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 edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha is scheduled for January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 9th
PIB 2199754: Pariksha Pe Charcha is back with its 9th edition, scheduled for January 2026.
Where was the 8th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha, telecast on 10 February 2025, held?
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Correct answer: A — Sunder Nursery
PIB 2199754: the 8th edition was held in a new format at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi.
Till which date are registrations for Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026 open on the MyGov portal?
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Correct answer: B — 11 January 2026
PIB 2199754: the online MCQ-based competition on MyGov runs from 1 December 2025 to 11 January 2026.
In which city did the 11th India International Science Festival (IISF 2025) open on 6 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Panchkula
PIB 2199846: Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the four-day festival at Panchkula in Haryana; the 11th edition runs from 6 to 9 December.
What is the theme of the India International Science Festival 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Vigyan se Samruddhi: Towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat
PIB 2199846: the theme of IISF 2025 is 'Vigyan se Samruddhi: Towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
At the IISF 2025 opening on 6 December 2025, Jitendra Singh interacted live with researchers at which Indian research station in Antarctica?
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Correct answer: D — Bharati
PIB 2199846: he interacted via a live interface with researchers at Bharati, India's research station in Antarctica.
Which Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Dr B. R. Ambedkar was observed on 6 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 70th
PIB 2200313: tributes were paid on his 70th Mahaparinirvana Diwas.
On Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2025, the President, Vice-President, PM and Lok Sabha Speaker paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar's statue at which place in the Parliament House Complex?
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Correct answer: A — Prerna Sthal
PIB 2200313: floral tributes were paid at the statue of Dr B. R. Ambedkar at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex.
NMDC, India's largest iron ore producer, signed an MoU on cybersecurity and digital technologies with which institute in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — IIT Kanpur
PIB 2199783: NMDC signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur for cybersecurity and adoption of AI and ML.
Which edition of the India–Russia Annual Summit was held in New Delhi on 5 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 23rd
PIB 2199494: Vladimir Putin paid a State visit to India on 4–5 December 2025 for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.
In which two Russian cities did India and Russia welcome the opening of new Consulates General of India in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Yekaterinburg and Kazan
PIB 2199494: the leaders welcomed the opening of two Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan.
What is the revised India–Russia bilateral trade target reaffirmed at the 23rd Annual Summit?
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Correct answer: D — USD 100 billion by 2030
PIB 2199494: the joint statement refers to timely achievement of the revised bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the India–Russia Declaration on Strategic Partnership: 1. It was established during Vladimir Putin's first State visit to India in October 2000. 2. Its 25th anniversary falls in 2025. 3. It was upgraded at the 23rd Annual Summit to a 'Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2199494: 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership established during Putin's first State visit in October 2000; the leaders reaffirmed the 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership', with no new upgrade.
Which India-led alliance did Russia decide to join by adopting its Framework Agreement, as announced during Putin's December 2025 visit?
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Correct answer: C — International Big Cat Alliance
PIB 2199504: the Russian side decided to adopt the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
What visa facility did India announce for Russian nationals on 5 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 30-day e-Tourist visa on gratis basis
PIB 2199504: grant of 30 days e-Tourist Visa on gratis basis to Russian nationals on reciprocal basis, and gratis Group Tourist Visa.
The bilateral agreement signed between India's Department of Posts and JSC Russia Post on 5 December 2025 relates to which service?
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Correct answer: A — International Tracked Packet Service
PIB 2199555: the Department of Posts and JSC Russia Post signed a Bilateral Agreement on the International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS).
On how many route km had Kavach 4.0 been commissioned as of 5 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 738
PIB 2199327: Kavach 4.0 commissioned on 738 Rkm: Palwal–Mathura–Nagda (633 Rkm) and Howrah–Bardhaman (105 Rkm).
Which section of the Delhi–Howrah route has Kavach 4.0 been commissioned on?
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Correct answer: A — Howrah–Bardhaman
PIB 2199327: Kavach 4.0 is commissioned on the Howrah–Bardhaman section (105 Rkm) of the Delhi–Howrah route.
Consider the following statements about Kavach: 1. It was adopted as the National Automatic Train Protection system in July 2020. 2. It requires Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certification. 3. RDSO approved the Kavach version 4.0 specification in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2199327: adopted as National ATP in July 2020; requires SIL-4 certification; RDSO approved specification 4.0 on 16 July 2024.
What is the name of NHAI's Infrastructure Investment Trust that received SEBI's in-principle approval of registration in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust
PIB 2199533: SEBI granted in-principle approval of registration to 'Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust' (RIIT) as an InvIT.
How much has NHAI monetised through the Toll-Operate-Transfer (TOT) model, according to the Road Transport Ministry in December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹48,995 crore
PIB 2199533: NHAI has monetised assets worth ₹48,995 crore through TOT and raised around ₹43,638 crore across four rounds of private InvITs.
Which office of the Finance Ministry convened India's first-ever Global South seminar on Public Financial Management on 5 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Controller General of Accounts
PIB 2199666: the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, with MEA, convened the seminar.
To what period did the National Centre for Communication Security extend the validity of the Pro Tem Security Certificate in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 2 years
PIB 2199622: NCCS extended the validity of Pro Tem Security Certification from 6 months to 2 years.
Who won India's individual gold in Eventing at the FEI Asian Equestrian Championship 2025 in Pattaya?
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Correct answer: C — Ashish Limaye
PIB 2199326: Ashish Limaye bagged an individual gold in Eventing and a team silver.
Where was the FEI Asian Equestrian Championship 2025, at which India won five medals, held?
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Correct answer: A — Pattaya
PIB 2199326: the contingent of six returned with five medals from Pattaya.
Where was the 22nd India–Russia IRIGC-M&MTC meeting held on 4 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
PIB 2199013: the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC was co-chaired at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on 4 December 2025.
Consider the following statements about the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC: 1. It was co-chaired by Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. 2. The two Ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd session. 3. The 23rd session is to be held in India in 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2199013: Rajnath Singh and Belousov co-chaired and signed the protocol; Belousov invited Rajnath Singh to visit Russia to co-chair the 23rd session in 2026.
On which date is Navy Day observed in India?
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Correct answer: C — 4 December
PIB 2198543 (4 December 2025): the Prime Minister greeted Indian Navy personnel on Navy Day, 'today'.
In his Navy Day 2025 message, aboard which ship did PM Modi recall spending Diwali 2025 with naval personnel?
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Correct answer: D — INS Vikrant
PIB 2198543: 'I can never forget this year's Diwali, which I spent with Naval personnel on board INS Vikrant.'
Swaraj Kaushal, who passed away in December 2025, was India's youngest Governor of which State?
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Correct answer: D — Mizoram
PIB 2198880: 'He became India's youngest Governor and left a lasting impression on the people of Mizoram during his gubernatorial tenure.'
Consider the following statements about Swaraj Kaushal as described in the PM's condolence message of 4 December 2025: 1. Swaraj Kaushal was a lawyer. 2. Swaraj Kaushal served as a Parliamentarian. 3. Swaraj Kaushal served as Chief Justice of a High Court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2198880: Kaushal distinguished himself as a lawyer and 'his insights as a Parliamentarian were also noteworthy'; no judicial office is mentioned.
When was AstroSat, India's first dedicated space observatory, launched by ISRO?
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Correct answer: A — 28 September 2015
PIB 2198713: AstroSat, India's first dedicated space observatory, was launched on 28 September 2015 by ISRO.
Which institute designed, assembled, tested and delivered the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on AstroSat?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics
PIB 2198713: UVIT was designed, assembled, tested and delivered by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics from its campus in Hosakote.
Consider the following statements about UVIT: 1. UVIT is the primary payload on board AstroSat. 2. Apart from the Hubble Space Telescope, UVIT is the only operational telescope capable of observing in the far-ultraviolet. 3. The Canadian Space Agency was part of the UVIT project. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2198713: UVIT is AstroSat's primary payload; it is the only operational far-UV telescope apart from Hubble; the consortium included the Canadian Space Agency.
International Cheetah Day is observed on which date?
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Correct answer: C — 4 December
PIB 2198561 (4 December 2025): the Prime Minister greeted wildlife lovers on International Cheetah Day, 'today'.
According to the PM's International Cheetah Day 2025 message, Project Cheetah was launched how many years earlier?
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Correct answer: A — Three years
PIB 2198561: 'Three years ago, our Government launched Project Cheetah…'
The 100-Day Intensive Awareness Campaign for a Child Marriage Free Bharat launched on 4 December 2025 marked which anniversary of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?
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Correct answer: A — First
PIB 2199001: the campaign was launched marking the first anniversary of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
At the launch of the 100-day Child Marriage Free Bharat campaign, how much did the WCD Minister say the Union Government has allocated towards scholarships for girls?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1,827 crore
PIB 2199001: the Union Government has allocated ₹1,827 crore towards scholarships for girls.
Consider the following statements about the campaign launched on 4 December 2025: 1. The campaign was launched at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 2. The campaign was inaugurated by Union WCD Minister Annpurna Devi. 3. The WCD Minister said girls comprise 43% of India's STEM workforce. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2199001: launched at Vigyan Bhawan, inaugurated by Annpurna Devi, who said girls comprise 43% of the STEM workforce.
Which body, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, enabled the Passport Verification Record on DigiLocker in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — National e-Governance Division (MeitY)
PIB 2198743: NeGD under MeitY, in collaboration with MEA, enabled the PVR on DigiLocker.
In which section of a DigiLocker account can citizens fetch their Passport Verification Record after successful verification?
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Correct answer: D — Issued Documents
PIB 2198743: citizens can fetch their PVRs in the 'Issued Documents' section of their DigiLocker account.
Which unit of NITI Aayog released the roadmap on 'Transforming India into a leading Quantum-Powered Economy' in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Frontier Tech Hub
PIB 2198967: NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub released the roadmap on 4 December 2025.
The Deputy Chief Minister of which State helped unveil NITI Aayog's quantum economy roadmap on 4 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Telangana
PIB 2198967: the roadmap was unveiled by Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, among others.
The Saudi delegation that met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 4 December 2025 came from which Saudi body?
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Correct answer: B — Shura Council
PIB 2199265: the delegation was led by the Chairman of the Saudi–India Parliamentary Friendship Committee from the Shura Council of Saudi Arabia.
Which multilateral fora did Om Birla name for closer India–Saudi Arabia cooperation on 4 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — G20, P20 and IPU
PIB 2199265: India and Saudi Arabia must work closely in multilateral fora, including the G20, P20 and IPU.
According to the Government's statement of 3 December 2025, how many users had downloaded the Sanchar Saathi app?
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Correct answer: B — 1.4 crore
PIB 2198110: 'So far 1.4 crore users have downloaded this app…'
What did the Government decide about the Sanchar Saathi app on 3 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Not to make its pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers
PIB 2198110: given Sanchar Saathi's increasing acceptance, the Government decided not to make pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers.
In which city did CEC Gyanesh Kumar assume the Chairship of International IDEA's Council of Member States on 3 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Stockholm
PIB 2198520: CEC Kumar gave his acceptance speech at Stockholm, Sweden.
Consider the following statements about India and International IDEA: 1. India is a founding member of International IDEA. 2. CEC Gyanesh Kumar will chair the Council of Member States for the year 2026. 3. The theme of India's Chairship is 'Democracy for inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2198520: India is a founding member; Kumar assumed the Chairship for 2026; the theme is 'Democracy for inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world'.
From which date will Retail Sale Price display become mandatory on all pan masala packs under the Legal Metrology amendment notified in December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 1 February 2026
PIB 2198215: the amended rules will come into force on 1 February 2026.
Pan masala packs of what weight, earlier exempted, must now print the Retail Sale Price under the December 2025 amendment?
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Correct answer: B — 10 grams or less
PIB 2198215: small packs of 10 grams or less, which were previously exempted, must now print the RSP.
How many awardees received the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2025 from the President on 3 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 32
PIB 2198414: the President lauded the courage and leadership of the 32 awardees.
What was the theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025, as cited by the President?
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Correct answer: A — Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress
PIB 2198084: the theme of IDPD 2025 is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress'.
Consider the following statements made at the National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2025: 1. The awards were presented at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 2. The term 'Divyangjan' has been in use since 2015. 3. The President recalled the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2198414: the gathering was at Vigyan Bhawan and the President recalled the RPwD Act, 2016; PIB 2198084: the term 'Divyangjan' has been used since 2015.
Which Indonesian organisation was the counterpart of the Indian Coast Guard during ICGS Vigraha's December 2025 visit to Jakarta?
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Correct answer: A — BAKAMLA
PIB 2198144: personnel of the ICG and the Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA) participate in the programme.
ICGS Vigraha's December 2025 visit to Jakarta was part of its overseas deployment to which group of countries?
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Correct answer: C — ASEAN
PIB 2198144: the visit is part of ICGS Vigraha's overseas deployment to ASEAN countries.
According to TRAI's Performance Indicator Report for July–September 2025, how many broadband Internet subscribers did India have at the end of September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 995.63 million
PIB 2198285: the broadband subscriber base increased by 1.63% from 979.71 million (Jun-25) to 995.63 million (Sep-25).
Consider the following statements based on TRAI's Performance Indicator Report for July–September 2025: 1. Narrowband Internet subscribers decreased during the quarter. 2. Wireline subscribers decreased during the quarter. 3. Wireline subscriptions decreased on a year-on-year basis at the end of September 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2198285: narrowband fell from 23.14 to 22.18 million and wireline fell from 47.49 to 46.61 million in the quarter, but wireline rose 26.21% year-on-year.
What does NAKSHA, discussed at the DoLR National Symposium on 3 December 2025, stand for?
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Correct answer: B — National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations
PIB 2198259: NAKSHA – National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations.
Across how many cities is a unified 'Urban property card' being piloted, as stated at the DoLR NAKSHA symposium in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 157
PIB 2198259: the major exercise across 157 cities is piloting a unified 'Urban property card'.
Who launched the R&D Roadmap to Enable India's Net Zero Targets through CCUS on 2 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood
PIB 2198607: the roadmap prepared by DST was launched by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Which department prepared India's first R&D Roadmap on Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) launched in December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Science and Technology
PIB 2198607: the CCUS roadmap was prepared by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
What is the size of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme that DST cited for implementing the CCUS roadmap?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1 lakh crore
PIB 2198607: DST is prepared to lead implementation with initiatives like the ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Scheme.
Under which operation did the Indian Navy extend humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Sagar Bandhu
PIB 2197802: the Indian Navy undertook HADR operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
Why were INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri already in Colombo when Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka?
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Correct answer: D — For the Sri Lanka Navy's 75th Anniversary International Fleet Review
PIB 2197802: the ships were present in Colombo as part of the 75th Anniversary International Fleet Review (IFR-2025) of the Sri Lanka Navy.
How many member jurisdictions does the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes have, as stated when India hosted its 18th Plenary?
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Correct answer: C — 172
PIB 2197884: the Global Forum, with 172 member jurisdictions, is the world's leading body for tax transparency standards.
Consider the following statements about the 18th Plenary of the Global Forum on Tax Transparency: 1. India hosted it in New Delhi from 2 to 5 December 2025. 2. The Global Forum implements the EOIR and AEOI standards. 3. Its theme was 'Tax Transparency: Delivering a Shared Vision Through International Cooperation'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2197884: India hosted it in New Delhi on 2–5 December 2025 under that theme; the Forum implements EOIR and AEOI.