UPSC EPFO / APFC Current Affairs Quiz — Last 6 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which body released the consultation paper on 'Proliferation of Public Wi-Fi Networks in India' on 27 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
TRAI released the consultation paper and invited comments by 25 May 2026.
By what date are written comments invited on TRAI's April 2026 consultation paper on public Wi-Fi?
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Correct answer: A — 25 May 2026
Comments are due by 25 May 2026; counter-comments by 8 June 2026.
MoSPI's April 2026 approach paper proposes an index to capture short-term movements in which sector?
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Correct answer: B — Services
The paper is on compiling an Index of Service Production (ISP) for the formal sector, as there is no short-term index for services unlike the IIP for industry.
Which data source does MoSPI's approach paper on the Index of Service Production draw on?
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Correct answer: D — Goods and Services Tax (GST) data
The approach paper relies on GST data along with other digitised administrative sources.
Under its April 2026 MoU with the Department of Posts, which logistics company gets access to India Post's network of 1.64 lakh post offices?
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Correct answer: D — DTDC Express
DTDC Express Limited signed the MoU with the Department of Posts on 27 April 2026.
Raghu Rai, who died on 26 April 2026, was the first Indian photographer invited to join which photo agency?
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Correct answer: C — Magnum Photos
Rai joined Magnum Photos in 1977 on the nomination of Henri Cartier-Bresson.
Which photographer nominated Raghu Rai to join Magnum Photos?
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Correct answer: A — Henri Cartier-Bresson
Rai was nominated by French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, a founding member of Magnum.
In which year did Raghu Rai join Magnum Photos?
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Correct answer: D — 1977
The Indian Express and the BBC both report that Rai joined Magnum Photos in 1977.
How many space laboratories in universities and colleges will be set up in the first phase, as reviewed on 26 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Seven
Seven space labs will be established in the first phase.
With which institution is the ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund for space startups being operationalised?
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Correct answer: D — SIDBI
The ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund is being operationalised with SIDBI to support growth-stage startups.
Consider the following statements about India's space sector as briefed by IN-SPACe in April 2026: 1. Private investment in the sector has exceeded USD 600 million over the past five years. 2. The number of space startups has crossed 1,000. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: space startups grew to over 400 by early 2026.
According to the Prime Minister in the 133rd Mann Ki Baat (April 2026), India's wind energy capacity has crossed:
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Correct answer: D — 56 GW
The PM said India's wind energy capacity has exceeded 56 GW, with nearly 6 GW added in the last year.
The Fast Breeder Reactor whose criticality was hailed in the 133rd Mann Ki Baat is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
The PM said the Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has achieved criticality.
Consider the following statements made in the 133rd Mann Ki Baat: 1. India ranks fourth in the world in wind energy capacity. 2. The music of the Beating Retreat ceremony is now available on WAVES OTT for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements were made by the Prime Minister in the 26 April 2026 episode.
INS Sudarshini's port call at Las Palmas in April 2026 was part of which expedition?
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Correct answer: C — Lokayan 26
The port call was a milestone in INS Sudarshini's Lokayan 26 transoceanic expedition.
After Las Palmas, INS Sudarshini's next stop, its final African stopover before the trans-Atlantic passage, is:
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Correct answer: B — Mindelo, Cape Verde
The ship proceeds to Mindelo, Cape Verde, its final African stopover before crossing the Atlantic.
According to the Agriculture Ministry's clarification of April 2026, the 2025–26 wheat crop was sown on an estimated area of:
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Correct answer: A — 33.4 million hectares
The wheat crop was sown on an estimated 33.4 million hectares, with an additional 0.6 million hectares over the previous year.
Consider the following statements about the 2025–26 wheat crop as per the Agriculture Ministry: 1. A major pest outbreak reduced yields in several states. 2. Unusually high temperatures in February exposed the crop to heat stress. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: no incidence of major pests or diseases was reported. Statement 2 is correct.
Which Indian Navy ship is deployed as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, which arrived in Singapore on 26 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — INS Sunayna
IOS SAGAR is INS Sunayna, carrying a multinational crew from 16 friendly foreign countries.
Consider the following statements about the IOS SAGAR deployment of 2026: 1. Singapore was its first port call. 2. The ship's crew is drawn from 16 friendly foreign countries. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: Singapore was the fourth port call, after Malé, Phuket and Jakarta. Statement 2 is correct.
Which institution is the initial Implementation Agency for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 under the April 2026 guidelines?
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Correct answer: C — SIDBI
The guidelines name the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as the initial Implementation Agency; DPIIT will onboard one more agency.
The corpus of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, for which DPIIT issued operational guidelines in April 2026, is:
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000 crore
The guidelines operationalise the ₹10,000 crore corpus of FoF 2.0.
Consider the following statements about the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 guidelines: 1. Funds will be committed to SEBI-registered Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds, which invest in DPIIT-recognised startups. 2. AIFs will be selected in two stages, ending with evaluation by a Venture Capital Investment Committee. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: FoF 2.0 commits to SEBI-registered Category I and II AIFs, and selection involves screening by the Implementation Agency followed by a Venture Capital Investment Committee.
India met its all-time highest peak power demand on 25 April 2026. What was the demand met?
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Correct answer: C — 256.1 GW
The Ministry of Power said India met an all-time high peak demand of 256.1 GW on 25 April 2026 at 15:38 hrs.
Before 25 April 2026, India's previous all-time high peak power demand of 250 GW was recorded on:
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Correct answer: D — 30 May 2024
The previous all-time high of 250 GW was recorded on 30 May 2024; the FY 2025–26 peak was 245.4 GW on 9 January 2026.
Consider the following statements about the April 2026 record power demand: 1. India added a record of around 65 GW of generation capacity during FY 2025–26. 2. Electricity exports to neighbouring countries were suspended to meet the peak. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The ministry cited record capacity addition of around 65 GW in FY 2025–26, and said exports to neighbouring countries were maintained, so only statement 1 is correct.
Census 2027 will be which census in the series since Independence?
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Correct answer: D — 8th
The PIB backgrounder says Census 2027 will be the 16th census in the series and the 8th since Independence.
India's first synchronous census was conducted in:
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Correct answer: B — 1881
The backgrounder says the first modern census was conducted between 1865 and 1872, not simultaneously, and the first synchronous census was held in 1881.
Consider the following statements about Census 2027: 1. The decision to include caste enumeration was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 30 April 2025. 2. Its outlay is ₹11,718.24 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated in the PIB backgrounder of 25 April 2026.
NITI Aayog's April 2026 report 'Moving Towards Effective City Government' focuses on which category of cities?
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Correct answer: B — Million-plus cities
The report is titled 'Moving Towards Effective City Government – A Framework for Million-plus Cities' and prioritises India's million-plus cities.
Consider the following recommendations of NITI Aayog's report on million-plus cities (April 2026): 1. A directly elected Mayor with a fixed tenure, supported by an empowered Mayor-in-Council. 2. Bringing water supply, sanitation and public transport under city governments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are among the report's key recommendations.
At HUDCO's 56th Foundation Day in April 2026, the Technical Assistance Framework unveiled was for:
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Correct answer: A — Urban Invest Window (UiWIN)
A symposium on the Urban Challenge Fund and the Urban Invest Window followed the event, at which the UiWIN Technical Assistance Framework was unveiled.
Project DANTAK, which celebrated its 66th Raising Day in April 2026, is a project of the Border Roads Organisation in:
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Correct answer: A — Bhutan
Project DANTAK of the BRO celebrated its 66th Raising Day at Thimphu, Bhutan, where it has worked since April 1961.
Project DANTAK of the Border Roads Organisation was established in Bhutan in:
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Correct answer: C — April 1961
Project DANTAK has served in Bhutan since its establishment in April 1961; its 66th Raising Day in 2026 marked 65 years.
Consider the following statements about Project DANTAK: 1. It was instrumental in building Paro International Airport. 2. It has constructed over 1,500 km of roads in Bhutan, including the East–West Highway connecting Trashigang to Thimphu. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are stated in the Ministry of Defence release on the 66th Raising Day.
Who was appointed Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog under the Cabinet Secretariat notification of 24 April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ashok Kumar Lahiri
The notification approved Ashok Kumar Lahiri's appointment as Vice Chairperson; Rajiv Gauba, K. V. Raju and Abhay Karandikar were among the full-time members.
NITI Aayog, reconstituted in April 2026, was originally constituted through:
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Correct answer: B — A Cabinet resolution dated 1 January 2015
NITI Aayog was constituted by a Cabinet Secretariat resolution dated 1 January 2015, replacing the Planning Commission set up by a Cabinet resolution on 15 March 1950.
Consider the following statements about the April 2026 reconstitution of NITI Aayog: 1. Rajiv Gauba and Gobardhan Das were appointed as full-time members. 2. The ex-officio members and special invitees were also replaced. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Rajiv Gauba and Gobardhan Das are among the five full-time members; the notification says ex-officio members and special invitees remain the same, so only statement 1 is correct.
The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 report released on 24 April 2026 rationalised the number of indicators from 516 to:
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Correct answer: B — 150
PAI 2.0 rationalised indicators from 516 to 150 and recorded participation of 97.30% of Gram Panchayats.
Provisions relating to Panchayats, given constitutional status by the 73rd Amendment Act, are contained in which Part of the Constitution of India?
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Correct answer: D — Part IX
The PIB backgrounder notes that the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 came into force in 1993 and the provisions related to Panchayats are in Part IX.
Consider the following statements made on National Panchayati Raj Day 2026: 1. The Sixteenth Finance Commission's grant for rural local bodies is nearly 84% higher than under the Fifteenth Finance Commission. 2. Basic and performance grants are split in the ratio 50:50. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The secretary said the 16th FC grant is nearly 84% higher than under the 15th FC, with an 80:20 ratio between basic and performance grants; only statement 1 is correct.
The first phase of the DGCA ranking of Flying Training Organisations, whose second phase was released in April 2026, was published on:
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Correct answer: D — 1 October 2025
The ministry said the first phase of the FTO ranking was published on 1 October 2025.
While releasing the FTO ranking in April 2026, the Civil Aviation Minister estimated India's requirement of additional pilots over the next decade at nearly:
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Correct answer: B — 30,000
Ram Mohan Naidu cited an estimated requirement of nearly 30,000 additional pilots over the next decade.
MoSPI's April 2026 proposal for city-level statistical reports covers how many million-plus cities (as per Census 2011)?
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Correct answer: C — 47
The NSO proposed dedicated city-level statistical reports for 47 million-plus cities as per Population Census 2011.
The proposed city-level statistical reports of MoSPI (April 2026) will be based on data from:
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Correct answer: B — PLFS and ASUSE
The reports will use existing data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE).
What is the outlay of the mining sector reform incentive included in the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for FY 2026-27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,000 crore
The Ministry of Mines said an incentive mechanism on mining sector reforms with ₹5,000 crore outlay has been incorporated in SASCI for FY 2026-27.
Under the SASCI 2026-27 mining reform component, a state gets ₹20 crore for each major mineral block auctioned with pre-embedded clearances, subject to an upper cap per state of:
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Correct answer: D — ₹200 crore
The incentive is ₹20 crore per block successfully auctioned up to 31 December 2026, with an upper cap of ₹200 crore per state.
India and the United States issued a Joint Statement agreeing on a framework for an Interim Agreement on trade on:
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Correct answer: B — 7 February 2026
The Commerce Ministry said the Joint Statement on the framework for an Interim Agreement was issued on 7 February 2026.
The in-person India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement round of 20–23 April 2026 was held in:
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Correct answer: D — Washington D.C.
The Indian delegation visited Washington D.C. for the in-person round from 20 to 23 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about the India–US trade talks of April 2026: 1. The round aimed to finalise the details of an Interim Agreement. 2. Digital trade and economic security alignment were among the areas discussed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the round sought to finalise the Interim Agreement, and the areas discussed included digital trade and economic security alignment.
Under which law has the FDI limit in the Indian insurance sector been raised to 100%?
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Correct answer: B — Sabka Bima, Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025
The PIB backgrounder says the FDI limit in insurance was raised to 100% under the Sabka Bima, Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025.
According to the Swiss Re report cited by PIB in April 2026, India's rank among global insurance markets by premium volume is:
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Correct answer: C — 10th
India ranks as the 10th largest insurance market globally by premium volume, per the Swiss Re report.
Consider the following statements from the PIB backgrounder on insurance (April 2026): 1. IRDAI has committed to the vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047'. 2. The share of insurance and pension funds in household financial assets fell between FY19 and FY25. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
IRDAI's vision is 'Insurance for All by 2047'; the share rose from 28.6% in FY19 to 29.6% in FY25, so only statement 1 is correct.
According to the review of BSNL's FY 2025-26 results, its average revenue per user (ARPU) rose to:
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Correct answer: D — ₹101
BSNL's ARPU improved to ₹101 in FY 2025-26 from ₹71 the previous year, a 42% rise.
Which BSNL circle was named the overall best performing circle for FY 2025-26?
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Correct answer: B — Odisha
The Odisha circle was honoured as the overall best performing circle, with about 21% growth in revenue from services.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Defence Investor Summit on 23 April 2026, the final day of his maiden visit to Germany, in:
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Correct answer: B — Munich
Rajnath Singh addressed Indian and German defence industry leaders at the Defence Investor Summit in Munich.
Consider the following statements about Rajnath Singh's address in Munich (April 2026): 1. Sonobuoys and AI-enabled unmanned aerial systems were among the areas proposed for co-development. 2. Singh referred to the potential under the 'ReArm Europe' initiative. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Singh cited ReArm Europe and Aatmanirbhar Bharat and listed areas including AI-enabled UAS and sonobuoys.
The 13th session of the India–Czech Republic Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, held in April 2026, was co-chaired from the Indian side by:
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Correct answer: A — Jitin Prasada
MoS for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada co-chaired the 13th JCEC in Prague on 23 April 2026.
The 13th India–Czech Republic JCEC session was held on 23 April 2026 in:
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Correct answer: D — Prague
The session was held in Prague, where its protocol was signed.
Which of the following countries' envoy presented credentials to President Droupadi Murmu on 23 April 2026 as a High Commissioner rather than an Ambassador?
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Correct answer: D — Namibia
Namibia's envoy, Wing Commander (Retd.) Alex Lunyazo Tukuhupwele, presented credentials as High Commissioner; the others were Ambassadors.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026 come into force on:
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Correct answer: B — 1 May 2026
MeitY said the Rules will come into force on 1 May 2026.
Which body do the Online Gaming Rules, 2026 establish as a unified, digital-first regulator for the sector?
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Correct answer: A — Online Gaming Authority of India
The Rules establish the Online Gaming Authority of India as a unified, digital-first regulator.
Consider the following statements about the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025 and its Rules: 1. The Act was enacted by Parliament in August 2025. 2. The Rules have been framed under Section 12 of the Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The PROG Act was enacted in August 2025; the Rules were made under Section 19 (Section 12 deals with civil penalties), so only statement 1 is correct.
Which document on defence industry was signed during Rajnath Singh's talks with Boris Pistorius in Berlin on 22 April 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap
A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training were signed and exchanged.
Boris Pistorius, who held talks with Rajnath Singh in April 2026, is the Defence Minister of:
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Correct answer: D — Germany
Boris Pistorius is Germany's Federal Minister of Defence; the talks were held in Berlin.
Consider the following statements about the India–Germany defence talks of 22 April 2026: 1. An Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training was signed. 2. The talks were held in Munich. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The Implementing Arrangement on UN Peacekeeping Training was signed, but the talks were in Berlin. Only statement 1 is correct.
Which ministry administers the Prime Minister Internship Scheme, whose eligibility was expanded to final-year students in April 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Corporate Affairs
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs expanded PMIS eligibility, in consultation with the Department of Higher Education.
Under the April 2026 change to the PM Internship Scheme, final-year students applying must submit:
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Correct answer: A — A No Objection Certificate from their institution
Students must submit a No Objection Certificate from their institution confirming the internship will not interfere with academic requirements.
What is the outlay of the revised Technology Development and Investment Promotion (TDIP) Scheme of DoT for 2026–31?
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Correct answer: D — ₹203 crore
The revised TDIP Scheme has a total outlay of ₹203 crore for 2026–31.
The TDIP Scheme seeks to enhance India's participation in which of the following global telecom standardisation bodies?
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Correct answer: B — ITU, 3GPP and oneM2M
The scheme supports Indian participation in the ITU, 3GPP and oneM2M.