PPSC (Punjab) Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What outlay did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce for Biopharma SHAKTI?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore over 5 years
Biopharma SHAKTI has an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years.
Which of the following states is NOT among those to be supported by the dedicated Rare Earth Corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — Jharkhand
The Rare Earth Corridors will support Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
To what amount did the Union Budget 2026-27 raise the outlay of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?
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Correct answer: B — ₹40,000 crore
The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme outlay was increased to ₹40,000 crore.
Consider the following about Biopharma SHAKTI, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. It includes creating three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and upgrading seven existing ones. 2. It plans a network of over 1,000 accredited India Clinical Trials sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
At what level did the government, in the Budget 2026-27, agree to retain the states' vertical share of devolution as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission?
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Correct answer: C — 41%
The government accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to retain the vertical share at 41%.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 provide to states for 2026-27 as Finance Commission grants?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1.4 lakh crore
₹1.4 lakh crore was provided as Finance Commission grants, as recommended by the 16th Finance Commission.
Consider the following about the Finance Commission grants announced in the Budget 2026-27: 1. They include grants for both rural and urban local bodies. 2. They exclude disaster management grants, which are now funded separately. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ₹1.4 lakh crore includes rural and urban local body grants and disaster management grants.
The sharing of the net proceeds of Union taxes between the Union and the states, on which the Finance Commission's 'vertical devolution' recommendation applies, is provided under which Article?
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Correct answer: A — Article 270
Article 270 provides for the net proceeds of Union taxes and duties to be distributed between the Union and the states.
What public capital expenditure did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹12.2 lakh crore
Public capex was raised to ₹12.2 lakh crore for 2026-27.
Which new fund did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce to reassure private developers about construction-phase risks?
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Correct answer: A — Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund
The Budget announced an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund for risks during development and construction.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, how much will each City Economic Region get for implementing its plan?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,000 crore over 5 years
Each City Economic Region gets ₹5,000 crore over five years through a challenge mode with results-based financing.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. A ₹100 crore incentive is offered to a city for a single municipal bond issue of more than ₹1,000 crore. 2. Dedicated REITs are proposed to recycle real-estate assets of CPSEs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, as listed in the Budget highlights.
What record capital expenditure was planned for Indian Railways in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: A — ₹2,93,030 crore
A record capex of ₹2,93,030 crore was planned for Indian Railways.
The new dedicated freight corridor announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 will connect Dankuni with which city?
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Correct answer: B — Surat
The 2,052 km dedicated freight corridor will link Dankuni in the east with Surat in the west.
Which of the following is NOT among the seven high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi–Amritsar
The seven are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
Consider the following about the transport proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The rollout of 20 new National Waterways will begin with NW-5 in Odisha, linking Talcher and Angul to the ports of Paradip and Dhamra. 2. The Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme aims to raise the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping to 12% by 2047. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct; the target is to raise the share from 6% to 12% by 2047.
The Union Budget 2026-27 proposed reducing the tariff on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20% to:
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Correct answer: B — 10%
The tariff on dutiable goods imported for personal use is to fall from 20% to 10%.
How many drugs or medicines, particularly for cancer patients, did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to exempt from basic customs duty?
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Correct answer: C — 17
BCD is to be exempted on 17 drugs or medicines; separately, 7 more rare diseases were added for personal-import exemptions.
Under the Union Budget 2026-27, until which year has the basic customs duty exemption on goods for nuclear power projects been extended?
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Correct answer: C — 2035
The exemption was extended till 2035 and expanded to all nuclear plants irrespective of capacity.
Consider the following customs proposals in the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The duty-deferral period for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Authorised Economic Operators is raised from 15 to 30 days. 2. The limit for duty-free inputs for seafood exports is raised from 1% to 3% of the previous year's FOB export turnover. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct.
What fiscal deficit target, as a share of GDP, did the Union Budget 2026-27 set for 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — 4.3%
The fiscal deficit in BE 2026-27 is estimated at 4.3% of GDP; RE 2025-26 is 4.4%.
According to the Union Budget 2026-27, what is the Centre's debt-to-GDP ratio estimated at in BE 2026-27?
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Correct answer: C — 55.6%
Debt-to-GDP is estimated at 55.6% in BE 2026-27, down from 56.1% in RE 2025-26.
What is the total expenditure estimated in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — ₹53.5 lakh crore
Total expenditure is estimated at ₹53.5 lakh crore in BE 2026-27; ₹49.6 lakh crore is the RE for 2025-26.
Consider the following about the Union Budget 2026-27: 1. The government says India is on track to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio to 50±1% by 2030-31. 2. The fiscal deficit for 2025-26 in the Revised Estimates was higher than the Budget Estimate of 4.4%. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. RE 2025-26 kept the fiscal deficit at par with BE 2025-26, at 4.4% of GDP.
The Union Budget is constitutionally the 'annual financial statement' laid before both Houses of Parliament. Which Article of the Constitution provides for it?
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Correct answer: B — Article 112
Article 112 requires the President to cause a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for each financial year — the annual financial statement — to be laid before both Houses.
Whom did Carlos Alcaraz beat in the Australian Open 2026 men's singles final on 1 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.
With his Australian Open 2026 title, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest man to achieve what?
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Correct answer: C — Complete a career Grand Slam
By winning his first Australian Open, the 22-year-old became the youngest man to win all four majors — a career Grand Slam.
What is Bharat-VISTAAR, proposed in the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — A multilingual AI tool giving farmers customised advisory
Bharat-VISTAAR is a multilingual AI tool that integrates AgriStack portals and ICAR's package of practices.
Which of the following crops is NOT among the high-value crops the Union Budget 2026-27 said it would support in coastal areas?
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Correct answer: C — Saffron
The crops named were coconut, sandalwood, cocoa and cashew in coastal areas.
Where will NIMHANS-2, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, be set up?
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Correct answer: A — North India
The Budget announced NIMHANS-2 in north India; institutes at Ranchi and Tezpur will be upgraded as regional apex institutions.
How many Regional Medical Hubs to promote medical tourism did the Union Budget 2026-27 announce?
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Correct answer: B — Five
Five Regional Medical Hubs will be established to promote medical value tourism.
Which airport in Punjab was renamed Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport on 1 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Adampur Airport
Adampur Airport was renamed on Sant Ravidass Jayanti; the PM inaugurated a terminal at Halwara the same day.
Halwara Airport, whose terminal building was inaugurated on 1 February 2026, mainly serves which city?
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Correct answer: A — Ludhiana
The PM said the Halwara terminal is a moment of joy for Ludhiana and surrounding areas.
Which of the following sites is among the 15 archaeological sites to be developed as cultural destinations under the Union Budget 2026-27?
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Correct answer: D — Rakhigarhi
The listed sites include Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur and Leh Palace.
How much did the Union Budget 2026-27 allocate to promote sports goods manufacturing?
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Correct answer: A — ₹500 crore
₹500 crore was allocated to promote sports goods manufacturing, alongside the Khelo India Mission.
What is the size of the SME Growth Fund announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to create 'Champion SMEs'?
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Correct answer: D — ₹10,000 crore
A dedicated ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund was announced.
Which two public sector NBFCs did the Union Budget 2026-27 propose to restructure to achieve scale and efficiency?
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Correct answer: A — Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation
The Budget proposed restructuring Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation.
Which country co-chaired the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026 along with India?
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Correct answer: C — United Arab Emirates
The meeting was co-chaired by India and the UAE (MEA via DD News).
Where was the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in 2016?
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Correct answer: A — Manama, Bahrain
MEA: the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in 2016 in Bahrain; the 2026 meeting came after a gap of 10 years.
What was the outcome document of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 2026) called?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi Declaration
The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration (MEA, UAE MoFA, Indian Express); the Manama Declaration was from the first meeting in 2016.
Consider the following statements about the League of Arab States: 1. It has 22 member states. 2. India is a full member of the League. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
MEA: India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body with 22 member states.
Who won the women's singles title at the Australian Open 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final on 31 January 2026.
Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open 2026 women's champion, represents which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kazakhstan
Rybakina is from Kazakhstan; the runner-up Sabalenka is from Belarus.
With the Australian Open 2026, Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam title. Which was her first?
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Correct answer: A — Wimbledon 2022
AP/BBC: Rybakina's first major was Wimbledon 2022; she lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.
Which institute was ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
PIB (31 Jan 2026): IIFT has been ranked first in the Times B-School Ranking 2026.
The UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), whose 64th session India attended in 2026, is a functional commission of which UN body?
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Correct answer: B — UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
PIB: The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
How many route kilometres of Kavach 4.0 did Indian Railways commission on 30 January 2026, the highest in a single day?
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Correct answer: B — 472.3 km
PIB: 472.3 route km were commissioned on 30 January 2026; 324 km (Kota–Mathura) was the previous record and 1,306.3 km is the new total.
Which was the longest of the three sections where Kavach 4.0 was commissioned on 30 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vadodara–Virar
PIB: Vadodara–Virar (344 km) on Western Railway; the others were Tuglakabad–Palwal (35 km) and Manpur–Sarmatanr (93.3 km).
Consider the following statements about Kavach 4.0 (as of 30 January 2026): 1. It is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection system. 2. It had been commissioned in all zones of Indian Railways. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Kavach is indigenous Automatic Train Protection; Kavach 4.0 had been commissioned across five zones (1,306.3 route km), not all zones.
Up to December 2025, the Government of India's total receipts were what share of the Budget Estimates 2025-26?
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Correct answer: C — 72.2%
PIB: Total receipts of ₹25,25,156 crore were 72.2% of BE 2025-26; 66.7% was the expenditure share.
How much was transferred to State Governments as devolution of share of taxes up to December 2025 (FY 2025-26)?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10,38,164 crore
PIB: ₹10,38,164 crore was devolved to states, ₹1,37,014 crore more than the previous year. (₹7,87,935 crore = capex; ₹9,11,059 crore = interest; ₹19,39,254 crore = net tax revenue.)
Consider the following about the Union accounts up to December 2025: 1. Interest payments were more than capital expenditure. 2. Total expenditure was below 70% of the Budget Estimates. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: Interest ₹9,11,059 crore > capital expenditure ₹7,87,935 crore; total expenditure was 66.7% of BE.
Which state's tableau was judged the best among States/UTs at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra
PIB: The top state/UT tableau (judges) was Maharashtra's 'Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta', followed by J&K and Kerala.
Which contingent was adjudged the best marching contingent among the three Services at the Republic Day Parade 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Navy
PIB: Judges chose the Indian Navy as the best marching contingent among the three Services; the Assam Regiment won the Popular Choice poll.
Match the Republic Day Parade 2026 award with the winner: 1. Best CAPF/auxiliary contingent (judges) 2. Best ministry tableau (judges) 3. Best state tableau (Popular Choice) Winners: a. Ministry of Culture b. Delhi Police c. Gujarat
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Correct answer: A — 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
PIB: Delhi Police (best CAPF contingent), Ministry of Culture (best ministry tableau), Gujarat (Popular Choice state tableau).
On 30 January 2026, Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary, PM Modi attended a prayer meeting at which place in New Delhi, besides paying tributes at Rajghat?
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Correct answer: D — Gandhi Smriti
PIB: The PM paid tributes at Rajghat and attended a prayer meeting at Gandhi Smriti.
On which date is National Leprosy Day observed in India, as marked by the Health Ministry in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 30 January
PIB: The Central Leprosy Division observed National Leprosy Day on 30 January 2026 with an outreach at Dilli Haat.
On 30 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi received a phone call from Delcy Rodríguez, Acting President of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Venezuela
PIB: Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez is the Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
What was the theme of the National Commission for Women's 34th Foundation Day (30 January 2026)?
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Correct answer: A — Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran
PIB: The programme was organised around the theme 'Swasthya hi Sashaktikaran'.
A January 2026 study on a 'stealth' coronal mass ejection that caused an intense geomagnetic storm was carried out by researchers of which institute?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru
PIB: The stealth CME was investigated by researchers at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institution under DST; lead author P. Vemareddy.
The UMEED Central Portal, which got new Survey and Lease modules in January 2026, is meant for managing what?
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Correct answer: D — Waqf properties
PIB: UMEED is a centralised digital platform for uploading, verifying and monitoring Waqf properties.
When was the UMEED Central Portal originally inaugurated by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju?
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Correct answer: B — 6 June 2025
PIB: The UMEED Central Portal was inaugurated by Kiren Rijiju on 6 June 2025; the two new modules came on 30 January 2026.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's real GDP growth for FY26 (First Advance Estimate) is estimated at:
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Correct answer: C — 7.4%
PIB: The Survey estimates FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% (GVA 7.3%).
What real GDP growth range does the Economic Survey 2025-26 project for FY27?
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Correct answer: B — 6.8–7.2%
PIB: Real GDP growth for FY27 is projected at 6.8–7.2%, with potential growth around 7%.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, the gross NPA ratio of scheduled commercial banks fell to a multi-decade low of:
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Correct answer: A — 2.2%
PIB: Gross NPAs reached a multi-decadal low of 2.2% in September 2025.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. The share of private final consumption expenditure in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26. 2. Domestic inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: PFCE share in GDP rose to 61.5% in FY26 and domestic inflation averaged 1.7% for April–December 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's foreign exchange reserves as of 16 January 2026 stood at about:
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Correct answer: B — USD 701.4 billion
PIB: Forex reserves rose to USD 701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports. (USD 825.3 billion = total exports in FY25.)
How many weighted items does the basket of the new CPI 2024 series have, as per the Expert Group report released in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 358
PIB: The CPI 2024 item basket comprises 358 weighted items mapped to 12 divisions as per COICOP 2018.
Which survey provides the item weights for the new CPI 2024 series?
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Correct answer: D — Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24
PIB: The Expert Group recommended updating the CPI basket and weights using HCES 2023-24.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, what was India's rank in the Global Innovation Index 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 38th
PIB: India's GII rank improved from 66th in 2019 to 38th in 2025.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, how many semiconductor manufacturing and packaging projects had been approved, with cumulative investment of ₹1.60 lakh crore?
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Correct answer: C — 10
PIB: Ten semiconductor projects with ₹1.60 lakh crore investment have been approved in 6 states.
Which three Indian cities feature among the world's top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters, as noted in the Economic Survey 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai
PIB: Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai feature among the top 50 most innovation-intensive clusters worldwide.
In January 2026, which mineral was notified as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957?
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Correct answer: A — Coking coal
PIB (29 Jan 2026): The Government notified coking coal as a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act, 1957.
India's coking coal resources, estimated at 37.37 billion tonnes, are largely located in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Jharkhand
PIB: Coking coal resources are largely in Jharkhand, with more in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about the January 2026 notification on coking coal: 1. Coking coal was included in Part D of the First Schedule of the MMDR Act, which lists critical and strategic minerals. 2. Royalty and auction premium from such mining leases will now go to the Central Government instead of the states. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB: Coking coal was added to Part D. Under Section 11D(3), royalty, auction premium and other payments continue to accrue to the State Governments.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's remittance inflows in FY25 were:
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Correct answer: C — USD 135.4 billion
PIB: India remains the world's largest recipient of remittances with inflows of USD 135.4 billion in FY25.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's total exports (merchandise and services) in FY25 reached a record of:
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Correct answer: C — USD 825.3 billion
PIB: Total exports reached a record USD 825.3 billion in FY25; services alone were USD 387.6 billion.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, India's share of global merchandise exports in 2024 was about:
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Correct answer: B — 1.8%
PIB: India's share of global merchandise exports nearly doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024.