State Staff Selection Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
How many delegates took part in Phase II of ECI's International Election Visitors' Programme 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 34 delegates from 17 countries
34 delegates from 17 countries, including International IDEA, took part in Phase II.
Which states/UTs did delegates visit in Phase I of the International Election Visitors' Programme 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Assam, Kerala and Puducherry
In Phase I, delegates visited Assam, Kerala and Puducherry on 8–9 April 2026; Phase II covered Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
The fireworks unit at Mundathikode, where a deadly blast occurred on 21 April 2026, was preparing fireworks for which festival?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Thrissur Pooram
The unit was making fireworks for the Thiruvambady side of Thrissur Pooram.
What ex-gratia from the PMNRF did the Prime Minister announce for the next of kin of each person killed in the Thrissur fireworks blast?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹2 lakh
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Who delivered the keynote address at the 18th Civil Services Day in New Delhi on 21 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan delivered the keynote address at Vigyan Bhawan.
Applications for the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in 2025 numbered:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2,035
Applications rose from 1,216 in 2023 to 1,588 in 2024 and 2,035 in 2025; 4,770 is the number of iGOT courses.
Consider the following statements made at the 18th Civil Services Day: 1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel described civil servants as the 'steel frame of India' while addressing probationers in Delhi 79 years earlier. 2. Average grievance resolution time on CPGRAMS has fallen from 60 days to about 12 days. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Vice-President recalled Patel's 'steel frame' address 79 years earlier, and Dr Jitendra Singh cited the fall in CPGRAMS resolution time from 60 to about 12 days.
INS Sunayna, deployed under IOS SAGAR, made its third port call of the deployment at which city on 21 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Jakarta
INS Sunayna arrived at Jakarta, Indonesia, on 21 April 2026 for its third port call.
Consider the following statements about the IOS SAGAR deployment of INS Sunayna in 2026: 1. The ship carries a multinational crew drawn from 16 friendly foreign countries. 2. The mission's harbour phase was held in Indonesia before the sea phase began. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The crew is from 16 friendly foreign countries, but the harbour phase was held in India from 16 to 29 March 2026.
What is the outlay of the Production-Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry (2021-22 to 2026-27)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹10,900 crore
PLISFPI has an outlay of ₹10,900 crore; ₹1.97 lakh crore is the outlay of the overall PLI framework across 14 sectors.
As of February 2026, how many jobs had the PLI Scheme for the Food Processing Industry created, against a target of 2.5 lakh?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — About 3.39 lakh
About 3.39 lakh jobs had been created, exceeding the employment target of 2.5 lakh.
Consider the following statements about Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes: 1. The umbrella PLI Scheme was launched in April 2020 and now covers 14 strategic sectors. 2. The PLI Scheme for the Food Processing Industry was approved by the Union Cabinet on 31 March 2021. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct, per the PIB backgrounder: the PLI Scheme was launched in April 2020 and covers 14 sectors, and PLISFPI was approved by the Cabinet on 31 March 2021.
The TRAWL assembly contracted by the Defence Ministry in April 2026 is meant for which tanks?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — T-72 and T-90
The ₹975 crore contracts are for TRAWL assemblies for T-72/T-90 tanks.
What is the main purpose of the DRDO-developed TRAWL assembly?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Creating vehicle-safe lanes through anti-tank minefields
The TRAWL assembly enhances minefield breaching by creating vehicle-safe lanes through minefields with anti-tank mines.
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Nirmal Munda Parivesh Path and a Tribal Museum in April 2026 in which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Rourkela
The President inaugurated them at Rourkela, Sundargarh district, Odisha, on 21 April 2026.
According to the President's Rourkela address in April 2026, which year will mark one hundred years since the formation of the state of Odisha?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2036
The President said 2036 will mark one hundred years since the formation of Odisha.
Where was the 7th India–Bhutan Joint Group of Customs meeting held in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Munnar
The 7th JGC meeting was held in Munnar, Kerala, on 20–21 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about India–Bhutan trade and customs, as stated by the Finance Ministry in April 2026: 1. All 10 notified land customs stations on the India–Bhutan border are located in West Bengal. 2. India accounts for nearly 80% of Bhutan's total trade. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. Of the 10 notified land customs stations, six are in West Bengal and four in Assam; India accounts for nearly 80% of Bhutan's trade.
Which city was described in April 2026 as India's leading city under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, with about 90,000 installations?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Lucknow
Lucknow leads with about 90,000 installations, followed by Varanasi with about 40,000.
Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, Uttar Pradesh's vendor base has expanded from 60 to about:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 6,000
Uttar Pradesh expanded its vendor base from 60 to 6,000, training youth as micro-vendors.
The Vibrant Villages Programme, reviewed at an MSDE workshop in April 2026, is a flagship initiative of which ministry?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Ministry of Home Affairs
The Vibrant Villages Programme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Consider the following statements about the Vibrant Villages Programme as described by MSDE in April 2026: 1. It aims to develop 662 villages as 'first villages' across Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Ladakh. 2. Assessment and certification of skilling under it is done through the Skill India Digital Hub. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the programme covers 662 villages in those five states/UTs, and MSDE facilitates assessment and certification through the Skill India Digital Hub.
The MoSPI survey 'Household Social Consumption: Health' released in April 2026 was part of which round of the National Sample Survey?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 80th round
The survey was conducted from January to December 2025 as part of the 80th round of the NSS.
According to the NSS health survey of 2025, about what share of childbirths in the reference period took place in hospitals?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 96%
About 96% of childbirths during the last 365 days took place in hospitals.
Consider the following findings of the NSS 'Household Social Consumption: Health' survey (2025): 1. The share of persons reporting an ailment in the last 15 days fell compared with the 2017–18 survey. 2. The hospitalisation rate was highest among persons aged 60 years or more. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. Persons reporting an ailment rose to 13.1% from 7.5% in 2017–18, and hospitalisation was highest (8.1%) in the 60+ age group.
The Joint Strategic Vision announced during South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's State Visit to India in April 2026 covers which period?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2026–2030
The leaders announced the Joint Strategic Vision for the India–ROK Special Strategic Partnership for the next five years, 2026–2030.
Which year has been designated the 'Year of India–ROK Friendship' as an outcome of the April 2026 State Visit?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 2028–29
The outcomes list includes commemoration of 2028–29 as the Year of India–ROK Friendship.
Consider the following outcomes of the India–Republic of Korea State Visit of April 2026: 1. The Republic of Korea will join the International Solar Alliance and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. 2. India and the Republic of Korea signed a new Free Trade Agreement replacing the CEPA. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Korea is joining the ISA and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative, but the two sides only issued a joint declaration on resuming negotiations to upgrade the existing CEPA; no new FTA was signed.
By how much did the combined Index of Eight Core Industries change in March 2026 compared with March 2025 (provisional)?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Fell 0.4%
The ICI declined 0.4% (provisional) in March 2026; 2.6% is the FY 2025–26 cumulative growth.
Which of the eight core industries carries the largest weight in the Index of Eight Core Industries?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Petroleum refinery products
Refinery products have the largest weight at 28.04%, followed by electricity (19.85%) and steel (17.92%).
Consider the following statements about the Index of Eight Core Industries: 1. The eight core industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production. 2. In March 2026, fertilizer production recorded the steepest decline among the eight industries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the core industries make up 40.27% of IIP weight, and fertilizers fell 24.6% in March 2026, the sharpest decline.
Under the revised order of April 2026, jute mills and processing units may hold raw jute stock up to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 45 days' consumption
Jute mills/processing units may hold up to 45 days' consumption; traders and balers have a nil limit.
Violation of the raw jute stock limits notified in 2026 attracts punitive action under which law?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Essential Commodities Act, 1955
The ministry said punitive action will be taken under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Where did Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma roll out a multi-scheme agricultural support package on 20 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Tura
The package was rolled out at an input distribution programme in Tura.
Meghalaya's Ginger Mission, which is being expanded to over 15,000 more farmers, was launched in which year?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2022
The Ginger Mission was launched in 2022; the state has invested over ₹62 crore benefiting more than 19,000 farmers.
What revenue did the Department of Posts earn in FY 2025–26?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹15,296 crore
Revenue was ₹15,296 crore, up 16% from ₹13,218 crore; ₹17,546 crore was the business target.
Which business vertical of the Department of Posts grew fastest in FY 2025–26?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Citizen Centric Services
Citizen Centric Services grew 70%, ahead of Parcels (69%) and Mail Operations (34%).
In the PM VIKAS scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, what does 'VIKAS' stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Virasat Ka Samvardhan
PM VIKAS stands for Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan.
How many minority youth from Bihar will IIT Patna train under the PM VIKAS MoU announced in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 600
IIT Patna will train 600 minority youth from Bihar in roles such as AI Technocrat and Business Analytics Executive.
The thematic focus of the seventh edition of NITI Aayog's 'Trade Watch Quarterly' (released April 2026) was:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Gems and jewellery
The Q3 FY26 edition's thematic section focuses on India's gems and jewellery sector.
According to NITI Aayog's Trade Watch Quarterly, India's share of world gems and jewellery exports (excluding raw gold) in 2024 was about:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 7.8%
India's exports of $29.5 billion accounted for a 7.8% share of world exports in a market of about $378 billion.
The Samriddh Gram initiative, nominated for the WSIS Prizes 2026, is built on which network?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — BharatNet
Samriddh Gram is an integrated phygital service delivery model enabled by BharatNet.
Under which WSIS Prizes 2026 category has India's Samriddh Gram initiative been nominated?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — AL C6: Enabling Environment
Samriddh Gram was nominated under Action Line C6: Enabling Environment.
The bus that rolled down a hillside in Udhampur district on 20 April 2026, killing 21, was travelling between which places?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Ramnagar and Udhampur
The bus was travelling from Ramnagar to Udhampur when it went off the road near Kagort village.
From which fund did the Prime Minister announce ex-gratia for the victims of the Udhampur bus accident of April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
The PM announced ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
After the approval of 20 April 2026, what is the total quantity of wheat (excluding wheat products) permitted for export?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 50 LMT
With the latest additional 25 LMT, a total of 50 LMT of wheat and 10 LMT of wheat products have been permitted.
According to the Second Advance Estimates of March 2026, India's wheat production for 2025–26 is estimated at:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1,202 LMT
The Second Advance Estimates released on 10 March 2026 put wheat production for 2025–26 at 1,202 LMT.
Which section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits the sale or distribution of liquor in a polling area in the 48 hours ending with the close of poll?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Section 135C
Section 135C of the RP Act, 1951 bars sale or distribution of liquor in a polling area during the 48 hours ending with the close of poll.
Consider the following statements about ECI's dry-day directions for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. The dry-day period also applies to the date of any repoll. 2. The counting day, 4 May 2026, is to be declared a dry day in the poll-going states/UT. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: ECI said the 48-hour dry period includes the date of any repoll, and directed that 4 May 2026, the counting day, also be a dry day.
The ~20-million-year-old Syzygium (Jamun) fossil leaves described in the BSIP study of 2026 were collected from the Kasauli Formation in which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Himachal Pradesh
The fossils were collected from the Kasauli Formation in Himachal Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 BSIP study on Jamun (Syzygium): 1. It supports the earlier view that the genus originated in Australia or Southeast Asia. 2. It indicates the genus has been present in the Indian region since the early Eocene, about 55 million years ago. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The study points to an East Gondwanan origin with India as a major early centre, revising the earlier Australia/Southeast Asia view, and finds the genus present in India since the early Eocene.
India's first advanced 3D glass semiconductor packaging unit, whose foundation stone was laid in April 2026, is located in:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bhubaneswar, Odisha
The foundation stone was laid at Info Valley, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 19 April 2026.
Which company is promoting the Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions project at Bhubaneswar?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 3D Glass Solutions
The project is promoted by 3D Glass Solutions.
Consider the following statements about the 3D glass semiconductor packaging project in Odisha: 1. The company is investing nearly ₹2,000 crore in the project. 2. According to the Chief Minister, Odisha is also the site of India's first compound semiconductor fabrication unit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated by the Chief Minister: an investment of nearly ₹2,000 crore, and Odisha hosting both India's first compound semiconductor fab and first 3D glass substrate packaging facility.
How much did Indian Railways earn from scrap sales in FY 2025–26?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹6,813.86 crore
Scrap sales were ₹6,813.86 crore against a ₹6,000 crore target; ₹6,641.78 crore was the FY 2024–25 figure.
According to the Railway Ministry (April 2026), by how much has Indian Railways' non-fare revenue grown over the last five years?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 168%
Non-fare revenue grew 168%, from around ₹290 crore to over ₹777 crore.
How many PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries had the MSME Ministry trained in AI tools, as reported in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2,543
The ministry reported training 2,543 PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries in AI tools.
Which state had the largest number of participants in the MSME Ministry's AI training for PM Vishwakarma artisans?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Telangana
Telangana led with 387 participants, followed by Maharashtra (295) and Gujarat (262).
How many railway stations in Odisha are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, as stated in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 59
The minister said 59 stations in Odisha are being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme; 30 is the number of districts.
What record railway budget allocation for Odisha did the Railway Minister cite in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹10,928 crore
Odisha received a record allocation of ₹10,928 crore; ₹90,000 crore is the value of projects under execution.
The fireworks unit explosion of 19 April 2026 that killed 25 workers took place in which district of Tamil Nadu?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Virudhunagar
The blast occurred at the Vanaja Fireworks unit in Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar district.
Consider the following statements about the Virudhunagar fireworks blast of April 2026: 1. According to the district Collector, the unit was operating on a Sunday without permission. 2. A second explosion occurred during the rescue operation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Collector said the unit was working on a Sunday without permission, and a second blast during rescue injured police personnel and firemen.
According to FAOSTAT 2024, as cited in a PIB backgrounder of April 2026, what is India's world rank in coconut production?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Second
India ranks second in the world in coconut production as per FAOSTAT 2024.
India's horticultural production in 2024-25, as per the PIB backgrounder, was about:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 370.74 million tonnes
Horticultural production rose from 277.35 MT in 2013-14 to 370.74 MT in 2024-25; 217.80 MT is vegetables alone.
Consider the following statements based on the PIB backgrounder on high-value crops (April 2026): 1. Nearly 90% of India's approximately 150 million agarwood trees are in the North Eastern states. 2. Horticulture accounts for more than half of the gross value of output of the agricultural crops sub-sector. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. About 90% of the ~150 million agarwood trees are in the North East, but horticulture's share of the crops sub-sector GVO is about 37%.
Within how many hours of being brought to a platform's notice must misleading or unlawful AI-generated election content be acted upon, as directed by ECI in 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 3 hours
ECI directed that misleading or unlawful AI-generated content be acted upon within 3 hours of notice.
Under ECI's cVIGIL system, within what stipulated time were 96.01% of complaints resolved during the 2026 Assembly elections (15 March–19 April)?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 100 minutes
Of 3,23,099 cVIGIL complaints, 3,10,393 (96.01%) were resolved within the stipulated 100 minutes.
Consider the following statements regarding election-related provisions reiterated by ECI in April 2026: 1. Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits display of election matter in polling areas during the 48 hours before the conclusion of poll. 2. Labelling of AI-altered campaign content is optional for candidates if the content is factually accurate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Section 126 imposes the 48-hour silence period; ECI requires all synthetically generated or AI-altered campaign content to be clearly labelled, regardless of accuracy.