MPESB (Vyapam) Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on 8 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
The 10th edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on 8 May 2026.
Consider the following statements about the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks of May 2026: 1. The Indian delegation was led by the Defence Secretary. 2. The first India–Australia Joint Staff Talks were held alongside the Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, and both sides only looked forward to holding the first Joint Staff Talks later in the year.
Which Indian body hosted the ISO TC 20/SC 14 subcommittee meetings in New Delhi, announced in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards, India's National Standards Body, organised the meetings; ISRO experts and IN-SPACe's chairman took part.
The ISO subcommittee TC 20/SC 14, whose meetings India hosted for the first time in 2026, deals with which subject?
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Correct answer: C — Space Systems and Operations
ISO/TC 20/SC 14 is the 'Space Systems and Operations' subcommittee, setting standards for the whole lifecycle of space systems.
India's Pavilion opened in May 2026 at which edition of the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia?
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Correct answer: C — 61st
The Pavilion of India opened at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
What is the title of the exhibition at the Pavilion of India at the Venice Biennale 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Geographies of Distance: remembering home
The India Pavilion presents 'Geographies of Distance: remembering home', curated by Dr Amin Jaffer; 'In Minor Keys' is the exhibition it responds to.
The India Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale marks India's return to the Biennale Arte after which year?
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Correct answer: A — 2019
The exhibition marks India's return to the Biennale Arte since 2019.
Operation Sindoor, whose first anniversary was marked on 7 May 2026, was launched on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 7 May 2025
Operation Sindoor was launched on 7 May 2025; 22 April 2025 was the date of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Consider the following statements about Operation Sindoor: 1. Nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir were targeted. 2. Pakistani military facilities were among the targets struck on the first day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Government said nine sites were targeted and that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.
Under the IndiaAI–ICMR MoU of May 2026, datasets and AI models developed under which ICMR framework will be shared on AIKosh?
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Correct answer: C — MIDAS (Medical Information Data for AI Solutions)
ICMR will contribute datasets, AI models and toolkits developed under its MIDAS framework to the AIKosh platform.
What is AIKosh, to which ICMR will contribute health datasets under its May 2026 MoU with IndiaAI?
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Correct answer: B — IndiaAI's dataset platform
AIKosh is IndiaAI's dataset platform, which will give researchers, startups and innovators wider access to biomedical datasets.
What is the new base year of India's National Accounts that States and UTs must adopt for GSDP, as per MoSPI's guideline of May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 2022-23
MoSPI has updated the base year of the National Accounts to 2022-23, and States/UTs must adopt it for GSDP.
Who chaired the ACNAS Sub-Committee on Regional Accounts that prepared the uniform GSVA guideline released in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Prof. Ravindra H. Dholakia
The Sub-Committee on Regional Accounts was chaired by Prof. Ravindra H. Dholakia, former professor at IIM Ahmedabad.
How many auctioned mineral blocks had been operationalised since the auction regime began, as announced by the Ministry of Mines in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 101
101 auctioned mineral blocks have been operationalised; 212 is the number auctioned in FY 2025–26 alone.
Which state leads in the number of operationalised auctioned mineral blocks, as per the Ministry of Mines in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Odisha
Odisha leads with 34 operationalised blocks, followed by Karnataka (18) and Gujarat (11).
Consider the following statements about India's mineral block auctions: 1. The auction regime for mineral blocks was introduced in 2015. 2. FY 2025–26 recorded the highest-ever number of mineral blocks auctioned in a single financial year, at 212. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Mines: the auction regime began in 2015, and 212 blocks were auctioned in FY 2025–26, a record.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), reviewed by the Commerce Secretary in Switzerland in May 2026, is India's trade agreement with which grouping?
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Correct answer: C — European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
TEPA is India's first trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) economies.
Under the India–EFTA TEPA, EFTA has offered improved market access on what share of its tariff lines, and what share of India's exports does this cover?
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Correct answer: A — 92.2% of tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports
EFTA offered improved market access on 92.2% of its tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports.
India's merchandise exports to Switzerland in FY 2025–26 exceeded which figure, as stated during the Commerce Secretary's visit in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — USD 1.2 billion
India's exports to Switzerland exceeded USD 1.2 billion in FY 2025–26; USD 6.884 billion was services exports in 2024.
According to NITI Aayog's school education report of May 2026, India's school education system spans about how many schools and students?
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Correct answer: C — 14.71 lakh schools and over 24.69 crore students
The report says India's school system spans 14.71 lakh schools serving over 24.69 crore students, the largest in the world.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report 'School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement': 1. It draws on secondary data including UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 and ASER 2024. 2. It is based on a fresh primary household survey conducted by NITI Aayog in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The report uses secondary data (UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH 2024, NAS 2017 and 2021, ASER 2024) and inputs from a February 2025 national workshop, not a primary household survey.
How many major challenges does NITI Aayog's May 2026 school education report identify?
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Correct answer: D — 11
Based on data analysis and stakeholder consultations, the report presents 11 major challenges.
To what level did India and Vietnam elevate their relations during the State Visit of To Lam in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The two sides elevated ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the earlier Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The MoU between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Vietnam's NAPAS, signed in May 2026, relates to:
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Correct answer: A — Cross-border QR code payment interoperability
The NIPL–NAPAS MoU establishes linkages on cross-border QR code interoperability to enable payments; rare earths were covered by the IREL–ITRRE MoU.
Consider the following statements about the India–Vietnam summit of May 2026: 1. The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. To Lam visited India as both General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of Viet Nam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Joint Statement: 2026 is the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and To Lam holds both posts.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Shashi Shekhar Vempati
Shashi Shekhar Vempati was appointed CBFC Chairperson for three years by an I&B Ministry notification dated 6 May 2026.
Prasoon Joshi stepped down as CBFC Chairperson in 2026 on being elevated to which post?
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Correct answer: D — Chairman, Prasar Bharati
Prasoon Joshi stepped down from the CBFC on his elevation as Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
What is the reference period of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025, whose detailed report was released in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — January 2025 – December 2025
ASUSE 2025 covers January–December 2025; October 2023–September 2024 was the period of ASUSE 2023-24.
As per ASUSE 2025, female proprietors headed more than 60% of establishments in which sector?
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Correct answer: D — Manufacturing
Female proprietors headed more than 60% of manufacturing establishments; construction is outside ASUSE's coverage.
The earlier School Management Committee framework, replaced by the SMC Guidelines 2026, was introduced after which law?
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Correct answer: C — Right to Education Act
The earlier SMC framework was introduced after the Right to Education Act and was largely limited to monitoring grants and infrastructure.
The SMC Guidelines 2026 aim to translate NEP 2020 into action across about how many schools in India?
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Correct answer: A — 15 lakh
Dharmendra Pradhan said the guidelines will translate NEP 2020 into action across the country's nearly 15 lakh schools.
Under the Bill approved by the Cabinet in May 2026, the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, will rise to:
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Correct answer: B — 37
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 raises the strength by four, from 33 to 37, excluding the CJI.
The Bill approved in May 2026 to raise the Supreme Court's judge strength amends which law?
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Correct answer: D — The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956; Parliament fixes the number by law under Article 124(1).
Consider the following statements: 1. Article 124(1) of the Constitution originally provided for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other judges, until Parliament by law prescribed a larger number. 2. Before the 2026 proposal, the Supreme Court's judge strength was last raised from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) by an amendment in 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 124(1) originally fixed the CJI plus up to seven judges; the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019 raised the strength from 30 to 33.
What is the outlay of the Mission for Cotton Productivity approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,659.22 crore
The Cabinet approved ₹5,659.22 crore for the Mission for Cotton Productivity.
What is the implementation period of the Mission for Cotton Productivity?
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Correct answer: A — 2026–27 to 2030–31
The mission covers 2026–27 to 2030–31.
The Mission for Cotton Productivity is aligned with the Government's '5F' vision. What does 5F stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
The 5F vision is Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.
Under ECLGS 5.0, approved in May 2026, what guarantee coverage does NCGTC provide for MSMEs and for non-MSMEs?
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Correct answer: B — 100% for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs
ECLGS 5.0 provides 100% guarantee cover for MSMEs and 90% for non-MSMEs as well as the airline sector.
How much has been earmarked for airlines under ECLGS 5.0, approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹5,000 crore
₹5,000 crore of the ₹2,55,000 crore additional credit is earmarked for airlines; ₹1,500 crore is the per-airline cap.
Which entity provides the credit guarantee to Member Lending Institutions under ECLGS 5.0?
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Correct answer: A — National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC)
Guarantee coverage under ECLGS 5.0 is provided to Member Lending Institutions by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC).
Who co-chaired the inaugural India–Algeria defence Joint Commission meeting from the Algerian side in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, Algeria
The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (IC) Amitabh Prasad and Algeria's Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces, Maj Gen Kaid Nour Eddine.
India–Algeria defence relations have gained momentum since the signing of a Defence MoU in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 2024
The Ministry of Defence said ties have gained momentum since the Defence MoU of 2024.
What Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane was approved for sugar season 2026–27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹365 per quintal
The FRP for 2026–27 is ₹365 per quintal at a basic recovery rate of 10.25%; ₹338.3 applies where recovery is below 9.5%.
The FRP of sugarcane is determined on the basis of recommendations of which body?
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Correct answer: A — Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
The FRP is determined on the basis of CACP's recommendations after consultation with State Governments and other stakeholders.
What is the combined funding pool of the India–EU call on EV battery recycling launched in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — €15.2 million (~₹169 crore)
The call has a combined funding pool of €15.2 million (~₹169 crore).
Under which India–EU Trade and Technology Council working group was the EV battery recycling call of May 2026 launched?
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Correct answer: C — Working Group 2 — Green and Clean Energy Technologies
The call was launched under TTC Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
The three railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA in May 2026 will add about how many kilometres to the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: D — 901 km
The three projects will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 901 km.
Which of the following is one of the three railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA on 5 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Nagda–Mathura 3rd and 4th line
The approved projects are the 3rd and 4th lines on Nagda–Mathura, Guntakal–Wadi and Burhwal–Sitapur.
As on 1 May 2026, the total area sown under summer crops in India was about:
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Correct answer: C — 81.60 lakh hectares
Summer crops covered 81.60 lakh hectares as on 1 May 2026, against 79.00 lakh hectares in the same period of 2025.
Which crop group recorded the largest increase in summer sowing area over the corresponding period of 2025, as on 1 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Shree Anna cum coarse cereals
Shree Anna cum coarse cereals rose by 1.77 lakh hectares, ahead of oilseeds (+1.47) and pulses (+0.73); rice fell by 1.36 lakh hectares.
During which period did the Union Health Ministry observe the nationwide Fire Safety Week in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 4–10 May 2026
The Health Ministry observed Fire Safety Week from 4 to 10 May 2026.
Who, as Union Health Secretary, led the nationwide pledge on 'Fire Safety in Health Facilities' on 4 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Punya Salila Srivastava
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava led the nationwide pledge that opened Fire Safety Week.
Which Indian Navy ship, deployed as the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar, entered Yangon Harbour on 4 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — INS Sunayna
The IOS Sagar, INS Sunayna, entered Yangon Harbour, Myanmar, on 4 May 2026.
The IOS Sagar deployment is in line with India's MAHASAGAR vision. What does MAHASAGAR stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across Regions
MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across Regions.
Which Indian space startup built Mission Drishti, launched on 3 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — GalaxEye
Mission Drishti was built by Bengaluru-based startup GalaxEye.
Mission Drishti is described as the world's first OptoSAR satellite. What does it combine on a single platform?
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Correct answer: A — Electro-optical sensors and synthetic aperture radar
Mission Drishti integrates electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors on one platform for all-weather, day-and-night imaging.
Aboard which launch vehicle was Mission Drishti launched on 3 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — SpaceX Falcon 9
Mission Drishti was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg, California.
Consider the following statements about Mission Drishti: 1. The satellite weighs about 190 kg. 2. It was launched from Sriharikota. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: the 190-kg satellite was launched from Vandenberg, California, not Sriharikota.
Which body conducted the NEET UG 2026 examination on 3 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Testing Agency
NEET UG 2026 was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
About how many candidates had registered for NEET UG 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 23 lakh
NEET UG 2026 was held for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates.
The LPG carrier MT Sarv Shakti, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz with 46,313 MT of Indian LPG in May 2026, was expected to arrive at which Indian port?
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Correct answer: A — Visakhapatnam
MT Sarv Shakti was expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on 13 May 2026.
As a West Asia rationalisation measure, the domestic LPG booking interval in urban areas was raised from 21 days to:
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Correct answer: B — 25 days
The urban booking interval was raised from 21 to 25 days; in rural areas it goes up to 45 days.
CINBAX-II 2026 is a bilateral military exercise between India and which country?
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Correct answer: B — Cambodia
CINBAX-II is the second edition of the India–Cambodia bilateral military exercise, held in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia.
The Indian Army contingent for CINBAX-II 2026 was drawn mainly from a battalion of which regiment?
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Correct answer: C — Maratha Light Infantry
India's 120 personnel were mainly from a battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.
Consider the following statements about exercise CINBAX-II 2026: 1. It is conducted under the framework of Chapter VII of the UN mandate. 2. The Cambodian contingent comprises 160 personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the exercise follows Chapter VII of the UN mandate, and Cambodia fielded 160 personnel against India's 120.
What was the theme of World Press Freedom Day 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security
The 2026 theme was 'Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security'.
In which year was World Press Freedom Day proclaimed by the UN General Assembly?
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Correct answer: B — 1993
The UN General Assembly proclaimed the day in 1993, following a 1991 recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference that responded to the 1991 Windhoek Declaration.
Which city hosted UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day Conference on 4 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Lusaka
UNESCO and the Government of Zambia co-hosted the 2026 conference in Lusaka.
The Indore–Pithampur Economic Corridor, whose first phase's foundation stone was laid on 3 May 2026, is expected to generate employment for about how many people?
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Correct answer: D — 6 lakh
The corridor is expected to create employment for 6 lakh people.
Consider the following statements about the Indore–Pithampur Economic Corridor: 1. Its first-phase foundation stone was laid at Nainod village, Indore, on 3 May 2026. 2. It is planned over about 1,316 hectares. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the foundation was laid at Nainod village, and the corridor is planned over about 1,316 hectares with a 75-metre-wide main road.
Which organisation developed the indigenous Cell Broadcast System launched on 2 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
CBS was developed by C-DOT under the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with NDMA and MHA.
The Cell Broadcast System launched in May 2026 is integrated with which CAP-based alert platform?
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Correct answer: C — SACHET
CBS is integrated with the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based SACHET platform for standardised dissemination of alerts.
Consider the following statements about the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) launched in May 2026: 1. Alerts can be geo-targeted down to the level of individual cell towers. 2. Users cannot disable CBS alerts on their phones. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: CBS can target individual cell towers or clusters, and its alerts cannot be disabled by users.
Which award for disaster management was presented at the launch of the Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia presented the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to individuals and organisations at the launch.