PPSC (Punjab) Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
According to the Prime Minister, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker's visit to India in April 2026 was the first by an Austrian Chancellor in how many years?
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Correct answer: C — 40 years
The Prime Minister said the Austrian Chancellor's visit to India came after 40 years.
During the Austrian Chancellor's visit in April 2026, FSSAI signed a food safety MoU with which Austrian agency?
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Correct answer: A — AGES
The MoU on food safety was between AGES, Austria and FSSAI, India.
Consider the following statements about the India–Austria outcomes of April 2026: 1. A Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Military Matters builds on the India–EU Defence and Security Partnership signed on 27 January 2026. 2. The two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement during the visit. 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 list of outcomes contains no bilateral FTA; it includes a Fast Track Mechanism for Indian and Austrian companies.
With which two regulators did FIU-India sign separate MoUs on 16 April 2026 to combat money laundering?
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Correct answer: B — SEBI and PFRDA
FIU-IND signed separate MoUs with SEBI and PFRDA.
The FIU-IND MoUs of April 2026 state that information exchange with foreign financial intelligence units will follow which principles?
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Correct answer: C — Egmont Principles of Information Exchange
The MoUs will assist exchange of information with foreign FIUs through the Egmont Principles of Information Exchange.
In their phone call of 16 April 2026, PM Modi and President Macron agreed on the need to restore freedom of navigation in which waterway?
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Correct answer: D — Strait of Hormuz
The leaders agreed on the urgent need to restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Who chairs the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) constituted by MeitY in April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Ashwini Vaishnaw
The AIGEG is chaired by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with MoS Jitin Prasada as Vice Chairperson.
The constitution of the AIGEG gives formal effect to institutional recommendations made in which two documents?
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Correct answer: B — AI Governance Guidelines and the Economic Survey
MeitY says the AIGEG gives effect to recommendations in India's AI Governance Guidelines and the Economic Survey.
The Final Conference of WADA's GAIIN, addressed by the Sports Minister in New Delhi in April 2026, relates to which area?
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Correct answer: A — Anti-doping intelligence and investigations
GAIIN is WADA's Global Anti-Doping Intelligence & Investigations Network.
Which statute did the Sports Minister cite in April 2026 as India's statutory framework against doping, later aligned with global standards by a 2025 amendment?
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Correct answer: B — National Anti-Doping Act, 2022
He cited the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Act, 2025.
MoSPI's PAIMANA platform for monitoring Central Sector infrastructure projects replaced which earlier system?
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Correct answer: C — OCMS-2006
PAIMANA, operational from 25 September 2025, replaced the Online Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS-2006).
MoSPI currently monitors infrastructure performance across how many key sectors and sub-indicators?
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Correct answer: A — 11 sectors, 28 sub-indicators
MoSPI monitors 11 key sectors covering 28 sub-indicators.
What is the total central assistance under the Urban Challenge Fund, whose Operational Guidelines were launched on 15 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1 lakh crore
The UCF has central assistance of ₹1 lakh crore; ₹4 lakh crore is the total urban investment it aims to catalyse.
Consider the following statements about the Urban Challenge Fund: 1. Central assistance is limited to 25% of project cost. 2. At least 50% of project funding is to be mobilised through municipal bonds, bank loans and public-private partnerships. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per MoHUA.
How much of the Urban Challenge Fund outlay is earmarked for the Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme (CRGSS)?
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Correct answer: D — ₹5,000 crore
₹5,000 crore is earmarked for the CRGSS; another ₹5,000 crore is for project preparation and capacity building, and ₹90,000 crore for projects.
Consider the following statements about Census 2027: 1. Data collected under the Census Act, 1948 remains confidential and is used only for statistical purposes and development planning. 2. The Self-Enumeration window before field operations lasts 30 days. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct per MHA. Statement 2 is wrong: the Self-Enumeration period is 15 days; the 30-day period is for house-to-house field operations.
Under which law is data collected in Census 2027 kept confidential?
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Correct answer: B — Census Act, 1948
MHA states that all data collected under the Census Act, 1948 remains strictly confidential.
Houselisting field operations of Census 2027 began on 16 April 2026 in a set of States/UTs. Which of the following was NOT among them?
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Correct answer: D — Bihar
The first group was A&N Islands, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Odisha and Sikkim, plus NDMC and Delhi Cantonment. In Bihar, only the Self-Enumeration window was to start, on 17 April.
Which two new priority areas did India introduce at the first BRICS Health Working Group meeting of 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Healthy Lifestyle and Promotion of Mental Wellness
India added 'Healthy Lifestyle' and 'Promotion of Mental Wellness'; the TB Research Network and evidence-based traditional medicine are continuing priorities.
India's theme for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and ______'. Fill in the blank.
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Correct answer: B — Sustainability
The theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', as stated by the Health Ministry.
Under the DoT–SEBI MoU of April 2026, DoT will automatically share the 'MNRL' with SEBI. What does MNRL stand for?
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Correct answer: B — Mobile Number Revocation List
MNRL is the Mobile Number Revocation List, which lets SEBI-regulated entities ensure investor accounts are linked only to active, valid mobile connections.
Consider the following statements about the DoT–SEBI MoU signed on 15 April 2026: 1. DoT will share its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) with SEBI to help identify mobile numbers linked to suspicious patterns. 2. The data exchange will run through DoT's Digital Intelligence Platform, which connects more than 1,400 stakeholders. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the DoT release.
What was the annual rate of inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index for March 2026 (provisional)?
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Correct answer: C — 3.88%
WPI inflation was 3.88% in March 2026; 2.13% was February, 1.68% January, and 6.36% was the Primary Articles group.
Arrange the following major groups of the WPI (base 2011-12) in descending order of their weight: 1. Primary Articles 2. Fuel and Power 3. Manufactured Products Select the correct answer:
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Correct answer: D — 3 – 1 – 2
Weights given in the March 2026 release: Manufactured Products 64.23%, Primary Articles 22.62%, Fuel and Power 13.15%.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, India's total exports (merchandise and services) in FY 2025-26 were estimated at about:
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Correct answer: A — US$ 860 billion
Total exports in FY 2025-26 are estimated at US$ 860.09 billion; US$ 825.26 billion was the FY 2024-25 figure and US$ 441.78 billion was merchandise alone.
Consider the following statements about India's trade data released on 15 April 2026: 1. Merchandise exports in FY 2025-26 grew faster than total exports. 2. Services figures for March 2026 are estimates, because the latest RBI services data is for February 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: merchandise exports grew 0.93% while total exports grew 4.22%. Statement 2 is correct per the release's note.
According to the PLFS monthly bulletin for March 2026, the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above (CWS) was:
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Correct answer: A — 5.1%
MoSPI put the overall unemployment rate at 5.1% in March 2026.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS monthly bulletin for March 2026: 1. The March 2026 bulletin was the first in the monthly PLFS series. 2. Female LFPR in urban areas was higher than in rural areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The March 2026 bulletin is the twelfth in the series, and urban female LFPR (25.2%) was lower than rural female LFPR (38.9%).
The nicotine sensor developed at INST Mohali is based on which material?
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Correct answer: D — Iron metal-organic framework nanospheres
DST says the sensor uses iron (Fe-III) metal-organic framework nanospheres.
Consider the following statements about the INST Mohali nicotine sensor: 1. Cotinine, which the sensor also detects, is a stable biomarker of nicotine present in blood, saliva and urine. 2. The sensor is a 'turn-off' type whose fluorescence weakens when nicotine binds. 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: it is a 'turn-on' sensor; the nanospheres glow brighter when nicotine or cotinine enters their pores.
NHAI said many FASTag–number plate mismatches involve FASTags issued before FASTag issuance was integrated with which database?
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Correct answer: B — VAHAN
NHAI said many mismatches relate to FASTags issued before integration with the VAHAN database, when validation was largely manual.
Consider the following statements about NHAI's April 2026 FASTag directive: 1. FASTag issuer banks must blacklist FASTags found linked to incorrect or invalid vehicle registration numbers. 2. Under Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling, e-Notices to non-compliant vehicles will depend on accurate vehicle identification data. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the NHAI release.
Which birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was observed on 14 April 2026?
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Correct answer: D — 135th
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment marked the 135th birth anniversary.
The Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, which organised the Ambedkar Jayanti event at Prerna Sthal, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
PIB states the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Consider the following statements: 1. Prerna Sthal, where the 135th Ambedkar Jayanti tributes were paid, is in the Parliament House premises in New Delhi. 2. The Chairman of the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation is the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: PIB places Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House premises and names Dr. Virendra Kumar as Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Chairman, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation.
During their phone call on 14 April 2026, PM Modi and US President Trump committed to strengthening which India–US partnership?
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Correct answer: D — Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
The PMO release refers to the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following statements about the Modi–Trump phone conversation of 14 April 2026: 1. The call was made by President Trump to Prime Minister Modi. 2. The leaders stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Malacca open and secure. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: the PM 'received a call' from President Trump. Statement 2 is wrong: the leaders referred to the Strait of Hormuz, in the context of West Asia.
Under the National Highways Fee (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2026, up to what level of excess load is no overload fee charged?
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Correct answer: B — 10%
No overload fee is charged for excess load up to 10%.
Under the revised rules effective 15 April 2026, a vehicle carrying more than 40% excess load on a National Highway is charged:
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Correct answer: C — Four times the base rate
Above 40% excess load, the fee is four times the base rate; over 10% and up to 40% it is twice the base rate.
Consider the following statements about the overload fee rules for National Highways notified in April 2026: 1. Overload fees are to be collected only through FASTag. 2. Where a fee plaza has no weighment facility, the overload fee is charged on the vehicle's declared Gross Vehicle Weight. 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: where weighment facilities are not available at a fee plaza, no overload fee is levied.
According to Dr. M.L. Jat at the NAAS session of April 2026, India's annual fertilizer consumption is nearly:
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Correct answer: D — 33 million tonnes
Dr. Jat said India consumes nearly 33 million tonnes of fertilizers annually, a significant share of it imported.
Consider the following statements about Dr. M.L. Jat, as described in the April 2026 PIB release: 1. He is Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR. 2. He is President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Agriculture release.
India Pharma 2026, which concluded on 14 April 2026, was which edition of the event?
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Correct answer: C — 9th
The Department of Pharmaceuticals describes it as the 9th edition.
India Pharma 2026 was organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in association with:
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Correct answer: B — FICCI and IPA
PIB says the event was organised in association with FICCI and IPA.
In the valedictory address of India Pharma 2026, which three enablers were identified as critical for the next phase of the sector's growth?
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Correct answer: D — Funding, infrastructure and speed
Joint Secretary Satyaprakash T L said discussions converged on funding, infrastructure and speed.
According to IMD's first-stage forecast of April 2026, the 2026 southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over India is expected to be what percentage of the Long Period Average?
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Correct answer: D — 92%
IMD forecast 92% of the LPA with a model error of ±5%, which falls in the below-normal category.
The Long Period Average of India's southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall used by IMD in 2026 is:
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Correct answer: A — 87 cm, based on 1971–2020
IMD states the LPA of seasonal rainfall over the country, based on 1971–2020, is 87 cm.
Consider the following statements from IMD's April 2026 monsoon forecast: 1. The Monsoon Mission Climate Forecast System suggests El Niño conditions may develop during the southwest monsoon season. 2. Indian Ocean Dipole conditions are currently neutral, and positive IOD conditions are likely to develop towards the end of the season. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per IMD.
What is the total corpus of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 notified on 13 April 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000 crore
The scheme has a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
Consider the following statements about Startup India FoF 2.0: 1. It builds on the Fund of Funds for Startups launched in 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan. 2. SIDBI will operationalise the scheme as the Implementation Agency from the date of notification. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The commitments under Startup India FoF 2.0 to eligible Alternative Investment Funds are spread across which Finance Commission cycles?
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Correct answer: B — 16th and 17th
The corpus is for commitments to eligible AIFs spread across the 16th and 17th Finance Commission cycles.
The e-SafeHER programme launched on 13 April 2026 aims to reach how many women in rural India?
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Correct answer: B — One million over three years
e-SafeHER aims to reach one million women across India over three years.
Consider the following statements about e-SafeHER: 1. It is anchored under MeitY's Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) programme. 2. It is being delivered jointly by C-DAC Bengaluru and Reliance Foundation. 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 C-DAC partner is C-DAC Hyderabad.
On which date did the Jallianwala Bagh massacre take place in Amritsar?
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Correct answer: C — 13 April 1919
The Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951 refers to those killed or wounded on 13 April 1919 in Jallianwala Bagh.
The erection and management of the National Memorial at Jallianwala Bagh is provided for by which law, administered by the Ministry of Culture?
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Correct answer: D — Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951
PRS notes that the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act, 1951 (Ministry of Culture) provides for the erection of a National Memorial in memory of those killed or wounded on 13 April 1919 in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, and creates a Trust to manage it.
What was the All India CPI (Combined) inflation rate for March 2026 (provisional), on base year 2024?
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Correct answer: B — 3.40%
Combined CPI inflation was 3.40%; 3.21% was February, 3.87% food inflation and 3.63% rural inflation.
The CPI data released by MoSPI on 13 April 2026 for March 2026 uses which base year?
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Correct answer: D — 2024
The release is for the Consumer Price Index on base 2024=100.
Which item recorded the highest year-on-year inflation at the All India combined level in March 2026 (CPI base 2024)?
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Correct answer: A — Silver jewellery
Silver jewellery topped at 148.61%, followed by gold/diamond/platinum jewellery (45.92%), copra (45.52%) and tomato (35.99%).
Under its MoU with the Labour Ministry, Porter aims to generate how many logistics and driving opportunities by 2030?
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Correct answer: D — Over 30 lakh
Porter targets the creation of over 30 lakh opportunities by 2030.
According to the Labour Minister in April 2026, roughly how many establishments are registered on the National Career Service portal?
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Correct answer: C — 59 lakh
Nearly 59 lakh establishments have registered on NCS; 7 lakh is the number of active vacancies.
ANRF's AI-based platform 'SARAL AI' will produce simplified research content in how many Indian languages?
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Correct answer: B — 18
SARAL AI will produce content including podcasts and short videos in 18 Indian languages.
In the context of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, what does 'MAHA' stand for?
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Correct answer: D — Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas
ANRF's MAHA programmes are 'Mission for Advancement in High Impact Areas'.
What was India's medal haul at the Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para Series?
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Correct answer: A — 13 medals: 7 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze
India won 13 medals — 7 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze — to top the table.
Which country finished second on the medal table at the Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para Series?
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Correct answer: C — Indonesia
Indonesia was second with 6 medals, followed by host Thailand with 5.
How many railway projects were sanctioned by Indian Railways in FY 2025–26, as per the Ministry of Railways?
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Correct answer: B — 100
100 projects worth ₹1.53 lakh crore covering over 6,000 km were sanctioned in FY 2025–26.
The Rowghat–Jagdalpur railway line, highlighted as a tribal-area connectivity project among FY 2025–26 sanctions, is in which State?
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Correct answer: C — Chhattisgarh
The Rowghat–Jagdalpur line is in Chhattisgarh.
Consider the following statements about railway project sanctions: 1. In FY 2024–25, 64 projects worth ₹72,869 crore were sanctioned. 2. Among States, Bihar received the highest number of projects sanctioned in FY 2025–26. 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: Maharashtra had the most projects (17), followed by Bihar (11).
Which department issued the D.O. letter of 9 January 2026 asking States to align their crop bonus policies to promote pulses, oilseeds and millets?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Expenditure
The letter was issued by the Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
Consider the following statements about the Department of Expenditure's January 2026 letter to States: 1. It was a binding directive requiring States to withdraw bonuses on wheat and paddy. 2. It asked States to align their bonus policies to promote pulses, oilseeds and millets. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the Ministry said the letter was an advisory and not a directive. Statement 2 is correct.