RPSC RAS Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which of the following countries was NOT on the port-call list of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron deployment announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Vietnam
PIB (Defence): the squadron is scheduled to call at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Which Indian Coast Guard ship is part of the Navy's First Training Squadron on its January 2026 deployment?
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Correct answer: A — ICGS Sarathi
PIB (Defence): the squadron comprises INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
The MoU signed on 7 January 2026 between the Ministry of Rural Development and the Department of Posts links India Post's network with which mission?
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Correct answer: A — DAY-NRLM
PIB (Rural Development): the MoU brings together the network of DAY-NRLM with India Post's rural post offices, IPPB and Dak Sevaks.
In January 2026, online ticket booking for over 170 ASI-protected monuments and museums was made available on which network?
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Correct answer: B — Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
PIB (Ministry of Culture): ASI enabled online ticket booking for over 170 monuments and museums on ONDC.
Which entity technically enabled the onboarding of ASI's monuments and museums onto the ONDC network in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML)
PIB (Ministry of Culture): the integration was technically enabled by NDML, which onboarded ASI's complete inventory onto ONDC.
Consider the following statements about online booking of ASI monument tickets through ONDC (January 2026): 1. Indian visitors get a ₹5 discount on online booking. 2. Foreign nationals get a ₹50 discount on online booking. 3. Tickets can be booked only through a single ASI-run app. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB: the ₹5 (Indians) and ₹50 (foreigners) discounts continue, and tickets can be booked through multiple ONDC apps such as Highway Delite, Pelocal and Abhee, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference (January 2026) launched a programme to train how many young people in AI skills?
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Correct answer: C — 10 lakh (1 million)
PIB (MeitY): a programme was launched to train one million young people in artificial intelligence skills.
The regional AI Impact Conferences such as the one held in Rajasthan in January 2026 were precursors to the India AI Impact Summit scheduled for:
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Correct answer: A — 15–20 February 2026
PIB (MeitY): the conference served as a precursor to the India AI Impact Summit to be held from 15–20 February 2026.
With reference to the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference of 6 January 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attended the conference virtually. 2. MoUs were signed with Google, IIT Delhi and National Law University, Jodhpur, among others. 3. Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore attended as Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MeitY): Vaishnaw attended virtually and the MoUs included Google, IIT Delhi, NLU Jodhpur and the Wadhwani Foundation. The Union MoS was Jitin Prasada; Rathore attended as Rajasthan's Cabinet Minister for IT & Communication, so statement 3 is wrong.
How many projects are included in the three-year PPP project pipeline released by the Department of Economic Affairs in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 852
PIB (Ministry of Finance): the pipeline comprises 852 projects with a combined cost of over ₹17 lakh crore.
Consider the following statements about the PPP project pipeline released in January 2026: 1. It was prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs in pursuance of a Union Budget 2025-26 announcement. 2. It covers only projects of central infrastructure ministries and excludes States/UTs. 3. Its combined project cost exceeds ₹17 lakh crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
PIB: the DEA made the pipeline under a Budget 2025-26 announcement, and it includes both central ministries and States/UTs, worth over ₹17 lakh crore. Statement 2 is wrong.
The fifth edition of NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly', released in January 2026, had a thematic focus on which sector?
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Correct answer: D — Automotive exports
PIB (NITI Aayog): the thematic section of this edition focuses on India's automotive exports.
Which period does the fifth edition of NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly (released January 2026) cover?
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Correct answer: A — April–June 2025
PIB (NITI Aayog): the edition covers Quarter I of FY 2025-26, i.e. April–June 2025.
How many literary works in classical Indian languages did Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan release on 6 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 55
PIB (Ministry of Education): he released 55 literary works — 41 books from CIIL's Centres of Excellence plus 13 books and a Tirukkural sign language series from CICT.
Which classical Tamil work was released in an Indian Sign Language series by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Tirukkural
PIB (Ministry of Education): CICT brought out a Tirukkural Sign Language series along with 13 books.
Consider the following statements regarding classical languages in India: 1. The Centres for Excellence for studies in Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Odia function under the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysuru. 2. The Sahitya Akademi is the nodal agency for the Linguistic Experts Committee that examines classical language proposals. 3. Marathi and Bengali were among the languages granted classical status on 3 October 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Cabinet, 3 October 2024): the Centres of Excellence are under CIIL, Mysuru; Sahitya Akademi is the nodal agency for the LEC; and Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali were granted classical status. All three are correct.
Which hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle did Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and Nitin Gadkari ride together in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Toyota Mirai
PIB (MNRE): the ministers took a joint ride in the Toyota Mirai fuel-cell electric vehicle.
Consider the following statements about the Toyota Mirai used in the ministers' ride of January 2026: 1. It generates electricity through a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. 2. Its only by-product is water vapour. 3. Its driving range is about 650 km. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MNRE): the Mirai produces electricity from hydrogen and oxygen, emits only water vapour and has a range of about 650 km. All three are correct.
W Ursae Majoris (W UMa)-type stars, studied by ARIES and PRL astronomers in a study reported in January 2026, are best described as:
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Correct answer: C — Short-period contact binaries sharing a single outer atmosphere
PIB (DST): W UMa stars are short-period, dumbbell-shaped binaries in which the two stars are in contact and share a single outer atmosphere.
Consider the following statements about the W UMa contact-binary study reported by DST in January 2026: 1. It used data from ARIES's 1.3-m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope. 2. It used data from NASA's TESS space telescope. 3. It was carried out by ARIES jointly with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (DST): the study used the 1.3-m DFOT and TESS data and was done by ARIES with the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, not IIA. Statement 3 is wrong.
According to Indian Railways (January 2026), how many Amrit Bharat Express services were operational after 13 such trains were introduced during 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 30
PIB (Railways): during 2025, 13 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced, taking the total operational services to 30.
Which statement correctly describes Amrit Bharat Express trains, as per Indian Railways in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Fully non-AC trains with sleeper and general class coaches
PIB (Railways): Amrit Bharat Express trains are fully non-AC services with sleeper and general class coaches.
MOIL, which reported record production in January 2026, mainly mines which mineral?
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Correct answer: D — Manganese ore
PIB (Ministry of Steel): MOIL achieved record manganese ore production of 4.77 lakh tonnes in Q3 FY 2025-26.
What was MOIL's manganese ore production in April–December 2025, its best-ever nine-month figure?
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Correct answer: B — 14.21 lakh tonnes
PIB (Ministry of Steel): MOIL produced 14.21 lakh tonnes in April–December 2025, about 6.8% more than the same period last year.
What share of its 2025-26 Gross Budgetary Support had Indian Railways spent by the end of December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 80.54%
PIB (Railways): Indian Railways spent 80.54%, i.e. ₹2,03,138 crore of the total GBS of ₹2,52,200 crore.
As per Indian Railways' capex update of January 2026, what was the total Gross Budgetary Support for 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — ₹2,52,200 crore
PIB (Railways): the total GBS for 2025-26 is ₹2,52,200 crore, of which ₹2,03,138 crore was spent by December 2025.
With which organisation did ONGC sign an MoU in January 2026 for CSR-funded development of Eklavya Model Residential Schools?
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Correct answer: A — National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation
PIB (Tribal Affairs): ONGC signed the MoU with NSTFDC, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Consider the following statements about the ONGC–NSTFDC MoU of January 2026 and the EMRS scheme: 1. ONGC sanctioned ₹28 crore of CSR funds under the MoU. 2. The support covers 144 Eklavya Model Residential Schools. 3. EMRS is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by state education departments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Tribal Affairs): ONGC sanctioned ₹28 crore for 144 EMRS. EMRS is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, so statement 3 is wrong.
The 17th meeting of the Empowered Task Force (ETF), held on 5 January 2026, reviewed progress under which programme?
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Correct answer: C — Namami Gange
PIB (Jal Shakti): the ETF meeting focused on monitoring and compliance frameworks under the Namami Gange Programme.
Who chaired the 17th meeting of the Empowered Task Force on Ganga rejuvenation in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — C. R. Paatil
PIB (Jal Shakti): the 17th ETF meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Paatil.
What were SAIL's provisional sales in December 2025, its highest-ever December figure?
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Correct answer: B — 2.1 million tonnes
PIB (Ministry of Steel): SAIL clocked provisional sales of 2.1 MT in December 2025, about 37% above 1.5 MT in December 2024.
Which status does Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) hold among central public sector enterprises, as stated in its January 2026 sales release?
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Correct answer: C — Maharatna
PIB (Ministry of Steel): SAIL is described as a Maharatna CPSE.
SAMPANN, whose pension documents were made available on DigiLocker in January 2026, is the pension management system of which department?
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Correct answer: C — Department of Telecommunications
PIB (Ministry of Communications): SAMPANN is an integrated online pension management system for Department of Telecommunications pensioners.
In the pension context, what does the acronym SAMPANN stand for?
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Correct answer: A — System for Accounting and Management of Pension
PIB (Ministry of Communications): SAMPANN stands for System for Accounting and Management of Pension.
What was the value of India's AYUSH and herbal product exports in 2024-25, as reported at AYUSHEXCIL's 4th anniversary in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — USD 688.89 million
PIB (Commerce): AYUSH and herbal exports grew 6.11% from USD 649.2 million in 2023-24 to USD 688.89 million in 2024-25.
AYUSHEXCIL has been entrusted with anchoring which programme of the Ministry of Ayush?
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Correct answer: A — Ayush Quality Mark
PIB (Commerce): AYUSHEXCIL has been entrusted with anchoring the Ayush Quality Mark programme of the Ministry of Ayush.
Consider the following statements regarding AYUSH in trade, as reported in January 2026: 1. AYUSH exports grew by 6.11% in 2024-25. 2. Traditional medicine has a dedicated annex in the India–Oman CEPA. 3. The India–New Zealand FTA also recognises AYUSH with a dedicated annex. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Commerce): exports grew 6.11%, and both the India–Oman CEPA and the India–New Zealand FTA have dedicated annexes on health services and traditional medicine. All three are correct.
The Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme for semiconductor chip design is implemented by which ministry?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
PIB backgrounder: the DLI Scheme is implemented by MeitY under the Semicon India Programme.
As per PIB's January 2026 backgrounder, how many chip design projects are supported under the DLI Scheme?
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Correct answer: C — 24
PIB backgrounder: 24 DLI-supported chip design projects target strategic sectors; 16 tape-outs, 6 ASICs and 10 patents have been achieved.
Consider the following statements about the Design Linked Incentive Scheme as reported in January 2026: 1. It is part of the Semicon India Programme. 2. DLI-supported projects have achieved 16 tape-outs. 3. The scheme mainly funds the construction of semiconductor fabrication plants. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB backgrounder: DLI is under the Semicon India Programme and its projects have achieved 16 tape-outs. It supports fabless chip design, not fab construction, so statement 3 is wrong.
On DSIR's 42nd Foundation Day (January 2026), which condition was relaxed for deep-tech startups seeking DSIR recognition?
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Correct answer: B — Mandatory three-year existence
PIB (Science & Technology): Jitendra Singh announced relaxation of the mandatory three-year existence condition for deep-tech startups under DSIR's Industrial R&D Promotion Programme.
Which foundation day did the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) celebrate on 4 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 42nd
PIB (Science & Technology): the event marked the 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR.
Consider the following statements about announcements at DSIR's 42nd Foundation Day (January 2026): 1. 'Creative India 2025' was launched under DSIR's PRISM scheme. 2. Over 55 women-led self-help groups get support from DSIR schemes. 3. The relaxation of the existence norm applies to all startups regardless of sector. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB: Creative India 2025 was launched under PRISM and DSIR supports over 55 women-led SHGs. The relaxation is specifically for deep-tech startups, so statement 3 is wrong.
World Braille Day is observed every year on which date?
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Correct answer: D — 4 January
PIB backgrounder: World Braille Day is observed annually on 4 January.
In which year was Bharati Braille adopted as a single national Braille standard with common codes for Indian languages?
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Correct answer: C — 1951
PIB backgrounder: Braille was introduced in India in 1887, and in 1951 Bharati Braille was adopted as a single national standard.
Consider the following statements about Braille as described in PIB's World Braille Day 2026 backgrounder: 1. Braille is a tactile code, not a language. 2. It is named after its 19th-century French inventor, Louis Braille. 3. India's Braille policy ecosystem is anchored in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB backgrounder: Braille is a code, not a language, named after Louis Braille of 19th-century France. The ecosystem is anchored in the RPwD Act, 2016, not a 1995 Act, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which team won the International League T20 (ILT20) 2025-26 title on 4 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Desert Vipers
ESPNcricinfo and BBC: Desert Vipers beat MI Emirates by 46 runs in the final in Dubai to win their first ILT20 title.
Who was named Player of the Tournament in ILT20 2025-26 after finishing as top run-scorer with 397 runs?
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Correct answer: B — Sam Curran
ESPNcricinfo and BBC: Sam Curran finished as the top run-scorer with 397 runs and was Player of the Tournament as well as Player of the Match in the final.
The Good Samaritan Rules, which protect 'Rah-Veers' who help road accident victims, were notified in 2020 under which section of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019?
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Correct answer: A — Section 134A
PIB (MoRTH): the Good Samaritan Rules were notified in 2020 under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.
In the context of road accidents, the 'Golden Hour' referred to in MoRTH's Rah-Veer explainer (January 2026) means:
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Correct answer: B — The first hour after a serious injury
PIB (MoRTH): the law defines the Golden Hour as the first hour after a serious injury, the most critical time for medical intervention.
Between which two places will India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train run, as announced during its inspection in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Guwahati – Howrah
PIB (Railways): the first Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate between Guwahati in Assam and Howrah in West Bengal.
Which indigenous automatic train protection system is fitted on the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train inspected in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — KAVACH
PIB (Railways): the train is equipped with the KAVACH safety system, automatic doors, improved fire safety and CCTV in all coaches.
Consider the following statements about the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train, as described by the Railways Ministry on 3 January 2026: 1. Its full cycle of trials, testing and certification has been completed. 2. The train starting from Guwahati will serve Assamese cuisine. 3. It was flagged off by the Prime Minister on 3 January 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Railways): trials, testing and certification are complete, and the Guwahati-origin train will serve authentic Assamese cuisine. The PM was to flag it off later in January; on 3 January the train was only inspected, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Department of Fertilizers' Chintan Shivir held in New Delhi on 3 January 2026 focused mainly on:
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Correct answer: B — Balanced fertilizer use and sustainable agriculture
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): the Chintan Shivir focused on balanced fertilizer use and sustainable agriculture, along with timely availability and soil health.
Where was the Department of Fertilizers' one-day Chintan Shivir held on 3 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi
PIB (Department of Fertilizers): the one-day camp was held at the National Agricultural Science Complex, New Delhi, where 15 groups deliberated on 15 key topics.
According to ECI (January 2026), within how much time after the close of polls does the ECINet app enable publication of Index Cards?
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Correct answer: D — 72 hours
PIB (ECI): the trial versions of ECINet enable publication of Index Cards within 72 hours of the close of polls.
Consider the following statements about ECINet as described by the Election Commission in January 2026: 1. It was tried out during the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. 2. Citizens could submit suggestions through the app until 10 January 2026. 3. It had already been officially launched in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (ECI): ECINet was tried in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 and suggestions were invited till 10 January 2026; the official launch was planned for January 2026, so statement 3 is wrong.
How many proposals were approved in the third tranche of the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) on 2 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 22
PIB (MeitY): 22 proposals were approved in the third tranche; 24 had been approved earlier, taking the total to 46.
What is the projected investment of the 22 ECMS proposals approved in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹41,863 crore
PIB (MeitY): projected investment is ₹41,863 crore; ₹2,58,152 crore is projected production and ₹12,704 crore was the earlier tranche.
Consider the following statements about the third tranche of ECMS approvals (January 2026): 1. The approved products include anode material, a critical item for lithium-ion cells. 2. The approved units are spread across eight states. 3. The approvals cover only bare components and no sub-assemblies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MeitY): anode material is among the supply-chain items, and the units are in eight states. Three sub-assemblies (camera module, display module, optical transceiver) were also approved, so statement 3 is wrong.
Under the NIRYAT PROTSAHAN intervention launched in January 2026, what is the base interest subvention on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit?
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Correct answer: A — 2.75%
PIB (Commerce): a base interest subvention of 2.75% is provided, with additional incentive for exports to notified under-represented or emerging markets.
With which institution is the collateral guarantee support for MSME export credit under the Export Promotion Mission being introduced?
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Correct answer: A — CGTMSE
PIB (Commerce): the collateral guarantee support is being introduced in partnership with the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).
Consider the following statements about the Export Promotion Mission: 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet on 12 November 2025 with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore. 2. Its two sub-schemes are NIRYAT PROTSAHAN and NIRYAT DISHA. 3. It is implemented by the Department of Commerce alone. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Commerce): the Mission was approved on 12 November 2025 with ₹25,060 crore and has two sub-schemes, NIRYAT PROTSAHAN and NIRYAT DISHA. It is jointly implemented by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of MSME and Ministry of Finance, so statement 3 is wrong.
According to the Cabinet Secretary's briefing on 2 January 2026, which was the single biggest cause of issues raised under PRAGATI?
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Correct answer: D — Land acquisition
Indian Express and The Hindu: land acquisition accounted for 35% of issues, forest/wildlife/environment 20% and right of use/way 18%.
What does the acronym PRAGATI, the project-review mechanism chaired by the Prime Minister, stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation
PIB (Cabinet Secretariat): PRAGATI stands for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, chaired by the Prime Minister.
Consider the following statements based on the Cabinet Secretary's PRAGATI briefing of 2 January 2026: 1. PRAGATI has reviewed over 3,300 projects worth more than ₹85 lakh crore. 2. Of 7,735 issues raised, 7,156 have been resolved. 3. The government announced plans to amend the land acquisition law. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Indian Express and The Hindu: over 3,300 projects worth ₹85 lakh crore reviewed; 7,156 of 7,735 issues resolved. The Cabinet Secretary said there was no plan to change the land acquisition law, so statement 3 is wrong.
Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026, released on 2 January 2026, is which edition of India's official book of drug standards?
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Correct answer: D — 10th
PIB (Health): IP 2026 is the 10th edition of India's official book of drug standards.
Which new category of monographs has been included for the first time in Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Blood component monographs for transfusion medicine
PIB (Health): IP 2026 includes, for the first time, 20 blood component monographs pertaining to transfusion medicine.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP): 1. IP is published by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission to fulfil the requirements of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. 2. IP is recognised in 19 countries of the Global South. 3. India ranked 8th in 2025 in contributions to the WHO pharmacovigilance database, up from 123rd in 2009–2014. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Health): IP is published by the IPC under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; it is recognised in 19 Global South countries; and India rose from 123rd (2009–2014) to 8th (2025). All three are correct.
Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), which received a AAA (Stable) rating from CARE Ratings in January 2026, is sponsored by:
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Correct answer: A — NHAI
PIB (MoRTH): RIIT is an NHAI-sponsored Infrastructure Investment Trust.
According to the Road Transport Ministry (January 2026), NHAI has so far monetised road assets worth about:
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Correct answer: B — ₹1.43 lakh crore
PIB (MoRTH): to date, NHAI has successfully monetised road assets of around ₹1.43 lakh crore.