PPSC (Punjab) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which startup's indigenous technology was used for the 1,000-km quantum communication network demonstrated under the National Quantum Mission?
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Correct answer: A — QNu Labs
DST said the milestone was achieved using indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission.
What is the National Quantum Mission's target for quantum communication network length over an eight-year period?
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Correct answer: D — 2,000 km
DST said the 1,000-km demonstration marks progress against the mission's target of 2,000 km over eight years.
What is the approximate tentative budgetary requirement for Nutrient Based Subsidy on P&K fertilisers for Kharif 2026, as approved on 8 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹41,533.81 crore
The Cabinet put the Kharif 2026 requirement at about ₹41,533.81 crore, around ₹4,317 crore more than Kharif 2025's ₹37,216.15 crore.
Since when has subsidy on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers been governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2010
The Cabinet release says subsidy on P&K fertilisers has been governed by the NBS scheme with effect from 1 April 2010.
On departing Malé on 8 April 2026, IOS SAGAR (INS Sunayna) held a Passage Exercise with which Maldivian vessel?
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Correct answer: B — MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee
The Defence Ministry said the ship held a PASSEX with the MNDF Coast Guard Ship Ghazee on departure.
IOS SAGAR's multinational crew during its April 2026 Maldives visit included personnel from how many friendly foreign countries?
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Correct answer: C — 16
The Defence Ministry said the multinational crew comprised personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries.
Where in Egypt is the fourth India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise, Cyclone-IV, being held in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Anshas
The Defence Ministry said Cyclone-IV is scheduled at Anshas from 9 to 17 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Cyclone-IV: 1. It is the fourth edition of the India–Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise. 2. The previous edition of the exercise was also held in Egypt. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Defence Ministry said Cyclone-IV follows the successful conduct of the previous edition in India.
According to NITI Aayog's 'From Borrowers to Builders' report (April 2026), what credit portfolio do women borrowers in India hold, and what share of system credit is it?
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Correct answer: B — ₹76 lakh crore; 26%
The report says women borrowers hold a ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio, 26% of total system credit. ₹16 lakh crore was the 2017 figure.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report released on 7 April 2026: 1. It is the second edition of 'From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India's Evolving Credit Market'. 2. Credit penetration among women rose from 19% to 36% between December 2017 and December 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per NITI Aayog's release on the report.
Under NITI Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the 'From Borrowers to Builders' report was prepared by which organisations?
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Correct answer: D — TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting
NITI Aayog said the report, under the aegis of WEP, was prepared by TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting (MSC).
What is the outlay of the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets?
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Correct answer: B — ₹7,280 crore
The Ministry of Heavy Industries said the scheme has an outlay of ₹7,280 crore.
Consider the following statements about the rare earth permanent magnet scheme: 1. The government will select a maximum of five entities through bidding. 2. Each selected entity can set up facilities of up to 1,200 MTPA, adding up to a maximum of 6,000 MTPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: MHI said at most five entities will be selected, each with up to 1,200 MTPA, for a total of up to 6,000 MTPA.
The rare earth permanent magnet facilities sought under the ₹7,280 crore scheme are for which type of magnet?
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Correct answer: D — Sintered NdFeB
The RFP is for integrated sintered NdFeB (neodymium–iron–boron) rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing facilities.
Which two cooperatives were congratulated by Amit Shah on 7 April 2026 for crossing ₹1 lakh crore annual turnover in 2025–26?
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Correct answer: A — Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul
The Ministry of Cooperation said Shah congratulated Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul.
In which financial year did Saraswat Cooperative Bank and Amul cross ₹1 lakh crore in annual turnover, as per the Ministry of Cooperation?
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Correct answer: B — 2025–26
Amit Shah's message refers to crossing the ₹1 lakh crore annual turnover mark in 2025–26.
PM Modi congratulated To Lam on 7 April 2026 on his election to which office?
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Correct answer: B — President of Vietnam
The PMO said Modi congratulated To Lam on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
In his message to Vietnam's To Lam on 7 April 2026, PM Modi spoke of deepening which partnership?
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Correct answer: A — Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Modi said he looked forward to deepening the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Guru Tegh Bahadur, whose Parkash Purab was marked on 7 April 2026, was which Guru of Sikhism?
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Correct answer: D — Ninth
The Home Ministry release describes Guru Tegh Bahadur as the ninth Guru of Sikhism.
By which title is Guru Tegh Bahadur revered, as cited in the Home Minister's Parkash Purab message of April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Hind di Chadar
Amit Shah's message refers to 'Hind di Chadar' Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.
Doordarshan (Prasar Bharati) signed an MoU on 7 April 2026 with which body to expand the global reach of Indian cultural content?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
The I&B Ministry said Doordarshan signed the MoU with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Consider the following statements about the Doordarshan–ICCR MoU: 1. It provides for joint ownership of content rights, including digital rights, in perpetuity. 2. It was signed on 7 April 2026 at Doordarshan Bhawan, New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the I&B Ministry release.
Under the ICAR Special Task Force's framework (April 2026), the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' campaign will prioritise how many aspirational districts?
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Correct answer: A — 100
ICAR said the widened MGMG campaign will prioritise 100 aspirational districts.
The ICAR Special Task Force emphasised 'DSR' as a mechanical intervention. What does DSR stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Direct Seeding of Rice
The ICAR release refers to mechanical solutions including Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR).
Tejveer Singh assumed charge on 7 April 2026 as Secretary of which department?
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Correct answer: D — Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
PIB said Tejveer Singh assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
Nivedita Shukla Verma, outgoing Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, has been appointed Secretary of which department?
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Correct answer: A — Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
PIB said she has been appointed Secretary, DARPG, with additional charge of the Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare.
Which body launched the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) in April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Statistics Office, MoSPI
MoSPI said the National Statistics Office (NSO) launched the first-ever ASISSE.
Which database is used as the sampling frame for the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)?
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Correct answer: B — GSTN database
MoSPI said the survey uses the GSTN database as its sampling frame.
Consider the following statements about ASISSE: 1. Its reference period is the financial year 2024-25. 2. It covers unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises, which were earlier covered by the Annual Survey of Industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: ASISSE covers incorporated enterprises (companies and LLPs); unincorporated enterprises are covered by ASUSE, and the ASI covers registered manufacturing.
What is the total value of the safety, signalling and communication works approved by Indian Railways, as announced on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,364.45 crore
The Ministry of Railways said projects worth ₹1,364.45 crore were approved. ₹2,950 crore and ₹4,871 crore are sub-umbrella and umbrella figures, and ₹27,693 crore is the Kavach umbrella work.
Which version of Kavach equipment is to be installed on 232 Southern Railway locomotives under the works approved in April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Version 4.0
The ministry said the work covers installation of Kavach Version 4.0 equipment on 232 locomotives.
Electronic interlocking worth ₹578.02 crore is to replace panel interlocking at 49 stations in which railway zone?
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Correct answer: D — South Central Railway
The ministry said electronic interlocking at 49 stations on high-density routes is in South Central Railway.
The BCAS–Rashtriya Raksha University MoU of 6 April 2026 is for setting up a testing centre mainly for which equipment?
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Correct answer: D — Full body scanners and other airport security screening equipment
The Civil Aviation Ministry said the centre will conduct trials, evaluation and certification of full body scanners and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.
Consider the following statements about the BCAS–RRU MoU: 1. Rashtriya Raksha University was established in 2010. 2. The MoU was signed at the RRU campus in Gandhinagar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the minister's remarks in the release. Statement 2 is wrong: the MoU was signed in New Delhi.
What cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) did the Government e Marketplace (GeM) report on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹18.4 lakh crore
The Commerce Ministry said GeM achieved a cumulative GMV of ₹18.4 lakh crore; over ₹5 lakh crore was in 2025-26 alone.
What share of total orders on GeM in 2025-26 was executed by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)?
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Correct answer: B — 68%
The ministry said MSEs executed 68% of total orders, accounting for 47.1% of GMV.
Scientists from which institution developed the 'paired biometric threshold' to distinguish cereal pollen from wild grass pollen in the Central Ganga Plain?
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Correct answer: B — Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences
DST said the study was by scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institution of DST, with collaborators.
Consider the following statements about the BSIP pollen study released in April 2026: 1. Cereal pollen generally exceeds 46 µm in grain diameter and 9 µm in annulus size, pearl millet being an exception. 2. The study was published in the journal Nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is the threshold reported by DST. Statement 2 is wrong: the study was published in The Holocene (SAGE).
Narendra Bhooshan assumed charge on 6 April 2026 as Secretary of which department?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Land Resources
The Ministry of Rural Development said he assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Land Resources.
Narendra Bhooshan, the new Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, belongs to which IAS batch and cadre?
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Correct answer: A — 1992 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre
The release says he is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
According to 'Market for Textiles & Clothing: National Household Survey 2024', what was the market size of textiles in India in 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹14.95 lakh crore
The Textiles Committee study puts the market size of textiles at ₹14.95 lakh crore in 2024; ₹12.02 lakh crore is the domestic market and ₹8.77 lakh crore is household demand.
As per the National Household Survey 2024 on textiles, which fibre category had the largest share of the product basket?
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Correct answer: D — Man-made fibre (MMF) and blended products
MMF and blended products contributed 52.2%, followed by cotton at 41.2%, silk at 5.2% and wool at 1.3%.
How many Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) were generated between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, as reported for DLC Campaign 4.0?
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Correct answer: D — Over 1.91 crore
DoPPW said over 1.91 crore DLCs were generated in this period; 1.16 crore is the number made using face authentication.
Consider the following statements about Digital Life Certificate Campaign 4.0: 1. More than 60% of DLCs in the period were generated using face authentication technology. 2. The campaign was held from 1 to 30 November 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per DoPPW: over 1.16 crore DLCs (more than 60%) used face authentication, and the campaign ran from 1 to 30 November 2025.
How many newly elected or re-elected members did Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan administer the oath to on 6 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 19
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat said the Chairman administered the oath or affirmation to nineteen members.
With reference to Article 99 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: 1. Every member of either House of Parliament must make and subscribe an oath or affirmation before the President, or a person appointed by the President, before taking the seat. 2. The form of this oath or affirmation is set out in the Fourth Schedule. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 restates Article 99. Statement 2 is wrong: Article 99 says the form is set out in the Third Schedule.
On which date is National Maritime Day observed in India?
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Correct answer: B — 5 April
National Maritime Day is observed on 5 April, the date of the SS Loyalty's voyage in 1919.
National Maritime Day commemorates the 1919 voyage of which ship?
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Correct answer: D — SS Loyalty
The Hindu and The Times of India both say the day marks the SS Loyalty's voyage from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919.
Consider the following statements about the SS Loyalty, whose voyage is commemorated on National Maritime Day: 1. It was owned by the Scindia Steam Navigation Company. 2. Its 1919 voyage was from Kolkata to Singapore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the voyage was from Mumbai to London.
What share of LPG deliveries were Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) based as per the government update of 5 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 90%
The update said DAC-based deliveries rose from 53% in February 2026 to 90%.
To what was the LPG cylinder booking interval in urban areas raised, as part of the measures noted on 5 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 25 days
The update said the interval was raised from 21 to 25 days in urban areas and up to 45 days in rural areas.
According to the 5 April 2026 update, how many passengers had returned to India from the West Asia region since 28 February?
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Correct answer: A — Over 7,02,000
The update said over 7,02,000 passengers had returned to India since 28 February.
The first-ever 'Administrative Capacity Building' programme launched on 5 April 2026 under Mission Karmayogi is aimed at which group?
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Correct answer: A — Scientists and academicians
DoPT said the programme is for scientists and academicians moving into leadership roles.
On 5 April 2026, the Capacity Building Commission signed an MoU with which institution for global knowledge partnerships in capacity building?
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Correct answer: D — Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
The release says the MoU was between the Capacity Building Commission and RIS.
Who is the Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission, as per the DoPT release of 5 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — S. Radha Chauhan
The release names S. Radha Chauhan as Chairperson; Alka Mittal is Member (Administration) of the CBC.
Which Union Minister took cognisance of crop damage from hailstorms and heavy rainfall in several states on 5 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Shivraj Singh Chouhan
The Agriculture Ministry said Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took cognisance.
Consider the following statements about the Agriculture Minister's response on 5 April 2026: 1. He directed ministry officials to review crop damage caused by hailstorms and heavy rain. 2. He said he would discuss the damage with the agriculture ministers of the affected states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Agriculture Ministry release.
Where was the Global Conference of Meditation Leaders addressed by the Vice President on 5 April 2026 held?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
The Vice President's Secretariat said the conference was held at Bharat Mandapam.
Which Tamil sage did the Vice President cite at the Global Conference of Meditation Leaders, describing the body as a temple and meditation as a means to realise the Divine within?
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Correct answer: D — Thirumoolar
The Vice President recalled the teachings of the Tamil sage Thirumoolar.
What record freight loading did Indian Railways achieve in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 1,670 million tonnes
The Railway Ministry said freight loading reached a historic high of 1,670 million tonnes.
How many locomotives did Indian Railways produce in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — 1,674
The ministry said 1,674 locomotives were produced; 6,677 is the number of LHB coaches.
Consider the following statements about Indian Railways' performance in 2025-26: 1. The Kavach system has been commissioned over more than 3,100 route km. 2. 35 stations were redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme during the year. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: 119 stations were redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme; 35 is the number of Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals commissioned.
What was the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment's highest-ever expenditure in 2025-26?
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Correct answer: A — ₹11,810.82 crore
Dr Virendra Kumar said the department spent ₹11,810.82 crore in 2025-26; ₹10,409 crore was the 2024-25 figure.
By roughly what percentage did the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment's expenditure grow in 2025-26 over 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — Nearly 14%
The ministry said the increase was nearly 14% over the ₹10,409 crore spent in 2024-25.
What was the value of India's marine product exports in 2024-25, as per the Department of Fisheries?
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Correct answer: D — ₹62,408 crore
The department said marine exports rose to ₹62,408 crore in 2024-25; ₹43,334 crore was the shrimp component and ₹30,213 crore the 2013-14 figure.
Which country was the largest destination for India's seafood exports in 2024-25?
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Correct answer: A — United States
The United States accounted for 36.42% of total export value in 2024-25.
What was India's fish production in 2024-25, according to the Department of Fisheries?
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Correct answer: B — 197.75 lakh tonnes
Fish production rose from 141.64 lakh tonnes in 2019-20 to 197.75 lakh tonnes in 2024-25.
Under which provision is an employed elector entitled to a paid holiday on polling day?
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Correct answer: C — Section 135B of the RP Act, 1951
The ECI cited Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
As per the ECI schedule cited on 3 April 2026, on which date was the second phase of polling in West Bengal?
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Correct answer: A — 29 April 2026
The ECI listed West Bengal polling on 23 April (Phase I) and 29 April 2026 (Phase II).
Consider the following statements about the paid holiday on polling day, as clarified by the ECI: 1. Employers may deduct wages for the polling-day holiday if the worker is a casual or daily-wage worker. 2. Electors working outside their constituency but registered in a constituency going to polls are not entitled to the paid holiday. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct: the ECI said no wages may be deducted and casual and daily-wage workers are entitled, and electors working outside their constituency are also entitled.