HPSC HCS Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Where will Indian Railways now use composite sleepers, as decided on 9 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Bridge approaches and points & crossings
The Railways said sleepers used on bridge approaches and at points & crossings will now be composite.
Which new technique did the Railways decide to use to identify minute defects in welded joints of tracks?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Magnetic Particle Testing
The Railways decided to use Magnetic Particle Testing for welds; Ground Penetration Radar is for assessing the track base.
General Phan Van Giang, congratulated by Rajnath Singh on 9 April 2026, was appointed to which posts in Vietnam?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence
The Defence Ministry said Phan Van Giang was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Vietnam.
Which Union Minister congratulated General Phan Van Giang of Vietnam on 9 April 2026 and spoke of deepening cooperation in security, military exchanges and industry collaboration?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Rajnath Singh
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh posted the congratulations on X.
On which date was the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana launched?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 8 April 2015
The Finance Ministry says PMMY was launched by the Prime Minister on 8 April 2015; it completed 11 years on 8 April 2026.
Under PM Mudra Yojana, collateral-free institutional credit is available up to what amount for non-corporate, non-farm income-generating activities?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹20 lakh
The Finance Ministry says PMMY offers collateral-free loans of up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities.
Consider the following statements about PM Mudra Yojana as of April 2026: 1. Two-thirds of the loans have been sanctioned to women entrepreneurs. 2. More than 57.79 crore loans have been sanctioned, with ₹40.07 lakh crore disbursed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as stated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on PMMY's 11th anniversary.
According to IRENA's Renewable Energy Statistics 2026, India moved ahead of which country to rank third in installed renewable energy capacity?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Brazil
Pralhad Joshi said India moved ahead of Brazil; IRENA lists India at 250.52 GW and Brazil at 228.20 GW, behind China and the USA.
What was India's total installed non-fossil fuel capacity as on 31 March 2026, according to MNRE?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 283.46 GW
MNRE put non-fossil capacity at 283.46 GW on 31 March 2026: 274.68 GW renewable (incl. large hydro) plus 8.78 GW nuclear. 250.52 GW is IRENA's renewable figure as of December 2025.
Consider the following statements: 1. India reached 50% of its cumulative installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in June 2025, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target. 2. Wind capacity additions of 6.05 GW in 2025-26 were the highest ever in a single year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per MNRE: the 50% milestone came in June 2025, and 6.05 GW of wind in 2025-26 was the highest ever (4.15 GW the year before).
Which startup's indigenous technology was used for the 1,000-km quantum communication network demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — QNu Labs
DST said the milestone was achieved using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission.
What is the National Quantum Mission's target for quantum communication network length over an eight-year period?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 2,000 km
DST said the 1,000-km demonstration marks progress against the mission's target of 2,000 km over eight years.
What is the approximate tentative budgetary requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2026, as approved on 8 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹41,533.81 crore
The Cabinet put the Kharif 2026 requirement at about ₹41,533.81 crore, around ₹4,317 crore more than Kharif 2025's ₹37,216.15 crore.
Since when has subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers been governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 April 2010
The Cabinet release says subsidy on P&K fertilisers has been governed by the NBS scheme with effect from 1 April 2010.
On departing Malé on 8 April 2026, IOS SAGAR (INS Sunayna) held a Passage Exercise with which Maldivian vessel?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee
The Defence Ministry said the ship held a PASSEX with the MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee on departure.
IOS SAGAR's multinational crew during its April 2026 Maldives visit included personnel from how many friendly foreign countries?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 16
The Defence Ministry said the multinational crew comprised personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries.
Where in Egypt is the fourth India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise, Cyclone-IV, being held in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Anshas
The Defence Ministry said Cyclone-IV is scheduled at Anshas from 9 to 17 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Cyclone-IV: 1. It is the fourth edition of the India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise. 2. The previous edition of the exercise was also held in Egypt. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Defence Ministry said Cyclone-IV follows the successful conduct of the previous edition in India.
According to NITI Aayog's 'From Borrowers to Builders' report (April 2026), what credit portfolio do women borrowers in India hold, and what share of system credit is it?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹76 lakh crore; 26%
The report says women borrowers hold a ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio, 26% of total system credit. ₹16 lakh crore was the 2017 figure.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report released on 7 April 2026: 1. It is the second edition of 'From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market'. 2. Credit penetration among women rose from 19% to 36% between December 2017 and December 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per NITI Aayog's release on the report.
Under NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the 'From Borrowers to Builders' report was prepared by which organisations?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting
NITI Aayog said the report, under the aegis of WEP, was prepared by TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting (MSC).
What is the outlay of the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹7,280 crore
The Ministry of Heavy Industries said the scheme has an outlay of ₹7,280 crore.
Consider the following statements about the rare earth permanent magnet scheme: 1. The government will select a maximum of five entities through bidding. 2. Each selected entity can set up facilities of up to 1,200 MTPA, adding up to a maximum of 6,000 MTPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: MHI said at most five entities will be selected, each with up to 1,200 MTPA, for a total of up to 6,000 MTPA.
The rare earth permanent magnet facilities sought under the ₹7,280 crore scheme are for which type of magnet?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Sintered NdFeB
The RFP is for integrated sintered NdFeB (neodymium–iron–boron) rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing facilities.
Which two cooperatives were congratulated by Amit Shah on 7 April 2026 for crossing ₹1 lakh crore annual turnover in 2025–26?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul
The Ministry of Cooperation said Shah congratulated Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul.
In which financial year did Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul cross ₹1 lakh crore in annual turnover, as per the Ministry of Cooperation?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2025–26
Amit Shah's message refers to crossing the ₹1 lakh crore annual turnover mark in 2025–26.
PM Modi congratulated To Lam on 7 April 2026 on his election to which office?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — President of Vietnam
The PMO said Modi congratulated To Lam on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
In his message to Vietnam's To Lam on 7 April 2026, PM Modi spoke of deepening which partnership?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Modi said he looked forward to deepening the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, whose Parkash Purab was marked on 7 April 2026, was which Guru of Sikhism?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Ninth
The Home Ministry release describes Guru Tegh Bahadur as the ninth Guru of Sikhism.
By which title is Guru Tegh Bahadur revered, as cited in the Home Minister's Parkash Purab message of April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Hind di Chadar
Amit Shah's message refers to 'Hind di Chadar' Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.
Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) signed an MoU on 7 April 2026 with which body to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
The I&B Ministry said Doordarshan signed the MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Consider the following statements about the Doordarshan–ICCR MoU: 1. It provides for joint ownership of content rights, including digital rights, in perpetuity. 2. It was signed on 7 April 2026 at Doordarshan Bhawan, New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the I&B Ministry release.
Under the ICAR Special Task Force's framework (April 2026), the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' campaign will prioritise how many aspirational districts?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 100
ICAR said the widened MGMG campaign will prioritise 100 aspirational districts.
The ICAR Special Task Force emphasised 'DSR' as a mechanical intervention. What does DSR stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Direct Seeding of Rice
The ICAR release refers to mechanical solutions including Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR).
Tejveer Singh assumed charge on 7 April 2026 as Secretary of which department?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
PIB said Tejveer Singh assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Nivedita Shukla Verma, outgoing Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, has been appointed Secretary of which department?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
PIB said she has been appointed Secretary, DARPG, with additional charge of the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare.
Which body launched the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — National Statistics Office, MoSPI
MoSPI said the National Statistics Office (NSO) launched the first-ever ASISSE.
Which database is used as the sampling frame for the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — GSTN database
MoSPI said the survey uses the GSTN database as its sampling frame.
Consider the following statements about ASISSE: 1. Its reference period is the financial year 2024-25. 2. It covers unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises, which were earlier covered by the Annual Survey of Industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: ASISSE covers incorporated enterprises (companies and LLPs); unincorporated enterprises are covered by ASUSE, and the ASI covers registered manufacturing.
What is the total value of the safety, signalling and communication works approved by Indian Railways, as announced on 6 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹1,364.45 crore
The Ministry of Railways said projects worth ₹1,364.45 crore were approved. ₹2,950 crore and ₹4,871 crore are sub-umbrella and umbrella figures, and ₹27,693 crore is the Kavach umbrella work.
Which version of Kavach equipment is to be installed on 232 Southern Railway locomotives under the works approved in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Version 4.0
The ministry said the work covers installation of Kavach Version 4.0 equipment on 232 locomotives.
Electronic interlocking worth ₹578.02 crore is to replace panel interlocking at 49 stations in which railway zone?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — South Central Railway
The ministry said electronic interlocking at 49 stations on high-density routes is in South Central Railway.
The BCAS–Rashtriya Raksha University MoU of 6 April 2026 is for setting up a testing centre mainly for which equipment?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Full body scanners and other airport security screening equipment
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the centre will conduct trials, evaluation and certification of full body scanners and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.
Consider the following statements about the BCAS–RRU MoU: 1. Rashtriya Raksha University was established in 2010. 2. The MoU was signed at the RRU campus in Gandhinagar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the minister's remarks in the release. Statement 2 is wrong: the MoU was signed in New Delhi.
What cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) did the Government e Marketplace (GeM) report on 6 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹18.4 lakh crore
The Commerce Ministry said GeM achieved a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore; over ₹5 lakh crore was in 2025-26 alone.
What share of total orders on GeM in 2025-26 was executed by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 68%
The ministry said MSEs executed 68% of total orders, accounting for 47.1% of GMV.
Scientists from which institution developed the 'paired biometric threshold' to distinguish cereal pollen from wild grass pollen in the Central Ganga Plain?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
DST said the study was by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institution of DST, with collaborators.
Consider the following statements about the BSIP pollen study released in April 2026: 1. Cereal pollen generally exceeds 46 µm in grain diameter and 9 µm in annulus size, pearl millet being an exception. 2. The study was published in the journal Nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is the threshold reported by DST. Statement 2 is wrong: the study was published in The Holocene (SAGE).
Narendra Bhooshan assumed charge on 6 April 2026 as Secretary of which department?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Department of Land Resources
The Ministry of Rural Development said he assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Land Resources.
Narendra Bhooshan, the new Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, belongs to which IAS batch and cadre?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1992 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre
The release says he is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
According to 'Market for Textiles & Clothing: National Household Survey 2024', what was the market size of textiles in India in 2024?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹14.95 lakh crore
The Textiles Committee study puts the market size of textiles at ₹14.95 lakh crore in 2024; ₹12.02 lakh crore is the domestic market and ₹8.77 lakh crore is household demand.
As per the National Household Survey 2024 on textiles, which fibre category had the largest share of the product basket?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Man-made fibre (MMF) and blended products
MMF and blended products contributed 52.2%, followed by cotton at 41.2%, silk at 5.2% and wool at 1.3%.
How many Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) were generated between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, as reported for DLC Campaign 4.0?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Over 1.91 crore
DoPPW said over 1.91 crore DLCs were generated in this period; 1.16 crore is the number made using face authentication.
Consider the following statements about Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0: 1. More than 60% of DLCs in the period were generated using face authentication technology. 2. The campaign was held from 1 to 30 November 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per DoPPW: over 1.16 crore DLCs (more than 60%) used face authentication, and the campaign ran from 1 to 30 November 2025.
Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, whose 8th convocation the Vice President addressed on 6 April 2026, is located at:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Murthal, Sonepat, Haryana
The Vice President's Secretariat said the university is at Murthal, Sonepat, Haryana.
At the 8th convocation of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, roughly what share of gold medal winners were women, as noted by the Vice President?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Nearly 64%
The Vice President noted that nearly 64% of gold medal winners were women; about 50% is the women's share of all graduating students.
How many newly elected or re-elected members did Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan administer the oath to on 6 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 19
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat said the Chairman administered the oath or affirmation to nineteen members.
With reference to Article 99 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. Every member of either House of Parliament must make and subscribe an oath or affirmation before the President, or a person appointed by the President, before taking the seat. 2. The form of this oath or affirmation is set out in the Fourth Schedule. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 restates Article 99. Statement 2 is wrong: Article 99 says the form is set out in the Third Schedule.
On which date is National Maritime Day observed in India?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 5 April
National Maritime Day is observed on 5 April, the date of the SS Loyalty's voyage in 1919.
National Maritime Day commemorates the 1919 voyage of which ship?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — SS Loyalty
The Hindu and The Times of India both say the day marks the SS Loyalty's voyage from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919.
Consider the following statements about the SS Loyalty, whose voyage is commemorated on National Maritime Day: 1. It was owned by the Scindia Steam Navigation Company. 2. Its 1919 voyage was from Kolkata to Singapore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the voyage was from Mumbai to London.
What share of LPG deliveries were Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) based as per the government update of 5 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 90%
The update said DAC-based deliveries rose from 53% in February 2026 to 90%.
To what was the LPG cylinder booking interval in urban areas raised, as part of the measures noted on 5 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 25 days
The update said the interval was raised from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas.
According to the 5 April 2026 update, how many passengers had returned to India from the West Asia region since 28 February?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Over 7,02,000
The update said over 7,02,000 passengers had returned to India since 28 February.
The first-ever 'Administrative Capacity Building' programme launched on 5 April 2026 under Mission Karmayogi is aimed at which group?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Scientists and academicians
DoPT said the programme is for scientists and academicians moving into leadership roles.
On 5 April 2026, the Capacity Building Commission signed an MoU with which institution for global knowledge partnerships in capacity building?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
The release says the MoU was between the Capacity Building Commission and RIS.
Who is the Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, as per the DoPT release of 5 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — S. Radha Chauhan
The release names S. Radha Chauhan as Chairperson; Alka Mittal is Member (Administration) of the CBC.
Which Union Minister took cognisance of crop damage from hailstorms and heavy rainfall in several states on 5 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The Agriculture Ministry said Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took cognisance.
Consider the following statements about the Agriculture Minister's response on 5 April 2026: 1. He directed ministry officials to review crop damage caused by hailstorms and heavy rain. 2. He said he would discuss the damage with the agriculture ministers of the affected states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Agriculture Ministry release.