UPSC EPFO / APFC Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The Defence Acquisition Council meeting of 29 December 2025 accorded Acceptance of Necessity to proposals worth about:
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Correct answer: B — ₹79,000 crore
PIB (Defence): the DAC chaired by Rajnath Singh accorded AoN for proposals of the three Services amounting to about ₹79,000 crore.
For which Service did the DAC approve the leasing of High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems on 29 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Indian Navy
PIB (Defence): AoN was accorded to the Indian Navy for leasing HALE RPAS to ensure continuous ISR and maritime domain awareness over the Indian Ocean Region.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is anchored in which three guiding 'Sutras'?
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Correct answer: A — People, Planet and Progress
PIB (MeitY): the Summit is anchored in three guiding Sutras: People, Planet and Progress.
The three Sutras of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 are operationalised through how many thematic 'Chakras' (working groups)?
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Correct answer: B — Seven
PIB (MeitY): the Sutras are operationalised through seven thematic Chakras, or working groups.
How much renewable energy capacity did India add in 2025 up to November, according to MNRE's 29 December 2025 release?
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Correct answer: B — 44.51 GW
PIB (MNRE): 44.51 GW of RE was added in 2025 till November, nearly double the 24.72 GW of the same period last year. 34.98 GW was solar and 5.82 GW wind.
India reached 50% of its cumulative installed power capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of its 2030 NDC target, in:
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Correct answer: A — June 2025
PIB (MNRE): India achieved 50% non-fossil installed capacity in June 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 target under its NDC. January 2025 is when solar crossed 100 GW and August 2025 when non-fossil crossed 250 GW.
Consider the following statements about India's renewable energy in 2025: 1. Installed solar capacity crossed 100 GW in January 2025. 2. Non-fossil capacity reached about 51.5% of total installed capacity in November 2025. 3. Wind capacity additions exceeded solar capacity additions in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MNRE): solar crossed 100 GW in January 2025 and non-fossil capacity was 262.74 GW, 51.5% of 509.64 GW, in November 2025. Solar added 34.98 GW against wind's 5.82 GW, so statement 3 is wrong.
On 29 December 2025, the Department of Telecommunications extended the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme beyond 1 January 2026 for:
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Correct answer: C — Two years
PIB (Communications): DoT, through NCCS, extended the Pro Tem Certification Scheme beyond 01-01-2026 for a period of two years.
The DoT's December 2025 telecom security reforms simplified Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirement (ITSAR) certification for which devices?
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Correct answer: A — Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices
PIB (Communications): DoT simplified ITSAR certification of Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices.
As of 26 December 2025, which rabi pulse recorded the largest increase in sown area over the previous year (+4.66 lakh hectare)?
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Correct answer: D — Gram
PIB (Agriculture): gram area rose by 4.66 lakh hectare to 95.88 lakh hectare; lentil rose 0.21 lakh ha while fieldpea and urdbean fell.
Who won the women's title at the FIDE World Rapid Championship 2025 in Doha, where Koneru Humpy took bronze?
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Correct answer: B — Aleksandra Goryachkina
FIDE and Sportstar: Aleksandra Goryachkina won the women's crown after beating Zhu Jiner in a blitz playoff; Humpy took bronze.
Magnus Carlsen's win at the FIDE World Rapid Championship 2025 in Doha was his:
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Correct answer: C — Sixth World Rapid title
FIDE: Magnus Carlsen claimed his sixth World Rapid Championship title with 10.5/13.
Consider the following statements about India at the FIDE World Rapid Championship 2025: 1. Koneru Humpy was the defending women's champion, having won gold in New York in 2024. 2. Arjun Erigaisi won bronze on tiebreaks after finishing on 9.5 points. 3. Koneru Humpy lost the women's title playoff to Aleksandra Goryachkina. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
FIDE and Sportstar: Humpy was the defending champion (gold in New York 2024) and Erigaisi took bronze among four players on 9.5 points. Humpy missed the two-player playoff on tiebreaks; Goryachkina beat Zhu Jiner in it, so statement 3 is wrong.
What was the overarching theme of the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries held at Pusa, Delhi, from 26 to 28 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Human Capital for Viksit Bharat
PIB (PMO): the conference discussed the overarching theme 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat'.
At the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, the PM urged the Centre and States to jointly identify how many products for domestic manufacturing to reduce import dependence?
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Correct answer: B — 100
PIB (PMO): the PM urged the Centre and States to jointly identify 100 products for domestic manufacturing.
Consider the following statements about the National Conference of Chief Secretaries held in December 2025: 1. It was held at Pusa, Delhi, from 26 to 28 December 2025. 2. It was the fifth such national conference. 3. The PM said about half of India's population is in the working-age group. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO): the 5th conference was held at Pusa, Delhi, from 26 to 28 December 2025. The PM said nearly 70% of the population is of working age, not about half.
According to the Railways' Year End Review 2025, how many Amrit Bharat trains were in service in total after 13 new ones were introduced in 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 30
PIB (Railways): 13 new Amrit Bharat trains were introduced nationwide in 2025, taking the total to 30.
The Railways' Year End Review 2025 says India has become the world's second-largest rail freight carrier, overtaking which country?
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Correct answer: D — USA
PIB (Railways): record wagon production, Gati Shakti cargo terminals and freight corridors have helped India become the world's second-largest freight carrier, leaving the USA behind.
President Droupadi Murmu's sortie on INS Vaghsheer on 28 December 2025 made her the second President to sail in a submarine. Who was the first?
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Correct answer: C — A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
PIB (President's Secretariat): President Murmu is the second President to take a sortie in a submarine after President Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
From which naval harbour did President Murmu embark INS Vaghsheer for her dived sortie on 28 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Karwar
PIB: the President embarked the submarine at Karwar Naval Harbour, Karnataka.
Consider the following statements about President Murmu's sortie on INS Vaghsheer: 1. INS Vaghsheer is an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine. 2. The Chief of the Naval Staff accompanied the President. 3. INS Vaghsheer's motto is 'Sham No Varunah'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB: INS Vaghsheer is an indigenous Kalvari-class submarine and Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi accompanied the President. The President quoted the submarine's motto as 'Veerta Varchasva Vijaya', so statement 3 is wrong.
In the 129th Mann Ki Baat (28 December 2025), the PM cited an ICMR report warning that:
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Correct answer: C — Antibiotics are proving ineffective against diseases like pneumonia and UTI
PIB (PMO): the PM said a recent ICMR report states antibiotics are proving ineffective against many diseases like pneumonia and UTI, largely due to indiscriminate use.
According to the PM in Mann Ki Baat (28 December 2025), the Kutch Rann Utsav 2025-26 runs during which period?
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Correct answer: D — 23 November to 20 February
PIB (PMO): the Kutch Ranotsav began on 23 November and will continue until 20 February.
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue mentioned in the 129th Mann Ki Baat is held on National Youth Day, which falls on:
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Correct answer: A — 12 January
PIB (PMO): National Youth Day is celebrated on the 12th of January, Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, and the Young Leaders Dialogue will be held that day.
Consider the following statements about the Smart India Hackathon (SIH), as described in the 129th Mann Ki Baat: 1. In SIH 2025, students worked on more than 270 problems from more than 80 government departments. 2. Over 13 lakh students and over 6,000 institutes have participated in SIH in the last 7 to 8 years. 3. SIH 2025 was organised by ISRO for space-sector problems only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
PIB (PMO): SIH 2025 covered 270+ problems of 80+ government departments, and 13 lakh+ students and 6,000+ institutes have taken part over 7–8 years. The problems spanned traffic, financial fraud, cyber security and agriculture, not only space, so statement 3 is wrong.
Where is the Ministry of Civil Aviation's 24×7 Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) located?
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Correct answer: D — Udaan Bhawan
PIB (Civil Aviation): the PACR brings MoCA, DGCA, AAI and airlines together under one roof at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi.
About how many passenger grievances had the PACR resolved since 3 December 2025, according to MoCA on 28 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — 13,000
PIB (Civil Aviation): 13,000 grievances were resolved through focused monitoring and expedited interventions since 3 December 2025.
What is the total corpus of the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS), whose guidelines were notified on 27 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — ₹24,736 crore
PIB (MoPSW): SBFAS has a total corpus of ₹24,736 crore. ₹19,989 crore is the SbDS outlay, ₹44,700 crore the combined outlay, and ₹96,000 crore the projects SBFAS is expected to support.
Under the Shipbreaking Credit Note introduced by SBFAS, ship owners scrapping vessels at Indian yards receive a credit equal to what share of the scrap value?
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Correct answer: D — 40%
PIB (MoPSW): ship owners scrapping vessels at Indian yards will receive a credit equivalent to 40% of the scrap value.
Under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS), the India Ship Technology Centre will be set up under which institution?
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Correct answer: C — Indian Maritime University
PIB (MoPSW): SbDS provides for an India Ship Technology Centre under the Indian Maritime University to support research, design, innovation and skills.
Consider the following statements about the shipbuilding schemes whose guidelines were notified in December 2025: 1. SBFAS provides financial assistance of 15% to 25% per vessel, depending on the vessel category. 2. Greenfield shipbuilding clusters get 100% capital support through a 50:50 Centre–State special purpose vehicle. 3. Both SBFAS and SbDS are valid only until 31 March 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (MoPSW): SBFAS gives 15–25% per vessel and greenfield clusters get 100% capital support via a 50:50 Centre–State SPV. Both schemes are valid until 31 March 2036, with an in-principle extension to 2047, so statement 3 is wrong.
What is the toll-free number of the National Consumer Helpline?
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Correct answer: B — 1915
PIB (Consumer Affairs): consumers can register grievances in 17 languages through the toll-free number 1915.
Which sector accounted for the largest share of refunds facilitated by the National Consumer Helpline between 25 April and 26 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — E-commerce
PIB (Consumer Affairs): e-commerce recorded 39,965 grievances and ₹32 crore of the ₹45 crore refunds; travel and tourism was second with ₹3.5 crore.
Consider the following statements about the National Consumer Helpline (NCH): 1. Between 25 April and 26 December 2025, the NCH facilitated ₹45 crore in refunds on 67,265 grievances across 31 sectors. 2. The NCH operates at the pre-litigation stage under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. 3. Grievances can be registered on the NCH in only 12 languages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Consumer Affairs): the ₹45 crore refunds covered 67,265 grievances in 31 sectors, and the NCH works at the pre-litigation stage under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Grievances can be registered in 17 languages, so statement 3 is wrong.
On the Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (27 December 2025), the PM shared pictures from his earlier visit to which Takht?
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Correct answer: B — Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib
PIB (PMO): the PM shared pictures from his visit to Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib earlier in the year.
At Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, the PM had darshan of the holy Jore Sahib of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and of:
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Correct answer: C — Mata Sahib Kaur Ji
PIB (PMO): the PM had darshan of the holy Jore Sahib of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.
At which ground did England win the fourth Ashes Test of 2025-26 inside two days on 27 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Melbourne Cricket Ground
ESPNcricinfo and ICC: England won the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by four wickets on the second day.
Before the Melbourne win of December 2025, England's previous Test victory in Australia came at:
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Correct answer: D — Sydney, January 2011
ICC: it was England's first Test victory in Australia since they won the fifth Test in Sydney in January 2011.
Consider the following statements about the fourth Ashes Test of 2025-26: 1. The match finished inside two days. 2. England chased a target of 175 and won by four wickets. 3. The win levelled the five-match series at 2-2. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
ESPNcricinfo and ICC: the Test ended on day two with England chasing 175 to win by four wickets. Australia lead the series 3-1, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which agency organised the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 inaugurated in New Delhi on 26 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — National Investigation Agency
PIB 2208950: the two-day conference was organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the Home Minister at the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025, the terrorists who carried out the Baisaran (Pahalgam) attack were neutralised through:
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Correct answer: C — Operation Mahadev
PIB 2208950: the planners were punished through Operation Sindoor and those who carried out the attack were neutralised through Operation Mahadev.
Consider the following statements about the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025: 1. An Organised Crime Network Database was launched at the conference. 2. The Home Minister asked states to adopt a common ATS structure for their police. 3. It was a one-day conference organised by the Intelligence Bureau. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2208950: the Organised Crime Network Database was launched and states were asked to implement a common ATS structure. The conference was a two-day event organised by the NIA, so statement 3 is wrong.
How many children received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on 26 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 20
PIB backgrounder: 20 children from 18 States and Union Territories were selected for the PMRBP 2025.
Where was the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 conferred by the President on 26 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Vigyan Bhawan
PIB backgrounder: the awards were conferred at a special ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The national Veer Bal Diwas programme was held separately at Bharat Mandapam.
Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar: 1. It is given to Indian children aged 5 to 18 years as on 31 July of the year. 2. A maximum of 25 awards are normally conferred in a year. 3. The award is never conferred posthumously. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB backgrounder: eligibility is 5–18 years as on 31 July and at most 25 awards are given annually. Posthumous conferment is possible in rare cases, and two 2025 bravery awards were posthumous, so statement 3 is wrong.
The selection committee for the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is chaired by the:
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Correct answer: A — Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development
PIB backgrounder: the PMRBP Committee is constituted by the Minister for Women and Child Development and chaired by the Secretary, MWCD.
Indian Railways' plan announced in December 2025 aims to double the train-originating capacity of major cities by which year?
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Correct answer: B — 2030
PIB 2208869: the works for doubling the originating capacity are to be completed by 2030.
Under Indian Railways' capacity-doubling plan, which stations are being considered along with Pune station to raise Pune's capacity?
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Correct answer: A — Hadapsar, Khadki and Alandi
PIB 2208869: for Pune, Hadapsar, Khadki and Alandi have been considered along with more platforms and stabling lines at Pune station.
Veer Baal Diwas, observed on 26 December, honours which two Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji?
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Correct answer: C — Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh
PIB backgrounder: Veer Baal Diwas honours Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The two youngest Sahibzadas were martyred on 26 December 1704 at:
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Correct answer: C — Sirhind (Fatehgarh Sahib)
PIB backgrounder: they were bricked alive and martyred at Sirhind (present-day Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab) on 26 December 1704.
In his Veer Baal Diwas 2025 address, the Prime Minister said the colonial mindset was seeded by Macaulay in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1835
PIB 2208811: the PM said the mentality was seeded by British politician Macaulay in 1835, and that 2035 will mark 200 years.
Data from which instrument did Indian Institute of Astrophysics scientists use to study PAH molecules around the young star T Chamaeleontis?
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Correct answer: B — Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) of JWST
PIB 2208927: IIA scientists used archival spectroscopic data from JWST's Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI).
Consider the following statements about the IIA study of T Chamaeleontis released in December 2025: 1. T Chamaeleontis is a young star about 350 light-years from Earth. 2. The PAH molecules found contain more than 100 carbon atoms each. 3. Faint PAH signatures were also found in archival Spitzer Space Telescope data. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2208927: T Cha is about 350 light-years away and faint PAH signatures were found in archival Spitzer data. The PAHs are smaller molecules with fewer than 30 carbon atoms, so statement 2 is wrong.
What name has the Labour Ministry given to the authorised facilitators who will guide EPFO members in accessing benefits?
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Correct answer: B — EPF Suvidha Providers
PIB 2208948: the Government will introduce EPF Suvidha Providers, authorised facilitators who guide members and act as a bridge between citizens and EPFO.
By when did the Labour Minister say India would bring 100 crore citizens under social security coverage?
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Correct answer: C — March 2026
PIB 2208948: 94 crore people are covered today and by March 2026 India will ensure coverage for 100 crore citizens.
Consider the following statements made at the EPFO event at Vatva on 26 December 2025: 1. EPFO holds a fund corpus of about ₹28 lakh crore. 2. As per the ILO, India's social security coverage rose from 19% before 2014 to 64%. 3. EPF claims of up to ₹1 lakh only are settled automatically. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2208948: the corpus is ₹28 lakh crore and coverage rose from 19% to 64% as per the ILO. Settlements up to ₹5 lakh are now processed automatically, so statement 3 is wrong.
The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB), which released the carbon uptake report in December 2025, works under the administrative control of:
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Correct answer: D — Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
PIB 2208907: NCB is an apex R&D organisation under the administrative control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The GCCA India–NCB report 'Carbon Uptake by Concrete' (December 2025) is based on which methodology?
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Correct answer: B — Tier-I methodology of the IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute
PIB 2208907: the report is based on the Tier-I methodology of IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute; it will go to MoEF&CC for possible inclusion as a sink in NATCOM to the UNFCCC.
India will chair which international initiative against trade in 'conflict diamonds' from 1 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kimberley Process
PIB 2208375: the Kimberley Process Plenary selected India to assume the chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process from 1 January 2026.
How many times will India have chaired the Kimberley Process when it takes over in 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Third
PIB 2208375: this will be the third time India has been entrusted with the chair of the Kimberley Process.
Consider the following statements about the Kimberley Process: 1. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme came into effect on 1 January 2003. 2. It has 60 participants, with the European Union and its member states counted as one. 3. Its participants account for about three-fourths of global rough diamond trade. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2208375: KPCS came into effect on 1 January 2003 and KP has 60 participants (EU counted as one). Participants account for over 99% of global rough diamond trade, so statement 3 is wrong.
In which script is the Santhali version of the Constitution of India, released on 25 December 2025, written?
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Correct answer: A — Ol Chiki
PIB 2208453: the President said the Constitution is now available in the Santhali language, written in the Ol Chiki script.
Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution by which Amendment Act?
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Correct answer: C — 92nd Amendment Act, 2003
PIB 2208453 and 2208484: Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule through the 92nd Amendment Act, 2003.
Consider the following statements about the Santhali Constitution released in December 2025: 1. The Ol Chiki script was developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925. 2. The translation was published by the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice. 3. It was released at a joint sitting in Parliament House. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2208484: Ol Chiki was developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925 and the translation was published by the Legislative Department. It was released at Rashtrapati Bhavan, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which completed 25 years in December 2025, was launched on:
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Correct answer: B — 25 December 2000
PIB backgrounder 2208381: PMGSY was launched on 25 December 2000 to ensure all-weather connectivity to unconnected rural habitations.
PMGSY-IV (2024–29) aims to connect how many rural habitations?
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Correct answer: A — 25,000
PIB backgrounder 2208381: under PMGSY-IV, 25,000 habitations are to be connected through 62,500 km of roads with an outlay of ₹70,125 crore. (1,63,339 habitations were sanctioned under Phase I.)
In which year was the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) under the PMGSY framework launched?
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Correct answer: C — 2016
PIB backgrounder 2208381: RCPLWEA was launched in 2016 as a targeted intervention; PMGSY Phase II began in 2013.
What penalty did the CCPA impose on Vision IAS in December 2025 for misleading UPSC result advertisements?
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Correct answer: A — ₹11 lakh
PIB 2208482: the CCPA imposed a penalty of ₹11 lakh on Vision IAS (AjayVision Education Private Limited).
'Misleading advertisement' is defined under which section of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as cited by the CCPA in its December 2025 order against a coaching institute?
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Correct answer: C — Section 2(28)
PIB 2208482: concealment of material information constituted a misleading advertisement under Section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
Good Governance Day, observed on 25 December, marks the birth anniversary of:
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Correct answer: B — Atal Bihari Vajpayee
PIB 2208924: the Good Governance Day workshop commemorated the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. (Malaviya was also born on 25 December, but the Day honours Vajpayee.)
According to DARPG, how many public grievances were redressed during Good Governance Week 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Over 45 lakh
PIB 2208924: Good Governance Week saw over 57,000 camps, disposal of over 3 crore service delivery applications and redressal of over 45 lakh public grievances.
Under the railway fare rationalisation effective 26 December 2025, Second Class Ordinary fares do not increase for journeys up to:
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Correct answer: B — 215 km
PIB 2208532: in Second Class Ordinary there is no increase in fare for journeys up to 215 km.
By how much per kilometre were Mail/Express fares (AC and non-AC) revised from 26 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 2 paise
PIB 2208532: in Mail/Express trains the fare increase is 2 paise per km across non-AC and AC classes.
Consider the following statements about the railway fare rationalisation of December 2025: 1. There is no change in fares for suburban services and season tickets. 2. Reservation fees and superfast surcharges have also been raised. 3. Revised fares apply only to tickets booked on or after 26 December 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2208532: suburban and season ticket fares are unchanged and the new fares apply only to tickets booked on or after 26 December 2025. Reservation fees and superfast surcharges are unchanged, so statement 2 is wrong.
Who released 'Mahamana Vangmay', the final series of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya's collected works, on 25 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan
PIB 2208546: Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released Mahamana Vangmay at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Consider the following statements about 'Mahamana Vangmay': 1. The second and final series comprises 12 volumes. 2. It is published by the Publications Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 3. The first series was released by the Prime Minister in 2023. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2208546: the final series has 12 volumes (about 3,500 pages), it is published by the Publications Division, and the first series was released by PM Modi in 2023. All three are correct.
Which body has the Environment Ministry asked to identify additional no-mining zones and prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining for the Aravallis (December 2025)?
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Correct answer: A — Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
PIB 2208234: MoEF&CC directed ICFRE to identify additional areas where mining should be prohibited while preparing the MPSM for the entire Aravalli region.
As described by the Environment Ministry in December 2025, the Aravalli Range stretches between:
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Correct answer: A — Gujarat and the National Capital Region
PIB 2208234: the Aravallis form a continuous geological ridge extending from Gujarat to the National Capital Region.
Consider the following statements about the Centre's December 2025 directions on the Aravallis: 1. States must not grant any new mining leases anywhere in the Aravallis. 2. All mines already operating in the Aravallis must close immediately. 3. The Management Plan for Sustainable Mining will be placed in the public domain for consultation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2208234: the ban covers grant of new mining leases and the MPSM will be placed in the public domain. Existing mines are to be regulated stringently in line with the Supreme Court's order, not closed, so statement 2 is wrong.