PPSC (Punjab) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many Central Observers did the ECI brief on 5–6 February 2026 for the forthcoming Assembly elections?
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Correct answer: C — 1,444
1,444 officers attended: 714 General, 233 Police and 497 Expenditure Observers.
Consider the following: 1. Article 324 of the Constitution vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission. 2. The Central Observers briefed in February 2026 were for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The fifth state was West Bengal, not Karnataka.
About what share of total car transactions on the National Highway network were made through the FASTag Annual Pass, as reported on 6 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 28%
Around 28% of total car transactions on the NH network are now carried out through the Annual Pass.
Which region accounted for the largest share of FASTag Annual Pass transactions, as per data released on 6 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Chandigarh
Chandigarh led with 14% of all Annual Pass transactions, followed by Tamil Nadu (12.3%) and Delhi (11.5%).
The NSO's MCP server launched on 6 February 2026 is for which national portal for official statistics?
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Correct answer: D — eSankhyiki
The beta MCP server was launched for eSankhyiki, the national portal for official statistics.
How many data products did the beta version of NSO's MCP server include at launch on 6 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Seven
The beta covered seven data products: PLFS, CPI, ASI, IIP, NAS, WPI and Environmental Statistics.
The XV FC grants of over ₹1,133 crore announced on 6 February 2026 went to panchayats in which three states?
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Correct answer: D — Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana
The grants were released to Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Telangana.
Consider the following about the Finance Commission under Article 280 of the Constitution: 1. It consists of a Chairman and four other members appointed by the President. 2. It recommends measures to augment a state's Consolidated Fund to supplement the resources of panchayats, based on the State Finance Commission's recommendations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 280(1) provides for a Chairman and four other members, and Article 280(3)(bb) covers measures to supplement panchayat resources.
What record monthly production of P&K fertilisers (DAP and NPKs) did India achieve in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 15.76 LMT
Domestic P&K production reached a record 15.76 lakh metric tonnes in January 2026.
Where did INS Sudarshini make the first port call of her Lokayan 26 voyage, concluded on 5 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Salalah, Oman
INS Sudarshini concluded her first port call of Lokayan 26 at Salalah, Oman, on 5 February 2026.
Consider the following about INS Sudarshini's port call at Salalah: 1. More than 600 visitors, including schoolchildren, toured the ship. 2. Royal Navy of Oman officers were given a guided tour of the ship. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Defence release.
Where were the Terms of Reference for the India–GCC Free Trade Agreement signed on 5 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
The ToR were signed at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal.
According to the Commerce Ministry, the combined GDP of the GCC countries (about US$ 2.3 trillion) ranks where globally?
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Correct answer: C — 9th
The ministry said the GCC's US$ 2.3 trillion GDP at current prices ranks 9th globally.
How many vacancies did UPSC announce for the Civil Services Examination 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 933
The 2026 notification carries 933 Civil Services vacancies; the Indian Forest Service has 80.
Which three cities were added as UPSC Civil Services Mains examination centres for 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bhubaneswar, Srinagar, Imphal
Mains centres rose from 24 to 27 with Bhubaneswar, Srinagar and Imphal; Meerut, Kanpur and Bhubaneswar were added for Prelims.
Consider the following about the Union Public Service Commission under Article 316 of the Constitution: 1. The Chairman and other members of the Union Commission are appointed by the President. 2. A member of the Union Commission holds office for six years or until attaining the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. For the Union Commission the age limit in Article 316(2) is 65 years; 62 years applies to State Commissions.
The digital portal launched by the National Biodiversity Authority in February 2026 issues Certificates of Origin for what?
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Correct answer: B — Cultivated medicinal plants
The portal issues Certificates of Origin to those seeking Access and Benefit Sharing exemptions for cultivated medicinal plants.
Consider the following about the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023: 1. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 25 July 2023 and by the Rajya Sabha on 1 August 2023. 2. The rules providing for electronic Certificates of Origin were notified before the Act was passed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Environment Ministry notified the Biological Diversity Rules in 2024 and 2025, after the 2023 amendment.
Under the revised startup recognition framework announced on 5 February 2026, what is the new turnover limit for a startup?
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Correct answer: D — ₹200 crore
The turnover limit for startup recognition was raised from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore.
What age limit from incorporation applies to the new 'Deep Tech Startup' category?
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Correct answer: C — 20 years
For Deep Tech Startups the age limit was extended from 10 to 20 years, with a turnover limit of ₹300 crore.
Consider the following about the revised startup recognition framework (February 2026): 1. Multi-State Cooperative Societies registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 are now eligible for startup recognition. 2. The turnover limit for a Deep Tech Startup is ₹200 crore, the same as for other startups. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Deep Tech Startups have a higher turnover limit of ₹300 crore; ₹200 crore applies to other startups.
Consider the following about the withdrawal of the wheat stock limit order on 5 February 2026: 1. The withdrawn order was dated 27 May 2025. 2. After withdrawal, wheat stockists no longer need to declare their stock on the food stock portal. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. All wheat-stocking entities must still declare their stock every Friday on foodstock.dfpd.gov.in.
What is India's rank in the Network Readiness Index 2025, released on 4 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 45th
India rose four places, from 49th in 2024 to 45th in NRI 2025.
Which institution prepares the Network Readiness Index?
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Correct answer: D — Portulans Institute, Washington DC
The NRI 2025 report was prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research institute based in Washington DC.
In NRI 2025, India's score improved to what value out of 100?
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Correct answer: B — 54.43
India's score rose from 53.63 in 2024 to 54.43 in 2025.
Consider the following about the Network Readiness Index 2025: 1. It covers 127 economies on four pillars — Technology, People, Governance and Impact — using 53 indicators. 2. India ranked 1st among lower-middle-income countries. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India ranked 2nd in the lower-middle-income group.
Which body launched its first open call under the RDI Fund on 4 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Technology Development Board
The Technology Development Board (TDB) launched its first open call under ANRF's RDI Fund.
TDB's first RDI call offers up to what share of project funding for TRL-4+ technologies?
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Correct answer: C — 50%
The call offers up to 50% project funding for technologies at TRL-4 and above.
Consider the following about the RDI Fund: 1. TDB and BIRAC were approved as its first second-level fund managers. 2. TDB's first call offers collateral-free loans at about 2–4% interest with tenures of up to 15 years. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. TDB and BIRAC were approved as the first second-level fund managers in January 2026, and the first TDB call offers collateral-free loans at 2–4% for up to 15 years.
Who inaugurated the exposition of the Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha in Colombo on 4 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the exposition with the Gujarat Governor and Deputy Chief Minister.
Who led the Indian delegation that accompanied the Devnimori relics to Sri Lanka in February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat
The delegation was led by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.
NMDC's first coal mine, inaugurated in January 2026, is Tokisud North in which state?
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Correct answer: B — Jharkhand
NMDC said its first coal mine, Tokisud North, is in Jharkhand.
Where was the fourth India–Tanzania Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting held on 2–3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Zanzibar
The 4th JDCC was held in Zanzibar; the 3rd had been held in Goa in November 2024.
At the 4th India–Tanzania JDCC, the two sides agreed to start cooperation between which services, complementing existing Navy and Army ties?
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Correct answer: B — Air Forces
Both sides agreed to initiate cooperation between their Air Forces, complementing the existing Navy and Army cooperation.
The MoU signed on 3 February 2026 relates to the establishment of which entity?
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Correct answer: A — Bharat Container Shipping Line
The MoU was for establishing the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
The BCSL MoU aligns with which scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme
The Shipping Ministry said the MoU aligns with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS).
Consider the following about the MoUs signed on 3 February 2026: 1. The Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) is a signatory to the BCSL MoU. 2. The Outer Harbour project being financed is at Kandla (Deendayal Port). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹15,000-crore Outer Harbour project is at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin.
What is the capacity of the Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project in Bhutan, whose early commissioning India and Bhutan discussed on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1,200 MW
Punatsangchhu-I is 1,200 MW; Punatsangchhu-II is 1,020 MW.
Up to which year did India and Bhutan assess cross-border transmission links in their February 2026 talks?
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Correct answer: C — 2040
The two sides assessed cross-border transmission links till 2040.
Consider the following, as stated by the Power Ministry in February 2026: 1. India–Bhutan hydropower cooperation began in 1961. 2. India and Bhutan signed an agreement on hydroelectric power cooperation in 2006. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Power Ministry release.
The evidence-based guidelines released by the Health Minister on 3 February 2026 relate to which cancer?
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Correct answer: D — Lung cancer
J.P. Nadda released the 'Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines'.
How many evidence-based recommendations do the lung cancer guidelines released in February 2026 contain?
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Correct answer: C — 15
The guidelines contain 15 evidence-based recommendations on treatment and palliative care.
Consider the following about the lung cancer guidelines released in February 2026: 1. They were developed by the Department of Health Research and the Directorate General of Health Services with partner institutions. 2. They were released at Nirman Bhawan on World Cancer Day itself. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The guidelines were released at Kartavya Bhavan on 3 February 2026, the eve of World Cancer Day.
What were SAIL's record cumulative sales for April–January FY 2025-26, announced on 3 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 16.6 million tonnes
SAIL sold 16.6 MT in April–January FY26, up 16% from 14.3 MT a year earlier.
Under which scheme are the six sports infrastructure projects whose foundation stones were laid on 3 February 2026 being implemented?
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Correct answer: A — Khelo India Scheme
The six projects, costing ₹82 crore, are under the Khelo India Scheme with SAI support.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026 notified on 2 February 2026, what is the general duty-free allowance for a resident passenger?
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Correct answer: C — ₹75,000
Residents, tourists of Indian origin and foreigners with a non-tourist visa get a ₹75,000 duty-free allowance.
What duty-free allowance do the Baggage Rules, 2026 give a tourist of foreign origin?
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Correct answer: D — ₹25,000
Tourists of foreign origin get ₹25,000; crew members get ₹2,500.
Under the weight-based jewellery allowance in the Baggage Rules, 2026, how much duty-free jewellery can an eligible female passenger bring?
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Correct answer: B — Up to 40 grams
Eligible female passengers may bring up to 40 g and others up to 20 g; the old value caps were removed.
Under the Baggage Rules, 2026, what is the transfer-of-residence cap for a person returning after more than two years abroad?
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Correct answer: C — ₹7.5 lakh
The caps are ₹1.5 lakh (up to 12 months), ₹3 lakh (1–2 years) and ₹7.5 lakh (above 2 years).
Consider the following about the Baggage Rules, 2026: 1. Duty-free import of one laptop by passengers above 18 years has been incorporated into the Rules. 2. Passengers arriving by land borders are entitled to the same ₹75,000 general allowance as air passengers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Passengers arriving by land borders do not get any general duty-free allowance.
On 2 February 2026, President Trump announced that the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods would be cut to 18% from what level?
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Correct answer: B — 25%
Trump said the reciprocal tariff would fall from 25% to 18%.
The separate additional 25% US tariff on Indian goods, which the White House said on 2 February 2026 would be dropped, had been imposed over what?
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Correct answer: D — India's purchases of Russian oil
The additional 25% tariff was imposed in August 2025 over India's purchases of Russian oil.
According to CNN, President Trump said on 2 February 2026 that India would replace its Russian crude imports with oil from which countries?
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Correct answer: B — The United States and Venezuela
CNN reported Trump said Modi agreed to replace Russian crude with oil from Venezuela and the United States.
Consider the following about the US tariff announcement of 2 February 2026: 1. With the additional 25% tariff also dropped, the combined US tariff on Indian goods falls from 50% to 18%. 2. PM Modi's post on X confirmed that India would stop buying Russian oil. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Modi's X post thanked Trump for the 18% tariff but did not mention Russian oil.
Miniratna Category-I status, granted to Yantra India Limited in February 2026, allows its board to approve capital expenditure up to what amount without government approval?
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Correct answer: D — ₹500 crore
Miniratna Category-I status empowers the board to incur capex up to ₹500 crore without government approval.
Yantra India Limited was formed when the Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised on 1 October 2021 into how many new DPSUs?
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Correct answer: B — Seven
The Ordnance Factory Board was corporatised into seven new DPSUs on 1 October 2021.
Consider the following about Yantra India Limited: 1. It is a Schedule 'A' DPSU under the Department of Defence Production. 2. It was the first of the DPSUs carved out of the Ordnance Factory Board to receive Miniratna Category-I status. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Munitions India, Armoured Vehicles Nigam and India Optel received Miniratna-I status earlier, in May 2025.
What is the sampling frame for MoSPI's Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives, proposed to start in April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — National Cooperative Database
The survey's sampling frame is the National Cooperative Database, using the list of functional cooperatives from the Ministry of Cooperation.
Which post did Hari Shankar Verma take charge of on 2 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board
Verma, a 1987-batch IRTS officer, became Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board; he was earlier DG (Safety).
SAIL signed an MoU with RITES on 2 February 2026 mainly for what?
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Correct answer: A — Leasing and maintenance of diesel locomotives
The MoU covers diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance for SAIL's internal rail network at plants and mines.
What reward do the winners of MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026 get?
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Correct answer: D — A chance to interact with the Prime Minister
The winners will get to interact with the Prime Minister.
How much was allocated to the Ministry of Defence in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹7.85 lakh crore
The Ministry of Defence got a record ₹7.85 lakh crore.
What is the defence capital outlay in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2.19 lakh crore
Capital expenditure got ₹2.19 lakh crore, up from ₹1.80 lakh crore in BE 2025-26; ₹1.39 lakh crore is for domestic industry.
The defence allocation in the Union Budget 2026-27 is what share of the estimated GDP for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 2%
The ₹7.85 lakh crore allocation is 2% of estimated GDP.
Consider the following about the defence budget for 2026-27: 1. It accounts for 14.67% of Central Government expenditure, the highest among ministries. 2. The allocation for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme was cut compared with BE 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. ECHS got ₹12,100 crore, 45.49% higher than BE 2025-26.
From when does the new Income Tax Act, 2025 come into effect, as confirmed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Income Tax Act, 2025 comes into effect from 1 April 2026.
To what rate did the Union Budget 2026-27 cut TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes?
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Correct answer: C — 2%
TCS on LRS remittances for education and medical purposes was cut to 2% from 5%.
The Union Budget 2026-27 raised the threshold for availing safe harbour for IT services from ₹300 crore to:
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,000 crore
The safe-harbour threshold for IT services was raised from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore, with a common 15.5% margin.
Consider the following direct tax proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. Interest awarded by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax. 2. The time for revising income tax returns is cut from 31 December to 30 September. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The time to revise returns was extended from 31 December to 31 March, with a nominal fee.