UKPSC Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which organisation was appointed by the IWAI Board in February 2025 to carry out the feasibility study for Water Metro in 17 cities?
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Correct answer: A — Kochi Metro Rail Limited
The IWAI Board appointed Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) to carry out the feasibility study.
The IWAI Board decided in February 2025 to explore Water Metro in how many cities?
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Correct answer: C — 17
The Board decided to explore Water Metro in 17 cities across 12 states.
According to the Power Minister on 21 February 2025, average electricity supply in rural areas has risen to how many hours a day in 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 22.6 hours
Manohar Lal said rural supply rose from 12.5 hours in 2014 to 22.6 hours in 2025, and urban supply reached 23.4 hours.
AT&C losses in India's power sector fell from 22.62% in 2014 to what level in 2025, as stated by the Power Minister?
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Correct answer: A — 15%
The Minister said AT&C losses fell from 22.62% in 2014 to 15% in 2025.
Who scored a maiden ODI century as South Africa beat Afghanistan by 107 runs in the Champions Trophy at Karachi on 21 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ryan Rickelton
Ryan Rickelton scored 103 off 106 balls, his maiden ODI century, and was named Player of the Match.
How many new employees were enrolled under the ESI Scheme in December 2024, according to provisional ESIC payroll data?
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Correct answer: D — 17.01 lakh
ESIC's provisional payroll data showed 17.01 lakh new employees added in December 2024, with 20,360 new establishments.
Which of the following minerals was NOT among those shifted from minor to major minerals by the Ministry of Mines in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Limestone
The minerals shifted were Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz; limestone was not part of this notification.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee that recommended reclassifying Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz as major minerals was chaired by:
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Correct answer: B — Dr V.K. Saraswat
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the mines and minerals sector was chaired by NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Saraswat.
Quartz, Felspar and Mica were reclassified partly because they occur in which rocks that are an important source of critical minerals like lithium and beryl?
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Correct answer: C — Pegmatite
Quartz, Felspar and Mica are found in pegmatite rocks, an important source of critical minerals such as beryl, lithium, niobium and tantalum.
Consider the following statements about the reclassification of Barytes, Felspar, Mica and Quartz as major minerals (February 2025): 1. Revenue from these mines will now accrue to the Central Government instead of the states. 2. Existing leases will be extended to 50 years from the date of grant under Section 8A of the MMDR Act, 1957. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
The Ministry said revenue from these mines will continue to accrue to the state governments, while leases get extended to 50 years from the date of grant (or till the end of the renewal period, if later) under Section 8A, so only the second statement is correct.
Who scored an unbeaten century for India against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy at Dubai on 20 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill made 101 not out off 129 balls as India chased 229.
Mohammed Shami, who took 5 for 53 against Bangladesh, overtook whom to become India's leading wicket-taker in men's ICC tournaments?
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Correct answer: B — Zaheer Khan
With his five-for, Shami overtook Zaheer Khan as India's leading wicket-taker in men's ICC tournaments.
Which record did Mohammed Shami set during his 5 for 53 against Bangladesh on 20 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Quickest to 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled
Shami became the quickest bowler to 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled, and it was his sixth ODI five-wicket haul.
Which Bangladesh batter scored his maiden ODI century against India in Dubai on 20 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Towhid Hridoy
Towhid Hridoy scored 100 off 118 balls, his maiden ODI century, sharing a 154-run sixth-wicket stand with Jaker Ali.
The Intensified Special NCD Screening Campaign launched on 20 February 2025 aims to screen all individuals above what age?
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Correct answer: A — 30 years
The campaign aims at 100% screening of all individuals aged 30 years and above.
Which of the following cancers is NOT among the three covered by the NCD screening campaign of February-March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Lung cancer
The campaign screens for diabetes, hypertension and three common cancers: oral, breast and cervical.
With the launch of the Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) for pilots on 20 February 2025, India became which country in the world to implement it?
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Correct answer: C — Second
The Civil Aviation Ministry said India became the second country globally to implement the EPL system.
India's Electronic Personnel Licence for pilots follows ICAO's Amendment 178 to which Annex of the Chicago Convention?
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Correct answer: D — Annex 1 - Personnel Licensing
The EPL follows ICAO's Amendment 178 to Annex 1, Personnel Licensing, which encourages member states to adopt electronic licences.
INS Sujata and ICGS Veera of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron arrived at Cam Ranh Bay on 20 February 2025. Cam Ranh Bay is in:
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Correct answer: A — Vietnam
Cam Ranh Bay is in Vietnam, where the ships were welcomed by the Vietnam People's Navy.
Gyanesh Kumar, who assumed charge on 19 February 2025, is India's which Chief Election Commissioner?
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Correct answer: B — 26th
The Election Commission's press note says Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar belongs to the 1988 batch of the IAS from which cadre?
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Correct answer: A — Kerala
Gyanesh Kumar is a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre and served as District Collector of Ernakulam.
Who took charge as Election Commissioner on 19 February 2025, filling the vacancy created by Gyanesh Kumar's elevation as CEC?
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Correct answer: B — Vivek Joshi
Vivek Joshi, who was Haryana's Chief Secretary, took charge as Election Commissioner the same day; Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was already a member.
Under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, the Search Committee that prepares a panel of five names is headed by the:
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Correct answer: C — Minister of Law and Justice
Section 6 of the 2023 Act provides for a Search Committee headed by the Minister of Law and Justice, with two members not below the rank of Secretary, to prepare a panel of five persons.
Consider the following statements about the Selection Committee under Section 7 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023: 1. It is chaired by the Prime Minister. 2. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha is a member. 3. The Chief Justice of India is a member. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Section 7 names the Prime Minister as Chairperson, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister as members; the Chief Justice of India is not on the committee, so only the first two statements are correct.
By what margin did New Zealand beat Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi?
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Correct answer: D — 60 runs
New Zealand made 320 for 5 and bowled Pakistan out for 260, winning by 60 runs.
Who was named Player of the Match in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener between Pakistan and New Zealand?
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Correct answer: B — Tom Latham
Tom Latham, unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls, was named Player of the Match.
Besides Tom Latham, which New Zealand batter scored a century against Pakistan in Karachi on 19 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Will Young
Will Young made 107 off 113 balls, the other century in New Zealand's 320 for 5.
Where was the first General Assembly of IALA held, at which India was elected to the Vice Presidency in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Singapore
India was elected to IALA's Vice Presidency at the body's 1st General Assembly in Singapore.
IALA, whose first General Assembly was held in February 2025, was originally established in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1957
IALA was established in 1957 as a non-governmental organisation.
What change in IALA's status was marked by its first General Assembly in Singapore?
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Correct answer: B — It moved from a non-governmental to an inter-governmental organisation
The first General Assembly marked IALA's transition from a non-governmental organisation to an inter-governmental organisation.
Which Indian PSU signed an MoU with the Provincial Government of Catamarca, Argentina, on 19 February 2025 for critical mineral exploration?
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Correct answer: C — Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL)
The MoU was signed between Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), a PSU under the Ministry of Mines, and the Provincial Government of Catamarca.
Argentina, a partner in India's search for battery minerals, is part of which resource region?
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Correct answer: D — Lithium Triangle
The Ministry of Mines described Argentina as known for its vast lithium reserves as part of the 'Lithium Triangle'.
Which edition of the Malaysia-India Defence Cooperation Committee (MIDCOM) met in Kuala Lumpur on 19 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 13th
The 13th MIDCOM meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on 19 February 2025.
At the 13th MIDCOM, India and Malaysia exchanged terms of reference for a forum on the maintenance of which aircraft, flown by both air forces?
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Correct answer: D — Su-30
The finalised terms of reference for a Su-30 Forum were exchanged, to share expertise and best practices in Su-30 maintenance.
Who was the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes when it marked its 22nd Foundation Day on 19 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Antar Singh Arya
Chairperson Antar Singh Arya spoke on the Commission's work; Hansraj Gangaram Ahir chairs the backward classes commission and Nirupam Chakma is an NCST member.
Which leader of Qatar paid a State Visit to India on 17-18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, paid his second State Visit to India on 17-18 February 2025.
During the Amir of Qatar's visit in February 2025, India-Qatar relations were elevated to which level?
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Correct answer: A — Strategic Partnership
The two sides signed the Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership.
How much investment in India did Qatar commit to, according to the India-Qatar Joint Statement of 18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — USD 10 billion
The Qatar side announced a commitment to invest USD 10 billion in India in sectors such as infrastructure, technology, manufacturing and food security.
What bilateral trade target did India and Qatar set in February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Double trade by 2030
Both sides set the target to double bilateral trade by 2030 and agreed to explore a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Consider the following statements about the Amir of Qatar's visit to India in February 2025: 1. It was his second State Visit to India. 2. The Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce was elevated to a Joint Commission headed by the Commerce Ministers. 3. India and Qatar signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during the visit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
It was the Amir's second State Visit, and the trade working group became a Joint Commission headed by the Commerce Ministers; on a CEPA, the sides only agreed to explore the possibility, so only the first two statements are correct.
Which state's Legislative Assembly adopted the National e-Vidhan Application and became a Digital House on 18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Uttarakhand
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Speaker Ritu Khanduri inaugurated NeVA in the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, making it a Digital House.
The National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) was rolled out to state legislatures on the lines of the e-Vidhan system of which state's Legislative Assembly?
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Correct answer: A — Himachal Pradesh
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs was made nodal ministry to roll out e-Vidhan, re-designated NeVA, in all states and UTs with legislatures on the lines of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
According to the PLFS quarterly bulletin for October-December 2024, what was the urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above (CWS)?
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Correct answer: C — 6.4%
The urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above fell to 6.4% in October-December 2024 from 6.5% a year earlier.
What was the urban unemployment rate among women aged 15 and above in October-December 2024, as per the PLFS bulletin?
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Correct answer: B — 8.1%
The female urban unemployment rate fell from 8.6% in October-December 2023 to 8.1% in October-December 2024.
With which Nepalese institution did CSIR sign an MoU on science and technology cooperation on 18 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
CSIR and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) formalised the MoU at CSIR-NPL, New Delhi.
The Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM), launched by MeitY in February 2025, is part of which initiative?
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Correct answer: D — Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India's Digital Footprint
DBIM was launched under the 'Gov.In: Harmonisation of Government of India's Digital Footprint' initiative to give government websites a uniform identity.
After reaching Port Stanley on 18 February 2025, INSV Tarini was to sail to which port before returning to India?
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Correct answer: B — Cape Town
Following its stop in Port Stanley, INSV Tarini was to sail to Cape Town before returning to India.
Which ITU event did India propose to host, during the Telecom Secretary's visit to Geneva in February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030
India proposed to host the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2030 as part of positioning itself as a global digital leader.
The Letter of Intent signed by DoT and ITU on 17 February 2025 mainly concerns collaboration on:
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Correct answer: D — AI-driven digital twin technologies for infrastructure planning
The LoI covers common initiatives in digital twins, AI-driven solutions, virtual world technologies and IMT-2030 for future-ready infrastructure planning.
How much Advanced Chemistry Cell capacity was awarded to Reliance New Energy Battery Limited under the PLI scheme on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 10 GWh
The Programme Agreement awards Reliance New Energy Battery Limited 10 GWh of ACC capacity after a global tender.
After the Reliance agreement of February 2025, how much cumulative capacity had been awarded under the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell?
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Correct answer: C — 40 GWh
With this signing, a cumulative capacity of 40 GWh has been awarded to four firms out of the scheme's 50 GWh target.
Consider the following statements about the PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage: 1. It was approved by the Cabinet in May 2021 with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore. 2. It aims at a total manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh. 3. In the first round of bidding in March 2022, the entire 50 GWh was allotted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
The scheme was approved in May 2021 with ₹18,100 crore for 50 GWh; the first round in March 2022 allotted only 30 GWh to three firms, so only the first two statements are correct.
What were India's estimated total exports (merchandise and services) in April-January 2024-25?
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Correct answer: A — USD 682.59 billion
Total exports in April-January 2024-25 were estimated at USD 682.59 billion, up 7.21% from USD 636.69 billion; USD 770.06 billion was the imports figure.
Which of the following was the fastest-growing major export category in January 2025, as per the Commerce Ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Electronic goods
Electronic goods exports grew 78.97% to USD 4.11 billion in January 2025, ahead of rice at 44.61% and drugs and pharmaceuticals at 21.46%.
In January 2025, how did India's estimated services exports compare with merchandise exports?
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Correct answer: C — Services exports exceeded merchandise exports
Services exports were estimated at USD 38.55 billion against merchandise exports of USD 36.43 billion in January 2025.
In how many states did the Agriculture Minister approve tur procurement under the Price Support Scheme for kharif 2024-25, as announced on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 9
Tur procurement was approved in nine states, from Andhra Pradesh to Uttar Pradesh, for a total of 13.22 lakh tonnes.
Which central nodal agencies will purchase tur from farmers under the Price Support Scheme of PM-AASHA, as stated in February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — NAFED and NCCF
The Government said it is committed to purchasing 100% of tur produced by farmers through the central nodal agencies NAFED and NCCF.
Under the Budget 2025 announcement cited by the Agriculture Ministry, procurement of which pulses up to 100% of a state's production will continue for four more years?
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Correct answer: B — Tur, urad and masur
The Budget 2025 announcement continues procurement of tur (arhar), urad and masur up to 100% of the state's production for another four years.
In which city did Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launch the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Mumbai
Nirmala Sitharaman launched MCGS-MSME at the post-budget stakeholders' interaction in Mumbai.
What did the Finance Minister virtually inaugurate at Navy Nagar, Colaba, alongside the MCGS-MSME launch on 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — The first Sachal Aaykar Seva Kendra
She virtually inaugurated the first Sachal Aaykar Seva Kendra in Mumbai, to operate at Navy Nagar, Colaba, for digital services, grievance help and tax awareness.
Rajiv Kumar, who was given a farewell by the Election Commission on 17 February 2025, was India's which Chief Election Commissioner?
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Correct answer: C — 25th
Rajiv Kumar assumed charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner on 15 May 2022 and demitted office on 18 February 2025.
The Central Silk Board's international conference SILKTECH 2025 was held on 17 February 2025 as part of which event?
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Tex 2025
SILKTECH 2025 was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a part of the mega textile event Bharat Tex 2025.
Under which section of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 is an authorisation needed to establish, operate, maintain or expand a telecommunication network, the subject of TRAI's recommendations of 17 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Section 3(1)(b)
Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 requires such an authorisation; Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act is the provision under which DoT sought TRAI's recommendations.
Which edition of Bharat Tex did PM Narendra Modi address at Bharat Mandapam on 16 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2nd
The Prime Minister remarked that Bharat Mandapam was witnessing the second (2nd) edition of Bharat Tex.
According to PM Modi at Bharat Tex 2025, what is India's current rank among the world's exporters of textiles and apparel?
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Correct answer: C — 6th
The Prime Minister said India is currently ranked the sixth-largest (6th) exporter of textiles and apparel in the world.
How many countries were participating in Bharat Tex 2025, as stated by the Prime Minister?
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Correct answer: C — 120+
The Prime Minister said more than 120 countries were participating, giving every exhibitor exposure to over 120 countries.
Consider the following statements made by PM Modi at Bharat Tex 2025: 1. India's textile and apparel exports rose 7% in the last year. 2. All twelve communities across the textile value chain were part of the event. 3. The event was being held for the first time in Gandhinagar. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
The PM cited a 7% rise in textile and apparel exports and said all twelve value-chain communities took part; the event was the second edition, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, so the third statement is wrong.
Addressing Bharat Tex 2025, PM Narendra Modi said the world is adopting which vision, in which India can lead the way?
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Correct answer: A — Fashion for Environment and Empowerment
The Prime Minister said the world is adopting the vision of 'Fashion for Environment and Empowerment', and India can lead the way in it.