HSSC CET Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
During his visit to Australia (4–7 March 2025), CDS Gen Anil Chauhan laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in honour of Indian soldiers who fell in which campaign?
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Correct answer: A — Gallipoli campaign
Gen Chauhan laid a wreath honouring Indian soldiers who died in the Gallipoli campaign of the First World War.
Who was Australia's Chief of Defence Force, with whom CDS Gen Anil Chauhan held talks in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Admiral David Johnston
Gen Chauhan held talks with Admiral David Johnston, Australia's Chief of Defence Force, at the Russell Offices.
At his review of the cooperative sector on 6 March 2025, PM Modi stressed integrating UPI with which card to ease financial transactions?
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Correct answer: C — RuPay Kisan Credit Card
The PM highlighted the importance of integrating UPI with RuPay KCC cards.
As briefed to the PM on 6 March 2025, how many initiatives has the Ministry of Cooperation taken since its creation, and across how many areas?
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Correct answer: C — 60 initiatives across 7 areas
The Ministry of Cooperation has undertaken 60 initiatives across seven key areas, including computerisation of cooperatives.
Up to how much in EU-budget-backed defence loans for member states was proposed, as noted by the special European Council on 6 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — €150 billion
Leaders took note of the Commission's proposal for a new instrument giving member states loans of up to €150 billion backed by the EU budget.
Which EU member state did NOT join the other 26 leaders in backing the Ukraine text at the special European Council of 6 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Hungary
The text on Ukraine was firmly supported by 26 heads of state or government; Hungary's Viktor Orban stayed out.
To let member states spend more on defence, the European Council of 6 March 2025 welcomed the planned activation of the national escape clause of which framework?
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Correct answer: B — The Stability and Growth Pact
The Commission planned to recommend activating the national escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact, the EU's fiscal rules, for defence spending.
What is the total outlay of the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme approved on 5 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — ₹3,880 crore
The revised LHDCP has an outlay of ₹3,880 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Which new component was added to the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme in March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Pashu Aushadhi
Pashu Aushadhi, for affordable generic veterinary medicines, is the new component, with ₹75 crore.
Under the revised LHDCP, generic veterinary medicines under Pashu Aushadhi will be made available through which network?
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Correct answer: C — PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies
Pashu Aushadhi medicines will be supplied through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies.
Consider the following about the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (March 2025): 1. Its three components are NADCP, LH&DC and Pashu Aushadhi. 2. Mobile Veterinary Units are covered under the ESVHD-MVU sub-component of LH&DC. 3. Its outlay covers the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the ₹3,880 crore outlay approved in March 2025 is for two years, 2024-25 and 2025-26.
By what margin did New Zealand beat South Africa in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on 5 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 50 runs
New Zealand made 362/6 and held South Africa to 312/9, winning by 50 runs in Lahore.
Which two New Zealand batters scored centuries in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa?
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Correct answer: D — Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson
Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) added 164 for the second wicket; Ravindra was Player of the Match.
Which South African batter scored an unbeaten 67-ball century in the losing chase in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Lahore?
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Correct answer: A — David Miller
David Miller made 100 not out off 67 balls, completing the century off the last ball, but South Africa finished on 312/9.
Who received the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados on behalf of PM Narendra Modi in Bridgetown on 5 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Pabitra Margherita
Minister of State for External Affairs and Textiles Pabitra Margherita received the award on the PM's behalf.
Who presented the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados at the State House ceremony of 5 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — President Dame Sandra Mason
The honour was presented by Barbados President Dame Sandra Mason; PM Mia Amor Mottley, who had announced it in November 2024, attended.
Under the initiative launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on 5 March 2025, at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat is to be developed in each:
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Correct answer: B — District
The convention aimed to establish at least one Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat in each district of the country.
Which tool was launched at the National Convention on Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats in March 2025 to track their progress?
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Correct answer: C — A real-time monitoring dashboard
The convention unveiled a real-time monitoring dashboard, along with virtual training programmes for these panchayats.
By what margin did India beat Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on 4 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Four wickets
India chased 265 and won by four wickets with 11 balls to spare.
Who was the Player of the Match in India's Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final win over Australia?
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Correct answer: D — Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli was Player of the Match for his 84 off 98 balls in the chase.
Who top-scored for Australia with 73 in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against India in Dubai?
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Correct answer: A — Steve Smith
Captain Steve Smith made 73 and Alex Carey 61 as Australia were bowled out for 264.
Which Indian bowler took 3 for 48 in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against Australia?
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Correct answer: B — Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami took 3 for 48; Ravindra Jadeja (2/40) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/49) took two each.
What was the theme of National Safety Day/Week 2025, observed from 4 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Safety & Well-being Crucial for Viksit Bharat
The 2025 theme was 'Safety & Well-being Crucial for Viksit Bharat'.
Which edition of the National Safety Week began with National Safety Day on 4 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 54th
The 54th National Safety Week was observed from 4 to 10 March 2025.
The 'Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan', launched on 4 March 2025, is aimed at:
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Correct answer: D — Capacity building of women elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions
The campaign is a capacity-building initiative to strengthen the leadership and decision-making of women elected representatives of PRIs.
Which ministry launched the 'Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan' in March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Panchayati Raj
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched it at a national workshop of over 1,200 women panchayat leaders.
How many hydrogen refuelling stations are included in the five pilot projects for hydrogen buses and trucks sanctioned by MNRE (announced 3 March 2025)?
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Correct answer: A — 9
The five pilot projects include 37 vehicles and 9 hydrogen refuelling stations.
Consider the following statements about the hydrogen transport pilot projects announced by MNRE on 3 March 2025: 1. Of the 37 vehicles, 15 are hydrogen fuel cell-based and 22 use hydrogen internal combustion engines. 2. The vehicles will run on 10 routes, including Bhubaneswar–Konark–Puri. 3. The projects are funded under the PM e-DRIVE scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: 15 fuel cell and 22 hydrogen ICE vehicles will run on 10 routes including Bhubaneswar–Konark–Puri. Statement 3 is wrong: the pilots come under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with about ₹208 crore of central support.
Who chaired the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the Indian Air Force, whose report was presented to the Raksha Mantri on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — The Defence Secretary
The committee was chaired by the Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, who presented its report to Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh.
Who served as Member Secretary of the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the IAF (report presented on 3 March 2025)?
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Correct answer: D — Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
The Deputy Chief of the Air Staff was Member Secretary; the Vice Chief of Air Staff, Secretary (Defence Production), Secretary DDR&D and DG Acquisition were members.
India signed an MoU on cooperation in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector with which country on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Nepal
India and Nepal signed the WASH MoU at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of C R Patil and Nepal's Water Supply Minister Pradeep Yadav.
Which of the following is listed as an area of cooperation in the India–Nepal WASH MoU signed on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Groundwater management, including artificial recharge
The MoU covers capacity building, technology and knowledge transfer, and groundwater management including monitoring, quality improvement, artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting.
Who was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Government e Marketplace (GeM) with effect from 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Ajay Bhadoo
Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, was appointed GeM CEO with effect from 3 March 2025.
Before joining the Department of Commerce, the new GeM CEO Ajay Bhadoo (appointed March 2025) served in which post?
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Correct answer: B — Deputy Election Commissioner
Ajay Bhadoo, a 1999-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, earlier served as Deputy Election Commissioner at the Election Commission of India.
Which state recorded the highest number of dolphins in India's first riverine dolphin estimation report released on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest numbers, followed by Bihar, West Bengal and Assam.
The first riverine dolphin estimation, whose report was released at Gir on 3 March 2025, surveyed how many rivers across how many states?
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Correct answer: A — 28 rivers in 8 states
The survey covered 28 rivers across eight states, with 3,150 mandays spent covering over 8,500 km.
What total number of dolphins was estimated in the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation report released by the PM on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 6,327
The report estimated a total of 6,327 dolphins; 3,150 was the number of mandays and 8,500 km the distance surveyed.
According to NITI Aayog's report 'From Borrowers to Builders' launched on 3 March 2025, how many women were monitoring their credit as of December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 27 million
As of December 2024, 27 million women were monitoring their credit, a 42% increase over the previous year.
Under NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform, which collaborative was mentioned at the launch of the 'From Borrowers to Builders' report on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Financing Women Collaborative
NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam said the Financing Women Collaborative (FWC) has been constituted under WEP and invited financial sector stakeholders to join it.
What was the theme of World Wildlife Day observed on 3 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet
The 2025 theme was 'Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet'. The other options were themes of earlier years.
According to the Environment Ministry's World Wildlife Day 2025 backgrounder, how much of its 2025-26 budget is earmarked for the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats?
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Correct answer: D — ₹450 crore
₹450 crore is set aside for Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats out of the Ministry's total 2025-26 budget of ₹3,412.82 crore.
Which film won Best Picture at the 97th Academy Awards held on 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Anora
'Anora' won Best Picture and four other awards; 'The Brutalist', 'Conclave' and 'Emilia Pérez' were among the other nominees.
Who won the Best Actor Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards on 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody won Best Actor for 'The Brutalist', his second win in the category; Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor.
Which film won Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards (2 March 2025)?
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Correct answer: B — I'm Still Here (Brazil)
Brazil's 'I'm Still Here' won Best International Feature; 'No Other Land' won Best Documentary Feature.
Consider the following statements about the 97th Academy Awards held on 2 March 2025: 1. Sean Baker became the first person to win four Oscars for the same film. 2. Mikey Madison won Best Actress for 'Anora'. 3. The ceremony was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel at the Dolby Theatre. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Sean Baker won Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay and Editing for 'Anora', and Mikey Madison won Best Actress. Statement 3 is wrong: the 2025 ceremony at the Dolby Theatre was hosted by Conan O'Brien.
Which Indian bowler took 5 for 42 and was player of the match as India beat New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 group match on 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Varun Chakravarthy
Varun Chakravarthy, playing his first match of the tournament, took 5 for 42 and was named player of the match.
By what margin did India beat New Zealand in their Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match in Dubai on 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 44 runs
India made 249 for 9 and bowled New Zealand out for 205, winning by 44 runs.
Which New Zealand bowler also took five wickets in the Champions Trophy 2025 match against India on 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Matt Henry
Matt Henry took 5 for 42 as New Zealand restricted India to 249 for 9.
The Central Warehousing Corporation, which celebrated its 69th Foundation Day on 2 March 2025, was established in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 1957
The CWC was set up in 1957 and marked its 69th Foundation Day on 2 March 2025.
At CWC's 69th Foundation Day (2 March 2025), Pralhad Joshi said the government aims to bring logistics costs down to around what level?
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Correct answer: D — 8%
He said the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti aim to cut logistics costs from 13-14% to the global standard of around 8%.
Consider the following statements about the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), which marked its 69th Foundation Day on 2 March 2025: 1. The CWC is a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956. 2. The Warehousing Corporations Act, 1962, under which the CWC functions, is administered by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The CWC is a statutory corporation constituted under the Warehousing Corporations Act, 1962 (Section 3), not a company under the Companies Act; that Act is administered by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Department of Food and Public Distribution). Only the second statement is correct.
At which venue did UK PM Keir Starmer host the leaders' meeting on Ukraine on 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Lancaster House, London
The leaders' meeting on Ukraine was held at Lancaster House, London, where Starmer announced the four-point plan.
What name did Keir Starmer give to the group of countries that would defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee the peace, announced after the London meeting of 2 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Coalition of the willing
Starmer said the UK, France and others would develop a 'coalition of the willing' to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee the peace.
According to the Election Commission's clarification of 2 March 2025, which platform will be updated to help allot a unique EPIC number to every registered elector?
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Correct answer: B — ERONET 2.0
The Commission said duplicate EPIC numbers will be rectified and the ERONET 2.0 platform will be updated to aid the process.
Consider the following statements in the context of the Election Commission's clarification on duplicate EPIC numbers (2 March 2025): 1. Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission. 2. The identical EPIC numbers arose because some state CEO offices used the same alphanumeric series before the shift to ERONET. 3. The Commission said an elector with a duplicate EPIC number may vote in either of the two states concerned. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Article 324 vests superintendence of electoral rolls in the Election Commission, and the duplicates came from a decentralised, manual system before ERONET. Statement 3 is wrong: an elector can vote only at the designated polling station where enrolled.
Who assumed office as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on 1 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Dr Mayank Sharma
Dr Mayank Sharma, a 1989-batch IDAS officer, took charge as CGDA on 1 March 2025.
The new Controller General of Defence Accounts who took charge on 1 March 2025 earlier represented India at which UN body in Vienna?
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Correct answer: A — UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Dr Mayank Sharma served as India's Alternate Permanent Representative at the UNODC, among other UN bodies.
At the post-budget webinar on agriculture on 1 March 2025, PM Modi said what share of India's domestic pulse consumption still relies on imports?
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Correct answer: B — 20 percent
The PM said 20 percent of domestic pulse consumption still depends on imports, and called for higher production of tur, urad and masoor.
According to PM Modi's post-budget webinar address of 1 March 2025, India's agricultural production has risen from about 265 million tonnes a decade ago to over how much?
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Correct answer: C — 330 million tonnes
Agricultural production rose from about 265 million tonnes to over 330 million tonnes; horticulture output has exceeded 350 million tonnes.
How many new crop varieties did PM Modi say ICAR developed between 2014 and 2024, in his post-budget webinar address on 1 March 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Over 2,900
The PM said ICAR developed over 2,900 new varieties of grains, oilseeds, pulses, fodder and sugarcane between 2014 and 2024.
What was India's cumulative coal production from April 2024 to February 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Coal on 1 March 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 928.95 MT
Cumulative production reached 928.95 MT, up 5.73% from 878.55 MT in the same period a year earlier.
By what percentage did coal production from captive and other entities grow in April 2024–February 2025, according to the Ministry of Coal?
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Correct answer: C — 30.16%
Captive and other entities produced 173.58 MT, up 30.16%; 31.90% was the growth in their dispatch and 5.73% the growth in total production.
Civil Accounts Day, celebrated for the 49th time on 1 March 2025, marks the foundation day of which service?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Civil Accounts Service
Civil Accounts Day marks the foundation day of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS); the 49th edition was held in New Delhi on 1 March 2025.
At the 49th Civil Accounts Day (1 March 2025), the Finance Minister said PFMS payments had grown from 2 crore in 2015 to how many in 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 250 crore
Nirmala Sitharaman said the volume of PFMS transactions went up from 2 crore payments in 2015 to 250 crore in 2024.
Who led the EU College of Commissioners on its visit to India on 27-28 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen led the College of Commissioners to India and issued a Leaders' Statement with PM Modi on 28 February 2025.
According to the India–EU Leaders' Statement of 28 February 2025, India welcomed the EU joining which initiative?
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Correct answer: A — Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
India welcomed the EU joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and both sides agreed to explore trilateral cooperation in Africa and the Indo-Pacific.
Which defence cooperation framework of the EU did the EU welcome India's interest in joining projects under, as per the Leaders' Statement of 28 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
The EU welcomed India's interest in joining projects under the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and in negotiating a Security of Information Agreement.
Consider the following statements about the visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India (27-28 February 2025): 1. It was the College's first visit outside the European continent since the start of its new mandate. 2. The leaders noted that the India–EU Strategic Partnership has completed 20 years. 3. The leaders agreed to conclude the India–EU FTA by 2027. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: the visit was the College's first outside Europe in its new mandate, and the leaders built on 20 years of the Strategic Partnership. Statement 3 is wrong: they aimed to conclude the FTA within 2025.
What real GDP growth rate for the October–December 2024 quarter (Q3 of 2024-25) did MoSPI estimate on 28 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 6.2%
Real GDP grew 6.2% in Q3 of 2024-25; 6.5% is the full-year estimate and 5.6% the revised Q2 growth.
What real GDP growth for 2024-25 was estimated in the Second Advance Estimates released on 28 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 6.5%
The Second Advance Estimates put real GDP growth for 2024-25 at 6.5%, revised up from the First Advance Estimates.
As per the First Revised Estimates released on 28 February 2025, India's real GDP growth in 2023-24 was:
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Correct answer: C — 9.2%
Real GDP grew 9.2% in 2023-24, the highest in the previous 12 years except 2021-22; 8.6% was real GVA growth that year and 7.6% the final 2022-23 growth.
According to MoSPI's estimates of 28 February 2025, Private Final Consumption Expenditure is expected to grow by how much in 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — 7.6%
PFCE is expected to grow 7.6% in 2024-25, compared with 5.6% in 2023-24.
Consider the following statements about the national accounts estimates released by the NSO on 28 February 2025: 1. Real GDP growth of 9.2% in 2023-24 is the highest in the previous 12 years except for 2021-22. 2. The growth rate of real GDP for Q2 of 2024-25 was revised upward to 5.6%. 3. Construction is expected to be the fastest-growing sector in 2024-25 at 10.4%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: construction is estimated to grow 8.6% in 2024-25; 10.4% was its growth in 2023-24.
The 10,000th Farmer Producer Organisation under the central scheme, launched by PM Modi at Bhagalpur, is registered in which district?
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Correct answer: C — Khagaria
The 10,000th FPO is registered in Khagaria district, Bihar, and focuses on maize, banana and paddy.
What is the budget outlay of the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs, launched on 29 February 2020?
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Correct answer: D — ₹6,865 crore
The scheme was launched with an outlay of ₹6,865 crore till 2027-28.
Consider the following statements about the scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs: 1. FPOs under it can be registered under Part IXA of the Companies Act or under a state's Co-operative Societies Act. 2. It provides a matching equity grant of up to ₹2,000 per farmer member, with a limit of ₹15 lakh per FPO. 3. It provides credit guarantee cover for project loans of up to ₹10 crore per FPO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the credit guarantee facility covers project loans of up to ₹2 crore per FPO.
What rate of interest on EPF accumulations for 2024-25 did EPFO's Central Board of Trustees recommend on 28 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 8.25%
The CBT recommended 8.25% for 2024-25; it is credited after the Government notifies the rate.
Who chairs the Central Board of Trustees of EPF, as at its 237th meeting on 28 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Union Minister for Labour and Employment
The CBT is chaired by the Union Labour and Employment Minister (Dr Mansukh Mandaviya); the Central PF Commissioner is Member Secretary.