PPSC (Punjab) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Where was the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad held in July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Tashkent
The 58th IChO was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 10 to 19 July 2026.
What was the Indian team's medal tally at the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad?
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Correct answer: D — All four gold
All four Indian students won gold, India's first all-gold haul at the IChO.
Consider the following statements about the 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (2026): 1. The Olympiad had 363 students from 93 countries. 2. India was placed first in the country-wise tally, jointly with China, Vietnam and Individual Participants Group B. 3. The Olympiad was held in Vilnius, Lithuania. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: IChO 2026 was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Vilnius hosted the Biology Olympiad.
Against how many restaurants did the CCPA initiate suo motu action in July 2026 for levying service charge by default?
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Correct answer: B — 41
CCPA initiated suo motu action against 41 restaurants based on National Consumer Helpline complaints.
Under which section of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 did the CCPA find the default levy of service charge to be an unfair trade practice?
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Correct answer: D — Section 2(47)
CCPA held that the practice amounts to an unfair trade practice under Section 2(47) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
What was India's medal tally at the 37th International Biology Olympiad (2026)?
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Correct answer: B — 1 gold and 3 silver
All four Indian students won medals: 1 gold and 3 silver.
Which Indian student won the gold medal at the 37th International Biology Olympiad in Vilnius?
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Correct answer: D — Bhavyaa Gunwal
Bhavyaa Gunwal of Mahendragarh, Haryana, won gold; the other three won silver.
The NAMASTE scheme for sanitation workers is jointly implemented by which two ministries?
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Correct answer: A — Social Justice and Empowerment, and Housing and Urban Affairs
NAMASTE is jointly implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
How many waste pickers have been validated under the NAMASTE scheme, as per the July 2026 update?
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Correct answer: C — Over 2,81,000
Over 2,81,000 waste pickers and over 89,000 sewer and septic tank workers have been validated.
Who chaired the all-party meeting held on 19 July 2026 ahead of the Monsoon Session?
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Correct answer: D — Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting; it was called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.
How many sittings were planned for the Monsoon Session 2026 of Parliament?
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Correct answer: C — 19
The session was to provide 19 sittings over 25 days, from 20 July to 13 August 2026.
How many leaders and parties attended the all-party meeting of 19 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 58 leaders from 40 parties
The meeting was attended by 58 leaders from 40 political parties, including Ministers.
On 19 July 2026, PM Modi paid tributes on the birth anniversary of which revolutionary?
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Correct answer: D — Mangal Pandey
PM Modi paid tributes to Mangal Pandey on his birth anniversary on 19 July 2026.
Which film won the Best Feature Film award at the 72nd National Film Awards (for 2024), announced on 18 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Article 370
Article 370, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, won Best Feature Film.
Who shared the Best Actor in a Leading Role award with Kartik Aaryan at the 72nd National Film Awards?
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Correct answer: B — Mammootty
Mammootty (Bramayugam) and Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) shared the Best Actor award.
Randeep Hooda won the Best Debut Director award at the 72nd National Film Awards for which film?
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Correct answer: D — Swatantrya Veer Savarkar
Randeep Hooda won Best Debut Director for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar.
Match the 72nd National Film Awards categories with the winners: 1. Best Actress — Yami Gautam 2. Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment — Kalki 2898 AD 3. Best Documentary — Bhangaar Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Pairs 1 and 2 are correct. Pair 3 is wrong: Ram-Nami won Best Documentary, while Bhangaar won Best Non-Feature Film.
How many redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations did PM Modi dedicate to the nation on 18 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 75
PM Modi dedicated 75 redeveloped Amrit Bharat Stations across 20 States.
What was the approximate combined cost of redeveloping the 75 Amrit Bharat Stations dedicated on 18 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1,570 crore
The 75 stations were redeveloped at a combined cost of about ₹1,570 crore.
Consider the following statements about the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: 1. The 18 July 2026 dedication was the second major nationwide dedication of redeveloped stations under the scheme. 2. The earlier dedication on 22 May 2025 covered 103 stations across 18 States and UTs. 3. The 75 stations dedicated on 18 July 2026 are spread across 25 States. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the 75 stations are spread across 20 States.
How many downloads had the Aadhaar App crossed, as announced by UIDAI on 18 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 40 million
The Aadhaar App crossed 40 million (4 crore) downloads.
Until when has the email update feature (earlier priced at ₹75) been made free on the Aadhaar App?
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Correct answer: D — 31 December 2026
The email update feature, earlier priced at ₹75, is free on the Aadhaar App till 31 December 2026.
Which body hosted the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026 on its website on 18 July 2026 for public consultation?
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Correct answer: B — Bar Council of India
The Bar Council of India hosted the draft Bill on its official website on 18 July 2026.
What was the last date for submitting comments on the Draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 31 July 2026
Comments were invited on or before 31 July 2026 (3:00 PM).
Which categories of projects got a limited exemption from ALMM List-II (solar PV cells) till 31 December 2026, as decided by MNRE on 18 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Net-metering and open-access RE projects
MNRE gave the limited window only to net-metering projects and open-access renewable energy projects; there is no blanket extension.
Consider the following statements about MNRE's 18 July 2026 decision on ALMM List-II: 1. ALMM List-II relates to solar PV cells. 2. The earlier exemption for net-metering and open-access projects ran till 31 May 2026. 3. MNRE granted a blanket extension of ALMM List-II applicability for all solar projects. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: MNRE said there will be no blanket extension.
Where was the 3rd India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Ministerial Meeting, co-chaired by Piyush Goyal in July 2026, held?
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Correct answer: C — Brussels
Goyal co-chaired the 3rd India–EU TTC Ministerial Meeting in Brussels.
After the EU listed 21 more Indian fishery establishments at the 3rd India–EU TTC, what became the total number of approved Indian establishments?
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Correct answer: A — 625
With 21 more listed, the total of approved Indian fishery establishments reached 625.
With which country did India agree to advance technical talks on interoperability between UPI and that country's 'Bizum' payments platform during Piyush Goyal's July 2026 visit?
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Correct answer: D — Spain
India and Spain agreed to advance technical discussions on UPI–Bizum interoperability; Goyal also outlined the '10×10×10' vision for India–Spain ties.
Smt. Chennamma, whose passing the PM condoled on 18 July 2026, was the wife of which former Prime Minister?
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Correct answer: A — H.D. Deve Gowda
Smt. Chennamma was the wife of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.
Which State ranked first among Large States in NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index released in July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat
Gujarat ranked first among Large States, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Which State topped the Hilly and North-Eastern States category of the Investment Friendliness Index?
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Correct answer: C — Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand ranked highest among Hilly and North-Eastern States, followed by Assam and Himachal Pradesh.
How many indicators does NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index framework comprise?
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Correct answer: A — 84
The IFI framework has 84 indicators across eight pillars, including investor-perception measures.
Consider the following statements about the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI): 1. The IFI covers all 28 States and 8 Union Territories. 2. Goa topped the City States and Union Territories category. 3. The development of the IFI was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct as per NITI Aayog's release.
On whom did Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya confer its first-ever honorary Ph.D. at its 4th Convocation on 17 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — E. Sreedharan
GSV conferred its first-ever Ph.D. (Honoris Causa) on E. Sreedharan, the 'Metro Man of India'.
Which degree did Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya award for the first time at its 4th Convocation?
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Correct answer: D — MBA in Metro Rail Management
For the first time, GSV awarded an MBA degree in Metro Rail Management.
What penalty did the CCPA impose on SpiceJet for dark patterns on its flight booking platform (announced 17 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1 lakh
CCPA imposed a penalty of ₹1,00,000 on SpiceJet Limited.
Automatic enrolment of consumers into SpiceJet's loyalty programme through a pre-ticked checkbox was flagged by CCPA as which dark pattern?
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Correct answer: C — Forced Action
CCPA classified the pre-ticked automatic enrolment into the SpiceClub Loyalty Programme as 'Forced Action'.
The commencement of which two laws was notified by the Government of India, as announced on 17 July 2026, to strengthen the anti-doping framework?
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Correct answer: D — National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025
The Government notified the commencement of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025.
India's anti-doping Acts fulfil India's obligations under which international convention?
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Correct answer: B — UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport
The Acts fulfil India's obligations under the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport and align with the World Anti-Doping Code.
Where is Bharat Tex 2026, described as the world's largest integrated textile event, being held?
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Correct answer: C — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Bharat Tex 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
About how much textile investment was committed in the first three days of Bharat Tex 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹14,300 crore
Bharat Tex 2026 catalysed around ₹14,300 crore of textile investment commitments with 30+ MoUs.
Who chaired the 12th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety held on 17 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chairman, Central Water Commission
The 12th NCDS meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chairman, Central Water Commission.
Who authored the book 'RSS @100: A Century of Service, Unity & Sacrifice', released by the Vice-President on 17 July 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Shyam Jaju and Anupam Trivedi
The book is authored by Shyam Jaju and Anupam Trivedi.
What bioeconomy size does NITI Aayog's roadmap launched on 16 July 2026 target for India by 2035?
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Correct answer: B — $691 billion
The roadmap targets $691 billion by 2035 and $2.6 trillion by 2047.
How many National BioMissions does NITI Aayog's bioeconomy roadmap recommend as execution platforms?
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Correct answer: D — Six
A central recommendation is the creation of six National BioMissions.
As per NITI Aayog's roadmap, what share of India's GDP did the bioeconomy contribute in 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 4.8%
India's bioeconomy was $195.3 billion in 2025, contributing 4.8% to national GDP.
Consider the following statements about the bioeconomy roadmap launched on 16 July 2026: 1. The roadmap was developed by the NITI Frontier Tech Hub. 2. India's bioeconomy grew from $10 billion in 2014 to $195.3 billion in 2025. 3. At the launch, India's first Engineering Biology graduation course was announced. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct as per the NITI Aayog and Ministry of Science & Technology releases.
Who was appointed Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, as announced on 16 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Srinivasa Kumar Tummala
The ACC approved the appointment of Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala as Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Before his appointment as MoES Secretary, Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala headed the IOTWMS Secretariat of UNESCO-IOC in which city?
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Correct answer: A — Perth
Tummala was Head of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System Secretariat, UNESCO-IOC, Perth, Australia.
How many improved crop varieties did ICAR develop over the past year, as stated on its 98th Foundation Day (16 July 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — 386
ICAR developed 386 improved varieties across 44 crops over the past year.
ICAR Foundation Day, observed on 16 July, marks the Council's establishment in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 1928
ICAR Foundation Day commemorates the establishment of the Council in 1928.
Consider the following statements about the varieties ICAR developed over the past year: 1. The varieties cover 44 crops. 2. 94% of the varieties are climate-resilient. 3. 29 of the varieties are biofortified. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct: 386 varieties across 44 crops, 94% climate-resilient and 29 biofortified.
PM Modi conveyed condolences to Qatar's Amir on 16 July 2026 on the passing of the Father Amir. Who was the Father Amir?
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Correct answer: A — Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
The Father Amir of Qatar was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; the current Amir is Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
PM Modi's Rath Yatra greetings on 16 July 2026 sought the blessings of which deity?
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Correct answer: D — Mahaprabhu Jagannath
The PM sought the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on Rath Yatra.
On which date did the India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) enter into force?
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Correct answer: B — 15 July 2026
CETA and the Double Contribution Convention entered into force on 15 July 2026.
India–UK CETA provides zero-duty access to approximately what share of India's exports to the UK?
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Correct answer: D — 99%
CETA gives zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India's exports, covering almost 100% of trade value.
Under the India–UK Double Contribution Convention that came into force with CETA, the exemption period for Indian workers on temporary assignment in the UK was raised to how many years?
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Correct answer: A — 5 years
The DCC exemption from UK social security contributions was increased from 3 years to 5 years.
Consider the following statements about the India–UK CETA: 1. Negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025 after fourteen rounds. 2. CETA was signed in London on 24 July 2025. 3. The Double Contribution Convention was signed on the same day as CETA. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Double Contribution Convention was signed later, on 10 February 2026.
What is the total outlay of Semicon 2.0, approved by the Union Cabinet on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1,27,500 crore
Semicon 2.0 has a total budget outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
On how many pillars is Semicon 2.0 built?
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Correct answer: A — Six
Semicon 2.0 has six pillars: design, machines and materials, fabs, ATMP/OSAT, R&D, and talent development.
According to the Semicon 2.0 Cabinet release, in which year is India's first semiconductor fab scheduled to be commissioned?
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Correct answer: D — 2028
The release states that the first fab is scheduled to be commissioned in 2028.
Consider the following statements about India's semiconductor programmes: 1. The Semicon India programme was approved by the Cabinet in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. 2. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was set up under the 2021 programme to drive the sector. 3. Under ISM 1.0, twelve semiconductor manufacturing units have been approved. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct: the Cabinet approved the ₹76,000-crore programme and set up ISM on 15 December 2021, and twelve units have been approved under ISM 1.0.
How many skill categories are covered by the IndiaSkills Competition 2026–27 guidelines unveiled on World Youth Skills Day 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 63
The guidelines cover 63 industry-relevant skill categories.
What is the approximate size of the proposed Skills Outcomes Fund announced by MSDE on World Youth Skills Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — ₹530 crore
MSDE proposed a Skills Outcomes Fund of about ₹530 crore combining government, CSR and philanthropic capital.
What Return on Equity (RoE) band does NIPU-2026 introduce for new urea plants?
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Correct answer: D — 12% to 16%
NIPU-2026 introduces a viable RoE band with a floor of 12% and a ceiling of 16%.
Which body approved the National Investment Policy for Urea-2026 (NIPU-2026) on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
The CCEA chaired by the Prime Minister approved NIPU-2026 on the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers.
Consider the following statements about urea investment policies: 1. Under the New Investment Policy (NIP)-2012, six new urea units were set up. 2. The investment window under NIP-2012 expired in October 2019. 3. India currently has 33 operational urea manufacturing units. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct as per the Department of Fertilizers' Cabinet release.
What is the budgetary outlay of the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) approved on 15 July 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹62,500 crore
The Cabinet approved MPMS with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore.
What additional incentive does MPMS provide on eligible sales for design and R&D to build Indian brands?
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Correct answer: C — 3%
MPMS gives an additional 3% incentive on eligible sales for design and R&D of the product to build Indian brands.
Consider the following statements about the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS): 1. The scheme runs from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. 2. India is the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer by volume. 3. The scheme gives a flat 10% incentive on all eligible sales. 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 incentive is at differentiated rates of 2.25% to 5%, with extra incentives for domestic sourcing and design.