KVS / NVS Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who chaired the first meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on the West Asia situation on 28 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rajnath Singh
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh chaired the first IGoM meeting at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi.
Where was the first meeting of the IGoM on the West Asia situation held?
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Correct answer: A — Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi
The meeting was held at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi, on 28 March 2026.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 15th Annual Convocation of which IIM on 28 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — IIM Ranchi
The Vice President graced the 15th Annual Convocation of IIM Ranchi in Jharkhand.
At the IIM Ranchi convocation, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan recalled his earlier association with Jharkhand as its:
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Correct answer: D — Governor
He recalled his association with Jharkhand as its former Governor.
Earth Hour, which marked its 20th anniversary in March 2026, is a global movement started by which organisation in 2007?
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Correct answer: B — WWF
WWF-India organised the 20th-anniversary activities; Earth Hour, WWF's grassroots movement, began in 2007 and spans 190+ countries.
In which city did MoEFCC and WWF-India hold awareness activities to mark 20 years of Earth Hour on 28 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Gwalior
The activities were held at The Scindia School and IITTM in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Who was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal on 27 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Balendra Shah
Balendra (Balen) Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party was sworn in by President Ramchandra Paudel.
Balendra Shah, who became Nepal's Prime Minister in March 2026, belongs to which party?
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Correct answer: B — Rastriya Swatantra Party
Shah is a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which won 182 of 275 seats on 5 March 2026.
Consider the following statements about Nepal's new Prime Minister Balendra Shah: 1. He was earlier the Mayor of Kathmandu. 2. He defeated K. P. Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5. 3. He is the first Prime Minister of Nepal from the Madhesi community. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
Shah was Kathmandu mayor from May 2022 to January 2026, won Jhapa-5 defeating Oli, and is the first Madhesi PM.
By how much did the Centre cut excise duty on petrol and diesel on 27 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10 per litre
Excise duty was reduced by ₹10 per litre on both petrol and diesel with immediate effect.
Consider the following statements about the excise duty cut of 27 March 2026: 1. Retail pump prices of petrol and diesel were reduced by the same amount. 2. The cut offsets part of the under-recoveries of public sector oil marketing companies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Retail pump prices did not change. The reduction directly reduces the under-recoveries absorbed by IOCL, BPCL and HPCL.
According to the government (March 2026), international crude prices had risen in about a month from roughly USD 70 per barrel to around:
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Correct answer: B — USD 122
Crude rose from approximately USD 70 to around USD 122 per barrel – nearly 75% in under four weeks.
The Defence Acquisition Council on 27 March 2026 granted Acceptance of Necessity for proposals worth about:
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Correct answer: C — ₹2.38 lakh crore
The DAC granted AoN for proposals worth about ₹2.38 lakh crore. ₹6.73 lakh crore is the total AoN for FY 2025-26.
The Medium Transport Aircraft cleared by the DAC in March 2026 are meant to replace which IAF transport fleets?
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Correct answer: D — AN-32 and IL-76
The Medium Transport Aircraft will replace the transport fleet of AN-32 and IL-76.
Match the service with the item cleared by the DAC on 27 March 2026: 1. Indian Army – a. Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles 2. Indian Air Force – b. Dhanush Gun System 3. Indian Coast Guard – c. S-400 missile system
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Correct answer: A — 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Dhanush Gun System was cleared for the Army, S-400 for the Air Force and Heavy Duty Air Cushion Vehicles for the Coast Guard.
According to the PLFS Annual Report 2025, the unemployment rate (usual status, age 15+) in 2025 was:
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Correct answer: B — 3.1%
The unemployment rate in usual status (ps+ss) for persons aged 15+ was 3.1% for both men and women in 2025.
As per PLFS 2025, the youth (15–29 years) unemployment rate in usual status declined to:
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Correct answer: B — 9.9%
Youth unemployment fell to 9.9% in 2025 from 10.3% in 2024. 8.3% is rural youth and 13.6% urban youth.
Consider the following findings of the PLFS Annual Report 2025: 1. Female LFPR (age 15+) was 40.0%. 2. The share of regular wage/salaried workers declined compared to 2024. 3. The share of self-employed persons fell to 56.2%. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
Female LFPR was 40.0% and self-employment fell to 56.2%. Regular wage/salaried share rose to 23.6% from 22.4%, so statement 2 is wrong.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 proposes to amend how many provisions of Central Acts?
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Correct answer: D — 784
It proposes amending 784 provisions of 79 Central Acts, of which 717 are to be decriminalised.
Who chaired the Select Committee that examined the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Tejasvi Surya
The Select Committee chaired by Tejasvi Surya held 49 sittings and reported on 13 March 2026.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts. 2. The Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. 3. The 2026 Bill proposes replacing imprisonment for minor defaults with monetary penalties or warnings. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
The 2023 Act decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Acts, and the 2026 Bill replaces imprisonment with penalties or warnings. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.
Where was the IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) TTX 2026 held on 27 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Kochi
It was held at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
India assumes the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for 2026–2028 after a gap of how many years?
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Correct answer: D — 16
India assumes the IONS Chairmanship for the 2026–2028 cycle after a gap of sixteen years.
Which state became the twelfth to sign a reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 on 27 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Meghalaya
Meghalaya became the twelfth state to sign the reform-linked MoU under JJM 2.0.
Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on:
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Correct answer: C — 10 March 2026
JJM 2.0 was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
Kavach, reviewed by the Railway Minister in March 2026, is India's indigenous:
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Correct answer: A — Automatic Train Protection system
Kavach is the indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system of Indian Railways.
What is 'SURAKSHA', announced in the March 2026 Kavach review?
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Correct answer: B — An AI-based centralised monitoring platform for Kavach
SURAKSHA is being developed as an AI-based centralised Operations Management System for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of Kavach.
As of March 2026, Kavach had been installed on approximately how many route kilometres?
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Correct answer: B — 3,103
Kavach has been installed on 3,103 route km; work is in progress on 24,427 route km, and 1,638 route km are commissioned under version 4.0.
In March 2026, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet sought statutory recognition of which city as the state's sole capital?
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Correct answer: A — Amaravati
The Cabinet resolved to request the Centre to declare and notify Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh.
To recognise Amaravati as the capital, which section of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 is to be amended?
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Correct answer: B — Section 5
The resolution seeks amendment of Section 5 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which deals with the capital.
Why does the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet's Amaravati resolution (March 2026) require action by the Union government and Parliament?
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Correct answer: D — The AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 is a Central Act, so only Parliament can amend it
The capital provision is in Section 5 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 – a Central Act – so the State can only request the Centre, and Parliament must amend it.
In March 2026, a Great Indian Bustard chick hatched after a decade in which region of Gujarat?
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Correct answer: D — Kutch
The chick hatched in Kutch, where only three female GIBs survive.
The Great Indian Bustard egg used in the Kutch 'jump-start' was transported by road from which place in Rajasthan?
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Correct answer: A — Sam
The egg was transported about 770 km by road from Sam (Rajasthan) to Naliya (Gujarat).
How many Great Indian Bustards are now in the conservation breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra, as per the March 2026 announcement?
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Correct answer: C — 73
The number of birds in the breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra has reached 73, with five new chicks this season.
Consider the following statements about the Great Indian Bustard 'jump-start' in Gujarat (March 2026): 1. It was India's first inter-state jump-start initiative for the GIB. 2. Gujarat's wild GIB population still has a few males, but their eggs were infertile. 3. Project GIB was formally launched in 2016. Which of the above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
It was the first inter-state jump-start, and Project GIB was launched in 2016. Kutch's local population had lost all its males long ago, so statement 2 is wrong.
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence was inaugurated in March 2026 at which institute?
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Correct answer: A — IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Ahmedabad inaugurated the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence on 26 March 2026.
The Krishnamurthy Tandon School of AI at IIMA is being set up with an endowment of:
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Correct answer: B — ₹100 crore
It is being established through an endowment of ₹100 crore by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon.
The first Khelo India Tribal Games (March-April 2026) are being held in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh
The inaugural KITG are being held across Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh, which will be the permanent host.
What is the name of the mascot of the first Khelo India Tribal Games, 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Mor Veer
The mascot 'Mor Veer' symbolises the courage, pride and valour of India's more than 700 tribal communities.
Consider the following about the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: 1. The Games feature 9 sports disciplines, of which 7 are medal sports. 2. 106 gold medals are at stake. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
KITG 2026 has 9 disciplines (7 medal, 2 demonstration) and 106 gold medals, with about 3,800 participants.
What is the total outlay of the Modified UDAN scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹28,840 crore
Modified UDAN has a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2035-36. ₹12,159 crore is the airport-development component.
Consider the following about the Modified UDAN scheme (2026): 1. It proposes to develop 100 airports from existing unserved airstrips. 2. It proposes 200 modern helipads focused on priority and aspirational districts. 3. It will run for five years from FY 2026-27. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The scheme runs for ten years (FY 2026-27 to 2035-36), so statement 3 is wrong; 100 airports and 200 helipads are both components.
Under Modified UDAN, aircraft are to be procured from HAL for which two operators?
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Correct answer: A — Pawan Hans and Alliance Air
Two HAL Dhruv helicopters will go to Pawan Hans and two HAL Dornier aircraft to Alliance Air, under the Atmanirbhar Bharat component.
Under its NDC for 2031-2035 approved in March 2026, India aims to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2035, from the 2005 level, by:
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Correct answer: C — 47%
The new NDC targets a 47% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2035 over 2005. 33-35% was the 2015 NDC target for 2030.
Consider the following about India's NDC for 2031-2035: 1. It targets 60% of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035. 2. It targets an additional carbon sink of 3.5-4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 from the 2005 level. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are targets of the NDC 2031-35, alongside the 47% emissions-intensity target.
According to the government (March 2026), what share of India's installed electric power capacity was from non-fossil sources in February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 52.57%
Non-fossil capacity reached 52.57% in February 2026, meeting the updated NDC target five years ahead of the timeline; the new target is 60% by 2035.
How many entries did India record in the global top 50 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 27
India recorded a record 27 top-50 entries in 2026, more than double the 12 in both 2024 and 2025.
In the QS Subject Rankings 2026, India's highest-ranked subject (21st globally) was Mineral & Mining Engineering at:
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Correct answer: A — ISM Dhanbad
ISM Dhanbad's Mineral & Mining Engineering was ranked 21st – India's highest-ranked subject. IIM Ahmedabad was also 21st in Business & Management Studies and Marketing.
Consider the following about India in the QS Subject Rankings 2026: 1. 99 Indian institutions featured, with 599 subject entries. 2. IIT Delhi was the leading Indian institution with six top-50 entries. 3. The rankings covered 55 subjects. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct as per the Ministry of Education release on the rankings released on 25 March 2026.
Of the XV Finance Commission untied grants released to rural local bodies of four states (March 2026), which state received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: A — Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh received ₹631.91 crore, ahead of Jharkhand (₹269.03 crore), Punjab (₹222 crore) and Mizoram (₹14.80 crore).
In Mizoram, the XV Finance Commission rural grants released in March 2026 went to which type of local body?
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Correct answer: B — Village Councils
Mizoram's ₹14.80 crore went to all 816 eligible Village Councils – Mizoram's rural local bodies.
Under the 'Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya' action plan (March 2026), the area within what radius of schools is to be declared a drug-free zone?
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Correct answer: C — 500 metres
The three-year action plan provides for declaring the area within a 500-metre radius of schools as drug-free zones.
The 'Nasha Mukt Vidyalaya' action plan followed directions from the 9th Apex meeting of which body, chaired by the Union Home Minister?
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Correct answer: B — Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD)
The 9th Apex meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), chaired by Amit Shah, asked all departments to prepare a roadmap up to 2029.
Which ICAR institution was the only Indian university in the top 100 for Veterinary Science in the QS Subject Rankings 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ICAR-IVRI, Bareilly
ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, entered the 51-100 band – the only Indian university in the Veterinary Science top 100.
Consider the following about the Agriculture & Forestry subject in the QS Rankings 2026: 1. ICAR-IARI, New Delhi debuted in the 151-200 band. 2. 10 Indian universities featured among 475 ranked globally. 3. CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar was placed in the 51-100 band. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
CCS HAU Hisar made its maiden entry in the 301-350 band, not 51-100; statements 1 and 2 are correct.
The IVFRT scheme, extended by the Union Cabinet in March 2026, relates to:
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Correct answer: D — Immigration, visa and foreigners' registration
IVFRT stands for Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking; it was extended to 31 March 2031 with ₹1,800 crore.
Consider the following about the IVFRT scheme: 1. Its continuation for 2026-2031 carries an outlay of ₹1,800 crore. 2. It was first approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in 2010. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The 2026-31 continuation is ₹1,800 crore; the CCEA first approved the project on 13 May 2010.
About how much green hydrogen production capacity had India commissioned till February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 8,000 tonnes per annum
Around 8,000 TPA had been commissioned till February 2026; 5 million tonnes per annum is the likely capacity by 2030.
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the price discovered through competitive bidding for green hydrogen supply to Indian Oil's refinery was:
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Correct answer: B — ₹397 per kg
₹397/kg (including 18% GST) for IOCL's refinery; ₹387/kg for BPCL and HPCL refineries. ₹235/kg is the estimated renewable-power share of cost.
In March 2026, Odisha directed urban local bodies to waive permission fees for laying underground pipelines for:
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Correct answer: A — City gas distribution (PNG)
Odisha's Housing & Urban Development Department waived permission fees for city gas distribution pipelines to accelerate PNG connections.
Till when do Odisha's March 2026 relaxations for city gas distribution projects remain in force (unless further orders)?
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Correct answer: B — 30 June 2026
The fee waiver and simplified approvals remain in force till 30 June 2026 or until further orders.
The 'Veer Udyami Yojana 2026', approved in March 2026 for ex-servicemen and former Agniveers, is a scheme of which state?
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Correct answer: D — Uttarakhand
The Uttarakhand Cabinet chaired by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami approved the Uttarakhand Veer Udyami Yojana 2026 on 25 March 2026.
Consider the following about Uttarakhand's Veer Udyami Yojana 2026: 1. It is a supplementary scheme to the Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana. 2. 10% of its target is reserved for ex-servicemen and former Agniveers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct: the scheme supplements the Mukhyamantri Swarojgar Yojana and reserves 10% of its target.
From 26 March 2026, Akashvani stations broadcast the full version of 'Vande Mataram' containing how many stanzas?
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Correct answer: D — Six
The full six-stanza version (3 min 10 sec) replaced the two-stanza version (65 sec), following an MHA guideline of 28 January 2026.
The first version of the full 'Vande Mataram' broadcast by Akashvani from March 2026 is sung in which raga?
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Correct answer: A — Raag Des
It is sung by Pt. Chandrashekhar Vaze in Raag Des.
Through which two countries were Indian nationals in Iran being assisted to travel to India, as stated on 25 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Armenia and Azerbaijan
MEA said Indians in Iran were being assisted to travel to India via Armenia and Azerbaijan; 1,043 had crossed out with the Mission's help.
According to the inter-ministerial briefing of 25 March 2026, about how many passengers had returned to India from West Asia since 28 February?
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Correct answer: C — 4,26,000
Around 4,26,000 passengers had returned from the region to India since 28 February.
Consider the following statements about Operation Sindhu: 1. It was launched in June 2025 to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran and Israel. 2. More Indians were evacuated from Israel than from Iran under the operation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Operation Sindhu, launched on 18 June 2025, evacuated 4,415 Indians — 3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel.
The Japanese ODA package of March 2026 (JPY 275.858 billion) covers projects in which three states?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab
The four projects are in Maharashtra (Mumbai Metro Line 11, healthcare), Karnataka (Bengaluru Metro Phase 3) and Punjab (horticulture).
Which project received the largest share of the Japanese ODA loans committed to India on 24 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase 3 (I)
Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) got JPY 102.480 billion, ahead of Mumbai Metro Line 11 (JPY 92.400 billion), Maharashtra health (JPY 62.294 billion) and Punjab horticulture (JPY 18.684 billion).
Consider the following about the Japanese ODA-funded metro projects (March 2026): 1. Mumbai Metro Line 11 (I) covers about 17.51 km with 14 underground stations. 2. Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) covers about 44.65 km with 31 underground stations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Bengaluru Phase 3 has 31 elevated (not underground) stations over about 44.65 km; Mumbai Line 11 has 14 underground stations over about 17.51 km.
As per ASUSE 2025, the estimated number of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments in India was about:
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Correct answer: C — 7.92 crore
Establishments rose from 7.34 crore in ASUSE 2023-24 to 7.92 crore in ASUSE 2025, about 7.97% growth.
In ASUSE 2025, which sector recorded the highest growth in Gross Value Added over ASUSE 2023-24?
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Correct answer: A — Trade
GVA growth was led by trade (16.77%), followed by manufacturing (8.52%) and other services (7.36%). Construction is excluded from ASUSE.
Consider the following about ASUSE 2025: 1. The share of establishments using the internet rose to 39.4%. 2. Women-owned proprietary establishments declined compared with ASUSE 2023-24. 3. The survey covers construction along with manufacturing, trade and other services. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Women-owned proprietary establishments rose from 26.2% to 27%, and ASUSE excludes construction; only statement 1 is correct.
In March 2026, which state became the second after Uttarakhand to pass a Uniform Civil Code Bill?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
The Gujarat Assembly passed the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill on 24 March 2026. Uttarakhand was the first, in February 2024.
The Gujarat UCC Bill (2026) was brought after the report of an expert committee headed by:
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Correct answer: D — Justice Ranjana Desai
The committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai submitted its report before the Bill was tabled by CM Bhupendra Patel.
Consider the following about the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill passed in March 2026: 1. It makes registration of live-in relationships mandatory. 2. It applies to all residents of Gujarat, including the Scheduled Tribe population. 3. Bigamy is punishable with imprisonment of up to 7 years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
The Bill exempts the Scheduled Tribe population, so statement 2 is wrong; it mandates registration of live-in relationships and prescribes up to 7 years' jail for bigamy.