West Bengal State PSC Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The original Tagore epigrams whose replicas Sweden gifted to PM Modi in May 2026 were written during Tagore's visits to Sweden in which years?
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Correct answer: A — 1921 and 1926
The originals, recently found in the Swedish National Archives, were created during Tagore's visits to Sweden in 1921 and 1926.
The India–Sweden gift exchange of May 2026 coincided with the centenary of Rabindranath Tagore's:
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Correct answer: C — historic visit to Sweden in 1926
PIB says the exchange coincides with the centenary of Tagore's historic visit to Sweden in 1926.
Who was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of West Bengal on 9 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari took oath as Chief Minister; Dilip Ghosh, Agnimitra Paul and Nisith Pramanik were sworn in as ministers.
How many seats did the BJP win in the 294-member West Bengal Assembly in the 2026 election?
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Correct answer: D — 207
The BJP won 207 of 294 seats, while the Trinamool Congress was reduced to 80.
Where was the swearing-in of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held on 9 May 2026, and who administered the oath?
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Correct answer: A — Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata; Governor R. N. Ravi
Governor R. N. Ravi administered the oath at the Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, as the Governor does for State ministers under Article 164(3).
Consider the following statements about Article 164 of the Constitution of India: 1. The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in a State shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly, and shall not be less than twelve. 2. The Council of Ministers of a State is collectively responsible to the Governor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct (Article 164(1A), added by the 91st Amendment, 2003). Under Article 164(2) the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly, not the Governor.
How many seats did the BJP win in the West Bengal Assembly election results declared on 4 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 207
The BJP won 207 of the 293 seats declared; the Trinamool Congress won 80 (215 in 2021), and the BJP had won 77 in the previous election.
In the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency?
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Correct answer: D — Suvendu Adhikari
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur, polling 73,917 votes against her 58,812.
Consider the following statements about the West Bengal Assembly election results of 4 May 2026: 1. The Trinamool Congress won 80 seats, down from 215 in 2021. 2. The BJP had won 77 seats in the previous Assembly election. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Trinamool Congress fell from 215 seats in 2021 to 80, and the BJP, which won 207 this time, had won 77 in the previous election.
By what margin did Suvendu Adhikari win the Bhabanipur seat in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election, as per ECI?
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Correct answer: A — 15,105 votes
ECI's final count gave Suvendu Adhikari 73,917 votes and Mamata Banerjee 58,812, a margin of 15,105 votes.
How many Police Observers did the Election Commission deploy around counting centres for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election?
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Correct answer: C — 77
ECI deployed 77 Police Observers along with 165 Additional Counting Observers.
Consider the following statements about the observers deployed by ECI in West Bengal in May 2026: 1. They were appointed under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. Police Observers may enter the counting hall on counting day to supervise counting. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The appointments were made under Article 324 and Section 20B of the RP Act, 1951; Police Observers shall not enter the counting hall under any circumstance.
The Kolkata Metro power-system upgrade sanctioned in May 2026 will allow trains on the North–South Corridor to run at what headway?
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Correct answer: B — 2.5 minutes
The ₹671.72-crore upgrade will enable a 2.5-minute headway, up from the 5-minute frequency the 1980s system was designed for.
Bridge No. 520, sanctioned for reconstruction in May 2026, spans which river and lies in which railway division?
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Correct answer: C — Damodar; Adra Division
Bridge No. 520 is the Damodar Bridge between Madhukunda and Damodar in Adra Division of South Eastern Railway.
As per the Election Commission's final statistical reports published with Press Note PN/085/2026, what was West Bengal's polling percentage (EVM plus postal) in the 2026 Assembly election?
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Correct answer: A — 93.71%
ECI's Highlight report (published with PN/085/2026) puts West Bengal's state polling percentage at 93.71%, based on 293 ACs excluding Falta (AC 144). 84.72% was the earlier record set in 2011.
How many Assembly constituencies of West Bengal went to the polls in the second phase on 29 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 142
Phase II covered 142 ACs in 8 districts; Phase I had covered 152 ACs, for a total of 294.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election: 1. ECI's final statistical report for the state excluded Falta (AC 144), where a repoll was scheduled. 2. Men recorded a higher turnout than women, as per ECI's final report. 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: women's turnout (93.8%) was higher than men's (92.06%).
As per ECI data up to 27 April 2026, total seizures of illicit inducements in West Bengal had crossed:
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Correct answer: D — ₹510 crore
Seizures reached ₹510.10 crore, higher than ₹339 crore in the 2021 Assembly election.
Consider the following statements about election seizures in West Bengal reported by ECI on 27 April 2026: 1. Cash formed the largest component of the seizures. 2. Seizures are tracked through the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: cash was ₹30 crore, less than freebies/other (₹184.85 crore) and liquor (₹126.85 crore). Statement 2 is correct.
With which earlier election did ECI compare West Bengal's 2026 seizure total of over ₹510 crore?
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Correct answer: A — 2021 Assembly election (₹339 crore)
ECI said the ₹510.10 crore seized was higher than the ₹339 crore seized in the state during the 2021 Assembly election.
In the post-poll scrutiny conducted after the 23 April 2026 polls, Form 17A refers to the:
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Correct answer: A — Register of Voters
The ECI note describes Form 17A as the Register of Voters, scrutinised with other poll-day documents.
Consider the following statements about the Form 17A scrutiny held on 24 April 2026: 1. In West Bengal Phase I, it covered 152 Assembly constituencies and no repoll was recommended. 2. In Tamil Nadu, repolls were recommended in a few of the 75,064 polling stations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Scrutiny covered all 152 ACs of WB Phase I with no repoll; in Tamil Nadu no repoll was recommended out of 75,064 polling stations. Only statement 1 is correct.
How many Assembly constituencies of West Bengal voted in Phase I on 23 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 152
Phase I covered 152 Assembly constituencies with 1,478 candidates and 44,376 polling stations.
Bye-elections held on 23 April 2026 alongside the Tamil Nadu and West Bengal polls included Baramati and Rahuri in:
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Correct answer: C — Maharashtra
Bye-elections were held in Umreth (Gujarat) and in Baramati and Rahuri (Maharashtra).
Consider the following statements about the polls held on 23 April 2026: 1. Live webcasting was ensured in all polling stations in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. 2. West Bengal Phase I had more polling stations than Tamil Nadu. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
ECI said webcasting covered 100% of polling stations in both states; WB Phase I had 44,376 polling stations against 75,064 in Tamil Nadu, so only statement 1 is correct.
Which shipbuilder is constructing the Indian Navy's Diving Support Craft, the fourth of which (DSC A23) was launched in April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Titagarh Rail Systems Limited
The Diving Support Craft are being built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata.
What type of hull do the Indian Navy's Diving Support Craft (DSC) have?
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Correct answer: B — Catamaran
The DSC feature a 30 m long catamaran hull, giving superior stability and deck area.
According to ECI data up to 17 April 2026, total election-related seizures in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal crossed:
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Correct answer: C — ₹865 crore
Seizures crossed ₹865 crore: ₹438 crore in Tamil Nadu and ₹427 crore in West Bengal.
Consider the following statements about the ECI seizure figures released on 17 April 2026: 1. Tamil Nadu recorded higher total seizures than West Bengal. 2. Cash formed the largest component of the total seizures. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct (₹438 crore vs ₹427 crore). Statement 2 is wrong: freebies/other items (₹350 crore) were the largest; cash was ₹99 crore.
'Sanshodhak', delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 March 2026, is what type of vessel?
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Correct answer: D — Survey Vessel (Large)
Sanshodhak (Yard 3028) is the fourth and last Survey Vessel (Large) built by GRSE for the Navy.
Which of the following is NOT one of the Survey Vessel (Large) ships commissioned before Sanshodhak?
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Correct answer: D — INS Nistar
The earlier SVL ships were INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak and INS Ikshak, commissioned on 3 Feb 2024, 18 Dec 2024 and 6 Nov 2025.
'Dunagiri', delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 March 2026, belongs to which class of frigates?
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Correct answer: A — Nilgiri class (Project 17A)
Dunagiri (Yard 3023) is the fifth ship of the Nilgiri class (Project 17A).
Which shipyard built and delivered the frigate Dunagiri in March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata
Dunagiri is the second P17A ship built at GRSE and was delivered at GRSE, Kolkata.
Consider the following statements about the frigate Dunagiri: 1. It is the fifth Project 17A ship delivered to the Navy. 2. Its predecessor INS Dunagiri was a Leander-class frigate in service from 1977 to 2010. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Dunagiri is the fifth P17A ship delivered in the last 16 months, and the earlier INS Dunagiri was a Leander-class frigate that served from 5 May 1977 to 10 October 2010.
'Agray', delivered on 30 March 2026, is the fourth of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by which shipyard?
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Correct answer: A — Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
Agray is the fourth of eight ASW SWC indigenously designed and built by GRSE, Kolkata.
In the 2026 Assembly elections, ECI flying squads are required to attend to complaints within:
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Correct answer: C — 100 minutes
Over 5,173 flying squads have been deployed to ensure complaints are attended to within 100 minutes.
The system used by the ECI to record seizures of illicit inducements in the 2026 elections is called:
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Correct answer: D — ESMS (Electronic Seizure Management System)
Seizures are tracked through the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS), activated on 26 February 2026.
Consider the following about seizures in the 2026 Assembly elections (as of 25 March 2026): 1. Total seizures crossed ₹400 crore. 2. Cash formed the largest part of the seizures. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Seizures totalled over ₹408.82 crore, but cash was only ₹17.44 crore – less than the ₹37.68 crore of liquor alone – so statement 2 is wrong.
Under which provision does the Election Commission allot free broadcast and telecast time on Doordarshan and AIR to recognised parties?
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Correct answer: B — Section 39A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
The ECI issued the directions under Section 39A of the RP Act, 1951, for the 2026 Assembly elections.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, what base broadcast time has the ECI allotted to each recognised party on both Doordarshan and All India Radio?
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Correct answer: C — 45 minutes
Each party gets a base time of 45 minutes on both Doordarshan and AIR, plus extra time based on its previous Assembly poll performance.
How many standardised Voter Facilitation Posters must be displayed at each polling station in the 2026 polls, as per the ECI's direction of 22 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Four
Four uniform Voter Facilitation Posters will show polling station details, list of candidates, do's and don'ts, approved ID documents and the voting process.
Consider the following about the ECI's directions of 22 March 2026 for polling stations: 1. Provision of Assured Minimum Facilities is advisory and left to the discretion of CEOs. 2. Voters can deposit their switched-off mobile phones with a volunteer outside the polling station entrance. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The ECI said AMF provisioning is mandatory and will be monitored, so statement 1 is wrong; a mobile phone deposit facility will be provided outside the entrance.
Electors above 85 and flagged PwDs who want to vote by postal ballot in the 2026 Assembly elections must apply using:
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Correct answer: A — Form 12D
Such electors can avail the facility using Form 12D, submitted to the Returning Officer through their BLO within 5 days of notification.
Consider the following about the postal ballot facility for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. Form 12D can be submitted up to 15 days after the notification of election. 2. The facility for electors above 85 and PwDs flows from Section 60(c) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Form 12D must be submitted within 5 days of notification. Statement 2 is correct.
For the 2026 Assembly elections in five States/UTs, the ECI deployed roughly one election official for every how many electors?
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Correct answer: C — 70
Over 25 lakh officials for over 17.4 crore electors amounts to nearly one official for every 70 electors.
Consider the following about the ECI's deployment for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. Expenditure Observers outnumber General Observers among the Central Observers. 2. Deployed personnel are deemed to be on deputation to the ECI under Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: there are 557 General Observers and 366 Expenditure Observers. Statement 2 is correct.
How many Central Observers did the Election Commission deploy for the 2026 Assembly elections in five States/UTs and the bye-elections?
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Correct answer: C — 1,111
The ECI deployed 1,111 observers: 557 general, 188 police and 366 expenditure observers.
The Election Commission appoints Central Observers under Article 324 of the Constitution read with which provision of the Representation of the People Act, 1951?
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Correct answer: D — Section 20B
Central Observers are appointed under Article 324 and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
In how many phases will the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election be held, as announced by the ECI on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Two
West Bengal votes in two phases, on 23 April and 29 April 2026; Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry vote in a single phase.
On which date will votes be counted for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry?
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Correct answer: D — 4 May 2026
Counting for all five Assemblies is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
Which of the following Assemblies going to polls in 2026 has the largest number of seats?
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Correct answer: D — West Bengal
West Bengal has 294 seats, against 234 in Tamil Nadu, 140 in Kerala, 126 in Assam and 30 in Puducherry.
For the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission fixed the maximum number of electors per polling station at:
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Correct answer: B — 1,200
The ECI press note of 15 March 2026 says there shall be a maximum of 1,200 electors in a polling station.
Consider the following about the 2026 Assembly elections announced on 15 March 2026: 1. The ECI conducts them in exercise of powers under Article 324 read with Article 172(1) of the Constitution and Section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force only after the formal notification of each phase. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as per the ECI press note. Statement 2 is wrong: the Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately from the announcement of the schedule.
Along with the 2026 Assembly elections, the ECI announced bye-elections to how many Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Tripura?
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Correct answer: B — Eight
Bye-elections were announced for 8 Assembly constituencies spread across these six States.
The DA arrears that West Bengal announced on 15 March 2026 it would pay from March 2026 relate to which pay rules?
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Correct answer: C — ROPA 2009
The arrears are under the West Bengal Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) Rules, 2009.
To what amount did West Bengal raise the monthly honorarium of purohits and muezzins on 15 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹2,000
The honorarium was raised by ₹500, from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 per month.
A new express train flagged off by PM Modi in Kolkata on 14 March 2026 runs between Anand Vihar Terminal and:
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Correct answer: B — Purulia
The new express connects Purulia in West Bengal with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi.
Which of the following was NOT among the six stations inaugurated as Amrit Bharat Stations in West Bengal on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bardhaman
The six stations were Kamakhyaguri, Anara, Tamluk, Haldia, Barabhum and Siuri; Bardhaman was not among them.
Which expressway in West Bengal did PM Modi refer to while launching projects in Kolkata on 14 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway
The PM said completion of the Kharagpur–Moregram Expressway would accelerate economic activity across West Bengal.
Which two railway sections will get a 4th line under the projects approved by the CCEA on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur
The CCEA approved the Sainthia–Pakur 4th line and the Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th line, worth about ₹4,474 crore.
By about how many kilometres will the two multitracking projects approved on 10 March 2026 increase the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: B — 192 km
The two projects across five districts of West Bengal and Jharkhand will add about 192 km to the network.
Where did the Election Commission of India review poll preparedness for the West Bengal Assembly elections on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kolkata
The Commission held the review in Kolkata, meeting political parties and enforcement and district officials.
Which forms did the CEC say could still be filed for inclusion, deletion or correction in the West Bengal electoral rolls after the SIR?
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Correct answer: B — Forms 6, 7 and 8
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said Forms 6/7/8 can still be filed for any inclusions, deletions or changes.
Consider the following statements about Article 324 of the Constitution: 1. It vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 324(1) covers elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President, and the proviso to Article 324(5) protects the CEC with Supreme Court-judge-like removal.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 9th International Santal Conference on 7 March 2026 at which place?
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Correct answer: D — Darjeeling
The President graced the conference at Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The Ol Chiki script, used for Santali, was invented in 1925 by whom?
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Correct answer: A — Pandit Raghunath Murmu
The President said Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented Ol Chiki in 1925; its centenary was celebrated recently.
The Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003 added which languages to the Eighth Schedule?
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Correct answer: B — Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali
The 92nd Amendment inserted Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali, taking the Eighth Schedule to 22 languages.
At Sagar Sankalp in Kolkata on 6 March 2026, Rajnath Singh said India's defence exports are poised to reach about how much by April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹29,000 crore
He said defence exports are poised to reach approximately ₹29,000 crore by April 2026.
What shipbuilding target did Rajnath Singh mention at Sagar Sankalp?
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Correct answer: D — Top 10 by 2030 and top 5 by 2047
The government aims to steer India into the top 10 shipbuilding nations by 2030 and the top five by 2047.
Which team did New Zealand beat in the first semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens on 4 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — South Africa
New Zealand beat South Africa by nine wickets, ending South Africa's unbeaten run in the tournament.
Finn Allen's unbeaten 100 in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final, the fastest century in men's T20 World Cups, came off how many balls?
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Correct answer: B — 33
Allen made 100 not out off 33 balls, with 10 fours and eight sixes according to BBC Sport.
Consider the following statements about the first semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026: 1. New Zealand chased the target with 43 balls to spare. 2. It was New Zealand's first appearance in a men's T20 World Cup final. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct: New Zealand made 173 for 1 in 12.5 overs. The ICC noted it would be their second men's T20 World Cup final, after 2021.
Mukul Roy, who died on 23 February 2026, had served as Union Minister of which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Railways
Mukul Roy served as Union Railway Minister in 2012 in the UPA-II government.
Amit Shah addressed the 152nd birth anniversary celebrations of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur on 18 February 2026 in which district of West Bengal?
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Correct answer: B — Nadia
The celebrations were held in Nadia, West Bengal, home to Mayapur, where ISKCON is developing a spiritual centre.