UPSC EPFO / APFC Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
At the 14th India-France CEOs Forum in Paris (February 2025), PM Modi said roughly how many compliances had been rationalised in the last few years?
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Correct answer: C — Over 40,000
Modi said more than 40,000 compliances had been rationalised and that a high-level committee for regulatory reforms had been constituted.
Alar Karis, whom PM Modi met for the first time on the sidelines of the Paris AI Action Summit in February 2025, is the President of:
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Correct answer: D — Estonia
Alar Karis is the President of Estonia; the two leaders discussed cyber security and the India-Nordic-Baltic format.
NITI Aayog's policy report released on 10 February 2025 is described as the first policy document in higher education focused specifically on:
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Correct answer: A — States and State Public Universities
The report 'Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities' focuses specifically on states and SPUs.
At the release of NITI Aayog's report on State Public Universities (February 2025), what share of India's higher education was said to take place in these universities?
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Correct answer: C — 80%
NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Paul said about 80% of India's higher education takes place in State Public Universities.
Phase-2 of which India-UK bilateral programme was announced at the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ASPIRE (Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India)
The ministers launched Phase-2 of the Accelerating Smart Power & Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme.
Who co-chaired the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue in New Delhi on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Manohar Lal and Ed Miliband
The dialogue was co-chaired by India's Power Minister Manohar Lal and the UK's Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband.
Up to which year was the integrated PM-AASHA scheme approved for continuation, as announced on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 2025-26
PM-AASHA is to continue during the 15th Finance Commission cycle up to 2025-26.
Which department administers the Price Stabilisation Fund component of the integrated PM-AASHA scheme?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Consumer Affairs
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare runs PSS, PDPS and MIS, while the Department of Consumer Affairs runs the Price Stabilisation Fund.
'Sṛjanam', the automated biomedical waste treatment rig launched at AIIMS New Delhi on 10 February 2025, treats pathogenic waste without using:
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Correct answer: B — Incinerators
The rig disinfects pathogenic biomedical waste without costly and energy-intensive incinerators.
At the launch of 'Sṛjanam' (February 2025), how many tonnes of biomedical waste was India said to generate daily, citing the CPCB's 2023 report?
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Correct answer: D — 743
Dr Jitendra Singh cited the CPCB's 2023 annual report, which put India's biomedical waste generation at 743 tonnes a day.
The India-EFTA Desk inaugurated on 10 February 2025 is meant to:
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Correct answer: D — Act as a single-window mechanism supporting EFTA businesses investing in India
The desk will function as a single-window mechanism to support EFTA businesses looking to invest, expand or set up operations in India.
The nationwide Mass Drug Administration round against lymphatic filariasis launched on 10 February 2025 covers how many endemic districts?
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Correct answer: A — 111
The campaign covers 111 endemic districts, with free medicines for over 17.5 crore people.
The MoU signed by DPIIT with the Korea Transport Institute on 10 February 2025 is meant to support infrastructure and logistics master plans under:
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Correct answer: C — PM GatiShakti National Master Plan
The MoU sets up knowledge exchange between DPIIT's Logistics Division and KOTI for master plans under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
Where was the 2nd India-France AI Policy Roundtable held on 10 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Sciences Po, Paris
The roundtable was held at the Sciences Po university campus in Paris as a side event of the AI Action Summit.
The Executive Programme of Cooperation signed between the National Archives of India and Oman's National Records and Archives Authority on 10 February 2025 covers which period?
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Correct answer: C — 2025-2028
The EPC on archival cooperation covers 2025-2028.
Which Fijian minister, on his maiden visit to India, held bilateral talks with Rajnath Singh in Bengaluru on 9 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Pio Tikoduadua
Rajnath Singh welcomed Fiji's Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua on his maiden visit to India.
India and Fiji agreed in February 2025 to institutionalise a Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation, as envisaged in their MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2017
Both sides agreed to institutionalise the India–Fiji Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation, as envisaged in the MoU on Defence Cooperation signed in 2017.
During his meeting with Rajnath Singh on 9 February 2025, South Sudan's Defence Minister acknowledged India's efforts in which UN mission?
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Correct answer: D — UNMISS
The South Sudanese side acknowledged India's efforts in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Which book was released on the sidelines of the Indian Navy Chiefs' Conclave held in New Delhi on 8–9 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Legacy of Leadership: Naval Chiefs through Time
'Legacy of Leadership: Naval Chiefs through Time', chronicling the journeys of former Chiefs of the Naval Staff, was released at the conclave.
EON-51, for which the Defence Ministry signed a contract with BEL on 8 February 2025, is a:
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Correct answer: D — Electro-optical fire control system
EON-51 is an electro-optical fire control system that searches, detects and classifies targets using electro-optical and thermal imagers.
The 28 EON-51 systems ordered from BEL in February 2025 are meant for which Indian Navy vessels?
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Correct answer: A — 11 New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and three Cadet Training Ships
The systems are for 11 New Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels and three Cadet Training Ships.
Under which Defence Acquisition category was the ₹642 crore contract for 28 EON-51 systems signed with BEL in February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Buy (Indian-IDDM)
The contract for 28 EON-51 systems, worth ₹642.17 crore, was signed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
How many books by young authors were launched under PM YUVA 2.0 at the New Delhi World Book Fair on 8 February 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 41
Dharmendra Pradhan launched 41 new books under PM YUVA 2.0 at the fair.
To what level did the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee cut the policy repo rate on 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 6.25%
The MPC cut the repo rate by 25 basis points from 6.50% to 6.25%.
After the RBI's policy decision of 7 February 2025, at what rate did the standing deposit facility (SDF) stand?
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Correct answer: B — 6.00%
With the repo rate at 6.25%, the SDF rate was adjusted to 6.00% and the MSF rate and Bank Rate to 6.50%.
Who chaired the 53rd meeting of the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee held from 5 to 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Sanjay Malhotra
The 53rd MPC meeting was chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra; it was his first monetary policy. Rajiv Ranjan attended as a member.
In February 2025, the RBI projected real GDP growth for 2025-26 at:
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Correct answer: D — 6.7%
Real GDP growth for 2025-26 was projected at 6.7%; 6.4% was the First Advance Estimate for 2024-25.
Consider the following statements about the RBI's monetary policy of 7 February 2025: 1. The decision to cut the repo rate was unanimous. 2. The MPC changed its stance from neutral to accommodative. 3. CPI inflation for 2025-26 was projected at 4.2%. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the MPC voted unanimously for the cut and projected 2025-26 CPI inflation at 4.2%. Statement 2 is wrong, as it unanimously kept the stance neutral.
India's installed solar capacity crossed 100 GW in early 2025. What was it in 2014, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy?
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Correct answer: A — 2.82 GW
Solar capacity rose from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100.33 GW as of 31 January 2025, an increase of 3450%.
As per the MNRE in February 2025, solar energy accounts for what share of India's total installed renewable energy capacity?
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Correct answer: D — 47%
Solar remains the dominant contributor, accounting for 47% of India's installed renewable energy capacity.
How much solar capacity did India add in the record year of 2024, as per the MNRE?
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Correct answer: C — 24.5 GW
India added a record 24.5 GW of solar in 2024; 18.5 GW of this was utility-scale capacity.
What is the outlay, in ₹ crore, approved by the Cabinet on 7 February 2025 for the Skill India Programme for 2022-23 to 2025-26?
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Correct answer: D — 8,800
The Cabinet approved continuing the Skill India Programme till 2026 with an outlay of ₹8,800 crore for 2022-23 to 2025-26.
Which of the following is NOT one of the components combined under the restructured Skill India Programme approved in February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is not a component; the programme combines PMKVY 4.0, PM-NAPS and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme.
Consider the following statements about the Skill India Programme approved on 7 February 2025: 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. 2. PMKVY 4.0 under it targets people aged 15–59 years. 3. More than 400 new courses, including on AI, 5G and drone technology, have been introduced. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 2 and 3 only
Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is wrong: the Skill India Programme is a Central Sector Scheme, not a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Which institution will act as the exclusive registrar for the 'bank.in' internet domain announced by the RBI on 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT)
The RBI said the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) will act as the exclusive registrar, with registrations from April 2025.
In February 2025, DRDO redesigned the 65 research verticals of its 15 Industry Academia – Centres of Excellence into how many verticals?
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Correct answer: B — 82
The 65 research verticals across 15 DIA-CoEs were redesigned into 82, adding deep-technology areas.
How often is the Indian Navy's Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) conducted?
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Correct answer: A — Biennially
TROPEX is conducted biennially, that is once every two years; the 2025 edition ran from January to March.
Kameshwar Choupal, whose death was condoled by the PM on 7 February 2025, was a trustee of which body?
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Correct answer: A — Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust
Kameshwar Choupal was a senior BJP leader and a trustee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Who inaugurated the national event marking the 75th anniversary of the National Sample Survey at Vigyan Bhawan on 7 February 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Rao Inderjit Singh
Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, inaugurated the event; Amitabh Kant gave the keynote address.
Aadhaar holders carried out more than how many authentication transactions in January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 284 crore
Over 284 crore authentication transactions were carried out in January 2025, up more than 32% from 214.8 crore in January 2024.
India has full responsibility for building all the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) chambers for which experiment at FAIR, Germany?
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Correct answer: C — Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM)
India is to build all the GEM chambers for the Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) experiment at FAIR, which will operate in a very high radiation environment.
Under TRAI's recommendations of 6 February 2025 on the National Numbering Plan, how would fixed-line to fixed-line calls be dialled?
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Correct answer: C — With '0' followed by the STD code and subscriber number
TRAI recommended that all fixed-line to fixed-line calls be dialled with '0' followed by the STD code and the subscriber number, under an LSA-based 10-digit closed numbering scheme.
As per TRAI's February 2025 recommendations, mobile or fixed-line connections should not be deactivated by operators until how long a period of non-usage?
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Correct answer: A — 90 days
TRAI recommended that no mobile or fixed-line connection be deactivated until 90 days of non-usage have expired.
What aggregate net profit, in ₹ lakh crore, did Public Sector Banks report for April–December 2024, as per the Finance Ministry?
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Correct answer: D — 1.29
PSBs posted their highest-ever aggregate net profit of ₹1,29,426 crore, about ₹1.29 lakh crore, up 31.3% year-on-year.
What was the net NPA ratio of Public Sector Banks as on 31 December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 0.59%
The net NPA ratio of PSBs was 0.59%, with aggregate net NPAs of ₹61,252 crore.
What was the aggregate Capital to Risk Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of Public Sector Banks as on 31 December 2024?
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Correct answer: D — 14.83%
The aggregate CRAR of PSBs was 14.83%, well above the minimum requirement of 11.5%.
In their first phone call on 6 February 2025, Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth agreed to draft a defence cooperation framework for which period?
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Correct answer: B — 2025–2035
India and the US agreed to draft a comprehensive framework on defence cooperation for 2025–2035.
Pete Hegseth, with whom Rajnath Singh held a phone call on 6 February 2025, had recently been confirmed as:
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Correct answer: A — US Secretary of Defense
Rajnath Singh congratulated Pete Hegseth on his confirmation as US Secretary of Defense in their first phone call.
EPFO crossed which milestone of claim settlements in FY 2024-25, as announced on 6 February 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 5.08 crore claims
EPFO processed over 5.08 crore claims in FY 2024-25, crossing 5 crore for the first time; it had settled 4.45 crore claims in FY 2023-24.
How many claims did EPFO settle through auto-settlement in FY 2024-25, as per the February 2025 announcement?
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Correct answer: B — 1.87 crore
Auto claim settlements doubled to 1.87 crore in FY 2024-25 from 89.52 lakh in FY 2023-24.
What was the total cost, in ₹ crore, of the contracts signed by the Defence Ministry on 6 February 2025 for Pinaka rockets?
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Correct answer: C — 10,147
The contracts with EEL and MIL for ADM Type-1 and HEPF Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets for the Pinaka MLRS were worth ₹10,147 crore.
With which company did the Defence Ministry sign a contract on 6 February 2025 for upgrading the SHAKTI software linked to the Pinaka system?
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Correct answer: C — Bharat Electronics Limited
The SHAKTI software upgrade contract was signed with Bharat Electronics Limited; Munitions India Limited is to supply the HEPF Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets.
Consider the following statements about the Pinaka contracts of 6 February 2025: 1. Area Denial Munition Type-1 (DPICM) rockets are to be supplied by Economic Explosives Limited. 2. HEPF Mk-1 (Enhanced) rockets are to be supplied by Munitions India Limited. 3. Pinaka is a towed howitzer system. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: Pinaka is a Multiple Launch Rocket System, not a towed howitzer.