Punjab 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.
The 'Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna', whose second instalment was released on 1 October 2026, belongs to which state?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann released the second instalment of the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna at Goindwal Sahib.
Consider the following statements about the second instalment of Punjab's Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna (October 2026): 1. ₹1,262.54 crore was transferred to 36.87 lakh women. 2. The instalment covers October, November and December. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
₹1,262.54 crore went to 36.87 lakh women, and the instalment covers October–December together.
Where was SEMICON India 2026, inaugurated by PM Modi on 17 September 2026, held?
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Correct answer: B — Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
SEMICON India 2026 was held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from 17 to 19 September.
At SEMICON India 2026, PM Modi virtually inaugurated commercial semiconductor production lines at which two places?
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Correct answer: D — Mohali and Surat
The new lines were at CDIL Semiconductor, Mohali (discrete devices) and Suchi Semicon, Surat (packaging).
According to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, how much investment commitment has Semicon 2.0 already received?
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Correct answer: A — About ₹1 lakh crore
Investment commitments of around ₹1 lakh crore (about USD 11–12 billion) have been received under Semicon 2.0.
Consider the following about Semicon 2.0 outlined on 17 September 2026: 1. Advanced semiconductor packaging is one of its six pillars. 2. It is expected to create close to 1 lakh employment opportunities. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Advanced packaging is the fourth pillar, and close to 1 lakh jobs are expected.
After the two new lines opened on 17 September 2026, how many commercial semiconductor ATMP units were operational in India, out of how many approved?
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Correct answer: D — 5 of 12
Five ATMP units (CDIL, Suchi, Micron, Kaynes and CG Semi) were operational out of twelve approved.
Which body organised the 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils at Chandigarh in September 2026?
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Correct answer: C — National Biodiversity Authority
The meet was organised by the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA).
Where is the headquarters of the National Biodiversity Authority, as provided under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002?
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Correct answer: D — Chennai
The Act provides that the head office of the NBA shall be at Chennai.
Consider the following statements about the institutional structure under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002: 1. Biodiversity Management Committees function at the local body level. 2. State Biodiversity Boards are set up by the Central Government. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. BMCs work at the local level; SBBs are established by the respective State Governments under Section 22 of the Act.
Under which Article of the Constitution did the National Commission for Scheduled Castes act on the Punjab lecturer recruitment complaint in September 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Article 338
The NCSC exercised the powers conferred under Article 338 of the Constitution.
The NCSC's September 2026 inquiry concerns alleged denial of SC reservation in recruitment for how many lecturer posts in Punjab?
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Correct answer: B — 1,013
The complaint relates to 1,013 lecturer posts notified by the Punjab Education Department.
Consider the following statements about the NCSC notice on Punjab lecturer recruitment: 1. The Chief Secretary of Punjab was asked to submit facts and records within seven days of receiving the notice. 2. If no reply is received in time, the NCSC may exercise the powers of a civil court under Article 338 and summon officials. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated in the NCSC release.
Kavach, approved on 680 route km of Northern Railway in July 2026, is what kind of system?
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Correct answer: C — An indigenous Automatic Train Protection system
Kavach is India's indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.
Kavach Version 4.0 approved in July 2026 will be installed on which sections of Northern Railway's Delhi Division?
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Correct answer: B — Rewari–Delhi and Shakurbasti–Bathinda
The project covers 680 route km of the Rewari–Delhi and Shakurbasti–Bathinda sections, including feeder branch lines, at ₹206 crore.
As of July 2026, the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) integrates how many systems through how many APIs?
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Correct answer: D — 46 systems through 142 APIs
ULIP integrates 46 systems across 12 Central Ministries and Departments through 142 APIs.
NLDSL, which signed a ULIP MoU with Punjab in July 2026, is the logistics arm of which body?
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Correct answer: C — NICDC
NLDSL is NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited, the logistics arm of NICDC.
SIR Phase III of electoral rolls, ordered by the ECI on 14 May 2026, covers about how many electors?
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Correct answer: B — 36.73 crore
Over 3.94 lakh BLOs will go house to house to 36.73 crore electors in SIR Phase III.
Which of the following is NOT covered in SIR Phase III announced by the ECI in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Himachal Pradesh
Phase III covers the whole country except Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, whose schedule will be announced later.
Consider the following statements about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Phase III (2026): 1. The ECI ordered it under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. 2. Enumeration begins first, on 30 May 2026, in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The ECI order cites Article 324 and Section 21 of the RP Act, 1950, and the house-to-house enumeration starts on 30 May in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim and Manipur.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana approved on 29 March 2026, how much will Scheduled Caste women receive per month?
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Correct answer: C — ₹1,500
Women will get ₹1,000 a month, while women from the Scheduled Castes will get ₹1,500 a month.
The 'Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana' for monthly cash assistance to women belongs to which state?
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Correct answer: D — Punjab
The scheme was approved by the Punjab Cabinet chaired by CM Bhagwant Mann on 29 March 2026.
Consider the following statements about Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana: 1. Women aged 18 or above who are registered voters in Punjab with valid Aadhaar and voter ID are eligible. 2. The scheme was first announced in the Punjab Budget on International Women's Day, 8 March 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Eligibility: women 18+, registered Punjab voters with valid Aadhaar and voter ID. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the scheme in the budget on 8 March 2026, International Women's Day.
Of the XV Finance Commission untied grants released to rural local bodies of four states (March 2026), which state received the largest amount?
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Correct answer: A — Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh received ₹631.91 crore, ahead of Jharkhand (₹269.03 crore), Punjab (₹222 crore) and Mizoram (₹14.80 crore).
In Mizoram, the XV Finance Commission rural grants released in March 2026 went to which type of local body?
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Correct answer: B — Village Councils
Mizoram's ₹14.80 crore went to all 816 eligible Village Councils – Mizoram's rural local bodies.
The Japanese ODA package of March 2026 (JPY 275.858 billion) covers projects in which three states?
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Correct answer: A — Maharashtra, Karnataka and Punjab
The four projects are in Maharashtra (Mumbai Metro Line 11, healthcare), Karnataka (Bengaluru Metro Phase 3) and Punjab (horticulture).
Which project received the largest share of the Japanese ODA loans committed to India on 24 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Bengaluru Metro Rail Project Phase 3 (I)
Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) got JPY 102.480 billion, ahead of Mumbai Metro Line 11 (JPY 92.400 billion), Maharashtra health (JPY 62.294 billion) and Punjab horticulture (JPY 18.684 billion).
Consider the following about the Japanese ODA-funded metro projects (March 2026): 1. Mumbai Metro Line 11 (I) covers about 17.51 km with 14 underground stations. 2. Bengaluru Metro Phase 3 (I) covers about 44.65 km with 31 underground stations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Bengaluru Phase 3 has 31 elevated (not underground) stations over about 44.65 km; Mumbai Line 11 has 14 underground stations over about 17.51 km.
According to NITI Aayog's March 2026 report, India's current share of global sports equipment exports is about:
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Correct answer: A — 0.5%
India exports about $275 million of sports equipment a year, around 0.5% of the global export market; 11% is the 2036 potential.
Consider the following about NITI Aayog's report on sports equipment manufacturing (March 2026): 1. Nearly half of the sector's production comes from large enterprises. 2. The existing clusters recommended for modernisation are Ludhiana and Kanpur. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: nearly 90% of production is by small and micro enterprises, and the clusters to be modernised are Meerut and Jalandhar.
From RMS 2026-27, the commission payable to Arthiyas for wheat procurement in Punjab and Haryana has been raised to:
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Correct answer: A — ₹50.75 per quintal
The Arthiya commission on wheat in Punjab and Haryana rises from ₹46.00 to ₹50.75 per quintal; ₹45.67 is for wheat in Rajasthan and ₹50.61 for paddy.
Under the revised procurement commission structure from RMS 2026-27, procurement carried out at modern silos will earn:
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Correct answer: B — 50% of the mandi rate
For procurement at modern silos, the commission payable will be 50% of the rate applicable in mandis.
Which State topped the 18 major States in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026, released on 11 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Odisha
Odisha retained the top rank with a score of 73.1, ahead of Goa (54.7) and Jharkhand (50.5).
Which State ranked first among the North-Eastern and Himalayan States in the Fiscal Health Index 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh ranked first, followed by Uttarakhand and Tripura; Himachal Pradesh and Manipur were at the bottom.
Which major State was ranked last, with a score of 12.4, in the Fiscal Health Index 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Punjab
Punjab scored 12.4, the lowest among the 18 major States; Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Kerala were also in the bottom 'aspirational' group.
The Fiscal Health Index 2026 assesses the fiscal performance of States for which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2023–24
The second edition, released in March 2026, ranks States on their finances for 2023–24; the first edition covered 2022–23.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2026: 1. It ranks all 28 States together in a single list. 2. NITI Aayog noted that States account for nearly one-third of India's general government debt. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the 18 major States and the 10 North-Eastern and Himalayan States are ranked separately because of structural differences. Statement 2 is correct.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana announced in the Budget 2026–27, how much will Scheduled Caste women receive per month?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,500
SC women will get ₹1,500 a month, while other eligible adult women will get ₹1,000.
What outlay has Punjab earmarked for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana in 2026–27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹9,300 crore
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema earmarked ₹9,300 crore for the scheme in 2026–27.
Who presented the Punjab Budget 2026–27 in the state Assembly on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Harpal Singh Cheema
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the Budget on International Women's Day.
The Punjab Cabinet on 7 March 2026 approved a world-class university named after Sri Guru Teg Bahadur at which place?
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Correct answer: A — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Cabinet approved the Sri Guru Teg Bahadur World Class University at Sri Anandpur Sahib and its draft Bill.
The Industrial & Business Development Policy 2026 approved by the Punjab Cabinet comes under which flagship initiative?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Udyog Kranti
The policy and its sector-specific schemes were approved under the 'Punjab Udyog Kranti' initiative.
From which date will the three-year nationwide anti-drug campaign announced at the 9th NCORD apex meeting begin?
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Correct answer: B — 31 March 2026
PIB (Home Affairs): a collective campaign against drugs will be carried out for three years from 31 March 2026.
Where did Amit Shah inaugurate a new Narcotics Control Bureau office on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Amritsar
PIB (Home Affairs): the Home Minister inaugurated the NCB office at Amritsar at the NCORD meeting.
Consider the following statements about the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), as stated in January 2026: 1. The NCORD mechanism was established in 2016. 2. It aims to improve coordination between the States, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other stakeholders on drugs. 3. Its 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Home Affairs): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, not the PM.
In November 2025 the Centre announced an investment of ₹4,500 crore to modernise the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) located at:
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Correct answer: A — Mohali
Ashwini Vaishnaw announced ₹4,500 crore to upgrade and expand SCL, Mohali, and said it will not be privatised.
The 28 student-designed chips handed over at SCL Mohali in November 2025 were made under which programme?
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Correct answer: B — Chips to Start-up (C2S)
The chips were designed with EDA tools provided under the Chips to Start-up (C2S) programme.
How many years did the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan complete in November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 5
NMBA completed five years on 18 November 2025.
Where was the national celebration of five years of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan held?
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Correct answer: A — Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
The celebration was held at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Where was the 32nd meeting of the Northern Zonal Council held on 17 November 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Faridabad
Amit Shah chaired the 32nd NZC meeting in Faridabad, Haryana.
According to Amit Shah at the 32nd NZC meeting, what share of the issues discussed in Zonal Council meetings so far has been resolved?
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Correct answer: C — 81.43%
1,303 of the 1,600 issues discussed — 81.43% — have been resolved.
Which of the following Vande Bharat Express trains was flagged off by PM Modi from Varanasi on 8 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Banaras–Khajuraho
The four trains were Banaras–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi, Lucknow–Saharanpur and Ernakulam–Bengaluru.
With the four new trains flagged off on 8 November 2025, the number of operational Vande Bharat trains in India crossed which figure?
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Correct answer: C — 160
PM Modi said that with these four trains, the total number of operational Vande Bharat trains had exceeded 160.
Consider the following trains: 1. Lucknow–Saharanpur Vande Bharat 2. Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Which of the above was/were among the four Vande Bharat trains flagged off from Varanasi on 8 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Lucknow–Saharanpur was among the four (with Banaras–Khajuraho, Firozpur–Delhi and Ernakulam–Bengaluru); Patna–Howrah was not.
How many stubble burning incidents did Punjab record between 15 September and 6 November 2025, as noted by CAQM?
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Correct answer: C — 3,284
Punjab recorded 3,284 incidents against 5,041 in the same period of 2024; Haryana reported 206 against 888.
How many farm fire incidents did Haryana report between 15 September and 6 November 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 206
Haryana reported 206 farm fires, against 888 in the same period of 2024, which CAQM credited to incentives and enforcement.
Consider the following statements about the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): 1. It is constituted under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. 2. The Act dissolved the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for the National Capital Region. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
The CAQM Act, 2021 (Act 29 of 2021) provides for constituting the Commission; it repealed the 1998 order setting up EPCA and dissolved the EPCA for NCR (India Code, PRS).
Haryana, which celebrates Haryana Day on 1 November, was formed in 1966 under which Act?
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Correct answer: B — Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
Section 3 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 formed the State of Haryana on the appointed day, 1 November 1966.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Union Territory of Chandigarh was formed on 1 November 1966 under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. 2. 1 November 2000 was notified as the appointed day of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000, which created Chhattisgarh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Section 4 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 formed the UT of Chandigarh on 1 November 1966, and MHA notified 1 November 2000 as the appointed day of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2000.
Under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, the new State of Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 from which existing State?
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Correct answer: D — Travancore-Cochin
The Act defines the new State of Kerala as corresponding to the existing State of Travancore-Cochin.
At the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav in Nava Raipur on 1 November 2025, marking 25 years of the state, the PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over:
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Correct answer: A — ₹14,260 crore
PIB reported that the PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over ₹14,260 crore covering roads, industry, healthcare and energy.