500 GW of non-fossil installed capacity by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MNRE): all three are correct — IRENA has 170 members (169 states and the EU), India is a founder member, and India's target is 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.
Which two ISRO astronauts interacted with participants on Day 3 of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Nair
PIB (Youth Affairs): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Nair addressed the young leaders on Day 3.
In January 2026, MeitY said structured stakeholder consultations were under way to develop a regulatory framework for what?
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Correct answer: B — Mobile security
PIB (MeitY): stakeholder consultations are going on to develop an appropriate and robust regulatory framework for mobile security.
In January 2026, PM Modi released the 500th book of which spiritual leader through a video message?
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Correct answer: B — Shrimad Vijayaratna Sunder Surishwarji Maharaj
PIB (PMO): the PM released the 500th book of Shrimad Vijayaratna Sunder Surishwarji Maharaj via video message.
How much new non-fossil capacity did India add in 2025, according to MNRE (January 2026)?
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Correct answer: C — 49.12 GW
PIB (MNRE): 49.12 GW of new non-fossil capacity was added in 2025.
What was India's installed solar capacity at the end of 2025, as reported by MNRE?
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Correct answer: C — 135.81 GW
PIB (MNRE): solar capacity rose from 97.86 GW in 2024 to 135.81 GW in 2025.
Consider the following statements based on MNRE data released in January 2026: 1. India's non-fossil installed capacity grew by 22.6% in 2025 to 266.78 GW. 2. Wind capacity grew faster than solar capacity in 2025. 3. India's national target is 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (MNRE): statements 1 and 3 are correct; solar grew 38.8% while wind grew only 13.2%, so statement 2 is wrong.
With whom did Piyush Goyal hold India–EU FTA talks in Brussels on 8–9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Maroš Šefčovič
PIB (Commerce): Goyal held talks with Maroš Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
Consider the following statements about the India–EU FTA engagement in January 2026: 1. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met the European Commission's Director-General for Trade, Sabine Weyand, on 6–7 January. 2. The talks were held in Geneva. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Commerce): Rajesh Agrawal and Sabine Weyand met on 6–7 January; the talks were held in Brussels, not Geneva.
Against how many restaurants did the CCPA take suo motu cognizance in January 2026 for levying mandatory service charge?
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Correct answer: B — 27
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the CCPA took suo motu cognizance against 27 restaurants across the country.
Under which provision of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 did the CCPA treat default service charge as an unfair trade practice in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Section 2(47)
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the action was for unfair trade practices under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Consider the following statements about the CCPA's guidelines on service charge, as cited in January 2026: 1. The guidelines were issued on 4 July 2022. 2. They allow service charge if it is collected under a different name. 3. The Delhi High Court upheld them in a judgment dated 28 March 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the guidelines were issued on 4 July 2022 and were upheld by the Delhi High Court on 28 March 2025; they say no service charge shall be collected by any other name, so statement 2 is wrong.
Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 crossed how many registrations as of 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 4 crore
PIB (Education): registrations crossed 4 crore as of 8 January 2026.
Consider the following statements about Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026: 1. It surpassed a previous Guinness World Record of 3.56 crore registrations. 2. Online registrations opened on the MyGov portal on 1 December 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Education): both are correct — PPC 2026 beat last year's Guinness record of 3.56 crore, and registrations opened on MyGov on 1 December 2025.
At the pre-Budget consultation with States on 10 January 2026, many participants asked for the continuation of which scheme?
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Correct answer: A — Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
PIB (Finance): many participants highlighted that SASCI be continued.
Under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), the Centre gives states which kind of support, as stated in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 50-year interest-free loans
PIB (Finance): since 2020-21 the Union Government has released more than ₹4.25 lakh crore to states as 50-year interest-free loans under SASCI.
From which date will the three-year nationwide anti-drug campaign announced at the 9th NCORD apex meeting begin?
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Correct answer: B — 31 March 2026
PIB (Home Affairs): a collective campaign against drugs will be carried out for three years from 31 March 2026.
Where did Amit Shah inaugurate a new Narcotics Control Bureau office on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Amritsar
PIB (Home Affairs): the Home Minister inaugurated the NCB office at Amritsar at the NCORD meeting.
Consider the following statements about the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), as stated in January 2026: 1. The NCORD mechanism was established in 2016. 2. It aims to improve coordination between the States, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other stakeholders on drugs. 3. Its 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Home Affairs): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, not the PM.
The National IED Data Management System (NIDMS), inaugurated in January 2026, belongs to which force?
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Correct answer: A — National Security Guard
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah inaugurated the National IED Data Management System of the NSG.
In which year was the National Security Guard (NSG) established, as stated by the Home Minister in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 1984
PIB (Home Affairs): the NSG was established in 1984.
Consider the following statements made by the Home Minister at the NIDMS launch in January 2026: 1. NIDMS follows the idea of 'One Nation, One Data Repository' for IED and blast data. 2. ICJS-2 is described as a data-sharing system based on 'One Data–One Entry'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Home Affairs): both are correct — NIDMS makes scattered data available under 'One Nation, One Data Repository', and ICJS-2 is based on 'One Data–One Entry'.
What share of India's fertilizer requirement was met through domestic production in 2025, per the Department of Fertilizers?
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Correct answer: C — About 73%
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): nearly 73% of the total requirement was met through domestic production in 2025.
India's domestic fertilizer production reached an all-time high in 2025. What was it?
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Correct answer: D — 524.62 lakh tonnes
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): production rose from 433.29 lakh tonnes in 2021 to an all-time high of 524.62 lakh tonnes in 2025.
What was the title of the consultation on Samagra Shiksha 3.0 chaired by Dharmendra Pradhan on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Reimagining Samagra Shiksha
PIB (Education): the consultation was titled 'Reimagining Samagra Shiksha'.
Which of the following correctly describes Samagra Shiksha, as stated by the Ministry of Education in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — An integrated centrally sponsored scheme covering pre-primary to senior secondary
PIB (Education): Samagra Shiksha is an integrated, centrally sponsored scheme for school education covering the continuum from pre-primary to senior secondary.
How many trains were speeded up under Indian Railways' Timetable of Trains (TAG) 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 549
PIB (Railways): 549 trains were speeded up under TAG 2026.
Consider the following statements about TAG 2026 of Indian Railways: 1. 122 new trains were introduced. 2. The new trains include 28 Vande Bharat trains. 3. 26 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Railways): all three are correct.
Who chairs the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the National Sports Board under the rules notified in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Cabinet Secretary
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
Under which law were the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026 notified?
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Correct answer: D — National Sports Governance Act, 2025
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): the rules were notified under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
Consider the following statements about the National Sports Board, as described in January 2026: 1. Its Search-cum-Selection Committee includes two recipients of national sports awards. 2. The committee recommends names for the Board's Chairperson and two Members. 3. The Board will grant recognition to National Sports Bodies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Youth Affairs and Sports): all three are correct.
PANKHUDI, launched in January 2026, is a portal of which ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Women and Child Development
PIB (WCD): the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched PANKHUDI.
What is the main purpose of the PANKHUDI portal?
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Correct answer: D — CSR and partnership facilitation for women and child development
PIB (WCD): PANKHUDI is an integrated CSR and partnership facilitation portal for initiatives on women and child development.
How many students took part in Project Veer Gatha 5.0, as reported in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 1.92 crore
PIB (Defence): approximately 1.92 crore students from around 1.90 lakh schools participated.
Consider the following statements about Project Veer Gatha: 1. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education. 2. It began in 2021. 3. Students from CBSE-affiliated schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0 for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Defence): all three are correct — over 28,000 students from 91 CBSE schools in 18 countries took part for the first time.
The 12 AI start-ups at the PM's roundtable on 8 January 2026 had qualified under which pillar of the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Foundation Model Pillar
PIB (PMO): the 12 start-ups had qualified under the Foundation Model Pillar of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
How many Indian AI start-ups presented their work at the PM's roundtable on 8 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 12
PIB (PMO): 12 Indian AI start-ups presented their ideas and work.
Under the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) plan unveiled in January 2026, how many high-potential districts are to become Global Export Champions?
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Correct answer: C — 100
PIB (Textiles): DLTT aims to transform 100 high-potential districts into Global Export Champions and elevate 100 Aspirational Districts.
Which three parameters were used to score districts under the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) plan?
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Correct answer: B — Export performance, MSME ecosystem and workforce presence
PIB (Textiles): districts were scored on export performance, MSME ecosystem and workforce presence.
In which year was the Swadesh Darshan scheme for theme-based tourist circuits launched?
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Correct answer: B — 2015
PIB (Tourism): the Ministry of Tourism launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in January 2015.
How many international tourist arrivals did India record in 2024, according to the Tourism Ministry's year-end review?
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Correct answer: C — 20.57 million
PIB (Tourism): International Tourist Arrivals in India during 2024 were 20.57 million.
Consider the following statements based on the Tourism Ministry's year-end review (January 2026): 1. Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) is a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0. 2. The ministry will develop 1,000 tribal homestays under PM-JUGA. 3. All 76 projects sanctioned under the original Swadesh Darshan scheme have been completed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Tourism): statements 1 and 2 are correct; 75 of the 76 sanctioned projects have been completed, so statement 3 is wrong.
What is the purpose of the SWAMIH Investment Fund?
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Correct answer: A — Last-mile financing for stalled housing projects
PIB (Finance): SWAMIH provides last-mile financing to stalled housing projects.
When was the SWAMIH Investment Fund launched?
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Correct answer: D — November 2019
PIB (Finance): the SWAMIH Investment Fund was launched in November 2019 after Union Cabinet approval.
Consider the following statements about the SWAMIH Fund, as of January 2026: 1. About 61,000 homes had been delivered across 110 projects as of 15 December 2025. 2. Its portfolio has more than 145 projects across 30 cities. 3. Its investment period was extended to December 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Finance): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the fund committed its whole corpus before its investment period ended on 5 December 2025.
What real GDP growth rate for 2025-26 did the NSO's First Advance Estimates (January 2026) project?
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Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4% in 2025-26 against 6.5% in 2024-25.
Which base year is used for the constant-price GDP figures in the First Advance Estimates for 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — 2011-12
PIB (MoSPI): the estimates are given at constant (2011-12) and current prices.
What is the estimated level of real GDP (constant prices) for 2025-26 in the First Advance Estimates?
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Correct answer: D — ₹201.90 lakh crore
PIB (MoSPI): real GDP is estimated at ₹201.90 lakh crore in 2025-26, against ₹187.97 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Consider the following statements based on the First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2025-26: 1. Nominal GDP is estimated to grow at 8.0%. 2. Real GVA is estimated to grow at 7.3%. 3. Agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow faster than manufacturing and construction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoSPI): statements 1 and 2 are correct; agriculture is estimated at 3.1% against 7.0% for manufacturing and construction, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which two CSIR laboratories developed the bio-bitumen technology transferred in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP
PIB (Science & Technology): the technology was developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
Consider the following statements about the CSIR bio-bitumen technology (January 2026): 1. It uses pyrolysis of post-harvest rice straw to produce bio-oil. 2. India imports about 80% of its bitumen requirement. 3. Laboratory validation shows 20–30% of conventional bitumen can be replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Science & Technology): statements 1 and 3 are correct; India imports nearly 50% of its bitumen, not 80%.
Which of the following is NOT a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), India's partner in TEPA?
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Correct answer: D — Denmark
PIB (Commerce): EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland; Denmark is not a member.
Who is the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein whom Piyush Goyal called on in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Brigitte Haas
PIB (Commerce): Goyal called on Prime Minister Brigitte Haas; Sabine Monauni is Deputy PM and Hereditary Prince Alois is the Hereditary Prince.
Consider the following statements about the India–EFTA TEPA, as described in January 2026: 1. It is India's first free trade agreement with a group of developed countries. 2. It carries an agreed ambition of USD 100 billion in investments into India. 3. It aims to support the creation of one million direct jobs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Commerce): all three are correct.
The draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025 is intended to replace which law?
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Correct answer: B — Insecticides Act, 1968
PIB (Agriculture): the draft Bill will replace the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971.
By what date could stakeholders submit suggestions on the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 4 February 2026
PIB (Agriculture): stakeholders can submit suggestions by 4 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about the draft Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: 1. It provides for compounding of offences, with penalties to be defined by state-level authorities. 2. It seeks to decriminalise petty offences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Agriculture): both are correct — the Bill aims to decriminalise petty offences and allows compounding with penalties defined by state-level authorities.
How many public health facilities were NQAS-certified as of 31 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 50,373
PIB (Health): a total of 50,373 public health facilities were certified under NQAS as of 31 December 2025.
Consider the following statements about the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS): 1. Certification began in 2015 with 10 facilities. 2. It initially focused on District Hospitals. 3. The framework was established by NITI Aayog. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Health): statements 1 and 2 are correct; NQAS was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, not NITI Aayog.
Which of the following countries was NOT on the port-call list of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron deployment announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Vietnam
PIB (Defence): the squadron is scheduled to call at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Which Indian Coast Guard ship is part of the Navy's First Training Squadron on its January 2026 deployment?
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Correct answer: A — ICGS Sarathi
PIB (Defence): the squadron comprises INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
The MoU signed on 7 January 2026 between the Ministry of Rural Development and the Department of Posts links India Post's network with which mission?
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Correct answer: A — DAY-NRLM
PIB (Rural Development): the MoU brings together the network of DAY-NRLM with India Post's rural post offices, IPPB and Dak Sevaks.
In January 2026, online ticket booking for over 170 ASI-protected monuments and museums was made available on which network?
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Correct answer: B — Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
PIB (Ministry of Culture): ASI enabled online ticket booking for over 170 monuments and museums on ONDC.
Which entity technically enabled the onboarding of ASI's monuments and museums onto the ONDC network in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML)
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the integration was technically enabled by NDML, which onboarded ASI's complete inventory onto ONDC.
Consider the following statements about online booking of ASI monument tickets through ONDC (January 2026): 1. Indian visitors get a ₹5 discount on online booking. 2. Foreign nationals get a ₹50 discount on online booking. 3. Tickets can be booked only through a single ASI-run app. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB: the ₹5 (Indians) and ₹50 (foreigners) discounts continue, and tickets can be booked through multiple ONDC apps such as Highway Delite, Pelocal and Abhee, so statement 3 is wrong.