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.
What minimum efficiency does the Solar QCO 2025 set for poly-crystalline silicon PV modules?
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Correct answer: C — 17%
PIB 2097219: 17% for poly-crystalline silicon modules and 18% for mono-crystalline silicon and thin-film modules.
Under which law was the Solar Systems, Devices, and Components Goods Order, 2025 notified?
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Correct answer: C — Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
PIB 2097219: the order was notified in the Gazette dated 27.01.2025 under the BIS Act, 2016.
Consider the following statements about the Solar QCO 2025: 1. It covers solar PV modules, inverters and storage batteries. 2. It comes into effect 180 days from the date of publication. 3. Products meant exclusively for export are also covered. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2097219: the order covers modules, inverters and storage batteries and takes effect after 180 days; products exclusively for export are exempted.
Where did India and Oman sign the protocol amending their Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement on 27 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Muscat
Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs (27 January 2025): the protocol was signed in Muscat.
Which session of the India-Oman Joint Commission Meeting did Piyush Goyal co-chair during his January 2025 visit to Oman?
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Correct answer: C — 11th
PIB 2097043: Goyal co-chaired the 11th Session of the India-Oman JCM with Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef.
As announced in January 2025, roughly how many track kilometres of Indian Railways had been upgraded for speeds up to 130 kmph?
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Correct answer: A — Over 23,000
PIB 2096768: over 23,000 TKM were upgraded for 130 kmph; about 54,337 TKM were upgraded for 110 kmph.
Sections of which two major rail corridors prominently feature in the 130 kmph track upgrades?
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Correct answer: A — Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal
PIB 2096768: the upgrades prominently feature sections of the Golden Quadrilateral and Golden Diagonal networks.
As of 27 January 2025, what was the total area reported under Rabi crops?
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Correct answer: C — Over 655.88 lakh ha
PIB 2096743: Rabi crop sowing exceeded 655.88 lakh hectares as on 27 January 2025.
Which crop covered the largest Rabi area as of 27 January 2025, at 324.38 lakh hectares?
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Correct answer: B — Wheat
PIB 2096743: wheat covered 324.38 lakh ha, against 315.63 lakh ha a year earlier.
The Incubation & Innovation Complex (IICON) inaugurated at the North East Aroma Conclave 2025 belongs to which institute?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-NEIST
PIB 2096771: Jitendra Singh inaugurated the IICON of CSIR-NEIST at the North East Aroma Conclave 2025.
Consider the following about CSIR-NEIST's work under the Aroma and Floriculture Missions: 1. Aromatic crops have been introduced over more than 5,000 hectares in the North East. 2. Over 10,000 farmers have benefited. 3. IICON offers 27 advanced technologies to startups and MSMEs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2096771: crops such as citronella and lemongrass cover more than 5,000 ha benefiting over 10,000 farmers, and IICON offers 27 advanced technologies.
What was the theme of the first-ever tri-services tableau at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat
PIB 2096097: the tri-services tableau's theme was 'Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat'; 'Raksha Kavach' was DRDO's and 'Viksit Bharat ki Ore Sadaiv Agrasar' the veterans' tableau.
Which naval destroyer was featured on the tri-services tableau at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: D — INS Visakhapatnam
PIB 2096097: the tableau displayed the Arjun MBT, Tejas MKII, ALH, destroyer INS Visakhapatnam and a remotely piloted aircraft.
For which category did 'Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam' at the Republic Day Parade 2025 receive a Guinness World Record?
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Correct answer: D — The Largest Indian Folk Variety Dance
PIB 2096534: it was recognised by Guinness World Records for 'The Largest Indian Folk Variety Dance'.
Along with the Ministry of Culture, which body presented 'Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam' at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Sangeet Natak Akademi
PIB 2096534: the performance was by the Ministry of Culture and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
'Dharashakti', displayed on DRDO's Republic Day 2025 tableau, is what kind of system?
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Correct answer: D — Electronic warfare system
PIB 2096097: Dharashakti is an electronic warfare system; Arudhra is the medium power radar and UGRAM the assault rifle.
What was the theme of DRDO's tableau at the Republic Day Parade 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Raksha Kavach
PIB 2096097: DRDO's theme was 'Raksha Kavach – Multi-layer Protection against Multi-domain Threats'; 'Swarnim Bharat: Heritage and Progress' was the ICG tableau.
According to the DAHD tableau release, what was India's per capita milk availability in 2023-24?
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Correct answer: C — 471 grams per day
PIB 2096540: per capita availability was 471 grams per day in 2023-24, against a global average of 329 grams.
The theme of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying's first Republic Day tableau in 2025 honoured what?
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Correct answer: A — Indigenous cattle breeds
PIB 2096540: the theme was 'Honouring India's Indigenous Cattle Breeds as Icons of Sustainable Rural Growth'.
Which helpline number for children was showcased on the WCD Ministry's Republic Day 2025 tableau?
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Correct answer: C — 1098
PIB 2096419: the tableau showcased Women Helpline (181) and Child Helpline (1098).
Which of the following schemes was showcased on the WCD Ministry's Republic Day 2025 tableau?
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Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
PIB 2096419: schemes shown included One Stop Centre, Women Helpline, Child Helpline and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana.
According to the SBI report highlighted on 26 January 2025, what were total investment announcements in April–December 2024?
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Correct answer: C — ₹32.01 lakh crore
PIB 2096480: investment announcements in 9MFY25 stood at ₹32.01 lakh crore, up 39% from ₹23 lakh crore in 9MFY24.
Consider the following statements based on the SBI report highlighted by the Finance Ministry in January 2025: 1. Household net financial savings rose to 5.3% of GDP in FY24. 2. Private corporate investment reached 11.9% of GDP in FY23, the highest since FY16. 3. The public sector accounted for nearly 70% of investment announcements in 9MFY25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096480: HNFS rose to 5.3% of GDP in FY24 and private corporate investment hit 11.9% of GDP in FY23; nearly 70% of 9MFY25 announcements came from the private sector, not the public sector.
How many Padma Vibhushan awards were announced for 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 7
PIB 2096285 (MHA): the list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards.
What was the total number of Padma Awards approved for 2025, counting the duo case as one?
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Correct answer: C — 139
PIB 2096285: the President approved 139 Padma Awards including 1 duo case, counted as one.
Consider the following statements about the Padma Awards 2025: 1. 19 Padma Bhushan awards were announced. 2. 23 of the awardees are women. 3. 10 awards were conferred posthumously. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096285: there are 19 Padma Bhushan awards and 23 women awardees; 13 awards are posthumous, while 10 is the count of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI awardees.
Which Japanese industrialist was named for the Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) in Trade and Industry in 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Osamu Suzuki
PIB 2096285: Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous), Trade and Industry, Japan, is among the 7 Padma Vibhushan awardees.
Match the Padma Awards 2025 recipients with their award category: 1. Sharda Sinha – Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) 2. P R Sreejesh – Padma Bhushan 3. Arijit Singh – Padma Bhushan Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096285: Sharda Sinha received the Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) and P R Sreejesh the Padma Bhushan (sports); Arijit Singh is in the Padma Shri list.
Which Indonesian President was the chief guest at India's first Republic Day in 1950, as recalled during Prabowo Subianto's 2025 visit?
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Correct answer: A — Sukarno
PIB 2096322: President Murmu noted that 75 years ago, at the first Republic Day in 1950, President Sukarno of Indonesia was the chief guest.
Consider the following outcomes of the Indonesian President's State Visit to India in January 2025: 1. An MoU on traditional medicine quality assurance with the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority. 2. A Cultural Exchange Programme for 2025-28. 3. An MoU on space cooperation between ISRO and Indonesia's space agency. Which of the above were listed among the outcomes?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096278: outcomes included the traditional medicine MoU (PCIM&H–Indonesian FDA), MoUs on health and digital development and a 2025-28 cultural exchange programme; no space MoU was listed.
Which edition of the India-Indonesia CEOs Forum presented its joint report during the January 2025 State Visit?
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Correct answer: C — 3rd
PIB 2096278: the co-chairs of the 3rd India-Indonesia CEOs Forum presented their joint report.
How many Kirti Chakras were approved on the eve of Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 2
PIB 2096200: two Kirti Chakras (one posthumous) and 14 Shaurya Chakras were approved.
Consider the following statements about the Republic Day 2025 gallantry awards: 1. Gallantry awards were approved for 93 personnel, including 12 posthumous. 2. 14 Shaurya Chakras were approved. 3. 305 defence decorations included 50 Param Vishisht Seva Medals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2096200: 93 gallantry awards (12 posthumous) and 14 Shaurya Chakras were approved; the 305 defence decorations included 30 PVSMs, not 50.
Who among the following received the Kirti Chakra posthumously on the eve of Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Naik Dilwar Khan
PIB 2096200: Kirti Chakras went to Major Manjit (22 RR) and Naik Dilwar Khan (28 RR, posthumous); Captain Deepak Singh received the Shaurya Chakra (posthumous).
How many Medals for Gallantry were awarded to police and fire personnel on Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 95
PIB 2096015: 95 Medals for Gallantry (78 police, 17 fire service), 101 PSM and 746 MSM were awarded.
What was the total number of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services personnel awarded medals on Republic Day 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 942
PIB 2096015: a total of 942 personnel were awarded Gallantry and Service Medals.
How many Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padaks were approved in the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2024?
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Correct answer: D — 17
PIB 2096171: 17 Sarvottam, 9 Uttam and 23 Jeevan Raksha Padaks were approved for 49 persons.
How many of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2024 awardees were honoured posthumously?
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Correct answer: B — 6
PIB 2096171: six of the 49 awardees are posthumous.
Which organisation received the Best Electoral Practices Award 2024-25 as the best government department for voter education and electoral participation?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Railways
PIB 2096251: President Murmu conferred the award on Indian Railways; Railway Board Chairman & CEO Satish Kumar received it.
Doordarshan won the ECI media award for voter awareness in which category?
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Correct answer: C — Electronic Media (TV)
PIB 2096231: Doordarshan was honoured in the Electronic Media (TV) category for its voter awareness campaign.
With which organisation did the Directorate General of Shipping sign an umbrella MoU on 25 January 2025 to drive maritime innovation?
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Correct answer: A — C-DAC
PIB 2096078: DGS signed the umbrella MoU with C-DAC, a scientific society under MeitY.
C-DAC, which signed an MoU with DG Shipping in January 2025, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: B — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
PIB 2096078: C-DAC is a Scientific Society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Which state topped NITI Aayog's inaugural Fiscal Health Index 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Odisha
PIB 2095974: Odisha topped with a score of 67.8, followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6).
Who launched NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025 on 24 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Arvind Panagariya
PIB 2095974: 16th Finance Commission Chairman Arvind Panagariya launched the inaugural FHI 2025.
Which of the following is NOT one of the five sub-indices of NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Ease of Doing Business
PIB 2095974: the sub-indices are Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index and Debt Sustainability.
Which state ranked second in NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Chhattisgarh
PIB 2095974: Odisha (67.8) was followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6).
'SANJAY', flagged off on 24 January 2025, is what kind of system?
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Correct answer: D — Battlefield surveillance system
PIB 2095712: SANJAY is the Battlefield Surveillance System that fuses sensor inputs into a Common Surveillance Picture.
Consider the following statements about SANJAY: 1. It was jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited. 2. It was developed at a cost of ₹2,402 crore under the Buy (Indian) category. 3. Its induction is to be completed in a single phase in March 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2095712: SANJAY was developed by the Army and BEL at ₹2,402 crore under Buy (Indian); induction is in three phases from March to October 2025.
Which ministry was the top procurer on the Government e Marketplace in FY 2024-25 as of January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Ministry of Coal
PIB 2095901: the Ministry of Coal emerged as the top procurer with transacted order value of nearly ₹1.63 lakh crore.
What share of GeM's gross merchandise value in FY 2024-25 (as of 23 January 2025) came from the services segment?
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Correct answer: C — 62%
PIB 2095901: services accounted for ₹2.54 lakh crore, 62% of total GMV; products were 38%.
What was GeM's gross merchandise value for FY 2024-25 as on 23 January 2025?
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Correct answer: C — ₹4.09 lakh crore
PIB 2095901: GeM clocked a GMV of ₹4.09 lakh crore as on 23 January 2025, nearly 50% above the same period last year.
The 258.94 km railway quadrupling project evaluated at the 86th NPG meeting links Vadodara with which city?
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Correct answer: D — Ratlam
PIB 2096204: the project adds a third and fourth line between Vadodara (Gujarat) and Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh).
The Network Planning Group under PM GatiShakti is chaired by an official of which department?
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Correct answer: A — DPIIT
PIB 2096204: the 86th NPG meeting was chaired by E. Srinivas, Joint Secretary, DPIIT.
Through which app and portal can citizens report suspected fraud communications such as spoofed calls to the DoT?
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Correct answer: A — Sanchar Saathi
PIB 2095917: DoT urged citizens to report suspected fraud communications on the Sanchar Saathi mobile app and portal.
Consider the following statements about DoT's action against spoofed international calls (January 2025): 1. Telcos blocked more than 20 foreign carriers handing over spoofed calls. 2. The prevention system blocked about 1.35 crore spoofed calls in its first 24 hours. 3. The prevention system was imported from a foreign vendor. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2095917: telcos blocked more than 20 carriers and the system blocked about 1.35 crore spoofed calls in 24 hours; the system is indigenously developed.
How many new employees were enrolled under the ESI Scheme in November 2024, as per ESIC's provisional payroll data?
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Correct answer: B — 16.07 lakh
PIB 2095848: 16.07 lakh new employees were added in November 2024, against 15.92 lakh in November 2023.
What share of new ESI registrations in November 2024 belonged to the age group of up to 25 years?
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Correct answer: C — About 47%
PIB 2095848: 7.57 lakh employees, around 47.11% of total registrations, were up to 25 years of age.
What was the year-on-year inflation rate based on CPI-AL for December 2024?
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Correct answer: A — 5.01%
PIB 2095463: CPI-AL inflation was 5.01% in December 2024, against 5.35% in November 2024 and 7.71% in December 2023.
What is the base year of the CPI for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers?
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Correct answer: B — 1986-87 = 100
PIB 2095463: CPI-AL and CPI-RL have base 1986-87 = 100.
Consider the following about CPI-AL and CPI-RL for December 2024: 1. Both indices were unchanged from November 2024. 2. CPI-RL stood at 1331 points. 3. CPI-RL inflation was higher than in December 2023. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2095463: CPI-AL (1320) and CPI-RL (1331) were unchanged; CPI-RL inflation fell to 5.05% from 7.46% in December 2023.
RMBS Development Company Limited (RDCL), which got an RBI Certificate of Registration in January 2025, was set up by which body?
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Correct answer: C — National Housing Bank
PIB 2096815: National Housing Bank set up RDCL as its single largest shareholder.
What is the paid-up capital of RMBS Development Company Limited (RDCL)?
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Correct answer: A — ₹500 crore
PIB 2096815: RDCL's paid-up capital is ₹500 crore, with its registered office in Mumbai.
From when will the Legal Metrology rules for radar speed-measuring equipment, notified in January 2025, come into force?
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Correct answer: D — 1 July 2025
PIB 2095440: to give industry time to comply, the rules will come into force from 1 July 2025.
The draft rules for radar speed-measuring equipment were based on which international recommendation?
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Correct answer: A — OIML R 91
PIB 2095440: the committee submitted the initial draft based on OIML R 91.
The committee that framed the draft radar equipment rules was chaired by the Director of which institute?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi
PIB 2095440: the committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Director, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi.
What MSP was fixed for raw jute (TD-3 grade) for the 2025-26 season?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,650 per quintal
PIB 2095068: the MSP of raw jute (TD-3 grade) was fixed at ₹5,650 per quintal, ₹315 above 2024-25.
What return over the all-India weighted average cost of production does the 2025-26 raw jute MSP ensure?
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Correct answer: D — 66.8%
PIB 2095068: the MSP ensures a return of 66.8% over the all-India weighted average cost of production.
Which state accounts for 82% of India's jute farmers, according to the Cabinet's January 2025 MSP decision?
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Correct answer: A — West Bengal
PIB 2095068: 82% of jute farmers belong to West Bengal; Assam and Bihar have 9% each of jute production.
From where was the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme launched on 22 January 2015?
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Correct answer: A — Panipat, Haryana
PIB 2095231: PM Narendra Modi launched BBBP on 22 January 2015 from Panipat, Haryana.
According to the Health Minister at the BBBP 10-year event, India's Maternal Mortality Rate has fallen since 2014 from 130 to how many deaths per lakh live births?
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Correct answer: C — 97
PIB 2095231: MMR decreased from 130 to 97 deaths per lakh live births, and IMR from 39 to 28 per 1,000 live births.
Consider the following about Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): 1. It was launched in 2015 from Panipat, Haryana. 2. It is a joint effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Education, and Health and Family Welfare. 3. The Mission Vatsalya Portal was launched at its 10-year celebration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2095231: BBBP was launched in 2015 from Panipat by three ministries; the Mission Vatsalya Portal was launched at the 22 January 2025 event.
According to MeitY's January 2025 report, what share of national income did India's digital economy account for in 2022-23?
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Correct answer: A — 11.74%
PIB 2095260: India's digital economy was estimated at 11.74% of national income in 2022-23.
With MeitY's digital economy estimates, India became the first developing country to use which organisation's framework to size its digital economy?
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Correct answer: C — OECD
PIB 2095260: India is the first among developing countries to use the OECD framework; alternate estimates use the ADB input-output approach.
Consider the following about MeitY's report on India's digital economy (January 2025): 1. The digital economy was worth ₹31.64 lakh crore in 2022-23. 2. It is projected to contribute one-fifth of GDP by 2030. 3. It also gives alternate estimates using the ADB's input-output approach. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2095260: the digital economy equalled ₹31.64 lakh crore in 2022-23, is projected at one-fifth of GDP by 2030, and alternate estimates use the ADB input-output approach.